In a remarkable milestone for the film industry, the Chinese mainland's box office revenue for 2025, including advance ticket sales, has officially surpassed the 10-billion-yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) mark.
This achievement places the Chinese mainland at the pinnacle of global box office rankings, overtaking North America for the first time.
As of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, the box office earnings during the Spring Festival period reached a historic 8 billion yuan (over $1.1 billion), according to data from the National Film Administration.
Leading this extraordinary success is the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which has already eclipsed last year's Spring Festival champion, Yolo. The film has shattered more than ten national box office records and is on track to become the highest-grossing film in the history of the Chinese mainland's cinema.
In 2019, Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child (Ne Zha 1) made a significant impact with earnings of 5 billion yuan (around $690 million). Returning with a more compelling storyline and breathtaking visuals, Ne Zha 2 has ignited widespread discussion and appreciation among audiences.
Not long ago, Chinese studios were primarily seen as Hollywood's \"back office,\" managing minor visual effects for U.S. films with many productions outsourcing work to foreign studios. However, this dynamic is rapidly changing.
China's Computer-generated Imagery (CGI) industry is making significant strides, enabling the creation of stories deeply rooted in Chinese culture and reducing the reliance on foreign studios. This evolution marks a new era for the Chinese mainland's film industry, highlighting its growing influence and capability on the global stage.
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2025 Chinese New Year box office soars to 10B yuan, tops global charts
cgtn.com
