The Chinese box office has kicked off the Lunar New Year with a record-breaking performance, driven by a stellar lineup of films that collectively grossed $1.24 billion in just five days. This marks a staggering 234.1% increase compared too the same period last year, according to Artisan Gateway.Leading the charge was Enlight Pictures’ Ne Zha 2, which opened to an impressive RMB2.16 billion ($300 million) in its two-day debut. The sequel to the 2019 animated hit has already amassed $434.2 million, solidifying its position as the top performer of the holiday season.
The film’s success extends beyond traditional screenings, as it also dominated the Imax box office, generating $22.1 million. This achievement makes it the fastest Imax release to surpass RMB100 million in China and the 13th highest-grossing local-language film in Imax history. With two days remaining in the Lunar New Year holiday, ne Zha 2 is on track to potentially become the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time, surpassing the $913 million record set by “The Battle at Lake Changjin.”
In second place, As one Production’s Detective Chinatown 1900 debuted with $133.9 million, adding another successful chapter to the beloved crime-comedy franchise. Set in early 20th-century Shanghai, the film follows a detective unraveling a high-stakes case. It also performed well in Imax, contributing $2.6 million to its cumulative total of $253.1 million.
Securing third place was Beijing Culture’s Creation of the Gods 2, which grossed $41.2 million over the weekend. The sequel to the 2023 fantasy epic benefited from Imax screenings, which added $7.3 million to its total,bringing its cumulative earnings to $124.3 million.
The strong performance of these films underscores the growing appetite for high-quality, visually immersive cinematic experiences in China. The holiday period also saw a record-breaking first-day box office of 1.8 billion yuan ($248.3 million), as reported by Maoyan.
| Film | Opening Weekend Gross | Cumulative Gross | Imax Contribution |
|—————————|—————————|———————–|———————–|
| Ne Zha 2 | $300 million | $434.2 million | $22.1 million |
| Detective Chinatown 1900 | $133.9 million | $253.1 million | $2.6 million |
| Creation of the Gods 2 | $41.2 million | $124.3 million | $7.3 million |
The 2025 Lunar New Year box office has set a new benchmark for the industry, with six blockbusters igniting the market and showcasing the resilience and growth of china’s film industry. As the holiday period continues, all eyes are on whether Ne Zha 2 will break more records and cement its place in cinematic history.The Lunar New Year has once again proven to be a powerhouse for the global box office,with Chinese films dominating the charts. According to Comscore, the top three films internationally are “Ne Zha 2,” “detective Chinatown 1900,” and “Creation of the Gods 2.” These blockbusters have captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing the strength of China’s film industry.
Fantawild Animation’s “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn” secured the fourth spot, earning $26.8 million during the holiday period. This long-running animated franchise continues to be a Lunar New Year favorite, drawing in family audiences with its charm. The film’s total earnings now stand at an impressive $57.9 million.
Rounding out the top five is “Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants,” a martial arts epic directed by Tsui Hark and based on the classic Jin Yong novel.The film debuted with $21.3 million, with Imax screenings contributing $3.5 million. Its cumulative total has reached $75.4 million, solidifying its place as a must-watch during the festive season.
The Lunar new Year period also marked a historic milestone for Imax, which recorded a $43 million weekend—its highest ever. Five Lunar New Year titles contributed $38.1 million through Sunday, surpassing the previous record of $34 million set in 2023.This achievement underscores the growing demand for premium cinematic experiences.
“Blockbusters are back in China,in a bigger way than even the most optimistic among us could’ve imagined,” said Rich Gelfond,CEO of imax. “These early, historic Chinese New Year results indicate that softness in the Chinese box office last year was a result of supply, not demand—and that the tentpole-heavy local language slate ahead for 2025 is very well positioned for success.”
With the holiday period continuing through February 5, China’s theatrical market is expected to maintain its strong momentum. This resurgence reinforces hopes of a full recovery from the downturns of 2024, signaling a bright future for the global film industry.
| Film | Earnings (Lunar New Year) | Total Earnings |
|———————————-|——————————-|——————–|
| Ne zha 2 | N/A | N/A |
| Detective Chinatown 1900 | N/A | N/A |
| Creation of the Gods 2 | N/A | N/A |
| boonie Bears: Future Reborn | $26.8 million | $57.9 million |
| Legends of the Condor Heroes | $21.3 million | $75.4 million |
The success of these films highlights the enduring appeal of Chinese cinema and its ability to draw audiences during key cultural moments. As the Lunar New year celebrations continue, the box office is poised for even greater achievements.
Editor’s Questions
Table of Contents
- Editor’s Questions
- Q1: What were the standout performances in the 2025 Lunar new Year box office, and how did Imax contribute to their success?
- Q2: How did the overall box office performance during the Lunar New Year period compare to previous years?
- Q3: Which other films made an impact during the holiday season, and what were their key achievements?
- Q4: What does the 2025 Lunar New Year box office success indicate about the future of the global film industry?
- Conclusion
Q1: What were the standout performances in the 2025 Lunar new Year box office, and how did Imax contribute to their success?
Guest: The 2025 Lunar New Year box office set a new benchmark, with standout performances from films like Ne Zha 2, which grossed $300 million during its opening weekend and reached a cumulative total of $434.2 million. Imax screenings played a meaningful role, contributing $22.1 million to its earnings. Another top performer was Detective Chinatown 1900, which grossed $133.9 million over the weekend, with Imax adding $2.6 million to its $253.1 million total. Additionally,Creation of the Gods 2 secured third place, earning $41.2 million over the weekend,with Imax contributing $7.3 million to its $124.3 million cumulative total. These films highlight the growing demand for high-quality, visually immersive cinematic experiences in China.
Q2: How did the overall box office performance during the Lunar New Year period compare to previous years?
Guest: The 2025 Lunar New Year box office was historic, setting a record-breaking first-day box office of 1.8 billion yuan ($248.3 million), as reported by Maoyan. This marked a significant resurgence compared to the softness observed in 2024, which was largely attributed to supply constraints rather than demand. The strong performance of six blockbusters, including Ne Zha 2 and Creation of the Gods 2, showcased the resilience and growth of China’s film industry. The holiday period also saw Imax achieve its highest-ever weekend earnings of $43 million, with Lunar New Year titles contributing $38.1 million, surpassing the previous record of $34 million set in 2023.
Q3: Which other films made an impact during the holiday season, and what were their key achievements?
Guest: Beyond the top three, other films also made significant impacts. Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, a long-running animated franchise, secured the fourth spot, earning $26.8 million during the holiday period and reaching a total of $57.9 million. This film continues to be a Lunar New Year favorite, drawing family audiences with its charm. Rounding out the top five was Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants, a martial arts epic directed by Tsui Hark. It debuted with $21.3 million, with Imax screenings contributing $3.5 million, bringing its cumulative total to $75.4 million.These films further underscore the diversity and appeal of Chinese cinema during the festive season.
Q4: What does the 2025 Lunar New Year box office success indicate about the future of the global film industry?
Guest: The success of the 2025 Lunar New Year box office indicates a strong recovery and luminous future for the global film industry.As Rich Gelfond, CEO of imax, noted, the historic results demonstrate that the softness in the Chinese box office last year was due to supply issues rather than waning demand. The tentpole-heavy local language slate for 2025 is well-positioned for success, and the resurgence in theatrical performance reinforces hopes for a full recovery from the downturns of 2024. This period has once again proven the enduring appeal of Chinese cinema and its ability to captivate audiences worldwide during key cultural moments.
Conclusion
The 2025 Lunar New Year box office has set new records, with standouts like Ne Zha 2, Detective Chinatown 1900, and Creation of the Gods 2 showcasing the strength and resilience of China’s film industry. Imax played a pivotal role in these successes, contributing significantly to their earnings.The historic first-day box office and the strong performance of six blockbusters underscore the growing appetite for premium cinematic experiences. With films like Boonie Bears: Future reborn and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants also making waves, the holiday season has reinforced the global appeal of Chinese cinema and signaled a promising future for the industry.
