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Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 1st, Wire Title: China’s Film Industry Maintains Global Dominance in 2021
Xinhua News Agency correspondents Wang Peng, Xu Xiaoqing, and Wei Jingyu report.
Government data released January 1st confirms that China’s film industry raked in a total box office revenue of 47.258 billion yuan in 2021. Domestic films alone accounted for 39.927 billion yuan, a commanding 84.49% market share. This remarkable achievement solidified China’s position as the world’s top film market for another year.
From “Hello, Li Huanying,” a heartwarming tale of motherly love, to “My Fathers and Me,” a tribute to generations of selfless fathers; from “Chinese Doctor,” a powerful depiction of the healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic, to “Changjin Lake,” a celebration of the resilience and courage displayed during the Korean War—filmmakers skillfully leveraged their craft to reflect the spirit of the era. These cinematic works fueled the rapid growth and resurgence of China’s film industry, igniting national pride and patriotism among viewers, culminating in a momentous celebration of the CCP’s centennial.
Global Box Office Leadership Persists
The exceptional performance of these films directly translated into outstanding box office returns, a defining characteristic of China’s film market in 2021.
National Film Bureau statistics reveal that China produced 565 feature films last year, with eight out of the top ten box office performers being domestically produced. Notably, “Changjin Lake” and “Hello, Li Huanying” secured spots among the top three highest-grossing films in Chinese cinematic history.
Released during National Day, “Changjin Lake” shattered numerous box office records, ultimately claiming the title of highest-grossing film in China’s history, exceeding 5.772 billion yuan (as of the end of 2021). Meanwhile, Jia Ling’s directorial debut, “Hello, Li Huanying,” a smash hit during the Lunar New Year, secured third place in the all-time box office rankings, achieving over 5.4 billion yuan in revenue.
Beyond these two phenomenal successes, diverse films including “1921,” “Revolutionary,” “Above the Cliff,” “My Sister,” and “White Snake 2: The Green Snake Rise” also achieved significant commercial success. This variety underscores the rich thematic diversity of Chinese filmmaking and the immense potential of the domestic market.
Furthermore, official data indicates that China added 6,667 screens in 2021, bringing the total screen count to 82,248—the largest number globally.
In 2021, despite the challenges posed by recurring outbreaks, Chinese filmmakers delivered compelling works commemorating the CCP’s centennial, setting a strong foundation for the 14th Five-Year Plan.
The year 2021 witnessed new mainstream films—masterfully blending contemporary spirit with popular appeal—dominate the domestic market. These productions consistently pushed boundaries in narrative, style, and production methods, blurring lines between commercially driven films and those with a prominent social message. The result? Widespread acclaim and consistent audience engagement.
Innovative storytelling and a drive for diverse development have become key strategies for these films to connect with, particularly, younger demographics. From espionage thrillers and action-packed adventures to disaster epics and suspenseful mysteries, the thematic range continuously expanded, bringing diverse age groups to theaters. The depiction of ordinary individuals against the backdrop of historical events, showcasing familial and national pride through the interplay of personal and societal ambitions, further enhanced emotional resonance.
Yin Hong, vice chair of the Chinese Film Association and a Tsinghua University professor, noted that a focus on individual experiences, strong character development, impactful storytelling, and shared values form the foundation of successful new mainstream cinema. Only films adhering to these tenets, she asserted, can navigate the intersection of history and future progress.
A Leap Forward for the Film Industry
From sweeping war sequences to meticulously recreated international locales, Chinese cinema in 2021 delivered stunning, large-scale productions.
In “Changjin Lake,” for instance, the film’s depiction of the war’s heroic moments was breathtaking. Yu Dong, Bona Film Group’s chairman, explained, “Advanced technology provided crucial support, creating impactful visuals that underscored both the war’s brutality and the Chinese People’s Volunteers’ unwavering commitment to defending our nation.”
The production involved a remarkable 12,000 individuals from pre-production to post-production. Zhan Qingsheng, a professor at the National Defense University’s Military Culture College, remarked, “I’ve never seen such extensive end credits before; ‘Changjin Lake’ undeniably showcases the phenomenal capabilities of our nation’s film industry.”
Similarly, “1921,” a Golden Rooster Award winner for Best Screenplay, leveraged advanced digital techniques in post-production. Co-director Zheng Dasheng described how the pandemic hampered overseas filming in Europe. They surmounted this challenge by digitally recreating European scenes using the Shanghai Bund, meticulously replicating the backdrop of the “World Architecture Expo.” This approach, he noted, “created a grand international setting for ‘1921’s narrative, enhancing the completeness of the story.”
The year’s impressive box office results, the breadth of themes explored, and the industry’s visible growth painted a vibrant picture for Chinese cinema.
Liu Haibo, a Shanghai University professor specializing in film, observed, “Despite pandemic-related challenges, China’s film industry delivered outstanding box office results in 2021. This highlights the growing maturity of our industry’s stakeholders—creators, distributors, and audiences—
