China’s relationship with big Hollywood sequels like Avatar 3 is showing signs of complexity rather than a straightforward turning away. While Hollywood blockbusters have traditionally enjoyed strong box office performance in China, recent trends suggest a more nuanced picture.
Avatar 3, officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, has faced delays in its release in Hong Kong, pushed to 2026 partly due to a local tragedy, which has allowed a local film, Another World, to dominate the Hong Kong box office in 2025 so far[1][4]. This indicates a growing appetite for regional productions that resonate more directly with local audiences.
In mainland China, the box office remains robust, with 2025 seeing an 18.3% increase in year-to-date gross compared to the previous year, reaching over $6 billion[2]. However, the biggest recent hits have been animated films like Zootopia 2, which have performed strongly and helped sustain theatrical momentum[3]. This suggests that while Hollywood sequels still have a place, competition from both domestic films and other international genres is intensifying.
The premiere of Avatar 3 at the Hainan International Film Festival in December 2025 shows that Hollywood blockbusters continue to be significant cultural events in China[3]. Director James Cameron’s presence at the event underscores the importance of the Chinese market to Hollywood studios. Yet, the delay in release and the rise of local films hint at a shifting landscape where Chinese audiences may be seeking more diverse or locally relevant content alongside global franchises.
In summary, China is not outright turning away from big Hollywood sequels like Avatar 3, but the market dynamics are evolving. Local films are gaining ground, release schedules for Hollywood blockbusters are becoming more cautious, and audience preferences appear to be broadening beyond the traditional Hollywood blockbuster model.
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
