The Chinese film market is the second biggest in the world outside of North America. If you are to look at the statistics for the territory from 2017 you’ll see that China is number two on the list followed by the likes of India, Japan and the United Kingdom, but although it still lags behind the United States of America and Canada, according to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, it could take over as the world’s biggest market in 2020.
The industry over there is massive – in fact the Macau International Film Festival (IFFAM – in its 4th year) is currently taking place showcasing some of the latest big release and potential future blockbusters. Many of Chinese home grown movies are out-grossing big Hollywood movies in their domestic territory, and by more than a few dollars. For example, the top three films in China this year have made more money in China than the top three Hollywood movies in North America.
For this feature, we thought we’d take a look at the biggest films of the year out there. It looks like Hollywood executives might want to transfer funds to China as not one of the movies in the top five are products of the western world, despite the likes of Spider-Man: Far From Home, Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw and Bumblebee ranking high on the wider chart.
5. Pegasus
Taking in a massive $255 million during its run in cinemas, Pegasus was released into Chinese cinemas all of the way back in February. The film, written and directed by Han Han (a blogger/ novelist/ rally driver/ film-maker), and starring Shen Teng and Huang Jingyu, is described as a sports-comedy and revolves around an old-time racing champion who tries to come back to the race track. The film looks very stylish judging by its trailer, and has obviously found its audience. It was also warmly received by the critics too, The Guardian calling it likeable if a little unchallenging.
4. The Captain
Next on the list with a whopping $406 million in the bank is The Captain, a drama centering on an airline captain who finds himself in a spot of bother after his cockpit windscreen smashes at 30,000 feet. Both the captain and his crew must do all they can to save the passengers and bring the aircraft safely down to the ground. The film is based on a remarkable true story and comes to the screen from celebrated director and cinematographer Andrew Lau. The film received a release in the U.S. and the U.K. but its haul couldn’t come close to its domestic gross.
3. My People, My Country
My People, My Country is next on the list, an anthology film featuring no less than seven individual short stories by several different directors. Each one is based on 7 moments since the founding of People’s Republic of China. This one grossed $20 million more than The Captain, an impressive $423,495,883 since its release at the end of September. The filmmakers involved are Kaige Chen (“The Guiding Star”), Hu Guan (“The Eve”), Hao Ning (“Hello Beijing”), Muye Wen (“One for All”), Zheng Xu (“The Champion”), Xiaolu Xue (“Going Home”), and Yibai Zhang … (“Passing by”).
2. The Wandering Earth
Next is The Wandering Earth, an absolute juggernaut at the box-office taking nearly $700 million. To put that into perspective, that’s more than The Lion King, Toy Story 4 and Captain Marvel at their domestic box-office (North America). The film is a mix of action and science fiction set in a time where the sun has died out. People all around the world built giant planet thrusters to move Earth out of its orbit for it to then travel to a new star system. Of course, all sorts of danger stand in the way in a 2500 year journey and its up to a group of young people to save the day. Chuxiao Qu, Jing Wu, and Guangjie Li lead the cast.
1. Ne Zha
Lastly, Ne Zha. Personally, I hadn’t heard anything about this film but it remains the biggest grossing movie in China this year with a massive $703 million in the bank, including a near $100 million opening weekend. The animated film is about a boy who is born with unique powers who is recruited to fight demons and save the community that fears him.
