'Dear You' leads a breakout month for China's film market

China's film market has gained strong momentum in 2026. According to Maoyan, total box-office earnings had already passed 14.5 billion yuan (about $2.13 billion) as of May 19, driven by domestic hits and international releases.

Among the month's biggest surprises is Dear You, a low-budget drama featuring mostly non-professional actors and spoken largely in the Chaoshan dialect, the local tongue of southern China.

Produced on a budget of just 14 million yuan, the film has become an unexpected hit, earning over 560 million yuan at the box office and scoring 9.1 on movie review platform Douban.

At the center of the story are "qiaopi" – handwritten letters and remittances once sent home by overseas Chinese migrants to their families in southern China. Using these letters as an emotional thread, the film tells a multi-generational story of separation, migration and family ties.

The success of Dear You has also spilled into tourism and local business. Filming locations in the southern city of Shantou, including historic neighborhoods and old family homes, have seen a surge in visitors, while regional foods such as beef hot pot and preserved olives have also gained renewed attention online.

Besides Dear You, more than 40 domestic and international titles were available in cinemas throughout the month, spanning the genres of crime thrillers, romance, youth dramas, comedy and action.

Cold War 1994 drew strong crowds with its fast-paced storytelling and ensemble cast, while Being Toward Death used dark comedy to explore mortality and modern life. Urban thriller Vanishing Point attracted younger audiences with its psychological tension and crime-driven plot.

Later releases such as A Man and a Woman, Be Yourself and All the Good Eyes, along with imported films like Goodbye Julia and The Mandalorian and Grogu, helped keep audience interest high across the month.