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Chinese box office · 2009

Chinese Box Office 2009: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies

Red Cliff (2009) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2009, with $129.7M worldwide, ahead of City of Life and Death (2009) at $10.7M and Where Got Ghost? (2009) at $3.4M. 24 Chinese-language films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $156.1M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 77% on 2008, whose releases took $681.4M. By genre, Drama leads with $149.9M across 17 Chinese releases.

2009 releases with a gross
24
combined worldwide
$156.1M
film crossed $100M
1
vs 2008
−77%
Red Cliff (2009) movie poster #1 of 24
#1 Chinese-language movie of 2009

Red Cliff (2009)

2009 · Action, Adventure

$129.7M worldwide · 83% of the chart's total

$627K US & Canada · <1% $129.1M elsewhere · 100%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2009?

Red Cliff (2009) leads with $129.7M, 83% of the total. The top 5 together took $148.5M, 95% of what all 24 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Red Cliff (2009) movie poster Number 1
    $129.7M Red Cliff (2009)
    $627K US & Canada · <1% $129.1M elsewhere · 100%
  2. City of Life and Death (2009) movie poster Number 2
    $10.7M City of Life and Death (2009)
    $122.6K US & Canada · 1% $10.6M elsewhere · 99%
  3. Where Got Ghost? (2009) movie poster Number 3
    $3.4M Where Got Ghost? (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  4. L-O-V-E. (2009) movie poster Number 4
    $2.8M L-O-V-E. (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported
  5. Love Matters (2009) movie poster Number 5
    $2M Love Matters (2009)
    No US & Canada figure reported

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Chinese Release of 2009, 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 2009.

  1. 1 Red Cliff (2009) movie poster
    Red Cliff (2009) Nov 18, 2009 · Action, Adventure $129.7M worldwide
    Nov 18, 2009 US and Canada: $627K Rest of the world: $129.1M Worldwide: $129.7M
  2. 2 City of Life and Death (2009) movie poster
    City of Life and Death (2009) Apr 22, 2009 · Drama, History $10.7M worldwide
    Apr 22, 2009 US and Canada: $122.6K Rest of the world: $10.6M Worldwide: $10.7M
  3. 3 Where Got Ghost? (2009) movie poster
    Where Got Ghost? (2009) Aug 13, 2009 · Comedy, Horror $3.4M worldwide
    Aug 13, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4M
  4. 4 L-O-V-E. (2009) movie poster
    L-O-V-E. (2009) Feb 26, 2009 · Comedy, Romance $2.8M worldwide
    Feb 26, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M
  5. 5 Love Matters (2009) movie poster
    Love Matters (2009) Jan 22, 2009 · Comedy, Drama $2M worldwide
    Jan 22, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M
  6. 6 Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009) movie poster
    Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009) Nov 26, 2009 · Action, Drama $1.9M worldwide
    Nov 26, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M
  7. 7 The Treasure Hunter (2009) movie poster
    The Treasure Hunter (2009) Dec 9, 2009 · Sci-Fi, Adventure $1.7M worldwide
    Dec 9, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M
  8. 8 The Founding of a Republic (2009) movie poster
    The Founding of a Republic (2009) Sep 17, 2009 · History, Drama $1M worldwide
    Sep 17, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1M
  9. 9 Sophie’s Revenge (2009) movie poster
    Sophie’s Revenge (2009) Aug 13, 2009 · Comedy, Romance $623.4K worldwide
    Aug 13, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $623.4K
  10. 10 Kung Fu Chefs (2009) movie poster
    Kung Fu Chefs (2009) Feb 19, 2009 · Comedy, Action $610.9K worldwide
    Feb 19, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $610.9K
  11. 11 24 City (2009) movie poster
    24 City (2009) Jun 5, 2009 · Drama $402.9K worldwide
    Jun 5, 2009 US and Canada: $30.8K Rest of the world: $372.1K Worldwide: $402.9K
  12. 12 Blood Ties (2009) movie poster
    Blood Ties (2009) Sep 10, 2009 · Mystery, Horror $360.3K worldwide
    Sep 10, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $360.3K
  13. 13 The Robbers (2009) movie poster
    The Robbers (2009) Nov 20, 2009 · Action, Thriller $254.5K worldwide
    Nov 20, 2009 US and Canada: $83.5K Rest of the world: $171K Worldwide: $254.5K
  14. 14 Hear Me (2009) movie poster
    Hear Me (2009) Aug 28, 2009 · Drama, Romance $246.3K worldwide
    Aug 28, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $246.3K
  15. 15 Prince of Tears (2009) movie poster
    Prince of Tears (2009) Jun 25, 2009 · Drama $131.6K worldwide
    Jun 25, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $131.6K
  16. 16 The Warrior and the Wolf (2009) movie poster
    The Warrior and the Wolf (2009) Oct 2, 2009 · Drama, History $72K worldwide
    Oct 2, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $72K
  17. 17 She, a Chinese (2009) movie poster
    She, a Chinese (2009) Aug 14, 2009 · Drama $69.6K worldwide
    Aug 14, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $69.6K
  18. 18 Tracing Shadow (2009) movie poster
    Tracing Shadow (2009) Jul 30, 2009 · Action, Comedy $54.6K worldwide
    Jul 30, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.6K
  19. 19 Let the Wind Carry Me (2009) movie poster
    Let the Wind Carry Me (2009) Nov 23, 2009 · Documentary $35.3K worldwide
    Nov 23, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $35.3K
  20. 20 Empire of Silver (2009) movie poster
    Empire of Silver (2009) Feb 12, 2009 · Drama, Family $24.9K worldwide
    Feb 12, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.9K
  21. 21 Snowfall in Taipei (2009) movie poster
    Snowfall in Taipei (2009) Oct 19, 2009 · Drama $21K worldwide
    Oct 19, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21K
  22. 22 Pinoy Sunday (2009) movie poster
    Pinoy Sunday (2009) Oct 24, 2009 · Drama, Comedy $10K worldwide
    Oct 24, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10K
  23. 23 The Message (2009) movie poster
    The Message (2009) Sep 22, 2009 · Thriller, Drama $1.4K worldwide
    Sep 22, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K
  24. 24 My Fair Gentleman (2009) movie poster
    My Fair Gentleman (2009) Sep 28, 2009 · Romance, Comedy $230 worldwide
    Sep 28, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $230
Gross bands

How Many 2009 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

1 of 24 films crossed $100M and took $129.7M between them, 83% of the total. 22 films, 92% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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, 4% of the list $129.7M · 83% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 1 film, 4% of the list $10.7M · 7% of the gross
  • Under $10M 22 films, 92% of the list $15.7M · 10% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 2009 Earned the Most?

November releases took the most, $131.9M from 4 films, led by Red Cliff (2009). July was the quietest month ($54.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Love Matters (2009) $2M Love Matters (2009)
  2. February Feb L-O-V-E. (2009) $3.4M L-O-V-E. (2009)
  3. March Mar No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  4. April Apr City of Life and Death (2009) $10.7M City of Life and Death (2009)
  5. May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  6. June Jun 24 City (2009) $534.5K 24 City (2009)
  7. July Jul Tracing Shadow (2009) $54.6K Tracing Shadow (2009)
  8. August Aug Where Got Ghost? (2009) $4.3M Where Got Ghost? (2009)
  9. September Sep The Founding of a Republic (2009) $1.4M The Founding of a Republic (2009)
  10. October Oct The Warrior and the Wolf (2009) $103K The Warrior and the Wolf (2009)
  11. November Nov Red Cliff (2009) $131.9M Red Cliff (2009)
  12. December Dec The Treasure Hunter (2009) $1.7M The Treasure Hunter (2009)
Last 10 years

How Does 2009 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 2008 earned the most: $681.4M from 34 films, led by Sex and the City (2008). 2009 took $156.1M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
2000 5 films 5 $216.8M – 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 34 films · +270% 34 $681.4M +270% Sex and the City (2008) $418.8M
2009 24 films · −77% 24 $156.1M −77% Red Cliff (2009) $129.7M
By genre

Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2009?

Drama took $149.9M across 17 films, 96% of the total, ahead of History ($141.5M) and War ($140.4M). A film counts once for each of its genres.

2009 Chinese Box Office by Genre

  1. Drama $149.9M
    17 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  2. History $141.5M
    5 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  3. War $140.4M
    2 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  4. Action $134.3M
    7 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  5. Adventure $133.3M
    3 films · #1 Red Cliff (2009)
  6. Comedy $9.4M
    8 films · #1 Where Got Ghost? (2009)
  7. Horror $3.7M
    2 films · #1 Where Got Ghost? (2009)
  8. Romance $3.7M
    5 films · #1 L-O-V-E. (2009)
  9. Fantasy $1.7M
    1 film · #1 The Treasure Hunter (2009)
  10. Sci-Fi $1.7M
    1 film · #1 The Treasure Hunter (2009)
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
2000s 10 years · $1.7B
1990s 10 years · $172.5M
1980s 9 years · $46.7M
1970s 3 years · $18.2M
1960s 1 year · $134
1950s 3 years · $216.1K
1940s 1 year · $10.6M
FAQ

Chinese Box Office 2009: 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 24 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie in 2009?

Red Cliff (2009) leads with $129.7M worldwide, $627K of it in the US & Canada. Next come City of Life and Death (2009) at $10.7M and Where Got Ghost? (2009) at $3.4M.

How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2009 earn?

24 Chinese-language films released in 2009 report a worldwide gross, $156.1M in all, or $6.5M per film on average. 2008 releases took $681.4M.

How many Chinese-language movies released in 2009 made $1 billion?

None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Red Cliff (2009) with $129.7M.

How much of the 2009 Chinese box office came from the US and Canada?

$863.9K of the $156.1M total, or <1%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 20 films of the 24 report no domestic figure.

How is the 2009 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 2009. 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 2009 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.