“Octopus with Broken Arms” led the Chinese box office for a fifth consecutive weekend, earning RMB 51.2million ($7.1 million) over the Jan. 24–26 weekend, according to Artisan Gateway.
The crime thriller has brought its cumulative gross to $126 million, solidifying its position as 2025’s first box office hit.
“Honey Money Phony” held onto second place with $4.5 million in its fifth weekend. Directed by Su Biao, the comedy has maintained its appeal, reaching a cumulative total of $59.7 million.
“Big World” remained in third place with $2.5 million. The Yang Lina-directed family drama about a young man with cerebral palsy and his grandmother has now earned $105.3 million since its release.
In fourth place, the China release of 2003 anime classic “Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital” earned $1.1 million, bringing its total to $19.9 million.
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Debuting in fifth place, “Operation Hadal” grossed $1.1 million in previews ahead of its Jan. 29 Lunar New Year release. Directed by Hong Kong action veteran Dante Lam, the action-drama follows the Jiao Long commando team as they prepare for a fierce fight in the deep sea after mercenaries occupy an offshore platform in Chinese territorial waters. The film features an ensemble cast, including Huang Xuan, Yu Shi, Du Jiang, Jiang Luxia and Zhang Hanyu.
The weekend’s total box office came in at $21.5 million, down from the $26.4 million recorded the previous weekend. Cumulatively, China’s 2025 box office stands at $251.5 million, 20.8% lower than the same point in 2024. With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, the market anticipates a significant boost from new releases.