On Wednesday, the Spring Festival—also known as Chinese New Year—the Chinese mainland's box office soared to a new daily record, amassing an impressive 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million) in earnings. This milestone surpassed the previous record set during the 2021 Chinese New Year, marking a significant rebound for the film industry.
According to the China Film Administration (CFA), the number of moviegoers reached 35.15 million on the same day, eclipsing past figures and highlighting the enduring popularity of cinema during the festive season. The Spring Festival holiday, one of the most lucrative periods for the Chinese mainland's film industry, runs from January 28 to February 4 this year—a day longer than in previous years.
Leading the charge at the box office are six newly released domestic films spanning a diverse range of genres, including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama. This variety caters to a wide array of audience preferences, contributing to the impressive ticket sales.
Financial analysts from Huajin Securities observed that many of these films are part of well-established franchises with strong reputations and loyal fan bases. \"The diversity of genres and the strength of these franchises are driving factors in attracting audiences back to theaters,\" they noted.
Since December, the CFA has been encouraging institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies. Analysts suggest this move aims to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, further stimulating the domestic film market.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts a continued upward trend, forecasting total box office revenues to increase by 6.7 percent year-on-year, reaching 8.54 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday.
The record-breaking figures signify not only the public's enthusiasm for cinema but also the resilience of the Chinese mainland's film industry amid global challenges. As audiences return to theaters in droves, the future of film in the Chinese mainland looks brighter than ever.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
