Chinese New Year box office reaches 3 billion yuan

China's 2026 film market maintained strong momentum over the Spring Festival holiday (February 15 to 23), with the total box office revenue surpassing 3 billion yuan (roughly $434.25 million).

The total box office (including presales) for 2026 has exceeded 5.5 billion yuan, according to data from Chinese ticketing platform.

The box office was powered mainly by six simultaneous blockbuster releases on the first day of Chinese New Year, which fell on February 17.

Spanning a wide range of genres, from comedy to action and science fiction, the leading titles focused on family-friendly entertainment, fantasy and patriotic productions.

The China Film Administration (CFA) launched the "Film +" campaign, which integrates cinema attendance with retail, tourism and other consumer sectors. The approach has catalyzed a comprehensive upgrade this year, fostering new business models and boosting spending.

On February 12, the CFA, along with other departments launched the "2026 Film Consumption Year" initiative, pledging no less than 1.2 billion yuan in movie-going subsidies throughout the year.

According to China Media Group, many regions have linked movie attendance with broader spending scenarios amid the holiday boom.

For example, movie stubs now offer discounts on dining, retail and experiential services in shopping malls, while film parks have staged parades, exhibitions and pop-up events to attract families and younger consumers.

Various cities have also rolled out public welfare screenings and cross-sector initiatives such as "Film + Tourism," "Film + Food" and "Film + Markets," amplifying the broader economic impact of the Spring Festival box office season.