Chinese cinema is making remarkable strides on the international stage in 2025, with a growing number of high-quality productions capturing the attention of global audiences through innovative storytelling and expanded international distribution.
According to data from online platforms, as of 13:53 on Sunday, the total box office revenue of Chinese films -- including overseas earnings -- exceeded 40 billion yuan (about 5.59 billion U.S. dollars). Domestic box office revenue reached 39.23 billion yuan, with over 909 million admissions, both surpassing last year's figures.
Driven by hits like animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" and "Dead To Rights", a historical film about the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, overseas box office revenue has exceeded 770 million yuan, making a multi-year high.
From the Spring Festival to the summer season, mainstream Chinese commercial films have actively explored overseas markets, integrating global releases into their commercial strategies. Several blockbusters have achieved remarkable success internationally.
During the Spring Festival, films such as "Detective Chinatown 1900," "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force," and "Ne Zha 2" were released in multiple countries and regions worldwide.
"Ne Zha 2" alone grossed over 15.44 billion yuan globally, with overseas earnings exceeding 400 million yuan. It claimed the titles of highest-grossing film in a single market, highest-grossing animated film globally, and fifth-highest-grossing film in global box office history, setting a new milestone for Chinese cinema.
"Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force," distributed in over 160 countries and regions, continued the international influence of its predecessor.
Summer releases like "Dead to Rights" and "Dongji Rescue", a film based on the true story of Chinese fishermen during World War II (WWII), also premiered in North America and Europe.
"Dead to Rights," which presents an accurate historical perspective on WWII, sparked heated discussions among audiences in the United States, Canada, and Germany, encouraging overseas viewers to reflect on history and cherish peace through the power of cinema.
Upcoming films, such as the animated action-adventure "The Legend of Hei II," are set for overseas release, further showcasing Chinese stories and culture through high-quality content.
Chinese cinema makes global strides in 2025 with innovative storytelling, wider distribution
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
