China's film industry has celebrated a record-breaking start to the Spring Festival, as the daily box office revenue soared to an unprecedented 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million) on Wednesday, marking Chinese New Year. This milestone surpasses the previous record set during the 2021 Chinese New Year, according to the China Film Administration (CFA).
An impressive 35.15 million moviegoers flocked to cinemas across the country on that day, highlighting the nation's robust recovery in the entertainment sector. The Spring Festival holiday, which runs from January 28 to February 4 this year—one day longer than in previous years—is traditionally one of China's most lucrative periods for the film industry.
Leading the charge are six new domestic films that debuted on Wednesday, spanning genres from Chinese mythology and wuxia—a genre featuring martial arts and chivalry—to comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama. This diverse lineup caters to a wide range of audience tastes, contributing to the surge in ticket sales.
Huajin Securities noted that the new releases are largely installments in highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and substantial fan bases. \"These films' popularity demonstrates the strength of China's film industry and its ability to attract diverse audiences,\" the firm stated.
In an effort to further boost the industry, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies since December last year. Analysts believe this initiative aims to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers and stimulate economic growth.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts that total box office takings during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday will see a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase, reaching 8.54 billion yuan. This optimistic forecast underscores the sustained momentum of China's film market and its significance in the global entertainment landscape.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
