China Dominates Global Box Office Rankings in 2026

In a remarkable turn of events, China has ascended to the forefront of the global film industry, surpassing North America to become the number one film market. As of Saturday, the nation's box office revenue for 2026 has exceeded 7 billion yuan, which equates to approximately 970 million U.S. dollars, illustrating a significant milestone in the entertainment economy.

This impressive performance has been notably propelled by the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, which began on February 15. In fact, ticket sales during this festive period alone have generated over 4.4 billion yuan, contributing substantially to China's overall box office earnings this year.

Throughout the nine-day holiday, a diverse array of blockbuster films spanning various genres and themes graced theaters across China. This strategic release timing has created a perfect environment for families and friends to gather and celebrate together.

"Pegasus 3," the latest installment in the popular racing-comedy franchise directed by Han Han and featuring renowned comedian Shen Teng, has emerged as the leading film during this Spring Festival. The movie has already grossed more than two billion yuan since its release, showcasing its massive appeal.

The two preceding films in the series, both launched during the Spring Festival in 2019 and 2024, collectively garnered a remarkable sum of 5 billion yuan, further establishing the franchise's strong legacy.

Following "Pegasus 3," the spy thriller "Scare Out," directed by the acclaimed Zhang Yimou, has claimed the second position on the box office chart, earning 701 million yuan. Meanwhile, the action-packed "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," which highlights traditional Chinese martial arts, has also made a notable impact with a box office revenue of 577 million yuan.