Beijing, February 10, 2025 — In a landmark achievement for the global film industry, China's box office revenue for the 2025 Chinese New Year period has soared past the 10 billion yuan mark (nearly $1.4 billion), including advance ticket sales. This record-breaking performance solidifies China's position at the pinnacle of global box office rankings, surpassing North America in cumulative earnings.
As of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, the Spring Festival holiday box office reached an unprecedented 8 billion yuan (over $1.1 billion), according to data from the National Film Administration. The surge in revenue is attributed to a lineup of domestic films that have captivated audiences nationwide.
Leading the box office charge is the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which has not only outperformed last year's Spring Festival champion, Yolo, but has also shattered over ten national box office records. Ne Zha 2 is now poised to become the highest-grossing film in China's cinema history.
The original Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child stunned the industry in 2019 with earnings of 5 billion yuan (around $690 million). The sequel returns with a more compelling storyline and breathtaking visuals, sparking widespread discussion and enthusiasm among moviegoers.
The success of Ne Zha 2 reflects the rapid growth and maturation of China's film industry, particularly in the realm of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Not long ago, Chinese studios were often seen as Hollywood's \"back office,\" handling minor visual effects for U.S. films. As the industry evolved, many Chinese productions outsourced CGI work to foreign studios.
However, this trend is changing. China's CGI industry is stepping into the spotlight, helping to tell stories deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The rise of high-quality domestic productions like Ne Zha 2 showcases the industry's increasing capability to produce world-class content that resonates both at home and abroad.
The unprecedented success of the 2025 Chinese New Year box office not only underscores the strong domestic demand for quality entertainment but also highlights China's influential role in the global film industry.
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2025 Chinese New Year box office soars to 10B yuan, tops global charts
cgtn.com
