Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame Encore” claimed the coveted top spot at the mainland China box office during the September 25–27 frame, hauling in RMB83.8 million, which translates to roughly $12.5 million over the weekend, according to data from regional box office tracking firm Artisan Gateway. The re-release and special theatrical push of the massive superhero epic proved that domestic appetite for the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains formidable, even years after the film’s initial historic global run.
With this latest weekend influx, the Marvel epic’s cumulative lifetime haul in mainland China has now ascended to an impressive $647.8 million. The weekend performance underscores how re-releases of powerhouse cinematic events can still capture the public imagination and dominate multiplexes, steering audience attention even during traditionally slower pre-holiday frames.
Local Hits and Long-Running Favorites Hold Ground
While the Hollywood blockbuster captured the highest single-weekend gross, local productions continued to demonstrate remarkable staying power across Chinese cinemas. Dirty Monkeys’ acclaimed war comedy-drama “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” slipped to second place after a phenomenal, long-running reign at the top of the charts. In its seventh weekend in theaters, the picture collected $7.6 million, maintaining a steady and dedicated audience.
Directed by Wen Muye, whose previous work includes the acclaimed hit “Dying to Survive,” the late-summer cinematic phenomenon has now lifted its massive cumulative total to $341.2 million since rolling out to theaters on August 11. The film boasts a high-profile cast featuring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Aarif Rahman, and Omar Sherif. The narrative centers on a Chinese chef residing in a fictional Middle Eastern city who courageously chooses to transform his restaurant into a sanctuary and safe haven for local orphans and civilians caught in the crossfire of regional armed conflict. Its enduring box office presence speaks to the strong resonance of its humanistic themes and comedic timing with local moviegoers.
Meanwhile, Pearl Studio’s animated fantasy comedy “All Wishes Come True!” successfully defended its third-position standing during its eleventh weekend in release, generating an additional $4.6 million. Directed by Mu Zhengyang, the long-running animated feature has steadily accumulated a massive following, bringing its cumulative box office total to $296 million since launching its theatrical run on July 18. The film’s longevity highlights the consistent appetite for family-friendly animated entertainment in the mainland market through the late summer and early autumn seasons.
New Debuts and Strong Holds Round Out the Top Five
The upper echelon of the box office chart also welcomed fresh competition. Riverrun Grace Film’s crime comedy “The Old Fox” made its official theatrical debut in fourth place, pulling in a respectable $3.6 million for its opening frame. Directed by Li Taige, the film features veteran actor Yu Qian as a retiring veteran police officer who stumbles upon a series of suspicious anomalies during what initially appears to be a routine theft investigation. As the inquiry deepens, it leads the protagonist directly to a ruthless corporate chairman portrayed by veteran screen icon Tony Leung Ka-fai. The resulting clash sets up a tense and engaging battle of wits between two seasoned operators on opposite sides of the law.
Rounding out the top five, Pearl River Film Group’s crime thriller “V” brought in $2.8 million during its sixth frame in theaters. This latest weekend contribution successfully lifts the film’s cumulative gross to $96 million. Directed by Han Yan, known for “Love Never Ends,” the thriller features a powerhouse ensemble cast led by Tony Leung Ka-fai—making a notable double appearance in the weekend’s top films—alongside Zhu Yilong, Tan Jianci, and Kara Wai. The narrative chronicles an ambitious man’s rapid and ruthless ascent to power, examining the heavy lingering consequences and high stakes that ultimately threaten his hard-won success.
Overall Market Context Ahead of Golden Week
Overall mainland China weekend grosses reached $39.9 million across the board, reflecting a customary quiet corridor of ticket sales as audiences and exhibitors alike prepared for the impending Golden Week holiday period. Historically, the Golden Week frame serves as one of the most lucrative and fiercely contested moviegoing periods of the calendar year in China, often leading to a lull in major new wide releases in the immediate days preceding the holiday kickoff.
Looking at the broader economic picture for the territory, the 2026 year-to-date box office stands at $4.34 billion. This figure represents a 29.4% decline compared to the box office performance recorded during the exact same corresponding period in 2025, highlighting the ongoing recovery challenges and shifting release landscapes facing the theatrical exhibition sector in mainland China.
