New holiday releases surpass 100 million yuan at Chinese box offices

New releases for the 2025 Labor Day holiday period in the Chinese mainland have soared past the 100 million yuan mark, or around $13 million, including pre-sales, in the box-office charts.  

Of the top three films driving this box-office surge, two are Chinese productions, while the third spot is claimed by the Japanese animated masterpiece "Princess Mononoke," directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, whose ability to create immersive and thought-provoking narratives continues to captivate viewers, making "Princess Mononoke" a relatively strong contender in the holiday box-office race, according to the ticketing platform Beacon.

One of the standout Chinese films in the top three is Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau's latest offering, "A Gilded Game." Slated for release today on May 1, the film has already garnered significant attention and box-office success, currently sitting in the second place with about 9 million yuan in pre-sales, coming after "The Dumpling Queen," which made its debut on April 30 and has so far raked in over 35 million yuan.

Produced by and starring Andy Lau, "A Gilded Game" promises a gripping tale of financial intrigue and market manipulation. According to the film's latest trailer, it takes audiences deep into the shadowy world of stock market manipulation, with lines like "Human greed has turned the financial market into a gambling den" and "The stock market is a place where investment and speculation coexist," hinting at the film's intense and thought-provoking narrative.

In addition to these commercial successes, the Labor Day holiday also offers film enthusiasts the opportunity to catch up on award-winning films from the recently concluded 15th Beijing International Film Festival. One such film is "Trapped," which won two Tiantan Awards at the festival, including Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. Following its premiere screening at the festival on the evening of April 19, the film received widespread acclaim for its intense visual impact and outstanding performances from the entire cast.

According to "1905.com," a leading film media platform in China, the film "Trapped," also known as "Dafeng Sha" in Chinese, has recently released its North American poster and announced a May 9 release date in the region. Described by some critics as a high-stakes game of wits and survival, the film tells the gripping story of a border town that comes under sudden attack by dozens of ruthless bandits, plunging the community into a state of panic.

With the arrival of the Labor Day holiday, filmgoers can look forward to a diverse and exciting lineup of new releases. Whether it's commercial blockbusters like "A Gilded Game" and "The Dumpling Queen," to the critically acclaimed "Princess Mononoke" or the award-winning "Trapped," there's something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.