Entertainment
Low-budget Chinese drama Dear You hits 300 million box office
A two-million-dollar feature earned roughly 300 million dollars in mainland China, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The short version
- Director Lan Hongchun's film Dear You grossed approximately $300 million on the Chinese mainland against an estimated $2 million budget.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Lan attributed the success of the niche feature in part to online recommendation algorithms connecting with audiences.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The hit comes amid broader theatrical headwinds, with China's year-to-date box office down 31.8 percent by last month.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Key facts
- The drama Dear You was produced for about $2 million and earned roughly $300 million across its run on the Chinese mainland.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Director Lan Hongchun credited online recommendation algorithms with helping small-scale, niche films reach viewers.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- China's total box office reached $3.57 billion by last month, marking a 31.8 percent drop from the same period last year.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Chinese summer box office revenue increased slightly from $1.78 billion in 2025 to $1.84 billion, according to state-run media.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- How a Small Chinese Drama Became a $300 Million PhenomenonThe Hollywood Reporter metered