In a landmark achievement for the global 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 staggering figure not only sets a new national record but also propels China to the top 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 historical high of 8 billion yuan (over $1.1 billion), according to data from the National Film Administration.
Leading this unprecedented success is the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which has outperformed last year's Spring Festival champion, Yolo, 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 with earnings of 5 billion yuan (around $690 million). Now, Ne Zha 2 returns with a more compelling storyline and breathtaking visuals, igniting widespread discussion among audiences and critics alike.
This success marks a significant shift in China's film industry. Not long ago, Chinese studios were often seen as Hollywood's \"back office,\" handling minor visual effects for U.S. films. As the industry grew, many Chinese productions even outsourced work to foreign studios.
However, the tide is turning. China's computer-generated imagery (CGI) industry is stepping into the spotlight, bringing stories rooted in Chinese culture to life with world-class visual effects.
The remarkable achievements of Ne Zha 2 not only showcase the advancement of China's animation and CGI capabilities but also reflect a growing global interest in stories that highlight Chinese mythology and heritage.
Industry analysts believe that this milestone is just the beginning. With continued investment in technology and storytelling, China's film industry is poised for even greater successes on the world stage.
