Hey movie buffs! 🎥 Have you heard? Importers and distributors in the Chinese mainland have decided to delay the release of several hot Japanese titles, including Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot, The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, and Cells at Work. This move came after a careful look at how Japanese films are doing and how audiences feel about them.
Earlier this month, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinite Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns opened strong thanks to its huge fanbase. But things shifted when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made some provocative remarks. Audiences in the Chinese mainland reacted quickly, and the film’s box office plummeted just three days after release. 😮
With that sudden cool-down, distributors realized any upcoming Japanese releases could face similar bumps. To respect audience sentiment and follow market principles, they’ve hit the pause button on those films originally set to hit theaters soon.
For some numbers: as of November 16, total box office in the Chinese mainland reached 45.543 billion yuan (around $6.4 billion) in 2025. Domestic films brought in 40.298 billion yuan, making up 88.48% of the total. This marks the third time in Chinese film history that homegrown movies have crossed the 40-billion-yuan milestone. 🏆
What does this mean for you? If you were planning a movie night with Japanese animations or comedies, you might need to wait a bit. Meanwhile, keep an eye on ticket platforms for new dates. And if you’re curious about market trends, this is a clear reminder of how politics and pop culture can collide in the box office!
Stay tuned, popcorn at the ready, and we’ll keep you posted on when your favorite Japanese flicks make their comeback! 🍿✨
Reference(s):
Japanese film releases postponed in China over audience sentiment
cgtn.com
