China’s theatrical market slowed further over the weekend, but Zootopia 2 continues to rule the box office. Disney’s animated sequel held on to the No. 1 position for the second consecutive weekend, comfortably leading a relatively quiet January frame as audiences wait for the Lunar New Year release rush.
Zootopia 2 Stays on Top With $607M Total
Adding $6.9 million over the Jan. 9–11 weekend, Zootopia 2 pushed its China total to a massive RMB 4.31 billion ($607.2 million). The film has shown remarkable staying power, repeatedly reclaiming the top spot and proving that family-friendly animation still dominates the Chinese market even outside peak holiday periods.
The Fire Raven Holds Strong in Second Place
Close behind was Maoyan Movie’s crime thriller The Fire Raven, which earned $6.8 million in its second weekend. Directed by Sam Quah, the film has now amassed $42.3 million in under two weeks.
Starring Peng Yuchang, Alan Aruna, and Chang Ning, the thriller revolves around the reopening of a cold murder case that spirals into a larger web of corruption and revenge — a theme clearly resonating with audiences.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Climbs to $146.6M
James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar: Fire and Ash slipped to third place but still added $6.5 million over the weekend. The 20th Century Studios release has now earned $146.6 million in China, maintaining solid momentum even as newer titles crowd the market.
Back to the Past Brings Nostalgia to Fourth Spot
Huace Film & TV’s Back to the Past landed in fourth place with $4.9 million, taking its cumulative total to $33.7 million. The film is a big-screen continuation of TVB’s cult 2001 series A Step Into the Past, reuniting its original cast after 24 years.
Produced by Louis Koo’s One Cool Film Production, the film stars Koo, Raymond Lam, Jessica Hsuan, Sonija Kwok, Joyce Tang, and Michelle Saram. The project also marks the final screen appearance of the late Dick Liu Kai-chi, adding emotional weight for longtime fans.
Jackie Chan’s Family Drama Rounds Out Top 5
Fifth place went to Chuanqiren Media’s Unexpected Family, which collected $900,000, lifting its total to $5.5 million. Co-written and directed by Li Taiyan, the film stars Jackie Chan, Peng Yuchang, Zhang Jianing, and Pan Binlong.
The story follows a young man who moves to Beijing and becomes entangled with an elderly Alzheimer’s patient who mistakes him for his son — a quieter, emotional counterpoint to the weekend’s big-budget offerings.
Market Snapshot: Cooling, But Not Slowing Down
Overall, China’s box office generated $31.6 million for the weekend. Year-to-date earnings for 2026 now stand at $162.4 million, running 9.9% ahead of the same period last year.
While the post-festive slowdown is clearly setting in, all eyes are now on the Lunar New Year window, where several major releases are expected to reignite the market in a big way.
Final Words
This weekend may have been calm, but it was far from quiet. Zootopia 2 continues to dominate, local thrillers are holding strong, and nostalgia-driven projects are finding their audience. With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, China’s box office looks less like it’s cooling — and more like it’s catching its breath before the next surge.
