China's daily box office achieved a new milestone on Wednesday, the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, generating an impressive record of 1.805 billion yuan (approximately $249 million) in earnings.
The number of moviegoers on the day totaled 35.15 million, according to the China Film Administration (CFA). Both the box office revenue and the number of viewers surpassed the previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year, marking a significant boost for the country's film industry.
The annual Spring Festival holiday, running from January 28 to February 4 this year—one day longer than in previous years—is traditionally one of China's most lucrative movie-going seasons. This extension has provided audiences with more opportunities to enjoy new cinematic releases.
Leading the box office chart are six domestic films that debuted on Wednesday. These films span a diverse range of genres, including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama, catering to a wide array of audience preferences.
Analysts from Huajin Securities noted that the variety in genres appeals to various audience groups, and many of these films are installments in highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and large fan bases. This diversity is seen as a key factor in attracting more moviegoers during the holiday period.
Since December last year, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in movie-going consumption subsidies. Analysts suggest this initiative aims to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, further stimulating the domestic film market.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts that total box office takings will see a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase 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 industry.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
