#1 of 61 #1 Chinese-language movie of 2018
2018 · Action, Drama
$579.3M worldwide · 17% of the chart's total
$1.5M US & Canada · <1% $577.8M elsewhere · 100%
Chinese box office · 2018
Chinese Box Office 2018: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies
Operation Red Sea (2018) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2018, with $579.3M worldwide, ahead of Detective Chinatown 2 (2018) at $544.2M and Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018) at $367M. 61 Chinese-language films released in 2018 report a worldwide gross, $3.5B in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. 8 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 9% on 2017, whose releases took $3.2B. By genre, Comedy leads with $1.9B across 24 Chinese releases.
- 2018 releases with a gross
- 61
- combined worldwide
- $3.5B
- films crossed $100M
- 8
- vs 2017
- +9%
#1 of 61 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2018?
Operation Red Sea (2018) leads with $579.3M, 17% of the total. The top 5 together took $2.1B, 59% of what all 61 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 2018, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 61. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2018.
- 1 Feb 23, 2018 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $577.8M Worldwide: $579.3M
- 2 Feb 16, 2018 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: $542.2M Worldwide: $544.2M
- 3 Jul 27, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $367M
- 4 Feb 16, 2018 US and Canada: $706.2K Rest of the world: $361M Worldwide: $361.7M
- 5 Mar 16, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $209.2M
- 6
Oct 7, 2018 US and Canada: $722.7K Rest of the world: $142.2M Worldwide: $143M - 7
Nov 16, 2018 US and Canada: $551.9K Rest of the world: $117.6M Worldwide: $118.2M - 8
Feb 16, 2018 US and Canada: $187.1K Rest of the world: $114.9M Worldwide: $115.1M - 9
Feb 16, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $96.8M - 10
Dec 28, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $94.9M - 11
Jul 27, 2018 US and Canada: $263K Rest of the world: $89.8M Worldwide: $90M - 12
Sep 30, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $86.9M - 13
Jul 13, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $85.2M - 14
Jun 13, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $74.9M - 15
Jan 5, 2018 US and Canada: $186.1K Rest of the world: $57.4M Worldwide: $57.6M - 16
Apr 28, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $56.2M - 17
Aug 17, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.7M - 18
Sep 21, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51.4M - 19
Nov 23, 2018 US and Canada: $472.2K Rest of the world: $41M Worldwide: $41.5M - 20
Sep 26, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.5M - 21
Feb 16, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.8M - 22
Aug 17, 2018 US and Canada: $37.7K Rest of the world: $19.1M Worldwide: $19.1M - 23
Dec 21, 2018 US and Canada: $105.7K Rest of the world: $18.4M Worldwide: $18.5M - 24
Aug 3, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $16.6M - 25
May 14, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.1M - 26
Nov 9, 2018 US and Canada: $180.9K Rest of the world: $11.7M Worldwide: $11.8M - 27
Dec 21, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.6M - 28
Jun 22, 2018 US and Canada: $85.7K Rest of the world: $10.3M Worldwide: $10.4M - 29
Mar 9, 2018 US and Canada: $37.1K Rest of the world: $10.2M Worldwide: $10.3M - 30
Jan 19, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.1M - 31
Nov 9, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.6M - 32
Dec 27, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3M - 33
Jan 12, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M - 34
Apr 28, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6M - 35
Sep 22, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.5M - 36
Sep 12, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.6M - 37
May 4, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4M - 38
Oct 5, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 39
Oct 19, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 40
Oct 1, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 41
Aug 3, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 42
Aug 17, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 43
Jun 23, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 44
Aug 31, 2018 US and Canada: $102.1K Rest of the world: $836K Worldwide: $938.1K - 45
Jun 16, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $742.3K - 46
May 29, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $678.6K - 47
Jan 26, 2018 US and Canada: $79.4K Rest of the world: $424.6K Worldwide: $504K - 48
Aug 4, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $408.2K - 49
Feb 15, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $281.9K - 50
Nov 23, 2018 US and Canada: $20.7K Rest of the world: $133.2K Worldwide: $153.9K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2018?
Of the top 10, More Than Blue (2018) earned the biggest share at home (<1% in the US & Canada), while The Monkey King 3 (2018) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 61 films, $7.4M (<1%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Operation Red Sea (2018) $579.3M $1.5M US & Canada · <1% $577.8M elsewhere · 100%
- 2 Detective Chinatown 2 (2018) $544.2M $2M US & Canada · <1% $542.2M elsewhere · 100%
- 3 Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018) $367M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Monster Hunt 2 (2018) $361.7M $706.2K US & Canada · <1% $361M elsewhere · 100%
- 5 Us and Them (2018) $209.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 More Than Blue (2018) $143M $722.7K US & Canada · <1% $142.2M elsewhere · 99%
- 7 A Cool Fish (2018) $118.2M $551.9K US & Canada · <1% $117.6M elsewhere · 100%
- 8 The Monkey King 3 (2018) $115.1M $187.1K US & Canada · <1% $114.9M elsewhere · 100%
- 9 Boonie Bears: The Big Shrink (2018) $96.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Kill Mobile (2018) $94.9M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2018 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
8 of 61 films crossed $100M and took $2.4B between them, 70% of the total. 31 films, 51% of the list, earned under $10M.
32% 38% 28%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 2 films, 3% of the list $1.1B · 32% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 6 films, 10% of the list $1.3B · 38% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 22 films, 36% of the list $974.9M · 28% of the gross
- Under $10M 31 films, 51% of the list $57.2M · 2% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2018 Earned the Most?
February releases took the most, $1.7B from 8 films, led by Operation Red Sea (2018). May was the quietest month ($16.4M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Goldbuster (2018) $74.4M Goldbuster (2018)
- February Feb Operation Red Sea (2018) $1.7B Operation Red Sea (2018)
- March Mar Us and Them (2018) $219.6M Us and Them (2018)
- April Apr A or B (2018) $62.2M A or B (2018)
- May May Crystal Sky of Yesterday (2018) $16.4M Crystal Sky of Yesterday (2018)
- June Jun Animal World (2018) $87.1M Animal World (2018)
- July Jul Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018) $542.2M Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018)
- August Aug Go Brother! (2018) $94.3M Go Brother! (2018)
- September Sep Hello, Mrs. Money (2018) $184.8M Hello, Mrs. Money (2018)
- October Oct More Than Blue (2018) $150.7M More Than Blue (2018)
- November Nov A Cool Fish (2018) $181.4M A Cool Fish (2018)
- December Dec Kill Mobile (2018) $132.3M Kill Mobile (2018)
Last 10 years
How Does 2018 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2018 earned the most: $3.5B from 61 films, led by Operation Red Sea (2018).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 27 films | 27 | $205M | – | 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 76 films · −14% | 76 | $2.2B | −14% | Monster Hunt (2016) $387.1M |
| 2017 68 films · +44% | 68 | $3.2B | +44% | Wolf Warrior 2 (2017) $870.3M |
| 2018 61 films · +9% | 61 | $3.5B | +9% | Operation Red Sea (2018) $579.3M |
By genre
Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2018?
Comedy took $1.9B across 24 films, 55% of the total, ahead of Drama ($1.7B) and Action ($1.6B). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2018 Chinese Box Office by Genre
-
Comedy $1.9B24 films · #1 Detective Chinatown 2 (2018) -
Drama $1.7B35 films · #1 Operation Red Sea (2018) -
Action $1.6B16 films · #1 Operation Red Sea (2018) -
Thriller $933.3M7 films · #1 Operation Red Sea (2018) -
Adventure $798.7M12 films · #1 Monster Hunt 2 (2018) -
War $579.3M1 film · #1 Operation Red Sea (2018) -
Sci-Fi $460.8M5 films · #1 Monster Hunt 2 (2018) -
Crime $381.2M7 films · #1 Us and Them (2018) -
Fantasy $265.3M10 films · #1 The Monkey King 3 (2018) -
Romance $175.3M6 films · #1 More Than Blue (2018)
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 2018: 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 61 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie in 2018?
Operation Red Sea (2018) leads with $579.3M worldwide, $1.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Detective Chinatown 2 (2018) at $544.2M and Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018) at $367M.
How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2018 earn?
61 Chinese-language films released in 2018 report a worldwide gross, $3.5B in all, or $56.9M per film on average. 2017 releases took $3.2B.
How many Chinese-language movies released in 2018 made $1 billion?
None. 8 films crossed $100 million, led by Operation Red Sea (2018) with $579.3M.
How is the 2018 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 2018. 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 2018 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.