Stephen Chow has returned to the director’s chair in a big way. His latest film, Kung Fu Soccer, has kicked off its theatrical run with an impressive $73.6 million (RMB500.3 million) in just two days at the China box office, instantly becoming the country’s biggest film of the weekend. The massive debut also marks Chow’s first directorial release in seven years, giving Chinese cinemas a much-needed blockbuster after a relatively slow first half of 2026. Early audience reception suggests the film could become one of the year’s highest-grossing local releases if its momentum continues.
The sports action comedy is a new chapter connected to Chow’s beloved 2001 hit Shaolin Soccer, but this time the story shifts its focus to an all-female football team. Mixing high-energy martial arts with fast-paced football action, the players use kung fu-inspired techniques to compete in a major tournament. The combination of comedy, action and sports has long been one of Chow’s trademarks, and early viewers appear to have embraced the formula once again.
Strong Opening Gives China Box Office a Needed Boost
According to box office figures from Artisan Gateway, Kung Fu Soccer dominated cinemas across China during its opening weekend, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all ticket sales. The film has also received a strong 9.4 rating on Maoyan, one of China’s largest ticketing platforms, reflecting highly positive audience feedback shortly after release.
Based on those early reactions, Maoyan is forecasting a remarkable lifetime gross of around $369 million (RMB2.5 billion). If the projection holds, the film will easily rank among Stephen Chow’s biggest commercial successes and could become one of China’s standout box office performers of 2026. The opening also arrives at an important time for the local exhibition business, which has struggled to maintain last year’s momentum after the extraordinary success of the Lunar New Year blockbuster Ne Zha 2.
The release strategy appears carefully timed. Maoyan launched the film during the 25th anniversary of Shaolin Soccer, while also benefiting from growing excitement surrounding the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The football-themed storyline and nostalgic connection to one of Chow’s most iconic movies have likely helped attract both longtime fans and younger audiences discovering his work for the first time.
Stephen Chow Returns Behind the Camera
Although Stephen Chow directs Kung Fu Soccer, he does not appear on screen. The filmmaker stepped away from acting after starring in the 2008 sci-fi comedy CJ7, choosing instead to focus on directing and producing. Even without appearing in front of the camera, his signature blend of slapstick comedy, exaggerated action and heartfelt storytelling remains firmly at the center of the new film.
The cast is led by Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang, while several well-known international stars make special appearances. Hong Kong actress Carina Lau, Japanese actor Takeru Satoh, and American comedian Jimmy O. Yang all feature in guest roles, giving the project additional global appeal as it prepares for international release.
Singapore-based Encore Films has secured international distribution rights and is expected to roll out the movie across multiple territories over the coming months. That overseas strategy could further expand the film’s commercial reach, especially in Asian markets where Stephen Chow continues to enjoy a loyal fan base built over several decades.
Can Kung Fu Soccer Become 2026’s Biggest Hit?
Stephen Chow has delivered some of the most successful Hong Kong films of the modern era, including The God of Cookery, King of Comedy, Shaolin Soccer, and Kung Fu Hustle. His unique style, combining martial arts, visual comedy and emotional storytelling, has influenced filmmakers across Asia and earned many of his films cult status internationally. His previous directorial effort, The New King of Comedy, was released in 2019, making Kung Fu Soccer a highly anticipated comeback.
The film’s early success could also provide an important boost to China’s overall theatrical market. Industry figures show that the country’s box office had been running significantly behind last year’s pace during the first six months of 2026. A sustained run from Kung Fu Soccer may help narrow that gap while encouraging audiences back into cinemas during the busy summer season.
Elsewhere at the Chinese box office, Minions & Monsters secured second place with $8.1 million in its second weekend. Three Kingdoms: The Beginning, the latest animated feature from Light Chaser, debuted in third place with $4.7 million, while A24’s sci-fi horror film Backrooms added another $3.2 million, lifting its cumulative China total to $21.8 million. Even so, none of the weekend’s competitors came close to challenging the overwhelming dominance of Kung Fu Soccer, which has firmly established itself as the film to beat in the weeks ahead.
