Beijing, China - Feb 17, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of moviegoers getting tickets checked
2. Various of film posters
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) moviegoer (name not given):
"It's a family tradition for me and my parents to watch movies on the first day of a New Year. We watched Scare Out and we were really impressed."
4. Various of moviegoers
5. Screen showing film schedule
6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) moviegoer (name not given):
"Good movies would make us want a more immersive experience such as Universal Studios, we went there many times."
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) moviegoer (name not given):
"Yes. I also bought some key chains and water bottles for characters such as transformers and Kung Fu Panda."
8. Moviegoer paying for snacks
9. Festive decorations
10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) Sun Yanbin, associate professor, Beijing Film Academy (starting with shot 9):
"Filmmakers are consciously incorporating elements with strong copyright development potential, linking films with city branding, cultural heritage and tourism destinations."
11. Moviegoers collecting tickets
12. Various of film posters

As families across China gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the blockbuster season for the nation's film industry returns also with surged ticket sales and related spending.

More than six major productions debuted during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, which began Sunday and will officially last nine days.

The box office, including presales, topped 2 billion yuan (about 290 million U.S. dollars) by Wednesday afternoon, four days into the holiday, according to industry data.

The film lineup is highly diverse, ranging from family-friendly comedies to youth-oriented sci-fi and animated blockbusters, designed to reach audiences of all ages.

"It's a family tradition for me and my parents to watch movies on the first day of the New Year. We watched Scare Out, and we were really impressed," said a moviegoer.

The holiday season has become a peak period of consumption, driven not only by the movies themselves but also by ancillary activities.

"Good movies would make us want a more immersive experience, such as Universal Studios, which we have visited many times," said a resident.

"Yes. I also bought some key chains and water bottles for characters such as Transformers and Kung Fu Panda," said her son.

Sun Yanbin, an associate professor of Beijing Film Academy, said activities such as film-themed fairs, tourism routes, culinary promotions, and intangible heritage exhibitions have extended movie consumption into broader holiday spending.

She said the integration of film and cultural consumption is becoming a key trend for the year ahead.

"Filmmakers are consciously incorporating elements with strong copyright development potential, linking films with city branding, cultural heritage, and tourism destinations," Sun said.