China Sets New Daily Box Office Record During Spring Festival
China's box office reached a historic milestone on Wednesday, the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, by generating an impressive 1.805 billion yuan (approximately $249 million) in a single day. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the nation's thriving film industry but also signifies a robust return of audiences to cinemas across the country.
The China Film Administration (CFA) announced on Thursday that a total of 35.15 million moviegoers visited theaters on that day, surpassing the previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year. Both the box office revenue and the number of attendees marked new all-time highs, underscoring the growing appeal of domestic cinema.
The Spring Festival holiday, one of China's most lucrative movie-going seasons, runs from January 28 to February 4 this year, extending one day longer than in previous years. The extended holiday period has provided an ideal opportunity for families and friends to gather and enjoy the latest film releases.
Leading the box office chart are six domestic films that debuted on Wednesday, spanning a diverse range of genres including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama. This variety caters to different audience preferences, contributing to the robust ticket sales.
Huajin Securities observed that these six new releases appeal to a wide array of viewers, as they are part of highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and sizeable fan bases. The diversity of genres and the strength of these franchises have been key factors in drawing large crowds to theaters.
Since December last year, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in movie-going consumption subsidies. Analysts suggest that this initiative aims to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, providing a significant boost to the film industry.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts that total box office earnings will see a 6.7% year-on-year increase, reaching 8.54 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday. This optimistic forecast reflects confidence in the sustained growth of China's cinematic market and the continued enthusiasm of audiences.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
