AS the countdown to Lunar New Year begins, one thing is certain: China’s Spring Festival box office is gearing up for a spectacular showdown. With a lineup featuring cinematic heavyweights, the holiday season in the world’s second-largest film market promises an epic clash of the titans. The release date for “Ne Zha 2,” the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2019 blockbuster “Ne Zha,” has officially been set for the Spring Festival, also known as Lunar New Year’s Day, which will fall on Jan. 29 in 2025. The sequel joins an already formidable lineup for the 2025 Spring Festival, which includes Tsui Hark’s adaptation of Louis Cha’s wuxia classic “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” Wuershan’s epic fantasy sequel “Creation of the Gods II,” and the family-friendly “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn,” the latest installment in the long-running animated franchise. “The Legend of the Condor Heroes” brings martial arts nostalgia to the forefront, while “Creation of the Gods II” offers an effects-heavy spectacle that has drawn comparisons to Hollywood blockbusters. And “Boonie Bears,” which is celebrating its 11th annual installment, is guaranteed a steady turnout of families seeking light-hearted entertainment. “The Spring Festival is not just a revenue generator — it sets the tone for the entire year,” Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, said in a report released on the sidelines of the 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival. “During this holiday, moviegoing remains a key entertainment choice for families, creating robust demand,” Yin noted. “If 70% of the lineup meets audience satisfaction, we could see two or three major hits — or even more.” Yin emphasized the importance of the season as a bellwether for the broader industry: “We hope the 2025 Spring Festival will lay a strong foundation for the year ahead, signaling vitality and inspiring anticipation among moviegoers.” (Xinhua) | 