China's movie scene is on 🔥 in 2025, and it's not stopping at the cinemas. From November 28 to December 31, the year-end box office smashed past 4 billion yuan (≈$570 million) on Maoyan – and that's just pre-sales! So far this year, the total annual ticket sales have soared beyond 50 billion yuan, according to the Chinese Film Administration.
Blockbusters like Zootopia 2 are a big reason why. It raked in 3.55 billion yuan domestically – almost half its global haul of $1.14 billion 🌍. But the real star is the Film+ model, where movies become the gateway to experiences in tourism, dining, merch and more.
This April, the “2025 Chinese Film Consumption Year: Beijing Film & Life Festival” brought film lovers together online and offline. Over 30 hotspots, from film-themed cafes to pop-up art zones, drew 76.66 million visits and sparked 25.17 billion yuan in spending 🎡🍿🍜.
Animation fans have also been cashing in. The team behind the homegrown hit Nobody lined up IP merch way ahead of time, driving nearly 2.5 billion yuan in merchandise sales through official channels 🛍️✨.
What does this mean for the region? With China pushing its domestic demand strategy, the Film+ model shows how creative industries can fuel broader economic growth. For South and Southeast Asian youth, it's a sign that entertainment is evolving – and there’s never been a cooler time to be part of it! 🚀
Reference(s):
China's booming 2025 box office spurs growth beyond the film industry
cgtn.com
