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The Chinese theatrical landscape underwent a significant transformation during the weekend of January 9-11 as Disney’s Zootopia 2 secured the top position for the second consecutive week. This animated sequel, having reclaimed its place the previous weekend, generated RMB 49.1 million (approximately $6.9 million). Its total earnings now stand at an impressive RMB 4.31 billion (around $607.2 million).
Strong contenders in the box office
In second place, The Fire Raven, a compelling crime thriller from Maoyan Movie, earned $6.8 million. The film features strong performances by Peng Yuchang, Alan Aruna, and Chang Ning. It has attracted considerable attention, accumulating a total of $42.3 million in under two weeks since its release. Directed and written by Sam Quah, the plot centers on the reopening of a long-dormant murder case, revealing a complex web of corruption and revenge.
The rise of animated films
Box office report: Avatar and Back to the Past make headlines
In third place, the epic sci-fi film Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron, earned $6.5 million over the weekend. This brings its total gross in China to $146.6 million. A continuation of the beloved Avatar franchise, the film has captivated audiences and significantly influenced the box office landscape.
Ranked fourth, Back to the Past from Huace Film & TV garnered $4.9 million this weekend, raising its cumulative earnings to $33.7 million. The film adapts the historical sci-fi series A Step Into the Past, which originally aired 24 years ago on Hong Kong broadcaster TVB. Produced by Louis Koo and featuring a reunion of the original cast members, including Raymond Lam and Jessica Hsuan, this film adds a nostalgic touch to the current cinematic offerings.
Weekend box office highlights
The family drama Unexpected Family from Chuanqiren Media rounded out the top five films, earning $900,000 over the weekend. This brings its total earnings to $5.5 million. Directed and co-written by Li Taiyan, the film follows a young man who moves to Beijing and becomes intertwined with an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s, who mistakenly believes him to be his son. The cast includes notable talents such as Jackie Chan and Peng Yuchang.
The box office in China for the weekend totaled $31.6 million. Year-to-date, the box office has reached $162.4 million, marking a noteworthy increase of 9.9% compared to the same period last year. However, the market is entering a quieter phase following the festive season. Anticipation is rising for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, during which several major film releases are expected.
Global context and future outlook
Looking beyond China, December marked a significant month for the global box office. The combined earnings of Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash reached a remarkable $1.8 billion, accounting for more than half of the total box office that month. This performance propelled the global box office to a total of $3.5 billion, the highest December figures recorded since.
As the film industry looks ahead, 2026 is anticipated to be a strong year with a lineup of exciting releases. Major franchises such as Super Mario Bros, Star Wars, and Toy Story are set to dominate the box office, promising thrilling experiences for audiences and studios alike.