Wuxi Opens the National Day Box Office Strong
The National Day and Mid‑Autumn Festival holidays have injected fresh momentum into Wuxi’s cinema market. In just the first two days, the local box office surpassed 6.66 million yuan, and ticket sales exceeded 168,000. On October 1 alone, box office reached 3.6096 million yuan, underscoring the double‑holiday effect and the city’s growing appetite for film entertainment. By 5:00 pm on October 2, cumulative box office stood at 6.66 million yuan with a total of about 168,000 tickets issued across Wuxi venues.
Jinyi Cinema Leads the Provincial Box Office
Among all cinemas in the region, Jin Yi Cinema (Guangmei Hui Ju store) emerged as a “box office dark horse,” topping the provincial chart on October 1 and climbing to No. 7 nationwide by 5 pm on October 2. The surge highlights how a single theater can become a symbolic beacon for a city’s holiday screenings, especially during a period when screening priority and audience demand are both high.
Rising Demand and Packed Venues
Field observations across Wuxi revealed a cinema culture in full swing. In the afternoon, ticket machines hummed as queues stretched up to ten meters, popcorn was refreshed frequently, and beverage coolers were restocked in anticipation of the crowds. The buzz outside the screening rooms translated into crowded lobbies and long-awaited entry lines, with families and young moviegoers sharing the excitement of opening night experiences and premium formats.
Top Titles Reflect National Trends
Audience preferences in Wuxi aligned with national trends, with mainline patriotic and visually immersive films taking the lead. As of 2:00 pm on October 2, the film “Volunteers: Blood and Peace” (志愿军：浴血和平) led the Wuxi box office with about 2.24 million yuan. This historical drama, the final chapter of a trilogy, resonates with viewers seeking weighty storytelling tied to national memory. Close behind was the fantasy action blockbuster “Assassins: The Novelist 2” (刺杀小说家2) with roughly 1.34 million yuan, a clear favorite in the high‑tech screening halls.
The family‑friendly title “Wandering Life” and the historical feature “731” shared third place, each earning just over 660,000 yuan. Even though they trailed the top two, their sustained performance demonstrates strong broad appeal across age groups and a willingness to balance entertaining cinema with reflective, historically themed productions.
Local Productions Shine and Big‑Name Opportunities
The National Day momentum also spotlighted the strength of Wuxi’s local film industry. A slate of “Wuxi‑made” or Wuxi‑connected titles, including “Assassins: The Novelist 2”, “731”, and works associated with local studios, underscored whether the city is capable of producing content with both mass appeal and cultural resonance. In fact, Nanjing Photo Studio—a production linked to the region—recently announced it will represent mainland China in the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Having grossed over 3 billion yuan in 61 days, this film’s success signals the breadth of Wuxi’s film ecosystem behind the scenes, providing a robust pipeline from development to festival recognition.
Industry Outlook: Tailwinds and Plans for the Holiday Window
Industry insiders remain optimistic about the remaining days of the eight‑day holiday window, made possible by the extra day off compared with past years. The extended holiday creates a favorable tail, with cinema operators preparing for continued surges in demand. The Great World Mall cinema in Wuxi’s city center has already announced plans to increase both early and late‑night showings, alongside targeted events such as creator appearances and themed screenings to sustain momentum through the peak period.
What This Means for Wuxi’s Film Scene
The early National Day turnout demonstrates a recovering cinema market in Wuxi, with strong turnout for both domestic blockbusters and locally produced features. The combination of premium formats, large audiences, and a thriving local industry bodes well for the rest of the holiday season. As audiences seek both entertainment and historical reflection, Wuxi’s screens are proving to be a focal point for national‑level storytelling and local cinematic achievement alike.
