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China's film industry has kicked off the Year of the Snake with a bang, as millions flocked to cinemas on the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, setting new box office records.
By 4:23 p.m. on Wednesday, the Chinese mainland's box office revenue during the festive period, including pre-sold tickets, had surpassed an unprecedented 2 billion yuan (over $276 million), according to data from box office tracker Dengta Data.
A slate of six highly anticipated films hit theaters during the holiday season: \"The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero\", \"Ne Zha 2\", \"Detective Chinatown 1900\", \"Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force\", \"Operation Hadal\", and \"Boonie Bears: Future Reborn\". Remarkably, the first four titles each exceeded 200 million yuan in pre-sale ticket sales, marking the most successful pre-sale period in history.
The diverse lineup offers a rich tapestry of genres and themes, catering to a wide array of audience preferences. Unlike last year's Spring Festival selections, which were predominantly comedies and dramas, this year's offerings span mythology, epic tales, war stories, action-packed adventures, martial arts, animation, comedy, and science fiction. This variety ensures an inclusive cinematic experience, appealing to moviegoers of all tastes.
Industry analysts attribute the record-breaking sales to the growing quality and appeal of domestic films, coupled with the festive spirit that encourages communal activities such as cinema outings. The impressive box office performance is seen as a positive indicator of the Chinese film industry's resilience and vitality, despite global challenges.
As families and friends gather to celebrate the Spring Festival, cinemas across the nation are buzzing with excitement. The overwhelming response not only reflects the public's enthusiasm for rich storytelling and cinematic innovation but also sets a promising tone for the industry's growth in the Year of the Snake.
With such a strong start, stakeholders and audiences alike are optimistic about what the rest of the year holds for Chinese cinema.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival holiday box office tops $276 million
cgtn.com
