Chen Kaige's "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" Conquers China Box Office with $23.4M Opening

China Box Office: Chen Kaige's 'The Volunteers: Peace at Last' Opens at No. 1 BEIJING, China - October 5, 2025, marked a significant milestone for Chinese director Chen Kaige as his patriotic war film "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" topped the China box office, earning RMB168.2 million (23.4 million) over the Oct. 3-5 weekend, according to Artisan Gateway. The film's impressive opening was not unexpected, given its release during Chinas National Day holiday week, a time when domestic films often perform well. The Volunteers: Peace at Last is the third chapter in Chen Kaige's The Volunteers trilogy, which commemorates the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army entering the Korean War. The film stars Wu Jing and Zhang Ziyi. "We are thrilled with the response to 'The Volunteers: Peace at Last'," said Chen Kaige in a statement. "Our goal was to create a film that would resonate with audiences and honor the bravery of our soldiers. We believe we have achieved this." The film's success is also a testament to the growing popularity of patriotic films in China, which often focus on themes of national pride and sacrifice. According to analysts, these types of films are becoming increasingly important for Chinese filmmakers, who see them as a way to connect with domestic audiences and promote national identity. "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" has been well-received by critics, with many praising its epic scope and emotional resonance. The film's success is also notable given the challenges faced by the Chinese film industry in recent years, including declining box office revenues and increased competition from international films. In related news, "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" placed fourth on the global box office chart, per Comscore. This achievement underscores the growing influence of Chinese cinema globally and highlights the importance of films like The Volunteers: Peace at Last, which showcase China's rich cultural heritage and cinematic talent. As the film continues to perform well at the box office, industry insiders are already looking ahead to future projects. "The success of 'The Volunteers: Peace at Last' is a great example of what can be achieved when filmmakers work together with audiences to create films that resonate on an emotional level," said a spokesperson for Artisan Gateway. With its impressive opening and continued success, "The Volunteers: Peace at Last" is poised to become one of the top-grossing films of 2025. As the Chinese film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how films like this one shape the future of cinema in China and beyond. *Reporting by Variety.*