The commencement of the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday period has set the stage for a significant resurgence in the film industry, as demonstrated by the spectacular box office earnings recorded on the first day. According to Maoyan, a leading film data platform in China, a remarkable total of **1.8 billion yuan** (approximately **$248.3 million**) was generated across all films, establishing a new benchmark and outpacing the previous record of **1.69 billion yuan** from 2021. This explosive financial performance underscores the moviegoers’ appetite for cinematic experiences during this festive period, providing a much-needed boost to a sector that faced various challenges in recent years.
IMAX Shatters Its Own Records
Notably, IMAX has once again proven its prowess, achieving a **day-one gross of $12 million**, eclipsing its prior high of **$11 million** set in 2021. With **5%** of the overall CNY box office share and representing less than **1%** of screen counts nationwide, these figures illustrate IMAX’s growing significance within the Chinese market. The attendance figures also shine brightly, registering an impressive **1.2 million admissions** across the country. This surge suggests that audiences are increasingly drawn to the larger-than-life cinematic experiences that IMAX provides, establishing new standards for future releases in the format.
In the cinematic landscape, Enlight’s highly anticipated **Ne Zha 2** took center stage as the primary title welcoming in the Year of the Snake, grossing an impressive **486.6 million yuan** (approximately **$67.1 million**) on its opening day. This installment comes as a sequel to the animated sensation from 2019, illustrating the sustained popularity of this franchise among Chinese audiences. In the IMAX format, **Ne Zha 2** contributed **$2.5 million** to its overall gross.
Following closely was **Detective Chinatown 1900**, directed by Chen Sicheng and featuring star-studded performances from icons like Chow Yun-Fat and John Cusack. This film collected around **464.4 million yuan** (approximately **$64 million**), with an IMAX earnings of **$1.5 million**. Interestingly, this film’s predecessor, **Detective Chinatown 3**, had previously set box office records during the 2021 Lunar New Year, creating high expectations for this installment.
Further diversifying the offerings, Alibaba’s **Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force** made its mark with a day-one gross of **382.8 million yuan** (approximately **$52.8 million**), while raking in **$4 million** in IMAX earnings. This trend towards epic fantasy narratives highlights the increasing interest in production quality and storytelling in the Chinese film industry.
Among other notable films, **Legend of the Condor Heroes**, directed by the notable Tsui Hark, adapted from a classic wuxia novel, collected **258.2 million yuan** (about **$35.6 million**), while the animated series **Boonie Bears: Future Reborn** garnered **137.9 million yuan** (approximately **$19 million**). Rounding out the primary contenders was **Operation Hadal**, which grossed **95 million yuan** (approximately **$13.1 million**) and performed strongly in IMAX, reflecting the diverse genres appealing to CNY audiences.
The celebratory enthusiasm didn’t stop at day one; pre-sales leading into the Spring Festival saw historic levels, amassing **600 million yuan** (approx. **$83 million**) within an unprecedented timespan leading up to the holiday. Subsequent reports indicated that total pre-sales exceeded **1 billion yuan** (approximately **$137.9 million**), signaling robust confidence in consumer turnout.
A significant driver behind this resurgent box office is the promotional initiatives introduced by the China Film Administration late last year. This includes a **600 million yuan** (approximately **$83 million**) subsidy program aimed at enticing audiences back to theaters. Such initiatives are crucial as the film industry grapples with the scars left by the challenging economic landscape of 2024, which witnessed a 25% decline in total grosses compared to the previous year.
As the festivities unfold, a clear divide in audience preferences is expected, with films typically experiencing a front-loaded box office performance as audiences gravitate towards standout productions. Early indications suggest strong audience scores for the primary new releases, varying from **9.2 to 9.7**, showcasing viewer satisfaction and engagement. Current projections from Maoyan promise significant final grosses, with estimates for **Ne Zha 2** at **4.9 billion yuan** (approximately **$675.8 million**) and **Detective Chinatown 1900** at **3.6 billion yuan** (approximately **$496.5 million**), among others.
The extended Spring Festival holiday, now running through **February 5**, allows for extended viewing opportunities that may further amplify these impressive day-one numbers. It remains to be seen how this initial momentum will translate into sustained box office success as audiences finalize their film choices. Observers will be keen to monitor the performance of these titles in the days ahead, which may set the tone for an exciting year in Chinese cinema.