In a landmark achievement for the film industry, China's box office revenue for 2025, including advance ticket sales, has officially crossed the 10-billion-yuan (nearly $1.4 billion) mark. This milestone places China at the pinnacle of the global box office rankings, surpassing North America in cumulative earnings.
As of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, the box office for the Spring Festival period reached a new historical record of 8 billion yuan (over $1.1 billion), according to data from the National Film Administration. This unprecedented surge underscores the robust growth of China's film industry and the increasing appetite for homegrown cinematic experiences.
Leading this extraordinary success is the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which has already outperformed last year's Spring Festival champion, Yolo. The film has shattered over ten national box office records and is now poised to become the all-time highest-grossing film in China's cinema history.
Back in 2019, Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child stunned the movie industry by earning 5 billion yuan (around $690 million). Now, Ne Zha 2 returns with a more compelling storyline and breathtaking visuals, sparking widespread discussion and enthusiasm among audiences.
Not long ago, Chinese studios were seen as Hollywood's \"back office,\" handling minor visual effects for U.S. films. As China's film industry has grown, many productions previously outsourced work to foreign studios. But that's changing. China's computer-generated imagery (CGI) industry is stepping forward, helping tell stories rooted in Chinese culture and showcasing technological advancements that rival international standards.
This remarkable achievement not only reflects the strength of China's domestic film industry but also signifies its increasing influence on the global stage. The success of Ne Zha 2 highlights a growing appreciation for stories that resonate with Chinese cultural heritage, appealing to audiences both at home and abroad.
