The latest installment in the long-running Alien science fiction horror franchise exceeded expectations during its opening weekend in China. Alien: Romulus grossed 186 million yuan ($26.2 million) from Friday to Sunday. This strong performance surprised industry analysts since Western films have struggled in China recently.
Alien: Romulus out-earned the highest grossing animation film, Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Pentagram, which made 119 million yuan ($16.7 million) during the same period. This result is particularly noteworthy because only one previous Alien film, Alien: Covenant, received a theatrical release in China back in 2017. IMAX screenings contributed $5.02 million to Alien: Romulus’ total, suggesting Chinese audiences still enjoy high-quality cinema experiences for big-budget Hollywood movies.
Chinese productions also performed well. The crime action film Go for Broke, also known as Chong Sheng, debuted in third place with 102 million yuan ($14.3 million). Directed by Marc Ma, Go for Broke tells the story of a man seeking revenge against drug dealers who damaged his family. Meanwhile, the popular domestic drama Successor continued impressing with an additional $8.8 million added to its huge total. Since releasing on July 16, Successor has earned 3.13 billion yuan ($441 million), cementing its status as a box office success story.
While some films found individual achievement, the overall Chinese box office has slowed compared to last year. According to consultancy Artisan Gateway, the year-to-date total is $4.48 billion, down 20.7% or nearly $1 billion from 2023. This decline occurred despite a 4.6% increase in the number of movie theaters in China, now totaling 12,515.
The performance of Hollywood films in China remains mixed. While Alien: Romulus exceeded forecasts, other recent releases like Despicable Me 4 and Deadpool & Wolverine earned over $50 million but far less than blockbuster numbers seen previously. Industry experts cite evolving audience tastes and a stronger domestic film industry contributing to Hollywood’s weaker presence, as Chinese moviegoers increasingly prefer local stories reflecting their culture and lives.
As the summer season wraps up, China’s film industry must maintain momentum in the slowing market. Hits like Alien: Romulus and Successor demonstrate potential for both international and domestic productions. However, the overall downtrend suggests an adjustment period for China’s cinema landscape.
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