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China Box Office Rebounds 20% in 2025 on Animation Boom as Zootopia 2 Sets Hollywood Record in China

Maoyan credits blockbuster animation alongside rising attendance in lower‑tier cities.

Overview

  • China’s 2025 theatrical gross reached RMB 51.832 billion (about $7.47 billion), up roughly 20% year over year, according to Maoyan’s year-end report.
  • Ne Zha 2 dominated the market, earning about $2.12–$2.13 billion in China and anchoring the recovery after its Lunar New Year launch.
  • Zootopia 2 has taken approximately ¥4.25 billion (about $600 million) in China, surpassing Avengers: Endgame as the top Hollywood release there in local currency, and stands near $1.59 billion worldwide as Walt Disney Animation’s biggest title unadjusted.
  • Animation generated nearly half of China’s 2025 ticket sales, with 57 animated films totaling about RMB 25 billion, while domestic productions captured roughly 80% market share.
  • Box office concentration intensified as four films topped RMB 3 billion and eight exceeded RMB 1 billion, even as admissions rose to about 1.24 billion with notable gains from third‑ and fourth‑tier cities and more first‑time or infrequent moviegoers.