The highest-grossing film in the summer season was director Shen Ao's historical drama "Dead to Rights."
As of Sunday, China's box office receipts had surpassed 40 billion yuan (US$5.6 billion). The summer season, the longest-running and most lucrative movie period of the year, has generated 11.97 billion yuan, a modest 2.76 percent increase compared with the revenue during the same period last year, according to box office tracker Beacon.
The summer box office period always draws great attention from both the film industry and audiences. From June to the end of August, this year's summer releases spanned genres including history, suspense, action, comedy, and animation, catering to the diverse tastes of moviegoers. Total admissions this summer rose to 321 million, up 13 percent from 284 million a year earlier.
The highest-grossing film in the summer season was director Shen Ao's historical drama "Dead to Rights," which focuses on the photographic evidence of Japanese military atrocities during the Nanjing Massacre in the 1930s.
The film has grossed around 3 billion yuan worldwide. By conveying a truthful perspective of history, it sparked heated discussions during its screenings in the United States, Canada, and Germany, encouraging international audiences to remember history and cherish peace through the power of cinema.
Shanghai Animation Film Studio's animation feature "Nobody" was also a summer hit.
Jiang Qiming, lead actor of the romantic film "I Swear," spoke with movie buffs in the city.
Popular films also included "Nobody," "The Shadow's Edge," "The Litchi Road," as well as "Jurassic World: Rebirth," "The Legend of Hei Ⅱ," and "F1: The Movie."
This year has also seen a wave of initiatives promoting film-related consumption, such as "Travel with Movies" and "Taste Cuisine with Movies." From cinema tickets to themed cultural and lifestyle experiences, films are generating chain reactions for spending.
Last week on Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, the romantic film "I Swear" joined forces with the Xiami Music and Arts Festival to present a distinctive Qixi Festival-themed stage. Lead actors Jiang Qiming and Zhang Yifan performed a series of love songs, using music to convey the tenderness, heartache and determination of love.
Here are some of the upcoming movies you won't want to miss:
The special edition of "Operation Hadal" delivers a heightened sense of immersion.
"Operation Hadal" (Special Edition)
Release date: August 30
Directed by Dante Lam, the military epic focuses on the coordinated operations in high-risk zones beneath the deep blue sea. The story highlights the coordinated operations of the Dragon Whale submarine and the Jiaolong Squad as they employ advanced military technology and unwavering courage to thwart an unprecedented conspiracy.
The special edition has been precisely edited to a running time of 130 minutes and has undergone an upgrade to present high-speed sequences in a brand-new texture. From whizzing bullets and torpedo duels to submarine evasions, every action scene flows with zero lag and razor-sharp clarity. The addition of striking close-ups and immersive combat shots also helps the film deliver a heightened sense of immersion.
"Loveable" focuses on women's growth and self-discovery.
"Loveable"
Release date: September 5
The drama film written and directed by Lilja Ingolfsdottir is a tale of women seeking redemption and strength as they struggle with the intertwined pressures of marriage, career and parenthood.
When her husband asks for a divorce, Maria's world collapses. Drifting through pain and uncertainty, she begins a journey of self-discovery. With the support of family and friends, she learns to embrace life's fractures and finds the strength for a genuine rebirth.
Well-received documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" returns to theaters.
"The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru"
Release date: September 6
To mark its first anniversary, the acclaimed documentary film returns to theaters nationwide for special screenings. It is a touching story of humanity in the darkest of times during World War II.
The documentary tells the little-known story of 1941, when Chinese fishermen from Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province rescued 384 imprisoned British soldiers struggling in the sea after the Japanese cargo ship Lisbon Maru was struck by a torpedo.
Stop-motion animation film "Memoir of A Snail" is a bittersweet memoir of a melancholic woman.
"Memoir of A Snail"
Release date: September 5
The stop-motion animation film, written and directed by Adam Elliot, is a bittersweet memoir of a melancholic woman called Grace Pudel, who is a hoarder of snails, romance novels, and guinea pigs.
The woman falls into a series of misfortunes after being separated from her twin brother, Gilbert. Despite her hardships, inspiration, confidence and hope arise when she begins a friendship with an eccentric elderly woman named Pinky.
"Bambi: The Reckoning" is a dark and twisted reinterpretation of the well-known 1928 fairy tale of Bambi.
"Bambi: The Reckoning"
Release date: September 6
Helmed by British filmmaker Dan Allen, this suspense thriller offers a dark, twisted reinterpretation of the iconic 1928 fairy tale of Bambi.
After his mother is slain by humans, Bambi becomes a ferocious force of vengeance in the forest. Leading a herd of deer, he relentlessly hunts intruders, with a deadly focus on a mother and child who wander into his domain.
"Fish Flew Away" explores female growth and self-redemption.
"Fish Flew Away"
Release date: September 13
Starring Song Jia and Tong Liya, the film tells the story of two women who meet unexpectedly after the death of their husbands, engaging in a fierce battle over the inheritance.
During their confrontation, they discover hidden sides of each other and gradually find warmth and self-reconciliation through their interactions. The film not only portrays the complexities of inheritance disputes but also delves into the friendship and support between women, offering a profound exploration of female growth and self-redemption.
"731" gives voice to history and bears witness to the truth of the atrocities of the Japanese Unit 731 in 1945.
"731"
Release date: September 18
Directed by Zhao Linshan, the film tells the story of the Japanese Unit 731 conducting bacteriological experiments and slaughters on Chinese civilians in 1945.
Through the tragic experiences of innocent civilians, such as street vendor Wang Yongzhang, who were imprisoned and subjected to inhumane experiments, the film depicts the suffering, awakening, and resilient resistance of ordinary Chinese people amidst the tide of war. With powerful artistic force, it gives voice to history and bears witness to the truth of these atrocities.
"Together" is a dark and twisted tale of body horror, toxic love and co-dependency.
"Together"
Release date: September (Date to be determined)
The sci-fi thriller co-produced by the United States and Australia tells the story of a couple who move to the countryside and, through a supernatural encounter, experience extreme transformations in their love, life, and bodies.
In his directorial debut, Michael Shanks presents a dark and twisted tale of body horror, toxic love and co-dependency. Through the harrowing experiences of couples, the film ultimately encourages viewers to reflect on and cherish their own relationships.
Where and how to buy tickets:
Online movie tickets can be purchased on Taopiaopiao and Maoyan. Movie buffs can also buy tickets at the theaters.
How to Buy Movie Tickets Using Alipay:
Purchasing discounted movie tickets through Alipay is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
1. Enable the Built-in Translation Tool:
Open Alipay and go to Me > Settings > General > Translation Tool.
Select your target language. Currently, Alipay supports 15 languages, including Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
2. Search for Cinemas:
On the home screen, use the search bar to type "Cinema".
Browse and select the movie ticketing mini-program you prefer, then proceed to purchase tickets online.
If the page is in Chinese, tap the floating Translation button to convert it into your selected language. And that's it! Buying movie tickets has never been so simple. Try it out and enjoy the experience of booking like a local!
