Chinese audiences are increasingly favoring domestic films over Hollywood blockbusters at the box office, a trend that has become more pronounced since 2020. Local productions are outperforming major American franchises, with the Chinese comedy “Successor” recently grossing six times more than Disney’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” in their first 20 days of release in China.
“Successor” is currently the third highest-grossing film in China this year, while “Deadpool & Wolverine” ranks 15th. This marks a significant shift from the pre-pandemic era when Hollywood films were more popular in the Chinese market.
Experts attribute this change to several factors:
China’s Growing Film Industry
China has rapidly developed its own film industry, learning from Hollywood and now producing high-budget blockbusters with impressive special effects and quality animated films. As the country became more insular during the pandemic, its domestic market matured and no longer depends on Hollywood.
Preference for Patriotic And Relatable Stories
Chinese audiences, especially young people, are drawn to narratives they can connect with, reflecting situations occurring in China. There is also a growing popularity of nationalistic and patriotic cinema, such as “The Battle at Lake Changjin” (2021), which portrays a conflict between China and the U.S. during the Korean War.
Repetitive Hollywood Storylines
Chinese viewers may be tiring of repetitive Hollywood narratives, especially as China increasingly imports films from non-Hollywood sources. Previous attempts by American studios to cater directly to Chinese audiences, like Disney’s “Mulan” (2020), have not always resonated well.
Geopolitical Tensions
The ongoing tensions between China and the U.S. are an underlying factor that dampens Chinese enthusiasm for American popular culture, including films. The economic “decoupling” of the two nations is also influencing the reception of Hollywood films in China.
While Hollywood blockbusters continue to perform well globally, their appeal in the Chinese market has diminished significantly in recent years. As China’s film industry matures and audiences seek more relatable and patriotic content, the future of Hollywood’s dominance in the world’s second-largest movie market remains uncertain.
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