China’s 2026 box office revenue tops global rankings with over 8 bln yuan in 2026

China

China’s 2026 box office revenue tops global rankings with over 8 bln yuan in 2026

2026-02-23 15:27 Last Updated At：02-24 00:07

China has retained the world's top-grossing film market so far in 2026, with box office revenue (including pre-sales) reaching 8 billion yuan (about 1.16 billion U.S. dollars) as of Monday, according to online ticketing platforms.

During the official nine-day Spring Festival holiday season ending on Monday, a wide range of blockbuster films across different genres and themes have premiered in theaters across the nation, providing a perfect backdrop for family reunions and festive fun.

By Monday, the box office revenue (including pre-sales) during this year’s Spring Festival holiday has surpassed 5.4 billion yuan (about 782 million U.S. dollars).

Topping the Spring Festival sales chart was "Pegasus 3," the third installment in director Han Han's racing-comedy franchise starring Shen Teng, one of China's most bankable comedic actors.

Spy thriller "Scare Out," directed by Zhang Yimou, secured the second spot on the chart.

It was immediately followed by "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," an action film featuring Chinese martial arts.

The animated film "Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector" came in the fourth place.

Starting from February 17 when the Spring Festival fell, "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," "Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector" and "Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe" are being shown simultaneously in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.

"The release of 'Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert' in Hong Kong is a great thing for local audiences. Its filming locations and storyline both help us understand that period of history," said a moviegoer in Hong Kong.

The China Film Administration has launched a series of initiatives in 2026, including campaigns such as "Travel with Films," "Taste Cuisine with Films," and "Shopping with Films."

On February 12, the administration and other competent departments launched an initiative to boost the film economy, committing to allocate no less than 1.2 billion yuan (about 174 million U.S. dollar) of movie-viewing subsidies throughout the year.

Previously, the "Travel with Films" initiative achieved overseas promotion via China Media Group's overseas channels in countries and regions including the United States, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, and Brazil, fostering deep integration between film and cultural tourism resources.

"Chinese cinema is generating increasingly significant spillover effects. These effects are manifested both in driving progress across various aspects of social development and in the realm of international communication, specifically, in effectively conveying China's stories overseas and to the world," said Sun Jiashan, a researcher with the Department of Chinese Culture Education and Research under the Central Institute of Socialism.

Sri Lanka PM highlights stronger chapter in China ties built on trust, shared vision

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya described the current state of bilateral relations with China as entering a "stronger chapter" grounded in mutual respect, commitment and trust.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday, Amarasuriya emphasized the enduring friendship between the two countries and expressed confidence that the relationship is poised for even greater stability.

"We've had a long standing relationship. And this is a new chapter. And I think a stronger chapter, because I only see the relationship getting stronger, becoming stronger, because the thinking process is aligned, the vision is more aligned, and the strategies are more aligned. So, this relationship, I am confident, will continue to be an example of what a good, strong bilateral relationship [is] -- one that is based on mutual respect and commitment and trust, and what it can deliver for both countries," she said.

Her remarks build on assurances made during her October 2025 visit to Beijing, when President Xi Jinping underscored the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and pledged support for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence. At that time, both sides highlighted the relationship as a model of friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation, with Sri Lanka reaffirming its adherence to the one-China principle.

While the earlier discussions centered on Belt and Road projects and China’s global initiatives, Amarasuriya’s latest comments mark a shift toward strategic alignment, stressing shared vision and coordinated pathways.