China has long been an unpredictable but essential market for Hollywood, and this month may be one of the biggest indicators of where that relationship is headed. Two major titles are about to hit Chinese cinemas: Disney’s Zootopia 2 this week, and Avatar: Fire and Ash three weeks later.
How these films perform could shape how studios approach the Chinese market moving forward.
Zootopia 2 is tracking extremely high, even surpassing where Avengers: Endgame was at a similar point.
Avatar: Fire and Ash hasn’t opened presales yet, but James Cameron remains one of the most bankable filmmakers in China.
Industry insiders say these two releases are the clearest test yet of whether Hollywood still has a meaningful place in China, or if the market has shifted too far inward.
If both films hit anywhere between $125M–$150M+ in China during their opening stretch, it’s considered a strong sign of life. Anything significantly below may trigger a major reassessment in how studios spend, market, and strategize for the region.
Read the full breakdown here: https://deadline.com/2025/11/zootopia-avatar-fire-and-ash-china-box-offi...
Discussion question:
What do you think? Can Hollywood regain momentum in China, or are we seeing a long-term pivot away from U.S. studio titles in that market?
1 person likes this
I think Hollywood can regain momentum in China, Ashley Renee Smith. One factor is making films that people in China want to see.
3 people like this
This is such a interesting topic and asks the huge question. Three recipients of the 2025 Noble Economics Sciences received thier awards for better explaining the process {progress of replacing old technologies with new and better technologies, created by the Industrial Revolution } rather than "Stagnation" which is has occurred through out most of human history. ?As wealth opens up new markets will it collapse the resistant, the hesitant, or absorb the old establishments and thier scared technologies? As a creative doing a one man show with my own IP; I am in the bleachers eating popcorn searching for new technologies that will help me reach a new niche of content. What new genre interest you?
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China is a huge market Ashley Renee Smith . HUGE.