#1 of 43 #1 Chinese-language movie of 2012
2012 · Adventure, Action
$171.3M worldwide · 59% of the chart's total
No US & Canada figure reported
Chinese box office · 2012
Chinese Box Office 2012: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies
Chinese Zodiac (2012) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2012, with $171.3M worldwide, ahead of The Last Tycoon (2012) at $25M and Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012) at $21.8M. 43 Chinese-language films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $288.2M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 11% on 2011, whose releases took $325.1M. By genre, Adventure leads with $186.8M across 5 Chinese releases.
- 2012 releases with a gross
- 43
- combined worldwide
- $288.2M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 2011
- −11%
#1 of 43 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2012?
Chinese Zodiac (2012) leads with $171.3M, 59% of the total. The top 5 together took $240M, 83% of what all 43 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 2012, 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 2012.
- 1 Dec 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $171.3M
- 2 Dec 22, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25M
- 3 Jan 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.8M
- 4 Aug 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.7M
- 5 Jun 8, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.1M
- 6
Jul 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.4M - 7
Apr 12, 2012 US and Canada: $191.8K Rest of the world: $4.6M Worldwide: $4.8M - 8
Mar 30, 2012 US and Canada: $256.5K Rest of the world: $3.8M Worldwide: $4M - 9
Sep 28, 2012 US and Canada: $59.1K Rest of the world: $4M Worldwide: $4M - 10
Jan 27, 2012 US and Canada: $47.9K Rest of the world: $3.4M Worldwide: $3.5M - 11
Aug 31, 2012 US and Canada: $170.3K Rest of the world: $3.2M Worldwide: $3.3M - 12
Jan 19, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 13
Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: $50.4K Rest of the world: $2.4M Worldwide: $2.5M - 14
Jun 1, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 15
Aug 31, 2012 US and Canada: $117.6K Rest of the world: $1.4M Worldwide: $1.5M - 16
Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 17
Jun 30, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 18
Oct 19, 2012 US and Canada: $212.1K Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $1.3M - 19
Oct 11, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $992.3K - 20
Nov 30, 2012 US and Canada: $313K Rest of the world: $605.5K Worldwide: $918.5K - 21
Aug 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $800.3K - 22
Jun 29, 2012 US and Canada: $64.4K Rest of the world: $603.2K Worldwide: $667.6K - 23
Nov 24, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $637.5K - 24
Jul 6, 2012 US and Canada: $10K Rest of the world: $578.7K Worldwide: $588.8K - 25
Sep 29, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $540K - 26
Aug 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $469.8K - 27
Aug 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $396.4K - 28
Jun 8, 2012 US and Canada: $44.8K Rest of the world: $276.3K Worldwide: $321.1K - 29
Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $309.8K - 30
Sep 14, 2012 US and Canada: $203.4K Rest of the world: $82.6K Worldwide: $286K - 31
Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $274.5K - 32
Feb 3, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $260.7K - 33
Nov 8, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $176.3K - 34
Sep 20, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $173.9K - 35
Sep 28, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $163K - 36
Jul 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $79.1K - 37
Mar 8, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $42.3K - 38
Jan 13, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.6K - 39
Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.8K - 40
Jul 6, 2012 US and Canada: $10.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6K - 41
Aug 29, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.1K - 42
Apr 23, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.7K - 43
Mar 23, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2012?
Of the top 10, Love in the Buff (2012) earned the biggest share at home (6% in the US & Canada), while All's Well Ends Well (2012) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 43 films, $1.8M (<1%) came from the US & Canada. 6 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Chinese Zodiac (2012) $171.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 The Last Tycoon (2012) $25M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012) $21.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 I Love Wolffy (2012) $11.7M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 First Time (2012) $10.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 McDull: The Pork of Music (2012) $7.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 A Simple Life (2012) $4.8M $191.8K US & Canada · 4% $4.6M elsewhere · 96%
- 8 Love in the Buff (2012) $4M $256.5K US & Canada · 6% $3.8M elsewhere · 94%
- 9 Vulgaria (2012) $4M $59.1K US & Canada · 1% $4M elsewhere · 99%
- 10 All's Well Ends Well (2012) $3.5M $47.9K US & Canada · 1% $3.4M elsewhere · 99%
Gross bands
How Many 2012 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 43 films crossed $100M and took $171.3M between them, 59% of the total. 38 films, 88% of the list, earned under $10M.
59% 24% 17%
- $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, 2% of the list $171.3M · 59% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 4 films, 9% of the list $68.7M · 24% of the gross
- Under $10M 38 films, 88% of the list $48.2M · 17% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2012 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $196.3M from 2 films, led by Chinese Zodiac (2012). February was the quietest month ($260.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012) $29M Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012)
- February Feb The Soul of Bread (2012) $260.7K The Soul of Bread (2012)
- March Mar Love in the Buff (2012) $4.1M Love in the Buff (2012)
- April Apr A Simple Life (2012) $4.8M A Simple Life (2012)
- May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- June Jun First Time (2012) $14.2M First Time (2012)
- July Jul McDull: The Pork of Music (2012) $8.1M McDull: The Pork of Music (2012)
- August Aug I Love Wolffy (2012) $22.2M I Love Wolffy (2012)
- September Sep Vulgaria (2012) $5.2M Vulgaria (2012)
- October Oct Tai Chi Zero (2012) $2.3M Tai Chi Zero (2012)
- November Nov Back to 1942 (2012) $1.7M Back to 1942 (2012)
- December Dec Chinese Zodiac (2012) $196.3M Chinese Zodiac (2012)
Last 10 years
How Does 2012 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2008 earned the most: $681.4M from 34 films, led by Sex and the City (2008). 2012 took $288.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 7 films | 7 | $5.4M | – | 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 27 films · −70% | 27 | $205M | −70% | Red Cliff (2009) $129.7M |
| 2010 37 films · +37% | 37 | $281.6M | +37% | If You Are the One 2 (2010) $76.1M |
| 2011 40 films · +15% | 40 | $325.1M | +15% | Beginning of the Great Revival (2011) $58.3M |
| 2012 43 films · −11% | 43 | $288.2M | −11% | Chinese Zodiac (2012) $171.3M |
By genre
Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2012?
Adventure took $186.8M across 5 films, 65% of the total, ahead of Action ($178.6M) and Drama ($59.9M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2012 Chinese Box Office by Genre
-
Adventure $186.8M5 films · #1 Chinese Zodiac (2012) -
Action $178.6M9 films · #1 Chinese Zodiac (2012) -
Drama $59.9M21 films · #1 The Last Tycoon (2012) -
Animation $41.4M4 films · #1 Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012) -
Comedy $37.8M18 films · #1 I Love Wolffy (2012) -
History $25M1 film · #1 The Last Tycoon (2012) -
Romance $21.4M12 films · #1 First Time (2012) -
Music $10.1M1 film · #1 First Time (2012) -
Mystery $7M5 films · #1 Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012) -
Fantasy $2.5M2 films · #1 Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012)
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 $288.2M #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 $681.4M #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 2012: 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 43 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie in 2012?
Chinese Zodiac (2012) leads with $171.3M worldwide. Next come The Last Tycoon (2012) at $25M and Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 4 (2012) at $21.8M.
How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2012 earn?
43 Chinese-language films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $288.2M in all, or $6.7M per film on average. 2011 releases took $325.1M.
How many Chinese-language movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Chinese Zodiac (2012) with $171.3M.
How is the 2012 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 2012. 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 2012 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.