China's film market has seen a wave of sequels in 2026, with many well-known franchises returning to cinemas. Among them, Kung Fu Soccer has stood out during the summer movie season. As a sequel to Shaolin Soccer, the film is a classic comedy directed by Stephen Chow, whose works have shaped the memories of generations of Chinese audiences.

According to industry tracker Maoyan, China's summer box office had surpassed 3.4 billion yuan ( about $510 million) as of July 16. Kung Fu Soccer ranked among the top-grossing films of the season. The film reached 100 million yuan in ticket sales just 27 minutes after release, earned 260 million yuan on its opening day and surpassed 600 million yuan in takings within three days.

The film is a sequel to Shaolin Soccer, which was released 25 years ago. It keeps Stephen Chow's signature comedy style while adding new themes like kung fu and women’s soccer. The combination has attracted viewers from different age groups.

Its success comes as a number of classic franchises return to Chinese cinemas this year. Other returning titles include Pegasus 3 and Toy Story 5. More sequels, such as The Odyssey, Avengers 5 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, are also scheduled for release in 2026.