In the lead-up to the significant Lunar New Year holiday, the Chinese cinematic landscape is witnessing a noticeable slowdown in audience turnout. However, despite this broader market trend, Disney's animated sequel, "Zootopia 2," has consistently maintained its position at the pinnacle of the box office charts for yet another weekend, demonstrating remarkable staying power.
"Zootopia 2" continued its impressive run, accumulating an additional RMB36.2 million ($5.1 million) over the January 16-18 period. This latest figure brings its cumulative earnings to an impressive RMB4.37 billion ($615.2 million). While weekly revenues have seen a dip, the film's sustained performance, nearly eight weeks post-release, underscores its enduring appeal. Following closely, Maoyan Movie's crime thriller, "The Fire Raven," directed by Sam Quah, secured the second spot with $5 million, pushing its total to $51.3 million. James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash" claimed third place, adding $4.3 million to its overall China gross of $153.4 million. A new entry, Maoyan Movie's "Take Off," a drama helmed by Song Peng Fei, debuted in fourth with $2.8 million for the weekend, achieving a cumulative $2.9 million. Completing the top five is Huace Film & TV's "Back to the Past," which gathered $2.2 million, escalating its total to $38 million. This adaptation reunites the original cast of the popular 2001 Hong Kong sci-fi series, a notable point for fans.
Collectively, the weekend box office generated $24.4 million. The year-to-date total for China's film industry in 2026 now stands at $201.8 million, indicating a marginal 0.1% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. This slight growth suggests a resilient market that, while experiencing seasonal fluctuations, continues its upward trajectory.
The vibrant and dynamic nature of the global entertainment industry is consistently demonstrated through these box office figures. Even in periods of anticipated calm, the power of engaging storytelling and captivating visuals can draw audiences, proving that the magic of cinema remains a potent force that transcends cultural boundaries and inspires collective experiences.