China’s box office reaches a new record that surpasses the previous RMB 8.02 billion high. The milestone was fueled byNe Zha 2,the sequel to the 2019 animated blockbusterNe Zha, which became China’shighest-grossing animated filmat the time. After the events of its predecessor,the sequel sees Ne Zha and the dragon prince, Ao Bing, teaming up to battle sea monsters. The film was released nationwide and has already outperformed the first film, putting it on track to challenge China’s all-time box office leader,The Battle at Lake Changjin(2021).
According toDeadline,Ne Zha 2grossed RMB 4.84 billion ($665.6 million) in its first week, setting a record for the highest single-film earnings during the Chinese New Year period(January 28–February 12). It contributed to the holiday’s biggest single-day box office of RMB 1.8 billion ($247.5M) on January 29, with daily earnings exceeding RMB 1 billion ($137.5 million) throughout the week. Other major releases includedDetective Chinatown 1900andCreation of the Gods II: Demon Force. The Chinese Film Administration’s subsidy program andNe Zha’sfranchise appeal contributed to the increased attendance.
RMB 8.7 billion ($1.2 billion)
RMB 2.28 billion ($313.5 million)
RMB 998 million ($137.2 million)
RMB 591.5 million ($81.3 million)
RMB 508.6 million ($70 million)
RMB 290.8 million ($40 million)
What This Means For China’s Box Office
China’s Film Industry Sees Optimal Audience Turnout During Chinese New Year
The 2025 Spring Festival box office performance reinforces China’s status as a dominant force in the global film industry. The market experienced a decline in 2024, with total earnings dropping 25% compared to the previous year.The strong performance ofNe Zha 2and other major releases suggests their recovery, with increased audience turnout and growing demand for local productions. Historically,the Spring Festival period has been the country’s most lucrative box office window.
Despite easing censorship restrictions in 2024 and distributing more U.S.-made films, only two Hollywood titles made it into China’s top 10 for the year.
Moreover, the success ofNe Zha 2highlights the continued dominance of domestic productions over Hollywood imports in China. Despite easing censorship restrictions in 2024 and distributing more U.S.-made films, only two Hollywood titles made it into China’s top 10 for the year. The performance of2025’s upcoming releasessuch asZootopia 2andAvatar: Fire & Ashwill determine whether international films can regain a stronger foothold in the region.
All 10 Oscars 2025 Best Picture Nominees, Ranked By Box Office
Dune and Wicked are predictably the highest-grossing Best Picture nominees of 2025, but other titles have also seen strong turnouts.
Furthermore,Ne Zha 2’s box office trajectory suggests it could surpassThe Battle at Lake Changjin($913 million) and challengeStar Wars: The Force Awakens($936.7 million) as the highest-grossing film in a single market. If it reaches the projected RMB 8.7 billion ($1.2 billion), it could set a new record for any film’s earnings in one country. China’s focus on franchise-driven releases during peak movie-going periods has proven to be a reliable strategy for sustaining box office growth.
Our Take On China’s Record-Breaking Box Office
China’s Film Market Is Self-Sustained
China’s 2025 Spring Festival box office demonstrates the power of local franchises in driving massive attendance.The dominance ofNe Zha 2reinforces the strength of Chinese animation and suggests audiences are eager for the franchise.Hollywood’s future in the market remains uncertain, but the success of homegrown productions indicates China’s film industry is capable of sustaining record-breaking profits without relying on imported titles. The coming months will reveal whether this momentum continues or if this surge is limited to the holiday period.
