Industry confidence grows as Chinese films gain momentum in global markets

Supported by steady industrial development and favorable government policies, Chinese filmmakers are showing stronger confidence in producing films with international influence as more Chinese movies make their mark on the global stage.

Chinese films have performed well this year in global market, grossing about 140 million U.S. dollars in overseas box office revenue so far in 2025, exceeding the full-year total recorded in 2024.

According to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for the Development of Chinese Films released by China Film Administration, China will build itself into a powerful nation in the film industry by 2035.

In 2022, Chinese government issued a guideline to promote the high-quality development of foreign cultural trade, emphasizing the need to deepen reform of approval mechanisms in the cultural sector, encourage the export of outstanding film and television programs and strengthen cooperation with overseas media platforms.

These policies have provided strong confidence and momentum for the industry, and filmmakers are responding enthusiastically.

One example is "SHENZHOU 13", or "Blue Planet Outside the Window." As China's first space documentary filmed in 8K ultra-high-definition cameras by its astronauts, it has grossed over 50 million yuan (about 7 million U.S. dollars) at the box office, with a cumulative audience of over 1.3 million.

The film has now been screened and featured in special events across more than 35 countries and regions, including the United States, Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates, showcasing China's aerospace technological achievements to the world and resonating deeply with global audiences through the shared spirit of exploration.

"Our team created versions in more than ten languages. From the initial stages of development and production, we have considered overseas markets and audiences. This approach allows us to seamlessly integrate domestic and international communication, significantly enhancing our content creation and production processes," said the film's director Zhu Yiran.

Chinese animated film "The Legend of Hei 2" is also trying to expand its global footprint.

"Our team is expanding in North America and Oceania and exploring new media formats to bring Chinese animation to a wider audience," said Cao Zijian, producer of "The Legend of Hei."

Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group Corporation said the success of Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" in entering the global top five in box office rankings has boosted confidence across the industry.

"For example, 'Ne Zha 2' stormed into global box office top 5 rankings just 45 days after its release. The growing presence of Chinese films overseas gives Chinese filmmakers great confidence," Fu said.

"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, 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.

Industry confidence grows as Chinese films gain momentum in global markets

A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Friday lashed out at Japan's latest sharp increase in defense budget and planned revision of defense equipment transfer principles to allow the export of lethal weapons, urging the country to make a clean break from militarism.

It was reported that the Japanese parliament has enacted a record-high budget for fiscal year 2026, featuring a defense expenditure of 9.04 trillion yen (about 58 billion U.S. dollars), exceeding 9 trillion yen for the first time. Reports also indicate that the Japanese government is planning a significant revision to the implementation guidelines of its "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology," which will allow the export of lethal weapons.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesman, said in response, "Various signs have shown that the Japanese right-wing forces are stepping up efforts to push the country's security policy to shift toward a more offensive and expansionist direction. Their acts gravely violate the [1943] Cairo Declaration, the [1945] Potsdam Proclamation, the [1945] Japanese Instrument of Surrender, and other instruments with legal effect under international law, gravely go against Japan's own Constitution and existing domestic norms, and pose a serious threat to the post-war international order and regional peace and stability."

"Japanese militarism once inflicted untold suffering on the region and beyond, yet there has never been a proper reckoning with it after World War II," Zhang said.

Now, the Japanese side has completely torn off its disguise and accelerated its pace of re-militarization, which cannot but arouse strong concern and condemnation from the rest of the world, the spokesman said.

"We urge the Japanese side to stop its retrogressive moves and make a clean break from militarism. Otherwise, it will lose the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the international community," he said.

China urges Japan to break away from militarism