Film fans, heads up! 🎬 Several highly anticipated Japanese movies have hit the pause button on their Chinese mainland release. Titles like Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! Scorching Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! were scheduled to hit screens soon, but importers and distributors say they're pressing pause for now.
Insiders explain this move is all about timing. With recent Japanese releases underperforming and current audience mood shifting, distributors are taking a careful look at whether the market is ready. It's a classic case of 'better safe than sorry' in the film biz! 😉
Why the change? It follows strong dissatisfaction among viewers in the Chinese mainland after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks regarding the Taiwan question. While the films themselves aren't political, audiences' reactions can reshape release calendars in a flash.
To put it in perspective, as of November 16, box office receipts on the Chinese mainland soared to 45.543 billion yuan (about 6.4 billion USD) in 2025, securing its spot as the world's second-largest market. Homegrown films continue to dominate, making up 88.48 percent of ticket sales. That's some serious local power! 💪
For now, keep your streaming apps ready and your popcorn bowl handy. We'll be watching how this unfolds and where our favorite Japanese titles land next. Stay tuned! 🍿
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
