China's film market closed 2025 on a high note, with total box-office revenue reaching 51.832 billion yuan, (about $7.4 billion) according to an announcement by the China Film Administration on January 1, 2026.

Urban cinema attendance also rose sharply, with 1.238 billion tickets sold. Domestic films dominated the market, earning 41.293 billion yuan and accounting for nearly 80 percent of total box-office revenue.

The year saw 51 films surpass the 100-million-yuan mark, including 33 domestic hits, reflecting the strength of homegrown content. Cinema infrastructure expanded, with 2,219 new screens added in urban theaters, bringing the nationwide total to 93,187 screens.

Film access in rural areas also grew, with 8.01 million public screenings in 2025 reaching some 394 million viewers.

The 2025 New Year film season was another highlight, with total box-office revenue exceeding 5.3 billion yuan, ranking the second highest in China's history for the holiday period.

Animation took center stage in 2025, dominating the year's box office with several standout hits. Four animated films ranked among the top 10 of the year, including "Ne Zha 2," "Zootopia 2," "Nobody," and "Boonie Bears: Future Reborn."

Overall, 2025 marked a year of steady growth for China's film industry. Animation and more diverse content contributed to the market's vitality, and Chinese films increasingly reached audiences beyond the country, reflecting their growing presence in the global cinematic landscape.