China's film industry celebrated a remarkable milestone during this year's Spring Festival, as the daily box office revenue soared to a record-breaking 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million) on Wednesday. Marking the Chinese New Year, this achievement reflects a significant surge in moviegoer enthusiasm across the country.
According to the China Film Administration (CFA), a total of 35.15 million people visited cinemas on that day, surpassing previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year. The impressive figures underscore the robust recovery and growing momentum of China's film market.
The Spring Festival holiday, traditionally one of China's most lucrative periods for the film industry, extends from January 28 to February 4 this year, one day longer than in previous years. This extension has provided additional opportunities for movie enthusiasts to enjoy new releases.
Leading the box office are six domestically produced films that premiered on Wednesday, encompassing a diverse array of genres such as Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama. The variety caters to a broad spectrum of audience preferences, contributing to the robust ticket sales.
Huajin Securities analysts noted that these films not only cover varied genres but also include installments from highly rated and successful franchises with established reputations and substantial fan bases. This has played a crucial role in drawing audiences back to theaters.
In an effort to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies since December last year. These incentives aim to stimulate the film industry's growth and support the broader entertainment sector.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities projects that total box office earnings during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday could reach 8.54 billion yuan, representing a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase. This optimistic forecast suggests sustained growth and continued enthusiasm for cinema in the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
