Summer box office hype builds as tally hits 15 bln yuan

China's film market has crossed another major milestone in 2026. According to movie data platform Beacon Pro, the country's total box office revenue, including pre-sales, surpassed 15 billion yuan (about $2.11 billion) on Saturday.

As of noon on May 23, the year's top five films at the Chinese box office were Pegasus 3, Blade of the Guardians, Scare Out, Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector, and May's breakout surprise hit Dear You.

The strong performance of these titles highlights the growing enthusiasm of audiences in China for locally produced stories across genres ranging from comedy and action to animation and family drama.

Among these, Dear You has emerged as one of the most talked-about films of the season. Fueled by emotional word-of-mouth and strong audience resonance, the film has already grossed more than 896 million yuan (about $126 million).

At the same time, China's film market remains increasingly diverse and internationally connected. The Mandalorian and Grogu officially opened in China on May 22, adding fresh momentum to the market. Other imported films screening in the country include The Sheep Detectives, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Looking ahead to the summer season, major international releases such as Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters are also expected to screen in China, bringing further vitality to the country's box office landscape.