China's daily box office reached an unprecedented milestone on Wednesday, the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, generating a remarkable 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million) in earnings. This new record showcases the booming entertainment industry and the strong resurgence of cinema-goers across the nation.
According to the China Film Administration (CFA), the number of moviegoers on the day totaled an impressive 35.15 million. Both the box office revenue and the moviegoer count surpassed the previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year, signaling a vibrant start to the year for China's film industry.
The 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 filmmakers and cinemas with heightened opportunities to attract audiences eager for entertainment during the festive period.
Dominating the box office charts are six domestic films that debuted on Wednesday, spanning a diverse array of genres including Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama. This range of offerings ensures that there is something to cater to every taste, drawing in a wide spectrum of viewers.
Huajin Securities noted that these six new releases not only cover a broad range of genres but also include installments in highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and large fan bases. This strategic lineup is contributing significantly to the record-breaking box office performance.
Since December last year, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies—a move analysts say is aimed at unlocking the full consumption potential of moviegoers.
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 sustained growth and resilience of China's film sector.
As the nation ushers in the new year with such promising figures, industry professionals and audiences alike are hopeful for a prosperous future for Chinese cinema.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
