China’s Spring Festival box office is soaring to unprecedented heights, with moviegoers flocking to cinemas and breaking previous records for the Chinese film industry.
According to box office data tracker Dengta, total domestic box office revenue for the 2025 Spring Festival season, including ticket pre-sales, has surged to 808 million yuan (approximately $111.3 million) as of Monday. Chinese films are dominating the charts, with all of the top six set for release on January 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year.
Leading the pack is “Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero”, which has already achieved box office revenues of 280 million yuan. This epic retelling of historic events is based on the renowned novel by martial arts novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung (1924-2018), captivating audiences with its rich storytelling and action-packed sequences.
Animated films are also witnessing a remarkable surge in demand. “Ne Zha 2”, a Chinese animation, has claimed the number two spot, grossing 135 million yuan. Set for release on January 29, the film is inspired by the 16th-century novel “Investiture of the Gods” and is directed by Yu Yang. It picks up from the first film released in 2019, which garnered both box office success and critical acclaim.
Cinemas across the country are capitalizing on this cinematic boom. Online ticket retailers are further boosting consumption through promotional campaigns. In support of the film industry, the China Film Administration has launched a consumption promotion campaign, offering subsidies totaling 600 million yuan to the public through the end of February.
The thriving box office figures reflect a strong domestic demand and a growing enthusiasm for Chinese cinema. As audiences embrace homegrown stories and cinematic experiences, the Spring Festival season promises to be a milestone for the film industry.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival box office soars with thriving domestic demand
cgtn.com
