Key facts
- China's National Day holiday box office revenue fell 13% year-on-year to 1.84 billion yuan ($254 million).
- The holiday period ran from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8.
- Moviegoers purchased approximately 50 million tickets, a 4% decrease from the previous year.
- The average ticket price dropped to 36.6 yuan.
- Bona Film Group Co. Ltd., Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., and Hengdian Entertainment Co. Ltd. shares plunged over 10%.
China's National Day holiday concluded with its weakest box office performance in recent years, generating approximately 1.84 billion yuan ($254 million) in ticket sales between October 1 and October 8. This figure represents a 13% decrease from the previous year, according to the China Movie Database. The downturn highlights ongoing weakness in domestic consumption, as consumers remain cautious with their spending despite the availability of cheaper tickets and an increase in film screenings. Approximately 50 million tickets were sold, a 4% drop year-on-year, with the average ticket price falling to 36.6 yuan, as reported by box office tracker Maoyan. In response to the disappointing results, shares of major film companies including Bona Film Group Co. Ltd., Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., and Hengdian Entertainment Co. Ltd. fell by more than 10% when A-share markets reopened on October 9. The holiday period saw 11 new film releases, but none managed to significantly draw audiences back to theaters, a trend also observed during the recent Qingming Festival.