Kung Fu Soccer Leads China's 2026 Summer Box Office

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Stephen Chow's film grosses US$344.4 million as China's summer season reaches US$1.86 billion.

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Kung Fu Soccer, directed by Stephen Chow, topped China’s summer box office in 2026, grossing 2.315 billion yuan, or US$344.4 million. Between June 1 and August 31, the season generated 12.498 billion yuan, or US$1.86 billion, up 4.45% from the same period a year earlier.

The figures are part of the Insight Report on 2026 Summer Box Office Film Data, published by the Maoyan Research Institute, the research arm of Maoyan Entertainment, using data from Maoyan Pro and the China Film Administration. The period saw 340 million tickets sold, a year-on-year increase of 5.86%.

Each screening drew an average of 8.8 moviegoers, while average occupancy reached 7.2%. Both indicators rose slightly from 2025. Average ticket prices declined for the second consecutive year, a trend the report linked to broader access and growing theater attendance.

The share of moviegoers attending alone increased for the fourth straight year. First-tier cities also recorded their largest share of box office returns in six years, while southern China posted a record share over the same period. Kung Fu Soccer, Dear You and V were cited among the films driving the result.

Four releases surpassed 1 billion yuan, and the season’s 10 highest-grossing films were based on existing intellectual property. The report also noted that directors and actors have become commercial intellectual properties themselves, supported by recognizable styles and returning audiences.

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, starring Shen Teng, ranked second with US$290.2 million. Chinese animated film All Wishes Come True! came in third with US$274.6 million. Spider-Man: Brand New Day grossed US$228.9 million to place fourth, while Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey rounded out the top five with US$89.7 million and Imax’s largest box office share in recent years.

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