China's 2026 box office exceeds $4 billion

China's 2026 box office surpassed 27 billion yuan (around $4 billion) on August 22, with the summer season contributing 11.2 billion yuan, including pre-sales.

The summer season has seen daily box office revenues remain above 100 million yuan for 43 consecutive days, with both movie attendances and the number of screenings setting new records.

The Chinese anti-war film Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, which tells the story of a Chinese chef who becomes embroiled in a desperate struggle to save lives amid the ravages of war in the Middle East, has grossed more than 1.4 billion yuan. It is scheduled to launch in overseas markets starting in September.

The Chinese family drama Dear You has captivated audiences both at home and overseas. Having grossed more than 2 billion yuan on the Chinese mainland, it has also set new records for Chinese-language films in multiple countries and regions.

The animated film All Wishes Come True, inspired by the Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals, has begun its overseas theatrical release, earning a warm response for its exquisite Eastern aesthetics and high-quality animation.

Foreign films such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey have also drawn large numbers of Chinese moviegoers to cinemas.