Chinese cinema tries new plots, innovation to sharpen its image

Domestic blockbusters

Chinese filmmakers produced 873 films last year, with the vast majority, 612 of them, dramas.

Seventy-nine Chinese and foreign movies each achieved box office earnings exceeding 100 million yuan, the bench mark for blockbusters. The figure was six more than in 2023.

Comedian Jia Ling's tale of boxing redemption YOLO was the highest-grossing film, amassing 3.4 billion yuan. Starring in and directed by Jia, the film follows an overweight woman's journey to regain self-confidence through boxing after being looked down on by her employer, boyfriend, and relatives.

As one of the country's most sought-after comedians, Shen Teng saw his two films Pegasus 2 and Successor, secure the second and third spots in box office takings.

Pegasus 2, which tells the story of struggling rally driver's underdog victory, earned 3.36 billion yuan, while Successor, an unconventional parenting journey of a wealthy man, netted 3.33 billion yuan.

Renowned director Zhang Yimou's Article 20, which raised public awareness about justifiable defense, was the fourth highest-grossing film. The 10th installment of the beloved animated franchise, Boonie Bears: Time Twist, grabbed fifth position with earnings of 1.98 billion yuan.

They were followed by three Chinese films: the crime thriller A Place Called Silence, the war epic The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, and the workplace comedy Johnny Keep Walking!.

Unlike 2023, where all 10 of the highest-earning films were Chinese titles, two imported blockbusters secured spots in the top 10 list. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire took ninth position, while Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron, which won an Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature Film, claimed the 10th spot.

Overall, imported films experienced a resurgence in China. Their box office revenue accounted for 21.3 percent of total earnings, and was the highest share by foreign films in five years. Hollywood scored commercial success with space thriller Alien: Romulus, superhero film Venom: The Last Dance, the Marvel action-comedy Deadpool & Wolverine, and the sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two.

Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, said the resurgence of interest in imported films was a good sign. A potential future increase of foreign films' revenue share to 30 to 40 percent of takings will enhance the diversity and dynamics of the local movie market, he added.

"Foreign films' storytelling skills, visual effects techniques, and successful formulas can serve as references for Chinese films, while also catering to the diverse demands of audiences of different ages and backgrounds," Rao said.