#1 of 43 #1 Chinese-language movie of 2021
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
2021 · Drama, War
$902.5M worldwide · 24% of the chart's total
$342.4K US & Canada · <1% $902.2M elsewhere · 100%
Chinese box office · 2021
Chinese Box Office 2021: Highest-Grossing Chinese Movies
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) is the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie released in 2021, with $902.5M worldwide, ahead of Hi, Mom (2021) at $822M and Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) at $686.3M. 43 Chinese-language films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $3.7B in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. 7 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 197% on 2020, whose releases took $1.3B. By genre, Drama leads with $2.5B across 25 Chinese releases.
- 2021 releases with a gross
- 43
- combined worldwide
- $3.7B
- films crossed $100M
- 7
- vs 2020
- +197%
#1 of 43 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Chinese Hits of 2021?
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) leads with $902.5M, 24% of the total. The top 5 together took $2.8B, 76% 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 2021, 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 2021.
- 1 Sep 30, 2021 US and Canada: $342.4K Rest of the world: $902.2M Worldwide: $902.5M
- 2 Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $822M
- 3 Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $686.3M
- 4 Jul 30, 2021 US and Canada: $385.3K Rest of the world: $205.5M Worldwide: $205.8M
- 5 Jul 9, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $197.1M
- 6
Apr 30, 2021 US and Canada: $153K Rest of the world: $181.2M Worldwide: $181.3M - 7
Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: $160K Rest of the world: $150M Worldwide: $150.1M - 8
Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $78.1M - 9
Jul 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $75.2M - 10
Apr 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $56.1M - 11
May 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $52.7M - 12
Dec 17, 2021 US and Canada: $36.5K Rest of the world: $51.6M Worldwide: $51.6M - 13
May 20, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.1M - 14
Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.7M - 15
Nov 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.1M - 16
Jul 17, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.5M - 17
Jul 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.9M - 18
Nov 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2M - 19
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.1M - 20
Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.2M - 21
Apr 14, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.6M - 22
Sep 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.9M - 23
Jul 20, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.2M - 24
Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.9M - 25
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.4M - 26
Apr 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M - 27
Dec 17, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.6M - 28
Feb 26, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1M - 29
Apr 2, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 30
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 31
Jul 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 32
Dec 31, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $946.1K - 33
Sep 3, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $114.1K - 34
Mar 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $92.1K - 35
Dec 31, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $86.9K - 36
Dec 31, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.3K - 37
Oct 8, 2021 US and Canada: $17.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.2K - 38
Aug 13, 2021 US and Canada: $9K Rest of the world: $4.5K Worldwide: $13.5K - 39
Oct 17, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7K - 40
Jul 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.8K - 41
May 28, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2K - 42
Aug 13, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3K - 43
Sep 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $193
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2021?
Of the top 10, Raging Fire (2021) earned the biggest share at home (<1% in the US & Canada), while The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 43 films, $1.1M (<1%) came from the US & Canada. 6 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) $902.5M $342.4K US & Canada · <1% $902.2M elsewhere · 100%
- 2 Hi, Mom (2021) $822M No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) $686.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Raging Fire (2021) $205.8M $385.3K US & Canada · <1% $205.5M elsewhere · 100%
- 5 Chinese Doctors (2021) $197.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Cliff Walkers (2021) $181.3M $153K US & Canada · <1% $181.2M elsewhere · 100%
- 7 A Writer's Odyssey (2021) $150.1M $160K US & Canada · <1% $150M elsewhere · 100%
- 8 Boonie Bears: The Wild Life (2021) $78.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 1921 (2021) $75.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021) $56.1M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2021 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
7 of 43 films crossed $100M and took $3.1B between them, 84% of the total. 23 films, 53% of the list, earned under $10M.
65% 20% 14%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 3 films, 7% of the list $2.4B · 65% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 4 films, 9% of the list $734.4M · 20% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 13 films, 30% of the list $513.5M · 14% of the gross
- Under $10M 23 films, 53% of the list $67M · 2% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2021 Earned the Most?
February releases took the most, $1.8B from 6 films, led by Hi, Mom (2021). August was the quietest month ($14.9K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Hi, Mom (2021) $1.8B Hi, Mom (2021)
- March Mar Fire on the Plain (2021) $92.1K Fire on the Plain (2021)
- April Apr Cliff Walkers (2021) $256.7M Cliff Walkers (2021)
- May May Break Through the Darkness (2021) $97.8M Break Through the Darkness (2021)
- June Jun On Your Mark (2021) $39.2M On Your Mark (2021)
- July Jul Raging Fire (2021) $529.4M Raging Fire (2021)
- August Aug A New Old Play (2021) $14.9K A New Old Play (2021)
- September Sep The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) $911.6M The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
- October Oct Ascension (2021) $22.9K Ascension (2021)
- November Nov The Door Lock (2021) $53.3M The Door Lock (2021)
- December Dec Schemes in Antiques (2021) $58.3M Schemes in Antiques (2021)
Last 10 years
How Does 2021 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2019 earned the most: $4.6B from 66 films, led by Ne Zha (2019). 2021 took $3.7B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 44 films | 44 | $289.1M | – | 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 63 films · +9% | 63 | $3.5B | +9% | Operation Red Sea (2018) $579.3M |
| 2019 66 films · +32% | 66 | $4.6B | +32% | Ne Zha (2019) $726.2M |
| 2020 32 films · −73% | 32 | $1.3B | −73% | The Eight Hundred (2020) $461.4M |
| 2021 43 films · +197% | 43 | $3.7B | +197% | The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) $902.5M |
By genre
Which Chinese Genres Earned the Most in 2021?
Drama took $2.5B across 25 films, 66% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($1.7B) and Action ($1.1B). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2021 Chinese Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $2.5B25 films · #1 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) -
Comedy $1.7B11 films · #1 Hi, Mom (2021) -
Action $1.1B11 films · #1 Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) -
Adventure $1.1B9 films · #1 Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) -
War $994.9M3 films · #1 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) -
Mystery $953.4M5 films · #1 Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) -
Fantasy $925.7M5 films · #1 Hi, Mom (2021) -
Crime $534.3M9 films · #1 Raging Fire (2021) -
Thriller $438.5M5 films · #1 Raging Fire (2021) -
History $292.6M6 films · #1 Cliff Walkers (2021)
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
- 2026 so far $794.3M #1 Dear You (2026)
- 2025 $3.7B #1 Ne Zha 2 (2025)
- 2024 $653.8M #1 Yolo (2024)
- 2023 $3.2B #1 Full River Red (2023)
- 2022 $929.7M #1 Lost in the Stars (2022)
- 2021 $3.7B #1 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
- 2020 $1.3B #1 The Eight Hundred (2020)
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 2021: 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 2021?
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) leads with $902.5M worldwide, $342.4K of it in the US & Canada. Next come Hi, Mom (2021) at $822M and Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) at $686.3M.
How much did Chinese-language movies released in 2021 earn?
43 Chinese-language films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $3.7B in all, or $86.6M per film on average. 2020 releases took $1.3B.
How many Chinese-language movies released in 2021 made $1 billion?
None. 7 films crossed $100 million, led by The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) with $902.5M.
How is the 2021 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 2021. 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 2021 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.