Hey cinema fans across South Asia and Southeast Asia! 🍿 This year, 2025, China has done more than just smash box-office records—it’s rewriting the rules of global filmmaking.
Take Disney Animation’s Zootopia 2: it just crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide, and nearly half of those tickets were sold in China. But this isn’t a one-off cash grab—it shows how China’s audience of over 400 million regular moviegoers has become a strategic partner in storytelling.
Today, Chinese studios aren’t just cheque-writers; they’re co-producers, sharing vital insights on what clicks with local viewers. Imagine mixing Bollywood’s musical flair with Hollywood’s visual effects—and tailoring the result to local tastes. That’s the kind of cultural exchange fueling hits on the big screen.
Even more exciting is China’s take on intellectual property (IP) ecosystems. Instead of letting a movie live and die at the box office, filmmakers are turning hits into immersive worlds. Look at Ne Zha 2: the sequel didn’t just rake in ticket sales—it spawned toys, video games, themed cafés, and tourist attractions. It’s like your favourite K-drama developing its own theme park! 🎢
Action fans aren’t left out either. Chinese thriller Nobody has expanded into animated shorts, branded merch, and online interactive experiences—keeping audiences hooked long after the credits roll.
For young creators and businesses in our region, China’s playbook offers a valuable lesson: build stories that live beyond the screen. By blending creative worlds, data-driven insights, and fan-focused IP, the future of cinema is all about multi-layered experiences—and that’s something we can all get excited about!
Reference(s):
More than box office: How China shaped global film industry in 2025
cgtn.com
