China's film industry has reached a monumental milestone for the 2025 Chinese New Year, with box office revenue soaring past 10 billion yuan (nearly $1.4 billion). This impressive feat has positioned China at the top of the global box office rankings, outpacing North America.
As of Monday afternoon, the box office earnings during the Spring Festival period hit a new record of 8 billion yuan (over $1.1 billion), according to data from the National Film Administration.
Leading the charge is the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which has already surpassed last year's Spring Festival champion, Yolo. The film has shattered more than ten national box office records and is on track to become the highest-grossing film in China's cinema history.
Back in 2019, Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child (Ne Zha 1) made waves with 5 billion yuan (around $690 million) in earnings. Now, Ne Zha 2 returns with an even more compelling storyline and breathtaking visuals, sparking widespread excitement and discussion among audiences.
The success of Ne Zha 2 also highlights a significant shift in China's film industry. Previously seen as Hollywood's \"back office,\" handling minor visual effects for U.S. films, Chinese studios are now stepping into the spotlight. The growth of China's Computer-generated imagery (CGI) industry is enabling the production of original stories deeply rooted in Chinese culture, marking a new era for Chinese cinema.
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2025 Chinese New Year box office soars to 10B yuan, tops global charts
cgtn.com
