Despite a significant cool-down in the overall Chinese theatrical market, Constantin Film and Sony Pictures’ "Resident Evil" continued to dominate, securing the top position for the weekend of October 23-25. The horror reboot added another $5.6 million to its coffers, pushing its cumulative total to an impressive $64.8 million since its October 5 debut during the bustling Golden Week holiday corridor.
This sustained success for "Resident Evil" comes amidst a pronounced lull in the wider box office landscape. Data from Artisan Gateway reveals that the mainland China market plummeted to a mere $18.6 million across the entire weekend, reflecting a sharp decline in audience attendance after the holiday rush. This slump also impacts the year-to-date figures, with China's box office reaching $4.7 billion, still trailing the same period in the previous year by a significant 29.1%.
Holding steady in second place was New Classics Pictures’ crime procedural drama, "Traces of Justice." The film, now in its fourth weekend, pulled in $4.7 million, bringing its total haul to $92.4 million since its October 1 premiere. Directed by Chen Sicheng, known for his "Detective Chinatown" series, and co-written with Zhang Ji and Yan Zijie, this period investigation epic features a star-studded cast including Zhang Yi, Ma Li, and Chen Minghao, with special appearances by popular figures like Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu. The multi-decade narrative chronicles an elite public security detective tackling major criminal mysteries based on real-life cases, resonating well with audiences.
Beijing Joy Fun Pictures’ domestic body-swap comedy, "Mr. & Mrs. Pardon," maintained its third-place standing. The satirical feature, which stars real-life comedic duo Shen Chunyang and Xiao Shenyang, alongside Jia Bing and Yu Yang, grossed $2.6 million over the three-day frame. Its cumulative total now stands at $55.5 million. Directed by Shen Chunyang and penned by Ma Duo, the film explores the marital and domestic chaos that ensues when an uninspired middle-aged couple unexpectedly swaps bodies.
Further down the chart, Dirty Monkeys’ war comedy-drama "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" continued its remarkably long run. Now in its eleventh weekend, the film collected $800,000, adding to its staggering cumulative total of $355.5 million since its August 11 launch. Directed by Wen Muye, celebrated for "Dying to Survive," and featuring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Aarif Rahman, and Omar Sherif, this summer blockbuster has proven to have exceptional staying power.
Rounding out the top five was Pearl Studio’s computer-animated fantasy comedy, "All Wishes Come True!" In its fifteenth week of release, the family-friendly hit added $600,000 over its two-day weekend, pushing its cumulative gross to an impressive $306.6 million since opening on July 18. Directed by Mu Zhengyang, its prolonged success highlights the enduring appeal of animated features in the Chinese market.
The quiet post-holiday period underscores the cyclical nature of the box office, with major releases often timed around national holidays to maximize impact. While "Resident Evil" enjoys its unexpected longevity at the top, the industry anticipates a gradual recovery as new titles enter the fray to re-energize the market.