#1 of 32 #1 Chinese-language movie of 2008
2008 · Drama, Comedy
$418.8M worldwide · 64% of the chart's total
$152.6M US & Canada · 36% $266.1M elsewhere · 64%
Chinese box office · 2008
Chinese Box Office 2008: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies
Sex and the City (2008) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2008, with $418.8M worldwide, ahead of CJ7 (2008) at $49.5M and If You Are the One (2008) at $45.5M. 32 Chinese-language films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $654.3M in all, 23% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is 3.5 times the total of 2007, whose releases took $184.4M. By genre, Drama leads with $599.8M across 22 Chinese releases.
- 2008 releases with a gross
- 32
- combined worldwide
- $654.3M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2007
- ×3.5
#1 of 32 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2008?
Sex and the City (2008) leads with $418.8M, 64% of the total. The top 5 together took $574.4M, 88% of what all 32 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Chinese Release of 2008, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2008.
- 1 May 30, 2008 US and Canada: $152.6M Rest of the world: $266.1M Worldwide: $418.8M
- 2 Mar 7, 2008 US and Canada: $207.4K Rest of the world: $49.3M Worldwide: $49.5M
- 3 Dec 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.5M
- 4 Sep 25, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.6M
- 5 Feb 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23M
- 6
Aug 22, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18M - 7
Dec 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8M - 8
Feb 9, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3M - 9
Oct 9, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.5M - 10
Nov 28, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 11
Nov 20, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 12
Feb 7, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 13
Aug 8, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4M - 14
May 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 15
Jul 18, 2008 US and Canada: $4.6K Rest of the world: $2.2M Worldwide: $2.2M - 16
Sep 18, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 17
Jan 25, 2008 US and Canada: $11.2K Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $1.4M - 18
Jan 10, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 19
May 27, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $957.9K - 20
Sep 5, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $922.8K - 21
Sep 30, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $759.9K - 22
Mar 23, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $304.4K - 23
Jun 6, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $216K - 24
Nov 21, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $167.6K - 25
Nov 14, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $158.7K - 26
Apr 11, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $152K - 27
Feb 8, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $95K - 28
May 23, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $84.7K - 29
Sep 12, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.6K - 30
May 23, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $72.2K - 31
Mar 12, 2008 US and Canada: $13.2K Rest of the world: $30.2K Worldwide: $43.3K - 32
Feb 10, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.2K
Gross bands
How Many 2008 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 32 films crossed $100M and took $418.8M between them, 64% of the total. 25 films, 78% of the list, earned under $10M.
64% 29%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 1 film, 3% of the list $418.8M · 64% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 6 films, 19% of the list $191.4M · 29% of the gross
- Under $10M 25 films, 78% of the list $44.1M · 7% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2008 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $422.2M from 5 films, led by Sex and the City (2008). April was the quietest month ($152K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Lost in Beijing (2008) $2.5M Lost in Beijing (2008)
- February Feb Kung Fu Dunk (2008) $35.9M Kung Fu Dunk (2008)
- March Mar CJ7 (2008) $49.9M CJ7 (2008)
- April Apr What on Earth Have I Done Wrong?! (2008) $152K What on Earth Have I Done Wrong?! (2008)
- May May Sex and the City (2008) $422.2M Sex and the City (2008)
- June Jun Winds of September (2008) $216K Winds of September (2008)
- July Jul Mad Detective (2008) $2.2M Mad Detective (2008)
- August Aug Cape No. 7 (2008) $21.4M Cape No. 7 (2008)
- September Sep Painted Skin (2008) $41.3M Painted Skin (2008)
- October Oct Butterfly Lovers (2008) $5.5M Butterfly Lovers (2008)
- November Nov Fit Lover (2008) $9.8M Fit Lover (2008)
- December Dec If You Are the One (2008) $63.3M If You Are the One (2008)
Last 10 years
How Does 2008 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2008 earned the most: $654.3M from 32 films, led by Sex and the City (2008).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 4 films | 4 | $28.5M | – | Election (1999) $14.9M |
| 2000 5 films · +660% | 5 | $216.8M | +660% | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) $214M |
| 2001 7 films · −93% | 7 | $16.2M | −93% | In the Mood for Love (2001) $15.8M |
| 2002 10 films · −54% | 10 | $7.4M | −54% | Lan yu (2002) $3.9M |
| 2003 7 films · −27% | 7 | $5.4M | −27% | Sweet Sixteen (2003) $4M |
| 2004 16 films · +2121% | 16 | $120.8M | +2121% | House of Flying Daggers (2004) $92.9M |
| 2005 21 films · +16% | 21 | $140.6M | +16% | Kung Fu Hustle (2005) $104.9M |
| 2006 20 films · −7% | 20 | $130.2M | −7% | Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) $78.6M |
| 2007 31 films · +42% | 31 | $184.4M | +42% | Lust, Caution (2007) $67.1M |
| 2008 32 films · +255% | 32 | $654.3M | +255% | Sex and the City (2008) $418.8M |
By genre
Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2008?
Drama took $599.8M across 22 films, 92% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($573.1M) and Romance ($504.3M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2008 Chinese Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $599.8M22 films · #1 Sex and the City (2008) -
Comedy $573.1M12 films · #1 Sex and the City (2008) -
Romance $504.3M14 films · #1 Sex and the City (2008) -
Fantasy $88M3 films · #1 CJ7 (2008) -
Action $79.8M6 films · #1 Painted Skin (2008) -
Sci-Fi $51.8M2 films · #1 CJ7 (2008) -
Family $50.5M2 films · #1 CJ7 (2008) -
Adventure $32.3M2 films · #1 Kung Fu Dunk (2008) -
History $27.1M2 films · #1 Forever Enthralled (2008) -
Crime $4.8M3 films · #1 Mad Detective (2008)
Archive
Chinese Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1947 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $4.6B, led by Ne Zha (2019).
2020s 7 years · $14.3B
2010s 10 years · $19.3B
- 2019 $4.6B #1 Ne Zha (2019)
- 2018 $3.5B #1 Operation Red Sea (2018)
- 2017 $3.2B #1 Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)
- 2016 $2.2B #1 Monster Hunt (2016)
- 2015 $2.6B #1 Lost in Hong Kong (2015)
- 2014 $1.1B #1 Journey to the West (2014)
- 2013 $1.3B #1 Lost in Thailand (2013)
- 2012 $289.1M #1 Chinese Zodiac (2012)
- 2011 $325.1M #1 Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)
- 2010 $281.6M #1 If You Are the One 2 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $1.7B
- 2009 $205M #1 Red Cliff (2009)
- 2008 $654.3M #1 Sex and the City (2008)
- 2007 $184.4M #1 Lust, Caution (2007)
- 2006 $130.2M #1 Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
- 2005 $140.6M #1 Kung Fu Hustle (2005)
- 2004 $120.8M #1 House of Flying Daggers (2004)
- 2003 $5.4M #1 Sweet Sixteen (2003)
- 2002 $7.4M #1 Lan yu (2002)
- 2001 $16.2M #1 In the Mood for Love (2001)
- 2000 $216.8M #1 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
1990s 10 years · $172.5M
- 1999 $28.5M #1 Election (1999)
- 1998 $1M #1 Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998)
- 1997 $36.2M #1 Addicted to Love (1997)
- 1996 $26.9M #1 Eye for an Eye (1996)
- 1995 $3.2M #1 Shanghai Triad (1995)
- 1994 $9.7M #1 Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
- 1993 $27M #1 Undercover Blues (1993)
- 1992 $19.6M #1 Hero (1992)
- 1991 $4.7M #1 Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
- 1990 $15.6M #1 Revenge (1990)
1980s 9 years · $46.7M
- 1989 $220.8K #1 A City of Sadness (1989)
- 1988 $108.4K #1 Red Sorghum (1988)
- 1987 $2.6K #1 Daughter of the Nile (1987)
- 1986 $7.8M #1 The Best of Times (1986)
- 1985 $35.3K #1 Taipei Story (1985)
- 1984 $23.8M #1 Unfaithfully Yours (1984)
- 1983 $37.5K #1 That Day, on the Beach (1983)
- 1981 $14.5M #1 Rich and Famous (1981)
- 1980 $228.5K #1 Haunted Tales (1980)
1970s 3 years · $18.2M
1960s 1 year · $134
1950s 3 years · $216.1K
1940s 1 year · $10.6M
FAQ
Chinese Box Office 2008: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 32 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie in 2008?
Sex and the City (2008) leads with $418.8M worldwide, $152.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come CJ7 (2008) at $49.5M and If You Are the One (2008) at $45.5M.
How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2008 earn?
32 Chinese-language films released in 2008 report a worldwide gross, $654.3M in all, or $20.4M per film on average. 2007 releases took $184.4M.
How many Chinese-language movies released in 2008 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Sex and the City (2008) with $418.8M.
How is the 2008 Chinese box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2008. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the 2008 Chinese box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.