China’s 2025 Spring Festival Box Office Hits Record.
China’s film industry set a new milestone during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, with box office revenue from January 29 to February 1 reaching a record 5.75 billion yuan (about 802 million U.S. dollars). This figure surpasses the previous high of 5.73 billion yuan recorded in 2021.
As of February 2, total box office revenue during the holiday had already climbed to 7 billion yuan. Driven by popular domestic productions, the earnings are approaching the all-time record of 8.02 billion yuan set during the 2024 Spring Festival holiday. With total revenue since the beginning of 2025 reaching 9 billion yuan, China has solidified its position as a global leader in box office revenue this year.
Audience enthusiasm fuels record growth
Industry experts credit the surge in revenue to strong consumer confidence and a growing preference for domestic films. “The moviegoers’ enthusiasm indicates vibrant consumption during the holiday as well as the consumers’ confidence in domestic productions,” said Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association.
The Spring Festival, traditionally a lucrative period for moviegoing, saw fierce competition among major releases. The 2025 holiday period was extended to eight days, from January 28 to February 4, providing more opportunities for box office success.
“Ne Zha 2” dominates the box office
Among the top-performing films, the animated fantasy “Ne Zha 2” led the pack, earning over 3.1 billion yuan within just five days of its release. The sequel follows the success of the 2019 blockbuster “Ne Zha,” which grossed over 5 billion yuan.
Featuring stunning visuals and an engaging storyline, “Ne Zha 2” received an impressive 8.6 rating on Douban, a popular Chinese film review platform. “The film has far surpassed ‘Ne Zha,’ delivering an immersive cinematic experience,” said Liu Wenzhang, producer of the “Ne Zha” series and CEO of Chengdu Coco Cartoon Co., Ltd.
Reflecting China’s rich cultural heritage, the film attracted a broad audience. Over 32 percent of viewers attended group screenings, often bringing family members, highlighting its appeal across different age groups.
Other strong performers in the market
Trailing behind was “Detective Chinatown 1900,” a detective thriller that secured the second spot with a box office collection of 1.8 billion yuan. A part of the successful Detective Chinatown franchise, the film captivated audiences with its intricate plot and stellar performances.
In third place, “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” grossed 894 million yuan. The movie continued the momentum of strong performers during the festival, highlighting the diversity of this year’s releases.
Future outlook for China’s film market
While “Ne Zha 2” was the biggest success of the season, other films also showcased market potential. “The strong performance of these films lays a solid foundation for the steady growth of China’s film market in 2025,” said Chen Jin, a data analyst from box office tracker Beacon.
Experts predict that total revenue for the Spring Festival holiday could surpass 9.5 billion yuan, setting yet another record. The growth in box office earnings signals a promising future for China’s film industry, reinforcing its dominance in the global market.
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