China’s film industry has shattered global records during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday season. As of 13:29 on February 5, the total box-office revenue of new films released during this festive period surpassed an astonishing 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.37 billion), according to movie data platform Beacon Pro.
The Spring Festival holiday, which spanned from January 28 to February 4, saw an unprecedented 187 million moviegoers flock to theaters across the nation. This surge in attendance not only broke domestic records but also propelled China’s total film box office in 2025 to the top of the global charts, outpacing North America.
Leading the charge was the animated sensation “Ne Zha 2”, which amassed a staggering 4.839 billion yuan in box-office revenue during the holiday. The film continues to break records in Chinese cinematic history, particularly in the realm of animated features. Beacon Pro predicts that “Ne Zha 2” may ultimately surpass 8.5 billion yuan in earnings, potentially claiming the top spot in China’s all-time box office rankings.
Building on its domestic success, the international trailer for “Ne Zha 2” was recently unveiled. The film is slated for release in Australia and North America in mid-February, marking a significant step in its global journey.
This Spring Festival also highlighted the international appeal of Chinese cinema. Films like “Detective Chinatown 1900”, “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force”, and “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” garnered widespread attention and acclaim from audiences around the world.
“Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” premiered simultaneously in 16 countries and regions outside China, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Bulgaria. In Australia and New Zealand, it topped the box office charts for four consecutive days. In North America, it led the non-English language box office from January 31 to February 2.
“Detective Chinatown 1900” was released in multiple Spanish cities during the festival and screened in 213 cinemas in North America and 93 cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. This widespread distribution broke overseas screening records for Chinese-language films.
Global audiences have praised Chinese films for their innovation in visual effects, compelling storytelling, and rich cultural representation. Many viewers noted that the high-quality English subtitles enhanced their understanding and appreciation of Chinese cinema and culture.
