As of October 20, Chinese films have grossed approximately 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars) in overseas box office revenue in 2025, exceeding the full-year total recorded in 2024.
In 2025, Chinese films were released in 46 countries and regions overseas, with 13 films achieving annual overseas box office revenues exceeding 1 million U.S. dollars. Among these, seven films earned over 5 million U.S. dollars, two exceeded 10 million U.S. dollars, and one film surpassed 50 million U.S. dollars.
The animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has been released in major international markets including North America and Europe, grossing 69 million U.S. dollars overseas. The film's total box office revenue has exceeded 15.9 billion yuan (about 2.23 billion U.S. dollars), making it the most-watched and highest-grossing film ever made in China, the top-grossing film of 2025, and the top-grossing animated feature in history.
The live-action, fantasy epic film "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" has grossed 8 million U.S. dollars in overseas box office, showcasing the unique allure of Chinese mythology to a global audience.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, prompting a wave of Chinese WWII-themed films that have resonated beyond national borders.
One notable success, "Dead to Rights," which focused on the 1937 Nanjing Massacre committed by Japanese aggressors, has been screened in 11 countries and regions and grossed over 5 million U.S. dollars.
Other successful films in this genre included "Dongji Rescue" and "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru", both of which aim to promote a correct historical view of World War II through their narratives.
In 2025, many Chinese films have reached global audiences through screening events.
One of the highlights of these overseas screenings was "Shenzhou 13," or "Blue Planet Outside the Window," China's first space documentary filmed in 8K ultra-high-definition cameras by its astronauts.
The film chronicles the Shenzhou-13 mission, which features China's first six-month manned space station stay and the first spacewalk by a Chinese female astronaut.
In February, China's film authorities launched the "China Travel with Chinese Films" campaign, aiming to leverage growing international interest in Chinese cinema to attract foreign tourists.
The campaign, sponsored by the China Film Administration and China Media Group, promoted a "film plus tourism" concept, encouraging international audiences to explore the country through cinema while boosting tourism spending.
China's overseas box office for 2025 approaches 1 bln yuan
