The Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival, commenced with an exceptional opening day for the box office in China, as reported by metrics from Maoyan. The total revenue reached a staggering 1.8 billion yuan (approximately $248.3 million) on the very first day of the holiday, surpassing the previous year’s record of 1.69 billion yuan set in 2021. This phenomenal performance highlights not only the resilience of the Chinese film industry but also the growing enthusiasm of audiences returning to theaters following the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The performance of Imax, in particular, stands out, as it recorded an all-time high earnings of $12 million, outpacing its earlier record of $11 million in 2021. Representing only 5% of the total box office earnings and occupying less than 1% of the screens nationwide, Imax has managed to capture its largest market share on a first-day release. Attendance records also soared, with 1.2 million tickets sold, illustrating that moviegoers are eager to immerse themselves in cinematic experiences once more.
Leading the pack as the top-grossing film was Enlight’s animated feature, *Ne Zha 2*, the much-anticipated sequel to its successful predecessor from 2019. The film grossed an impressive 486.6 million yuan (around $67.1 million) on its debut day, with Imax contributing $2.5 million to its total. Following closely behind was *Detective Chinatown 1900*, the fourth installment in the popular series directed by Chen Sicheng, which earned around 464.4 million yuan ($64 million) and garnered $1.5 million from Imax screenings.
Ranking third among the day’s films, yet taking the top spot in Imax earnings, was *Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force*. This epic fantasy sequel generated 382.8 million yuan ($52.8 million) on its first day, with a hefty Imax contribution of $4 million. Other noteworthy titles included *Legend of the Condor Heroes*, a martial arts saga directed by Tsui Hark, and *Operation Hadal*, the third installment in the *Operation Red Sea* franchise. Both films contributed to the overall robust figure, demonstrating a diverse range of genres catering to different audience preferences.
Factors Fueling Success
Such a record-breaking commencement can partially be attributed to a well-orchestrated promotional campaign launched by the China Film Administration, which has offered a substantial subsidy of 600 million yuan (approximately $83 million) to incentivize public attendance at theaters. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the moviegoing experience post-pandemic, and media outlets have reported remarkable pre-sale figures, which set a new benchmark merely weeks before the holiday period. As of last Sunday, pre-sales had already achieved 600 million yuan ($83 million) and later exceeded 1 billion yuan ($137.9 million), underscoring growing excitement around new releases.
Moreover, it is important to note the lingering impact of the economic challenges faced in 2024, where the overall box office was estimated at about $5.9 billion—a 25% decrease compared to 2023. The recent Spring Festival has injected a much-needed boost into the industry, reflecting an unyielding demand for local content and cinematic entertainment.
As the festivities unfold, Maoyan’s projections stand optimistic for the films opening during this period. Forecasts suggest that *Ne Zha 2* could amass a total of 4.9 billion yuan ($675.8 million), while *Detective Chinatown 1900* is projected to reach around 3.6 billion yuan ($496.5 million). Other titles such as *Creation of the Gods II* and *Boonie Bears: Future Reborn* also show promising potential to draw large audiences.
It is vital to monitor the box office dynamics as the days progress, as earlier releases often experience a rapid influx of viewers, followed by stabilizing audience preferences. However, the positive reception thus far—with social ratings ranging between 9.2 and 9.7—creates an optimistic outlook heading into the holiday’s concluding days.
The opening day of the Chinese New Year box office has set a remarkable precedent for the year ahead, rekindling audience interest and providing a much-needed lifeline to the cinema industry. The records achieved are not merely numbers; they resonate with the broader sentiment of hope and renewal as the Year of the Snake is celebrated with enthusiasm and extraordinary cinematic experiences.