Spider-Man: Brand New Day Builds Pre-Sales Momentum in China
Marvel's Spider-Man: Brand New Day is tracking toward one of the largest Hollywood openings in China since the pandemic, with pre-sales reaching $7.1 million over an eight-day window covering July 28 to August 2, according to a box office analyst report cited by Koimoi. The figure already exceeds the full pre-sales totals of Jurassic World: Dominion and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and ranks the Tom Holland-starring film as the seventh-biggest pre-sale for a Hollywood post-COVID release in the market. Box office analyst Luiz Fernando noted that three more days of pre-sales remain before bookings close, leaving room for further gains ahead of the film's July 31 worldwide release.
Potential for a Top-Three Hollywood Opening Weekend
Industry projections cited by Koimoi indicate that Spider-Man: Brand New Day could surpass Godzilla vs Kong's $69.2 million debut to become the third-biggest opening weekend for a Hollywood film in China during the post-pandemic era, provided word-of-mouth holds. The film could also become the sixth Hollywood post-COVID release to cross the $10 million threshold in pre-sales alone, which would likely guarantee an opening above the $60 million mark. The breakdown of the current $7.1 million pre-sales includes $1.3 million from Tuesday previews, $4 million on opening day Wednesday, and additional contributions across the following days.
'Dear You' Cements Domestic Success and Goes Global
The Teochew-language drama Dear You, directed by Lan Hongchun, has grossed over RMB1.5 billion (approximately $221.6 million) in China and carries a 9.2 rating on Douban, according to Libretto World. The film, which explores the overseas Chinese diaspora through the story of a woman reconnecting with her estranged grandfather in Thailand, draws on the UNESCO-recognized qiaopi tradition of correspondence. International distribution is now being handled by Damai Entertainment, formerly known as Alibaba Pictures, which is bringing the film to markets across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America.
'Kung Fu Soccer' Defies Second-Weekend Drop
Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Soccer, a spin-off of his earlier Shaolin Soccer, surpassed $200 million in China in just nine days despite a minimal advance promotion strategy that saw the release date announced casually on social media, according to Invoice Handle. The film even improved on its opening weekend during its second frame, defying typical market patterns. The release has been credited with narrowing a year-on-year decline in China's summer box office, which sits at $2.97 billion overall, down 35.3 percent from the previous year. The film's performance coincided with FIFA World Cup fever, which analysts identified as a contributing cultural factor.
Competitive Landscape and Upcoming Releases
China's theatrical market remains crowded, with Pearl Studio's animated tentpole All Wishes Come True opening to a solid $30.6 million over its first two days, alongside additional releases including A Part of Me and Minions & Monsters. Industry observers are also tracking the upcoming release of Obsession, a horror film that has grossed over $400 million worldwide, as a potential signal of whether internet-bred filmmakers can rejuvenate Hollywood's standing in China. Kung Fu Soccer is slated for a North American theatrical release later this year, which will test its international appeal beyond the domestic market.
Next Milestone to Watch
Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens worldwide on July 31, with its full China opening weekend haul set to determine whether the Marvel title enters the top three Hollywood post-COVID debuts in the market. Pre-sales will continue accumulating for three more days before bookings close.
Share this article
