The Chinese box office is a fascinating arena, and the recent weekend's results offer a compelling insight into the country's evolving film landscape. The top spot was held by 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', which maintained its position with an impressive $28.9 million in revenue over the weekend. This is a testament to the enduring popularity of the superhero genre in China, and the film's local total has now reached $185.4 million in just 12 days. What's more, it's on track to surpass the $199 million mark, which would make it the highest-grossing Spider-Man film in China, surpassing the previous record holder, 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'. This is a significant achievement, especially considering the film's strong opening, which saw it rake in a massive $121.3 million in just five days, with a substantial $19 million coming from Imax screenings, a record for the format in the market.
However, the real surprise came from 'The Odyssey', a Christopher Nolan epic that didn't officially open in Chinese theaters until Friday. The film played exclusively on Imax and CINITY screens over the weekend, generating a remarkable $6.9 million in previews. This is a testament to the film's appeal and the growing interest in immersive cinematic experiences in China. The film's high occupancy rate of 95.2 percent during its earlier four-city previews is a strong indicator of its popularity, and its 8.3 rating on Douban, the summer's highest for a live-action release, further cements its success. With a 177-minute runtime, it's the first feature shot entirely on Imax film cameras, and its global sales are expected to be significantly boosted by China's strong performance.
In second place, 'All Wishes Come True' from Pearl Studio held its ground, earning $20.4 million in its fourth weekend. This animated comic fantasy, directed by Mu Zhengyang, has now earned a substantial $210.6 million, making it China's biggest performance by an animated feature this year. The film's success is a testament to the enduring appeal of animated films in the country, and its reimagining of the classic folk tale of the Eight Immortals has clearly resonated with audiences.
The third and fourth places were taken by previews for yet-to-open tentpoles. 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East' collected $15 million across two days of previews, and 'To Your Island' opened in fourth with $7.9 million. Both films are Imax-shot and star well-known comic actors, indicating a strong interest in immersive cinematic experiences and engaging storytelling.
It's worth noting that 'Kung Fu Soccer', directed by Stephen Chow, has been absent from the top five since its July 11 release, but it remains the summer's biggest title, having grossed around $318.5 million. The overall nationwide grosses for the weekend were $97.3 million, a decrease of about a quarter from the previous frame. However, the Chinese box office is still down 31.8 percent from the same point last year, a comparison distorted by the massive success of 'Ne Zha 2', which took more than $2 billion in the market in the first half of 2025. Despite this, the gap has been steadily narrowing since March, when the market trailed by nearly 56 percent.
The success of 'The Odyssey' is particularly intriguing, as it tests whether Chinese moviegoers' renewed appetite for Hollywood extends beyond the superhero genre. The film's strong performance and positive reception suggest that Chinese audiences are open to a variety of Hollywood films, and its success could pave the way for more diverse releases in the future. The Chinese box office is a dynamic and evolving market, and the weekend's results offer a fascinating glimpse into its current state and future potential.
