Entertainment
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East Leads China Box Office for Third Weekend
The war comedy-drama generated $25.6 million over the weekend, though year-to-date box office totals in China remain significantly lower than in 2025.
The short version
- The film "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" topped China's box office for the third consecutive weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $283.7 million.
- China's overall weekend box office gross reached $69.8 million across the top five films, including local dramas and Hollywood releases.
- Year-to-date box office revenue in mainland China for 2026 is down 28.1% compared to the same period in 2025.
Key facts
- "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" earned $25.6 million from August 28 to 30, maintaining its number one position.[Variety]
- Pearl River Film Group's crime drama "V" took second place, grossing $14.4 million for a cumulative total of $59.6 million.[Variety]
- Universal's "The Odyssey" and Pearl Studio's "All Wishes Come True!" placed third and fourth, bringing in $10 million and $7.9 million respectively.[Variety]
- Sony's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" took fifth place with $2.9 million, solidifying its status as the year's top-earning Hollywood import in China with a cumulative $225.7 million.[Variety]
- China's year-to-date box office revenue reached $4.13 billion, representing a 28.1% drop from the same period last year.[Variety]