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Animated film fuels boom in derivative cultural products

China

China

China

Animated film fuels boom in derivative cultural products

2026-08-16 17:24 Last Updated At:23:11

As hit animated fantasy-comedy "All Wishes Come True" continues to climb in box office during the 2026 summer season, its figurines, cultural creative products, and trendy collaborations are flying off shelves as much sought after hot selling goodies.  

The boom is driven by a young consumer base eager to pay for homegrown cultural IPs and forging an integrated industry model that links theatrical release with derivative development.

According to online platform data, as of 07:00 on Sunday, the 2026 summer box office has surpassed 9.8 billion yuan (1.45 billion U.S. dollars). Riding the wave of strong word-of-mouth for domestic animated features like "All Wishes Come True", related merchandise has seen surging demand.

At a themed trendy toy store in a shopping mall in downtown Chengdu, southwe China's Sichuan Province, shelves were neatly stocked with "All Wishes Come True"-themed fridge magnets, badges, stationery, and other derivative products, drawing a steady stream of customers browsing and selecting items. 

According to the store manager, since the film's merchandise hit the shelves a week ago, daily revenue has held steady above 10,000 yuan, with market enthusiasm continuing to climb.

"I think they all look really nice. I especially like this badge -- particularly this duck one. I think it's really cute. The design and the thought put into it are both excellent," said Shi Wanxin, a tourist from Chongqing Municipality.

"There weren't this many before. Today I noticed the range has expanded quite a bit, and there are also many items incorporating Sichuan's Shu embroidery craftsmanship, which I find quite appealing," said Fan Xianzhi, a Chengdu resident.

The officially licensed merchandise for "All Wishes Come True" spans four major categories -- intangible cultural heritage crafts, stationery, lifestyle products, and trendy collectibles -- sold through a combined online and offline model. Sales of the first batch of products have already exceeded 1 million yuan, pushing the production end into full-capacity mode.

At a Shu brocade weaving factory in Chengdu's Shuangliu District, multiple looms hummed at high speed as colorful silk threads interlace and weave into exquisite brocade fabric. In a nearby handcraft workshop, artisans use the brocade material and traditional silk-knotting techniques to craft brooches themed around the magical instruments of the immortal figures in the film.

"The prototype is based on traditional knotted buttons -- the 'pankou' -- found on Shu brocade garments. Once it is made into a brooch with a pin at the back, it can be worn on our everyday clothing, and it can also serve as a decorative piece," said Du Yang, project manager of the Shu brocade weaving factory.

Beyond Shu brocade, the "All Wishes Come True" derivative line deeply integrates several other Sichuan intangible cultural heritage techniques, including traditional papermaking, woodblock New Year prints, and embroidery of the Qiang ethnic group. Multiple products incorporating these crafts are currently in accelerated production.

Animated film fuels boom in derivative cultural products

Animated film fuels boom in derivative cultural products

"The Heritage Guardian", a China Media Group (CMG) documentary featuring President Xi Jinping's deep concern for the inheritance and development of culture, began airing on mainstream media outlets in Azerbaijan on Friday.

"The Heritage Guardian" features vivid stories that reflect Chinese President Xi Jinping's deep concern for the inheritance and development of culture.

The program explains to international audiences the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and the solid cultural foundation underpinning his philosophy of governance.

Guests attending the launch event for the documentary said the Azerbaijani version of the documentary holds significant importance, as it is an excellent example of cultural dialogue between China and Azerbaijan, generating extensive resonance between the two countries in terms of protecting and inheriting outstanding historical and cultural heritage.

At the event, CMG also introduced a number of its programs to Azerbaijan Television, a state-controlled national television station in Azerbaijan, including China Flash Forward, Chinese Craftsmanship, Song of the Yellow River, Herbal Legacy, The Wisdom of Wellness, and Wok This Way, which aroused great interest among the guests present.

Chinese documentary "The Heritage Guardian" premieres on major media in Azerbaijan

Chinese documentary "The Heritage Guardian" premieres on major media in Azerbaijan

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