China's box office revenue during the Qingming Festival holiday, which runs from April 4 to 6, had surpassed 227 million yuan (about $33 million) as of 10:30 a.m. on April 6, including pre-sales, signaling a steady recovery in the country's film market.
This strong holiday performance comes as China's total box-office earnings for 2026 have already exceeded 12 billion yuan ($1.7 million), maintaining its position as the world’s largest single film market.
A combination of nationwide cinema subsidies and a diverse lineup of new releases has helped to drive the holiday boost. Cinemas rolled out discounts and viewing incentives through both online and offline platforms, lowering ticket prices and attracting more audiences back to theaters.
The surge in demand also led cinemas to increase the number of screenings and optimize their schedules, while a wider range of film genres expanded audience appeal. In addition, government-backed initiatives, including dedicated funds to promote cultural consumption, further supported the growth of movie-going during the holiday period.