This year's Mid-Autumn festival film slate is particularly lively, with over 20 new releases hitting theaters. According to the Lighthouse Professional Version, as of September 17 at 11 PM, the box office for the Mid-Autumn festival has reached 388 million yuan. "Wild Kids," "A Chance for Revenge," and "The Determination to Leave" topped the box office chart.
Compared to the lackluster performances during the May Day and summer slots, the data for this year’s Mid-Autumn festival is slightly higher than in the previous two years. Additionally, major cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, represented by Shanghai, faced some impact from typhoons during this festival.
From an overall box office performance perspective, the 2024 Mid-Autumn festival film market has shown signs of recovery. The total number of screenings reached 1.356 million, setting a new record for Mid-Autumn festival screenings in Chinese film history, with multiple films demonstrating commendable attendance rates.
It is worth noting that while this year’s Mid-Autumn films do not convey the traditional notion of "family reunion" warmth and joy, the theaters have had more cries than laughs. However, the realistic storytelling resonates with the audience, creating a shared emotional experience that has contributed to the growing acclaim of this year's Mid-Autumn festival films.
Among the top-ranking films, "Wild Kids" maintained an impressive lead since the pre-sale stage. The popularity of its cast, comprised of trending actors, combined with the film's strong quality and positive reviews, solidified its status as the undisputed box office champion.
This film, based on a true story, was directed by Yin Ruoxin, known for "My Sister," and stars Wang Junkai, Deng Jiajia, and Chen Yongsheng. It tells the heartwarming story of "thief" brother Ma Liang and "orphan" brother Xuanxuan, who protect and redeem each other while wandering through life’s challenges. The film’s delicate emotions and profound focus on social issues have sparked strong resonance among viewers.
"A Chance for Revenge," starring Ma Li and Qiao Shan, tells the story of how a car accident 15 years ago changed the path of the protagonist’s life. Fifteen years later, he embarks on a journey of revenge for justice and family ties, seeking retribution for his brother. The film showcases rich regional characteristics and creates relatable characters that resonate with audiences, allowing them to feel a sense of familiarity amidst the laughter. Its unique comedic style and tense, thrilling plot have drawn numerous viewers to the cinemas.
"The Determination to Leave" has also performed well, ranking among the top at the box office. This film, based on the real-life experiences of blogger Su Min from her "Driving Tour at Fifty," is directed by Yin Lichuan and stars the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress, Yong Mei, along with Jiang Wu and Wu Qian. The film deconstructs the protagonist's awakening self-awareness and presents the seemingly normal yet deeply painful realities faced by ordinary middle-aged women, establishing an emotional connection and resonance with the audience. Its fine portrayal of life and in-depth exploration of human nature have won recognition and affection from viewers. The film currently holds an impressive Douban score of 8.6, showing potential to be the next surprise hit at the box office.
This year's Mid-Autumn festival films have a high degree of realism. Both "Wild Kids" and "The Determination to Leave" are based on true stories, focusing their lenses on ordinary people in society, showcasing their struggles, emotional turmoil, and pursuits of a better life. Fourth place in the box office, "Wishing You Happiness!" is also a noteworthy work of realistic themes. The film depicts four families shattered by an accident, featuring elderly couples dealing with the loss of their adult children and middle-aged couples confronting the unbearable pain of losing their child, leading to the collapse of their marriages. The movie exposes the pain of families suffering from such tragedies and provokes deep reflections on marriage, family, and the meaning of life—like a sharp blade, it pierces through the surface calm of life, enabling viewers to confront the unbearable weight of existence alongside the characters.
Even films with comedic labels such as "A Chance for Revenge" and "Major Scenes" have serious undertones and deeper expressions. "A Chance for Revenge" presents a revenge tale through a comedic lens, revealing dark societal issues and depicting the struggles of ordinary people against the unfairness of fate within its black humor. "Major Scenes" introduces the unique concept of "leaders stepping on landmines," bringing forth creative ideas from a new generation of comedians, allowing viewers to experience the bittersweetness of life amidst laughter.
One standout film in this Mid-Autumn festival is the documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon," which, having been released for a week, gained traction during the holiday thanks to its exceptional word-of-mouth. With a Douban rating of 9.3 and an average of 11.4 viewers per screening, it ranks first in the Mid-Autumn festival. As the acclaim continues to grow, many viewers have become enthusiastic advocates for the film, including celebrated directors and stars like Jia Zhangke, Han Han, and Wang Junkai. As of September 17, its cumulative box office has surpassed 15 million yuan, and its growth trajectory has increased exponentially, with screenings rising from 0.5% on the first day of the holiday to 1.8%, demonstrating the film's strong momentum.
The success of a high-rated film like "The Sinking of the Lisbon" showcases that quality works will eventually be discovered and acknowledged by audiences. With the conversation surrounding film-related topics continuing to grow, several films are expected to break free from the limitations of their release periods and achieve longer-term success.
Looking ahead, the upcoming National Day festival is also generating excitement: "Volunteer Army: Battle of Survival" will focus on the Iron Original Defensive Line, taking us back to the bravery of the volunteer soldiers; "Safety In and Out" will explore the human nature and life choices, with gripping narratives; "Good People" will see "Beijing Good Man" Zhang Beijing make a heartwarming return; "This Green" is adapted from the namesake dance drama, showcasing the charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture; and "Crisis in the Air" will depict life-and-death decisions aboard a luxury passenger plane at 10,000 meters high.... Filmmakers are ramping up their efforts, and cinemas are eager for a larger audience to return.
