China's box office kicked off 2026 with a revenue of over 500 million yuan (about 71.5 million U.S. dollars) as of 14:58 Friday, during the three-day New Year film season that will end on Saturday.
Among the domestic films screened during the holiday season, realistic themes and emotional resonance have become the core keywords.
"Escape From The Outland" tells a true-based story of overseas Chinese civilians struggling to survive and rescue themselves in a war. Documentary feature "The Hump" recreates the historical scenes of the Chinese Air Force and the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) transporting supplies and engaging in aerial combat against Japanese invaders during World War II. The film fills a long-standing gap in visual portrayals of this subject and has emerged as a distinctive entry in the holiday season.
Apart from realistic films, the holiday season has also seen growing popularity in family-friendly comedies. The film, "Enough Is Enough," blends Kung-Fu elements with comedic set pieces. "Unexpected Family" focuses on people with Alzheimer's disease and calls on audiences to cherish time spent with loved ones.
As for imported films, notable titles included "Anaconda," "Eternity," "Dangerous Animals," "Robot Dreams," "Mercy," "Wicked: For Good," and "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Square Pants", catering to diverse viewer preferences.
China's New Year film season box office exceeds 500 million yuan
Yemen's transport ministry on Thursday rejected new Saudi-imposed flight restrictions, calling a requirement for planes to stop in Saudi Arabia for security inspections an "air blockade" that undermines national sovereignty.
Officials loyal to the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) have refused to comply with the new protocols ordered by Yemen's Saudi-backed central government, and have partially halted operations in Aden International Airport, the country's primary gateway, a source within the Yemeni government told China's Xinhua News Agency.
The standoff is the latest sign of a deepening fracture within the coalition fighting the Houthi group. While the STC is technically part of Yemen's ruling Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the group seeks independence for southern Yemen and is frequently at odds with the internationally recognized government.
Saudi Arabia recently ordered all international flights departing and entering Yemen to undergo security screenings at Jeddah Airport before continuing to their final destinations. While some of those restrictions were later eased, they remain in place for all flights traveling to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is allegedly the main backer of STC.
Government officials said the measures are intended to curb the movement of STC leaders between Yemen and the UAE, effectively cutting off external support for the secessionist movement.
Tensions between the factions escalated this week after the STC seized large swathes of the oil-rich Hadramout province and the eastern province of Al-Mahrah. Riyadh considers these areas a "red line" due to their proximity to the Saudi border and their concentration of Yemen's remaining energy reserves.
On Tuesday, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike targeted vehicles at the port of Mukalla in Hadramout. Saudi officials said the vehicles were intended for STC forces. Following the strike, PLC Chairman Rashad al-Alimi canceled a joint defense agreement with the UAE and ordered all Emirati forces to leave the country within 24 hours. The UAE confirmed Thursday it has begun withdrawing its remaining troops from Hadramout, citing safety concerns.
The STC commands significant control over Aden and other southern cities. Several cabinet members, including Transport Minister Abdulsalam Saleh Humaid, are loyal to the STC rather than the central leadership.
Aden's pro-separatist officials reject Saudi flight restrictions, partially halt airport operations
Aden's pro-separatist officials reject Saudi flight restrictions, partially halt airport operations
