China's box office shattered records on Wednesday during the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, with daily earnings soaring to an unprecedented 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million). This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for the country's film industry.
According to the China Film Administration (CFA), a total of 35.15 million moviegoers flocked to cinemas on the day, surpassing previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year. Both the box office revenue and the number of attendees reflect a booming interest in domestic films and a revitalization of the cinema experience.
The Spring Festival holiday, running from January 28 to February 4 this year—one day longer than in previous years—has long been one of China's most lucrative movie-going seasons. This year, six domestic films debuted on Wednesday, leading the box office charts. These films span a variety of genres, including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama, offering something for every taste.
Analysts from Huajin Securities highlighted that these new releases cater to diverse audience groups and are often part of highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and large fan bases. This diversity and established popularity have contributed significantly to the record-breaking box office performance.
Since December, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies. Analysts suggest that these subsidies aim to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers and stimulate the film industry.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase in total box office takings, expecting them to reach 8.54 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday. This optimistic forecast reflects confidence in the continued growth and resilience of China's film market.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
