On Wednesday, during the Spring Festival—also known as Chinese New Year—China's daily box office reached an unprecedented milestone, generating an impressive 1.805 billion yuan (approximately $249 million) in earnings. This remarkable achievement sets a new record for the country's film industry.
The day saw an astonishing 35.15 million moviegoers flock to cinemas across the nation. Both the box office revenue 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 China's most lucrative periods for movie releases. This year's lineup includes six domestic films that debuted on Wednesday, covering a diverse array of genres such as Chinese mythology, wuxia (martial arts and chivalry), comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama.
Huajin Securities observed that these new releases cater to a wide range of audience tastes, noting that many are installments in highly rated, high-grossing franchises with strong reputations and dedicated fan bases. This diversity and brand strength have been instrumental in attracting large audiences.
In an effort to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, the CFA has, since December last year, encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies. Analysts believe this move has significantly contributed to the surge in box office earnings.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts a continued upward trend, forecasting a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase in total box office takings to reach 8.54 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday.
This record-breaking performance not only highlights the resilience and vitality of China's film industry but also signifies a strong recovery in consumer confidence and spending in the entertainment sector.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
