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China’s film industry

China’s film industry
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China’s film industry. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A poster for Dear You, an independent film set in Chaoshan, Guangdong province, which has become an unexpected box office hit in China. Photo: Handout
Asian cinema: Chinese films

Editorial | Indie hit Dear You shows the power of storytelling over big budgets

The surprise hit, filmed on a shoestring budget and shot entirely in a southern dialect, has resonated strongly with audiences.

China society

Opinion | A Teochew hit film shows what’s ailing Chinese entertainment

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Asian diaspora

How a tiny indie movie sparked a major tourist boom in southern China

China consumption

China’s Labour Day box office disappoints despite strong line-up – what happened?

Cold War 1994 and The Devil Wears Prada 2 were tipped to shine in a crowded release window – but many consumers chose to stay away.

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A moviegoer walks by a poster of The Devil Wears Prada 2 at a cinema on Monday in Shanghai. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China’s soft power

Why are modern Chinese audiences shying away from dubbed films?

Greater subtitle literacy among streaming viewers is among factors chipping away at enthusiasm for dubbed movies in China.

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China consumption

China’s sci-fi industry rides a tech wave as revenues hit record high

China’s sci-fi industry has built on the success of breakout hits like ‘The Three-Body Problem’, with revenues up over 15 per cent last year.

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China consumption

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

People line up to enter a cinema in north China’s Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua
China jobs

As jobs dry up, China’s graduates turn to booming ‘micro drama’ industry

The bite-sized series now rival box office hits in popularity – and with that success comes opportunity.

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China consumption

China’s box office up 22% in 2025 to US$7.4 billion, led by smash hit Ne Zha 2

World’s second-largest movie market sees domestic films capture nearly 80 per cent of sales, while Disney’s Zootopia sequel sets new high for imported titles.

China’s soft power

From Labubu to blockbuster films, was 2025 the year of China’s soft power?

Chinese lifestyle brands and other cultural exports proved to be a hit around the world this year, here are some of our most notable stories.

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China's economic recovery

Why China’s film industry is banking on Zootopia 2 being a smash hit

After a tough few months, Chinese cinemas are hoping that a string of imported animated releases can offer some relief.

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A still from the Disney animated film Zootopia 2, which is scheduled for release on Wednesday. Photo: Disney
US-China relations

Ne Zha-Transformers collaboration set to air as US-China frictions ease

Long-awaited shared animated universe of ‘My Ne Zha and Transformers’ seen as fresh symbol of cooperation between the nations.

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Asian cinema: Chinese films

Letters | Jackson Yee sets benchmark for young actors with Best Actor win

Readers laud the Chinese actor’s dedication to his craft and warn of a crisis of the mind in the age of AI.

China's space programme

How China’s space station became a film frontier – and Liu Cixin’s inspiration

Documentary shot during the Shenzhou 13 mission is capturing imaginations while bridging sci-fi and reality.

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The documentary Shenzhou 13, released earlier this month, follows the mission’s three-member crew for six months aboard the Chinese space station. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s National Day fireworks to feature Ne Zha, National Games themes

But drone show expected to precede display will be dropped over weather concerns, organiser says.

An artist’s impression of the National Day fireworks on October 1, 2025. Photo: Handout
Asian cinema: Chinese films

More Chinese went to cinemas this summer, but filmmakers still face challenges

Season’s box office takings total 11.96 billion yuan, up 2.76 per cent year on year but well down on record set in 2023.

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China consumption

Surprising many, Nobody becomes China’s top 2D animated film at the box office

Based on an animated series, Shanghai Animation Film Studio’s newest movie has dethroned Japan’s most successful animated showings in China.

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Chinese culture

China launches plan to improve TV and mini-dramas amid soft power push

Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections.

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People attend a screening of Ne Zha 2 in Beijing on February 16. State media have touted the animated film, calling it an important step in improving China’s soft power. Photo: Xinhua
China exports

Chinese ‘vertical dramas’ are booming in America. Should Hollywood be worried?

Chinese platforms hosting bite-size soap operas about werewolves and mafia dons are drawing big audiences – and shaking up the streaming market.

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Asian cinema: Chinese films

Chinese netizens riled over delay of 731, film on Japan’s human experiments

Weibo users are unhappy that the film about Unit 731’s wartime human experiments on Chinese citizens has been pushed back.

China economy

Opinion | Global hit Labubu was forged in the heat of China’s demanding market

In China’s demanding market that’s shifting towards emotionally driven spending, creative brands that succeed can look to conquer the world.

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This Labubu figurine, displayed before an auction in Beijing, on June 6, was sold for 1.08 million yuan (US$150,499), setting a record for the most expensive Labubu sold. Photo: Reuters
China consumption

China’s film distributors pledge more imports to diversify market

As domestic releases dominate China’s box office, distributors have renewed calls for overseas titles to keep market fluid.

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China’s film distributors have called for the import of more titles to diversify the country’s market. Photo: AP
China consumption

Mission: Impossible? China faces box office blues during Dragon Boat Festival

Film ticket sales estimated to decline compared to previous holiday – but analysts say long-term trends remain positive.

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US-China trade war

Hollywood faces defining moment in China as Disney prepares new releases

Beijing appears to be holding off on a drastic curb of American film imports – for now, at least – as US-China tensions simmer, analysts said.

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China consumption

China’s sci-fi industry shoots for stars as Beijing pushes ‘quality’ growth

With successes like The Three-Body Problem, the genre has never been more popular – and authorities have taken note.

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‘The Wandering Earth’
Profile

Jason Li, from martial arts to Hollywood stunt double and daredevil

The professional movie stunt double talks about ‘tricking’, his early Hollywood breaks and taking risks in an inconsistent industry.

Hong Kong-based stunt actor, stunt double, tricker and martial artist Jason Li photographed in Tai Hang, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
China consumption

China’s hottest new show is a Sichuan-dialect micro drama set in the 1980s

My Sweet Home has achieved phenomenal success by moving beyond the trashy tropes of China’s booming micro drama industry.

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Hong Kong society

Ne Zha 2 inspires John Lee to ‘overcome obstacles, forge path’ for Hong Kong

Hong Kong leader reveals on social media he and his wife have watched record-breaking animated film.

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