China is showing signs of shifting its enthusiasm away from big Hollywood sequels like Avatar 3, favoring more local and regional films instead. While Avatar 3, officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, has been highly anticipated, its release in Hong Kong was delayed to 2026 following a recent tragedy, and local films such as “Another World” have dominated the box office in the meantime[1][4]. This suggests a growing appetite for homegrown stories and productions over massive Hollywood blockbusters.
In mainland China, the box office remains strong overall, with a year-to-date gross surpassing $6 billion in 2025, boosted by a mix of domestic hits and some international titles[2]. However, the momentum seems to be driven more by local films and family-friendly animations like Zootopia 2, which recently reclaimed the number one spot in China’s daily box office charts[3]. The Chinese premiere of Avatar 3 at the Hainan International Film Festival was a notable event, but it did not translate into immediate box office dominance, indicating a more cautious or selective audience reception toward such large-scale Hollywood sequels[3].
Several factors contribute to this trend. China has been increasingly promoting its own film industry, encouraging productions that resonate culturally and politically with local audiences. Additionally, Hollywood blockbusters often face strict content regulations and quota limits in China, which can affect their release timing and marketing. The delay of Avatar 3 in Hong Kong also reflects sensitivities around local events impacting film schedules[1][4].
In summary, while Hollywood sequels like Avatar 3 still have a presence in China, the market is showing a clear preference for local films and animations that better connect with Chinese viewers. This shift is part of a broader trend where China is cultivating its domestic film industry and audience tastes, which may lead to less dominance by big Hollywood franchises in the future.
Sources
https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65614235/
https://www.aol.com/articles/china-box-office-row-win-065714241.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1350058.shtml
https://www.screendaily.com/news/another-world-rules-hong-kong-box-office-as-avatar-3-release-pushed-after-fire-tragedy/5211935.article
