Disney’s “Zootopia 2” returned to the top of the China box office over the Jan. 2–4 frame, grossing RMB121.5 million ($17.1 million) to lift its cumulative total to RMB4.25 billion ($598 million), according to Artisan Gateway.
James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” slipped to second place but remained robust, adding $15.8 million. The threequel has now reached $136.3 million in China after its Dec. 19 debut.
Maoyan Movie’s crime thriller “The Fire Raven” placed third with $11.7 million, pushing its total to $30.3 million. Directed and written by Sam Quah, the film stars Peng Yuchang, Alan Aruna and Chang Ning and follows the reopening of a long-dormant murder case that exposes a wider network of corruption and revenge.
Huace Film & TV’s “Back to the Past” opened in fourth place on $11.1 million, starting its run with a $24.1 million cume. The feature film adaptation of Hong Kong broadcaster TVB’s 2001 historical sci-fi series “A Step Into the Past” is produced by Louis Koo‘s One Cool Film Production, with Koo serving as producer. The project reunites the principal cast from the original television series 24 years after it first aired. Koo stars alongside Raymond Lam, Jessica Hsuan, Sonija Kwok, Joyce Tang and Michelle Saram, all reprising their original roles. New cast members include Bai Baihe, Michael Miu and Louis Cheung. The film marks the final screen appearance of the late Dick Liu Kai-chi.
Rounding out the top five, Paramount’s “The SpongeBob Movie” debuted with $2.1 million, bringing its early total to $4 million.
Overall, the China box office generated $63.8 million for the weekend. The 2026 year-to-date gross now stands at $111.4 million, running 32.9% ahead of the same period last year.
