China's film industry celebrated a groundbreaking milestone during this year's Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, as the daily box office soared to an unprecedented 1.805 billion yuan (approximately $249 million) on Wednesday.
The remarkable revenue was accompanied by a surge in moviegoers, with 35.15 million tickets sold nationwide. Both the box office earnings and the number of attendees surpassed previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year, according to the China Film Administration (CFA).
The Spring Festival holiday, extending from January 28 to February 4 this year—one day longer than in previous years—is traditionally one of the most lucrative periods for China's film industry. This year's success underscores the robust growth and resilience of the sector.
Dominating the box office are six newly released domestic films that premiered on Wednesday. Spanning a diverse array of genres—including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama—the films have attracted audiences of all ages and interests.
Industry analysts from Huajin Securities highlighted that the variety of genres caters to a wide spectrum of viewers. They also noted that many of these films are part of well-established franchises with strong fan bases, contributing to their impressive performance.
To further stimulate the market, the CFA has, since December last year, encouraged institutions to allocate around 600 million yuan in movie-going consumption subsidies. Analysts believe this initiative aims to unlock the full consumption potential of Chinese movie enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities projects that total box office revenues during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday will reach 8.54 billion yuan, marking a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase.
The record-breaking figures from this year's Spring Festival not only reflect the vitality of China's film industry but also signal a promising future for domestic cinema as it continues to captivate audiences nationwide.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
