China’s film industry ushered in 2024 with unprecedented success, as box-office takings over the New Year holiday soared to a historic 1.533 billion yuan (approximately $215 million). Spanning from December 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024, this period marked a significant milestone in Chinese cinema history.
Leading the charge were domestic films such as “Shining for One Thing,” “Johnny Keep Walking,” “The Gold Finger,” “I Did It My Way,” and “If You Are the One 3,” which dominated the holiday box-office charts. Their popularity reflects the burgeoning interest in homegrown storytelling and production quality among Chinese audiences.
According to Maoyan Entertainment, a leading Chinese movie-ticketing platform, the 2024 New Year’s Day alone witnessed 36.164 million admissions and 1.402 million screenings. These numbers represent an all-time high for both admissions and total screenings on New Year’s Day in China, underscoring the robust growth of the nation’s film industry.
The impressive figures extend beyond the holiday period. Data from the China Film Administration reveals that total box-office revenue for 2023 reached 54.915 billion yuan, with domestic films contributing a remarkable 46 billion yuan. This accounts for 83.77 percent of the year’s total takings, highlighting the dominance of Chinese productions in the market.
Out of 73 films that grossed over 100 million yuan, 50 were domestically produced. Notably, the top ten films in the box-office rankings were exclusively domestic, signaling a strong preference for local content among moviegoers.
Celebrated director Zhang Yimou emerged as the highest-grossing director of 2023, achieving cumulative box-office takings of 5.895 billion yuan. His notable works for the year, including “Full River Red” and “Under the Light,” captivated audiences nationwide. “Under the Light” secured its place as the highest-grossing film of 2023, amassing an impressive 4.544 billion yuan.
The surge in box-office revenues reflects not only the resilience of China’s film industry amid global challenges but also the increasing appeal of domestic films. Industry analysts attribute this success to quality storytelling, enhanced production values, and a strategic focus on themes resonating with Chinese audiences.
As China continues to invest in its cultural industries, the film sector’s growth signals promising opportunities for filmmakers, investors, and audiences alike. The record-breaking performance over the New Year holiday sets a positive tone for the year ahead, with expectations high for continued success in China’s dynamic cinema landscape.
Reference(s):
Chinese cinemas see record box-office takings over New Year holiday
cgtn.com
