China Cinema Box-Office Discrepancy Hits RMB5.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Box-office data for the first half of 2026 revealed a notable divergence in China’s film market. A third-party report showed that cinemas recorded on-the-book revenue of RMB15.56 billion, while actual revenue amounted to approximately RMB21 billion, a gap of over RMB5.4 billion. Industry practices such as handwritten tickets replacing machine-printed ones, group-buy vouchers not entered into official systems, and private screenings issued without tickets have been identified as primary methods behind the data discrepancy.

Under the Film Industry Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China, cinemas found to have fabricated transactions or falsified sales revenue may face confiscation of illegal gains, fines, and in severe cases, business suspension or license revocation. Film companies encounter significant challenges in rights enforcement, including difficulty in gathering evidence, lengthy litigation processes, and high costs, with some cases unresolved before a film’s peak screening period ends.

The distortion of box-office data has a direct impact on industry investment assessments and revenue distribution for creators. Investors find it difficult to gauge market returns accurately, while compression of revenue on the creative side persists.