China's 2025 box office revenue exceeds 51.8 bln yuan

China's 2025 box office revenue totaled 51.8 billion yuan (about 7 billion U.S. dollars), up nearly 22 percent year on year, according to the China Film Administration on Thursday.

Of the total box office, the year-end's grossed over 5.3 billion (about 758 million U.S. dollars), a new record in eight years.

Domestic films accounted for 41.2 billion (about 5.89 billion U.S. dollars) yuan of total box office revenue, representing a 79-percent rise over the previous year. Total admissions stood at 1.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent.

A total of 51 films had recorded box office revenue exceeding 100 million yuan during the year, including 33 domestic productions.

The defining trend of the 2025 film market was the unprecedented success of animated films. Data indicated that 2025 was the highest-grossing year for animated films in the history of Chinese cinema, with animation occupying four of the top 10 spots at the annual box office.

Chinese animation film "Ne Zha 2" became both the all-time box office champion in Chinese film history and the top-grossing animated film worldwide, earning 15.446 billion yuan (about 2.21 billion U.S. dollars), while "Nobody" grossed 1.7 billion yuan (about 251 million U.S. dollars), setting a new record for 2D animated films in Chinese box office history.

The two biggest animated hits both drew on elements of traditional Chinese culture, with 'Nezha 2' inspired by the myth of a rascally young deity, and 'Nobody' retelling the classic work "Journey to the West" from the perspective of the story's yaoguai monsters.

"The movie that left the deepest impression [in 2025] on me was 'Nezha 2' released in January. It draws from traditional Chinese cultural story and mythology. The production is exquisite, and many plot points were truly touching," said Zhao Zhouyu, a moviegoer in Beijing

"'Nezha 2' left me in awe. We watched 'Nezha 2' together, right when it came out this year. We've watched the first one. And during the summer holiday, we also watched 'Nobody' together. My son wanted to see both and I just came and accompany him. I feel that our domestic animated films have made enormous progress," said Dang Xinyuan, another moviegoer in Beijing.

"'Nobody' has impressed me the most. The characters in the film are just like us ordinary people working hard to live. It was both healing and empowering," said a moviegoer in central China's Henan Province.

China's 2025 box office revenue exceeds 51.8 bln yuan

As the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, colorful festivities are lighting up communities across China, reflecting the rich and enduring charm of the nation's cultural traditions.

The festival, celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Friday this year. As one of China's most important traditional holidays, it is a joyous time when families come together, admire the full moon and share mooncakes, to mark the harvest season.

In the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, many people in north China's Tianjin Municipality chose to immerse themselves in history and culture by visiting the Tianjin Museum.

The museum not only showcased exhibits themed around the festival, but also launched several limited-edition Mid-Autumn cultural products which are well-liked by visitors.

"I think it's pretty good. It also fits perfectly with the Mid-Autumn Festival theme. And its full-moon pattern symbolizes family reunion," said Yang Lixia, a tourist.

The celebrations also reached Meizhou City of south China's Guangdong Province, where a fire dragon dance lit up the night in celebration of the holiday, electrifying the crowd as it passed through.

"We've watched many great shows. It has a wonderful cultural atmosphere, and my kid really enjoys it," said Shen Mingzhu, a visitor.

As night fell in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, villagers in Zhiping Town staged a fish lantern parade, beating gongs and drums as they carried the two-meter-long lantern through the streets.

The procession has been a long-standing local tradition, with the fish symbolizing abundance, good fortune and prosperity.

"The fish lantern performance was absolutely amazing. A giant fish seemed to swim through the night, so lifelike and full of charm," said Yin Zhehao, a tourist.

Meanwhile, Guilin Village in east China's Fujian Province drew visitors for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival with its rustic scenery and a range of intangible cultural heritage activities, capping off the evening with a steaming traditional village feast.

Colorful celebrations across China highlight enduring charm of Mid-Autumn Festival