China's 2026 box office tops 5 Bln yuan from holiday boost

China's film market is off to a strong start in 2026. As of February 20, the total box office revenue for the year (pre-sales included) had surpassed 6 billion yuan (approximately $868.2 million) with the Chinese New Year holiday alone contributing more than 3.4 billion yuan.

Among the strongest performers were "Pegasus 3," "Scare Out" (aka "Silent Awakening") and "Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector" which led the holiday charts and drew audiences across age groups.

Beyond ticket sales, this year's Spring Festival season has highlighted the rapid expansion of the "film+" model — an effort to link moviegoing to broader consumption.

In some cities, a same-day ticket stub unlocks discounts at shopping malls and restaurants, encouraging audiences to turn a movie outing into a full-day experience. Elsewhere, theaters have partnered with cultural parks and heritage venues to combine screenings with live performances, exhibitions and interactive events.

These initiatives are reshaping moviegoing from a standalone entertainment option into a driver of cross-sector spending during the ongoing holiday period.

Meanwhile, several major Spring Festival titles premiered simultaneously in Hong Kong and Macao on Chinese New Year's Day, drawing strong interest from local residents and international viewers.

Among them were "Blades of the Guardians," "Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector" and "Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe." The production team of "Blades of the Guardians" spared no effort in capturing the raw essence of the desert, opting for authentic on-location filming in Xinjiang. Boasting a stellar cast of top action stars – including a special guest appearance by Jet Li – it has been hailed by moviegoers as a "long-awaited martial arts masterpiece."