China Box Office: Annual Total Passes $7 Billion as ‘Across the Furious Sea’ Sails Off With Weekend Win, Disney’s ‘Wish’ Opens Fifth
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief China’s nationwide annual box office passed the symbolic $7 billion and RMB 50 billion marks in recent days, confirming a decent, but still incomplete recovery of the theatrical cinema industry.
According to consultancy Artisan Gateway, the running box office total to Nov. 26 was $7.15 billion. That is a 79% rebound compared with 2022, when much of the year was wiped out by strict anti-COVID restrictions.
But it is 15% below pre-COVID performance in 2019. The weak economy may be having an impact, but the inconsistent supply of audience-friendly films is also likely a factor.
Clustering around peak holiday periods continues to be the prevailing pattern and distributors have recently postponed the release of at least one major title until February’s 2024 Chinese New Year season.
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