China's film industry has opened the Year of the Horse with record-breaking momentum, as the 2026 Spring Festival box office revenue surpassed 1.5 billion yuan ($217 million) during the holiday period, according to official data released this week. The figure includes both presales and theatrical earnings from February 10-17, marking one of the strongest starts to China's cultural calendar in recent years.
This year's holiday lineup featured a mix of family-friendly animations, historical epics, and contemporary dramas that resonated with audiences across the Chinese mainland. Industry analysts attribute the strong performance to improved theater infrastructure in lower-tier cities and a resurgence of domestic film production following recent industry reforms. The results signal continued recovery in China's entertainment sector and its growing influence in global cultural markets.
