China's box office rebounded in 2025, exceeding $7.4 billion. Animated films drove the surge, according to Maoyan Entertainment. Admissions climbed over 20% year-over-year.
Ne Zha 2, a local sequel, led with $2.13 billion. Disney's Zootopia 2 followed, grossing $558.3 million. The figures were released January 1, 2026.
The recovery marks a significant turnaround. In 2024, China's box office plummeted 23% to $5.8 billion. The success of animated films highlights changing audience preferences.
IP-driven franchises dominated the market. 57 animated films generated nearly half of the total revenue. The industry will analyze these trends to inform future productions.
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