China’s box office revenue has exceeded 11 billion yuan (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars) so far this year, maintaining its position as the world's largest single film market.

The total, including pre-sales, surpassed the mark on Thursday, according to data from Maoyan, one of the country's major online movie ticket platforms.

When the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, was in session earlier in March, the strong performance of China's film industry became a widely discussed topic among NPC deputies and national political advisers.

Many said China's leading position in the global box office marks not only a breakthrough but also a new starting point.

Driven by the "Film Economy Promotion Year" initiative, relevant authorities have been promoting cross-sector programs linking films with tourism, gastronomy and intangible cultural heritage, with the emerging "film-plus" consumption model turning box office momentum into broader growth for the real economy.

With support from the China Film Administration, local governments have rolled out a variety of movie ticket subsidy programs since the start of the year, helping reduce average ticket prices by about 6 percent and encouraging more people to go to theaters. Screenings during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday reached a record 4.35 million sessions nationwide.

A single movie ticket can spur spending in sectors ranging from dining and shopping to transportation and cultural merchandise, providing a boost to the offline economy.

Estimates show the total value generated by the film industry has exceeded 150 billion yuan (about 22 billion U.S. dollars) in 2026.

Beyond theaters, the trend of traveling with films is fueling a new wave of consumption. Regions across China are combining local cultural and tourism resources with film-related promotions, creating "film-plus-tourism" experiences that turn cinematic popularity into consumer demand.

Since the start of the year, Chinese films have not only driven the domestic box office but have also continued gaining popularity overseas.

During the Spring Festival holiday, films including "Scare Out" and "Blades of the Guardians" were released simultaneously on the first day of the Chinese New Year in more than a dozen countries and regions, including North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

At the same time, overseas promotions for initiatives such as "China Travel with Chinese Films" are attracting more international audiences to visit China so as to experience the country's culture, natural scenery and modern development.