China’s holiday box office kicked off robustly this National Day period, with pre-sales surpassing 100 million yuan. Analysts said sequels and varied genres are driving early audience interest, highlighting the momentum of the holiday box office.
The National Day film season began in late September and will continue for eight days. Films such as Sound of Silence, A Writer’s Odyssey II, and The Volunteers: Peace at Last are topping early ticket sales. According to cinema data, these titles appeal to both urban and regional audiences, highlighting the strength of the festive film market.
Film expert Chen Jin observed that this year’s lineup demonstrates advanced genre variety. Historical war epics, fantasy adventures, and crime thrillers cater to segmented audiences and franchise strategies, boosting the performance of the festive film market overall.
Market analyst Lai Li highlighted that franchise sequels lead the festive film market. While built-in audience recognition draws viewers, high-quality content remains essential to maintain strong holiday box office results.
The Volunteers: Peace at Last, directed by Chen Kaige, concludes a war trilogy focused on the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. Producer Fu Ruoqing said the film depicts the final stages of the war, blending battlefield action with diplomatic negotiations. Earlier installments earned over 2 billion yuan, solidifying a loyal audience base and boosting the holiday box office.
Meanwhile, A Writer’s Odyssey II scheduled 753 first-day IMAX screenings, the highest among all new releases. Strong pre-sales in lower-tier cities indicate broad appeal among younger viewers, contributing further to the holiday box office.
Other films are targeting niche markets. Row to Win, a comedy starring Huang Bo, attracts urban youth. Three Kingdoms: Starlit Heroes appeals to women over 35. Crime thrillers like Sons of the Neon Night focus on regional audiences. Sound of Silence, opening October 4, already leads pre-sales, reflecting ongoing holiday box office demand.
The season also features a re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water, combining Hollywood spectacle with domestic films. Analysts expect war-themed movies to stay popular, enhancing overall holiday film revenue.
Overall, China’s festive cinema revenue shows that blending established franchises with diverse genres successfully satisfies viewers. Experts predict robust earnings while underscoring audience segmentation trends during the holiday season.
