Chongqing - Chongqing’s film industry has recorded a remarkable rebound this year. According to the Chongqing Film Bureau, as of October 3, the city’s box office revenue had already surpassed the total for all of last year. 

On August 1, the creative team of "Dead To Rights" visited Chongqing for a meet-and-greet with the audience. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

By October 16, cumulative ticket sales had reached 973 million yuan (about 136.6 million USD), accounting for 103 percent of last year’s total and placing Chongqing sixth among Chinese cities. The figures reflect not only the resilience of the city’s film market but also the growing vitality of its overall consumer economy.

A spokesperson for the Film Bureau noted that this success stems from a combination of high-quality film supply, supportive policies, and cross-sector collaboration.

This year, a wide range of high-quality films—spanning multiple genres and themes—have captivated Chongqing audiences. From the fantasy-rich Ne Zha 2 to patriotic blockbusters such as The Volunteers: Peace at Last and Dead to Rights, and from suspense hits like Detective Chinatown 1900 and The Return of the Lame Hero to family-friendly animations including Nobody and The Legend of Hei 2, local cinemas have offered something for everyone.

Major theaters across the city have also fine-tuned their screening schedules to meet audience demand, adding senior-friendly showtimes and extra screenings during peak hours to bring more people back to the big screen.

As summer remains the traditional peak season for moviegoing, Chongqing launched its first “Movie Consumption Season” this year. Partnering with ticketing platforms Maoyan and Taopiaopiao, the city issued 10.5 million yuan in movie coupons covering more than 200 cinemas. These direct discounts—ranging from single-ticket reductions to family-package deals—helped lower costs for moviegoers and reignite enthusiasm for the silver screen.

According to Maoyan Pro data, the city’s average summer ticket price was 37 yuan, slightly below the national average. Combined with interactive roadshow events for films such as Dead to Rights and A Writer’s Odyssey Ⅱ, where audiences could meet directors and actors in person, these efforts boosted summer box-office revenue by about 20 percent year-on-year, laying a solid foundation for annual growth.

Chongqing has also pioneered a “ticket-stub economy,” linking film consumption with tourism and local businesses. Residents presenting movie stubs from any city cinema can enjoy 10–20 percent discounts at major scenic spots such as Dazu Rock Carvings, Wushan Small Three Gorges, Jinfo Mountain, and Lehe Ledu Animal Theme Park, as well as at selected hotels, homestays, and restaurants.

The initiative effectively turns moviegoing into the starting point of a broader cultural-tourism experience—bridging film, dining, lodging, and travel—and has injected new momentum into the real-world economy.

Looking ahead, the Film Bureau plans to continue combining policy incentives with market mechanisms to further integrate cinema consumption with tourism, dining, and hospitality. By innovating consumer experiences and cultivating a richer cultural scene, Chongqing aims to unlock even greater potential in its thriving cultural economy.