In a notable shift at the mainland China box office, Marvel Studios’ re-release, Avengers: Endgame Encore, ascended to the number one position during the weekend frame of September 25–27. According to data provided by Artisan Gateway, the blockbuster earned RMB 83.8 million, equivalent to approximately $12.5 million, during the three-day period. This resurgence underscores the enduring popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Middle Kingdom, bringing the film’s staggering cumulative lifetime haul in China to $647.8 million. The re-release has provided a significant boost to a market currently navigating a transitional phase ahead of the much-anticipated Golden Week holiday.
A Changing of the Guard at the Top
The rise of Avengers: Endgame Encore signaled the end of a remarkable reign for the war comedy-drama Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. Produced by Dirty Monkeys, the film had dominated the box office charts for weeks, capturing the imagination of Chinese audiences with its unique blend of humor and poignant drama. In its seventh weekend of release, the film collected $7.6 million, moving into the second-place slot.
Since its theatrical debut on August 11, the late-summer hit has demonstrated extraordinary staying power, accumulating a total gross of $341.2 million. Directed by the acclaimed Wen Muye, known for his previous success with Dying to Survive, the film features a star-studded cast including Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Aarif Rahman, and Omar Sherif. The narrative has resonated deeply with viewers, centering on a Chinese chef working in a fictional Middle Eastern city who finds his life transformed when he turns his restaurant into a sanctuary for local orphans and civilians caught in the crossfire of regional armed conflict. The film’s ability to sustain such high performance over seven weeks highlights a strong appetite for character-driven stories that balance levity with serious social commentary.
Animation and Crime Thrillers Maintain Momentum
While the top two spots saw movement, the remainder of the top five continued to showcase a diverse mix of genres, ranging from animated family features to gritty police procedurals. Pearl Studio’s animated fantasy comedy All Wishes Come True! maintained its impressive hold on the third position. Now in its eleventh weekend, the film generated an additional $4.6 million. Since its launch on July 18, the project, directed by Mu Zhengyang, has been a consistent performer, amassing a cumulative total of $296 million. The success of All Wishes Come True! reflects the sustained demand for high-quality animation that appeals to broad, multi-generational demographics in China.
The fourth spot was claimed by a high-profile debut: the crime comedy The Old Fox, produced by Riverrun Grace Film. The movie opened with $3.6 million, introducing audiences to a compelling battle of wits between law enforcement and corporate malfeasance. Directed by Li Taige, the film stars Yu Qian as a retiring veteran police officer who stumbles upon suspicious anomalies while conducting what initially appears to be a routine theft investigation. As his inquiry deepens, he finds himself in a direct confrontation with a ruthless corporate chairman, portrayed by Tony Leung Ka-fai. The tension between the two seasoned actors has been a focal point for early reviews, as the film navigates the complexities of justice and power.
Rounding out the top five, Pearl River Film Group’s crime thriller V continued to draw audiences in its sixth frame, taking in $2.8 million. This brings the film’s cumulative gross to $96 million. Directed by Han Yan, who previously helmed Love Never Ends, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast led by Tony Leung Ka-fai, Zhu Yilong, Tan Jianci, and Kara Wai. The story follows an ambitious man’s rapid and often precarious ascent to power, meticulously documenting the lingering personal and professional consequences that threaten to unravel his success. The inclusion of such a high-caliber cast has clearly been a major draw, allowing the film to remain a staple of the weekend box office rankings for over a month.
Market Context and Future Outlook
The overall weekend box office gross for mainland China reached $39.9 million. Industry analysts characterize this period as a "quiet corridor," a customary lull in activity as distributors and exhibitors prepare for the impending Golden Week holiday. Historically, this week-long national holiday serves as one of the most lucrative periods for the film industry, often seeing the release of major domestic tentpoles and highly anticipated blockbusters.
The current landscape, however, remains reflective of a challenging year for the Chinese film market. As of the end of September 2026, the year-to-date box office total stands at $4.34 billion. This figure represents a 29.4% decline compared to the same period in 2025. This contraction in revenue has been a topic of significant discussion among industry stakeholders, as theaters and studios look toward the final quarter of the year to bridge the gap.
Despite the broader economic headwinds, the performance of films like Once Upon a Time in the Middle East and the enduring appeal of established intellectual property like Avengers: Endgame suggest that when compelling content meets the market, Chinese audiences remain eager to return to the cinema. The upcoming holiday window is expected to be a critical barometer for the industry, as the market looks to recover momentum and finish the year on a stronger note. The success of the current slate, particularly the long-running performances of the top five films, indicates that the audience base is loyal to both local productions and global hits, provided the quality and engagement levels meet expectations.
As the industry pivots toward the final months of 2026, all eyes will be on the box office receipts during the Golden Week surge to see if the market can offset the year-to-date deficit. With a blend of domestic crime dramas, animated hits, and the occasional return of international classics, the Chinese theatrical experience continues to evolve, adapting to the shifting tastes of a massive, increasingly sophisticated audience. The current stability in the top five, despite the overall decline in year-over-year revenue, provides a foundation of reliability that exhibitors will hope to build upon in the coming weeks.
