During the ongoing 2025 Chinese New Year film season, the period from late November to December has delivered strong robust box office performance while highlighting the structural maturity of China's film industry and its growing global influence.
China's box office (including pre-sales) for the season has exceeded 5 billion yuan (about 710 million U.S. dollars) as of Sunday morning, setting a new record for the same period in nearly eight years, according to online platform data.
This season stands out for its genre diversity and thematic depth, with more than 70 domestic and imported films released, a recent high in number.
Among the notable releases, the war film Gezhi Town earned over 350 million yuan (around 49.8 million U.S. dollars) with its compelling narrative, while the documentary Chinese White Dolphin touched viewers with its poignant portrayal of marine conservation.
Escape From The Outland also struck a deep chord with audiences during preview screenings through its morally nuanced adaptation of a true story. Meanwhile, unconventional releases such as Puruo Gangri and the public welfare film Love Youth have pushed the traditional boundaries of holiday-season cinema.
Domestic productions continue to dominate the market, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the Chinese New Year season's box office and over 80 percent of annual total earnings, which is approaching 51.5 billion yuan (around 7.33 billion U.S. dollars). This dominance stems from Chinese films' deep focus on local stories that resonate closely with audiences, fostering mutual engagement and emotional resonance through sincere storytelling.
"Whether young people, office workers, or parents with children, everyone can find films they enjoy. That's why theater attendance has remained consistently high, and box office revenue has been steadily rising. This New Year's holiday season, we warmly welcome everyone to the cinemas to experience this vibrant and exciting atmosphere," said Ren Jiajia, manager of a cinema in Zhoukou City of central China's Henan Province.
"The complementary presence of imported and domestic films has enriched the viewing experience for audiences while making the industry’s development more robust and diverse," said Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group Corporation.
Meanwhile, China's film market is increasingly shaping global industry trends.
Since its release in late November, Zootopia 2 has earned nearly 4 billion yuan (around 570 million U.S. dollars) in China, close to half of its global total, while "Avatar: Fire and Ash" achieved a simultaneous U.S.-China release, underscoring the strategic importance of the Chinese market to Hollywood and signaling a shift in the global film industry's center of gravity.
The expansion of the "film plus" model is further transforming the cinematic experience.
The widespread adoption of premium formats such as CINITY and IMAX, alongside immersive technologies like 4K and 4D, has significantly enhanced viewing experience.
Cinemas have evolved beyond mere screening venues by incorporating merchandise sales, themed events, and cross-industry partnerships, transforming into comprehensive cultural consumption spaces.
National initiatives, including the "China Film Consumption Year" campaign launched earlier this year, are amplifying the economic impact of cinema by integrating films with tourism, dining, and transportation sectors.
Aviation and rail operators have offered film-themed travel experiences, creating immersive "cinematic journeys" by land, air, and sea.
Notably, revenues from film-related cultural and creative products have surpassed box office earnings for several titles, indicating a decisive shift from a ticket-dependent model to a diversified consumption ecosystem.
China's New Year Film season hits record high, shows industry's global rise, diversified growth
