China’s National Day box office surged past 1.6 billion yuan during the 2025 holiday, demonstrating strong domestic film market performance. The National Day box office has become a key measure of consumer entertainment trends and holiday spending in China.
The eight-day holiday, which started on October 1, usually attracts large crowds to cinemas across the country. This year, ticket sales during the National Day film season hit record highs, driven by strong movie releases and increasing audience interest. Experts attribute the success to both engaging productions and well-planned release schedules.
Leading the National Day box office is the domestic war epic “The Volunteers: Peace at Last.” Directed by Chen Kaige, the film concludes his acclaimed “The Volunteers” trilogy. It depicts the complex battles and diplomatic negotiations during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953). Audiences praised the film’s historical accuracy and cinematic scale, helping it top the National Day box office chart.
Not far behind in the holiday’s cinema rankings is “Evil Unbound,” a historical thriller revealing the brutal crimes of Japan’s Unit 731 during World War II. The film focuses on innocent victims subjected to frostbite, poison gas, and vivisection experiments. Its harrowing storyline has ignited public debate on history and ethics, contributing to its impressive performance during this year’s National Day film season.
Third on the National Day box office list is “A Writer’s Odyssey II,” the sequel to the 2021 fantasy-action hit. The movie follows a novelist facing crises in both real and virtual worlds. Its imaginative storytelling and advanced visual effects contributed significantly to its National Day box office success.
Over 300 films have premiered across China this year, covering history, comedy, animation, and drama. Movie theaters and distributors reported a busy National Day holiday, with many screenings sold out. Officials noted that the strong National Day box office supports cultural industries and boosts domestic entertainment consumption.
Industry analysts note that the holiday’s box office offers valuable insights into evolving audience tastes. Movies that blend historical narratives with contemporary production techniques tend to achieve the strongest results. Continued government support for domestic filmmaking also encourages investment in high-quality local productions, sustaining robust performance during the National Day film season.
Looking forward, China’s film industry aims to maintain momentum with carefully timed releases and holiday programming. Analysts suggest that future festivals and international partnerships could further boost ticket sales during the National Day film period. These results indicate a strong outlook for domestic cinema in the coming year.
