China’s 2025 Spring Festival Box Office Tops 5.2 Billion Yuan, Breaking Multiple Records
China’s box office for the 2025 Spring Festival surged past 5.2 billion yuan (approximately $723.5 million) as of noon on February 1, marking one of the most lucrative holiday seasons in the country’s cinematic history. According to data from leading movie-ticketing platform Maoyan, this year’s festival lineup—featuring six highly anticipated new releases—drew unprecedented audience engagement, with five of the films premiering in IMAX format.
Topping the charts, Ne Zha 2 became the first film of 2025 to surpass 1 billion yuan in ticket sales, reaching the milestone in record time. The long-awaited sequel to the animated hit captivated audiences with its high-energy storytelling and stunning visual effects, reinforcing its place as a box office juggernaut. Meanwhile, Detective Chinatown 1900, the latest installment in the popular mystery-comedy franchise, amassed an impressive 1.32 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing film of the festival thus far. Historical fantasy epic Creation of the Gods II followed closely with 767 million yuan, demonstrating the continued appeal of mythological adaptations among Chinese audiences.
IMAX China also registered a historic performance, earning 88 million yuan on the festival’s opening day—an all-time high that shattered its previous record set in 2021. The premium large-format screenings proved to be a major draw, enhancing the immersive experience for filmgoers and boosting overall revenue.
Beyond the box office figures, attendance numbers also reached a new peak. The first day of the Spring Festival period saw 1.2 million moviegoers flock to theaters, setting a record for the highest single-day turnout in holiday history. Industry analysts attribute this surge to a combination of strong pre-release anticipation, robust marketing campaigns, and a growing appetite for theatrical experiences among Chinese audiences.
As the holiday season continues, industry observers expect the momentum to hold, with several of the festival’s biggest films poised to break further records in the coming weeks. With its blend of blockbuster appeal and cultural resonance, the 2025 Spring Festival has cemented its place as a defining moment for China’s film industry.
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