Photo: VCG

China's summer box office has surged past 1.9 billion yuan ($265 million), driven by strong performances from a big variety of genres, including Japanese animation and Hollywood imports, data showed on Monday.

Chinese ticketing platform Mao­yan reported the cumulative revenue, including pre-sales, reached the achievement on Monday, with Paramount's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning leading the chart, followed by domestic crime drama She's Got No Name and Universal's How To Train Your Dragon.

The period also saw the theatrical run conclude in the Chinese mainland for the domestic animated juggernaut Ne Zha 2, which amassed  15.445 billion yuan as well as 324 million tickets sold. The film currently ranks as the fifth highest-grossing film globally with a total box office of over 15.9 billion yuan, noted Maoyan.

As the summer season continues to intensify, animation has emerged as a core driver. 

Japanese franchise film Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback made a stellar debut, raking in 168 million yuan in just four days since its Friday release. The film, which premiered in Japan in April and screened at the Beijing International Film Festival, currently holds a 7.6/10 rating on review platform Douban, one of the highest for a Conan film in nearly two decades. Organized fan screenings nationwide significantly boosted its opening-day figures.

"Detective Conan, a cornerstone of Japanese anime, commands a massive global fanbase, particularly in China," Lai Li, a film data analyst, told the Global Times on Monday. 

He added that with years of continuous creative accumulation, this IP has taken root in people's hearts. Its annual animated films not only continue the exciting suspense but also innovate and upgrade the visuals, continuously bringing fresh experiences to audiences.

Another Japanese classic related to the well-known Crayon Shin-chan IP also debuted in Chinese theaters on Saturday, offering a nostalgic experience to Chinese moviegoers.

"The summer season launched strong, combining the Dragon Boat Festival and Children's Day holidays," noted Chen Jin, a data analyst from Chinese ticketing platform Beacon. 

"The lineup of major releases and animation offerings is robust. We anticipate further film announcements to solidify the market's steady growth," he added.

The two experts said summer has become a critical battleground for animation. 

Recent years saw hits like 2024's White Snake: Afloat, Despicable Me 4, and Inside Out 2; 2023's Chang An; and 2022's New Gods: Yang Jian, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and The Bad Guys. The market is now watching closely for potential new breakouts in the "post-Ne Zha" era.

Domestic animation is well-represented beyond arthouse titles like Art College 1994, which tells a story of a group of friends studying at an unnamed art school in early 1990s China. 

Light Chaser Animation, known for Chang An and the White Snake series, will release Curious Tales of a Temple, based on Chinese mythology, on July 12.

The sequel The Legend of Hei 2 follows on July 18, featuring the beloved black cat spirit facing new threats with the film's signature art style and action sequences.

Hollywood studios are also strategically aligning releases with the lucrative summer window. 

F1: The Movie is targeting young audiences with high-octane racing sequences. The film starring Brad Pitt has grossed 70.42 million yuan after releasing in the Chinese mainland on Friday. 

Jurassic World: Rebirth is hitting Chinese screens simultaneously with its North American debut. Scarlett Johansson, the star of Jurassic World: Rebirth, attended the premiere in Shanghai, attracting widespread attention and discussion on Chinese social media and creating a strong atmosphere surrounding the release of the film.

In addition, Warner Bros.' Superman is also set to fly into Chinese cinemas on July 11.