#1 of 74 #1 Chinese-language movie of 2016
2016 · Action, Fantasy
$387.1M worldwide · 18% of the chart's total
$32.8K US & Canada · <1% $387M elsewhere · 100%
Chinese box office · 2016
Chinese Box Office 2016: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies
Monster Hunt (2016) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2016, with $387.1M worldwide, ahead of The Monkey King 2 (2016) at $193.7M and Operation Mekong (2016) at $173.8M. 74 Chinese-language films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. 7 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 14% on 2015, whose releases took $2.6B. By genre, Action leads with $1.5B across 17 Chinese releases.
- 2016 releases with a gross
- 74
- combined worldwide
- $2.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 7
- vs 2015
- −14%
#1 of 74 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2016?
Monster Hunt (2016) leads with $387.1M, 18% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.1B, 48% of what all 74 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 2016, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 74. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2016.
- 1 Jan 22, 2016 US and Canada: $32.8K Rest of the world: $387M Worldwide: $387.1M
- 2 Feb 5, 2016 US and Canada: $710K Rest of the world: $193M Worldwide: $193.7M
- 3 Sep 30, 2016 US and Canada: $800K Rest of the world: $173M Worldwide: $173.8M
- 4 Jan 22, 2016 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: $154.4M Worldwide: $157M
- 5 Aug 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $145.8M
- 6
Jan 15, 2016 US and Canada: $474.3K Rest of the world: $125.4M Worldwide: $125.8M - 7
Jul 8, 2016 US and Canada: $560.8K Rest of the world: $102.6M Worldwide: $103.2M - 8
Dec 30, 2016 US and Canada: $100K Rest of the world: $95.6M Worldwide: $95.7M - 9
Nov 18, 2016 US and Canada: $436.8K Rest of the world: $70.4M Worldwide: $70.8M - 10
Apr 1, 2016 US and Canada: $779.8K Rest of the world: $57.3M Worldwide: $58.1M - 11
Sep 29, 2016 US and Canada: $350.5K Rest of the world: $57.7M Worldwide: $58.1M - 12
Jul 7, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $53.3M - 13
Jan 16, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.2M - 14
Jul 29, 2016 US and Canada: $181.6K Rest of the world: $43.3M Worldwide: $43.5M - 15
Aug 12, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $40M - 16
Sep 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.7M - 17
Jul 1, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $31.9M - 18
Jul 15, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.9M - 19
Apr 22, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.4M - 20
Oct 28, 2016 US and Canada: $356.3K Rest of the world: $25.2M Worldwide: $25.5M - 21
Sep 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.9M - 22
Aug 5, 2016 US and Canada: $34.3K Rest of the world: $22.8M Worldwide: $22.8M - 23
Sep 16, 2016 US and Canada: $82.8K Rest of the world: $20.4M Worldwide: $20.5M - 24
Apr 1, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20.1M - 25
Dec 9, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.7M - 26
Dec 16, 2016 US and Canada: $386.5K Rest of the world: $18M Worldwide: $18.3M - 27
Dec 9, 2016 US and Canada: $75.5K Rest of the world: $14.6M Worldwide: $14.7M - 28
May 6, 2016 US and Canada: $44K Rest of the world: $13.5M Worldwide: $13.5M - 29
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.4M - 30
Jul 15, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.7M - 31
Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.3M - 32
Mar 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.8M - 33
Dec 2, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9M - 34
Feb 1, 2016 US and Canada: $25.4K Rest of the world: $8.1M Worldwide: $8.1M - 35
Jul 22, 2016 US and Canada: $30.1K Rest of the world: $7.8M Worldwide: $7.9M - 36
Feb 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3M - 37
Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4M - 38
Jul 22, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.4M - 39
Dec 2, 2016 US and Canada: $78.4K Rest of the world: $5.3M Worldwide: $5.3M - 40
Feb 12, 2016 US and Canada: $82.9K Rest of the world: $5.1M Worldwide: $5.2M - 41
May 20, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 42
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 43
Dec 30, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.9M - 44
Jul 31, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M - 45
Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8M - 46
Jun 9, 2016 US and Canada: $3.5M Rest of the world: $143.8K Worldwide: $3.6M - 47
Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 48
Feb 4, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 49
Dec 16, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 50
Dec 30, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2016?
Of the top 10, Ip Man 3 (2016) earned the biggest share at home (2% in the US & Canada), while Monster Hunt (2016) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 74 films, $11.9M (<1%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Monster Hunt (2016) $387.1M $32.8K US & Canada · <1% $387M elsewhere · 100%
- 2 The Monkey King 2 (2016) $193.7M $710K US & Canada · <1% $193M elsewhere · 100%
- 3 Operation Mekong (2016) $173.8M $800K US & Canada · <1% $173M elsewhere · 100%
- 4 Ip Man 3 (2016) $157M $2.7M US & Canada · 2% $154.4M elsewhere · 98%
- 5 Time Raiders (2016) $145.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Detective Chinatown (2016) $125.8M $474.3K US & Canada · <1% $125.4M elsewhere · 100%
- 7 Cold War 2 (2016) $103.2M $560.8K US & Canada · <1% $102.6M elsewhere · 99%
- 8 Some Like It Hot (2016) $95.7M $100K US & Canada · <1% $95.6M elsewhere · 100%
- 9 I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016) $70.8M $436.8K US & Canada · <1% $70.4M elsewhere · 99%
- 10 Chongqing Hot Pot (2016) $58.1M $779.8K US & Canada · 1% $57.3M elsewhere · 99%
Gross bands
How Many 2016 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
7 of 74 films crossed $100M and took $1.3B between them, 58% of the total. 43 films, 58% of the list, earned under $10M.
58% 36%
- $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 7 films, 9% of the list $1.3B · 58% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 24 films, 32% of the list $803M · 36% of the gross
- Under $10M 43 films, 58% of the list $119.4M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2016 Earned the Most?
January releases took the most, $724.4M from 7 films, led by Monster Hunt (2016). June was the quietest month ($7.5M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Monster Hunt (2016) $724.4M Monster Hunt (2016)
- February Feb The Monkey King 2 (2016) $221.3M The Monkey King 2 (2016)
- March Mar The Rise of a Tomboy (2016) $10.1M The Rise of a Tomboy (2016)
- April Apr Chongqing Hot Pot (2016) $124.8M Chongqing Hot Pot (2016)
- May May Phantom of the Theatre (2016) $21.2M Phantom of the Theatre (2016)
- June Jun 'Til Madness Do Us Part (2016) $7.5M 'Til Madness Do Us Part (2016)
- July Jul Cold War 2 (2016) $289.6M Cold War 2 (2016)
- August Aug Time Raiders (2016) $208.6M Time Raiders (2016)
- September Sep Operation Mekong (2016) $315.1M Operation Mekong (2016)
- October Oct Mr. Donkey (2016) $28.6M Mr. Donkey (2016)
- November Nov I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016) $85M I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016)
- December Dec Some Like It Hot (2016) $172.8M Some Like It Hot (2016)
Last 10 years
How Does 2016 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2015 earned the most: $2.6B from 78 films, led by Lost in Hong Kong (2015). 2016 took $2.2B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 31 films | 31 | $184.4M | – | 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 44 films · −11% | 44 | $289.1M | −11% | Chinese Zodiac (2012) $171.3M |
| 2013 57 films · +341% | 57 | $1.3B | +341% | Lost in Thailand (2013) $197.8M |
| 2014 53 films · −12% | 53 | $1.1B | −12% | Journey to the West (2014) $205.6M |
| 2015 78 films · +128% | 78 | $2.6B | +128% | Lost in Hong Kong (2015) $256.3M |
| 2016 74 films · −14% | 74 | $2.2B | −14% | Monster Hunt (2016) $387.1M |
By genre
Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2016?
Action took $1.5B across 17 films, 66% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($1B) and Fantasy ($917.8M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2016 Chinese Box Office by Genre
-
Action $1.5B17 films · #1 Monster Hunt (2016) -
Comedy $1B26 films · #1 Monster Hunt (2016) -
Fantasy $917.8M10 films · #1 Monster Hunt (2016) -
Drama $664.1M40 films · #1 Ip Man 3 (2016) -
Adventure $649.1M7 films · #1 The Monkey King 2 (2016) -
Romance $224.2M20 films · #1 Love O2O (2016) -
Mystery $171.8M10 films · #1 Detective Chinatown (2016) -
History $162.1M3 films · #1 Ip Man 3 (2016) -
Biography $157M1 film · #1 Ip Man 3 (2016) -
Crime $152M8 films · #1 Cold War 2 (2016)
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 $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 2016: 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 74 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie in 2016?
Monster Hunt (2016) leads with $387.1M worldwide, $32.8K of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Monkey King 2 (2016) at $193.7M and Operation Mekong (2016) at $173.8M.
How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2016 earn?
74 Chinese-language films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $2.2B in all, or $29.9M per film on average. 2015 releases took $2.6B.
How many Chinese-language movies released in 2016 made $1 billion?
None. 7 films crossed $100 million, led by Monster Hunt (2016) with $387.1M.
How is the 2016 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 2016. 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 2016 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.