Resident Evil Dethrones Traces of Justice to Claim Top Spot at China Box Office

Variety Entertainment•Published: Oct 12, 2026 09:29 AM IST

Constantin Film and Sony Pictures' horror reboot "Resident Evil" has captured the number one spot at the mainland China box office, generating RMB81.2 million ($12.1 million) during the October 9-11 weekend. The film successfully overtook local hit "Traces of Justice" as the post-holiday theatrical market experienced a cooling period.

Weekend Earnings: The horror reboot pulled in RMB81.2 million ($12.1 million) across the three-day frame according to Artisan Gateway data.
Release Timeline: The film rolled out on Monday, October 5, capitalizing on the tail end of the lucrative Golden Week holiday stretch.
Market Shift: The victory marks a significant transition for the mainland box office as heavy holiday viewing numbers began to taper off.

The Context & Background

The Chinese box office experienced a shift in momentum following the conclusion of the Golden Week holiday period, allowing international studio releases to claim dominance. Foreign horror and action franchises have historically maintained variable box office traction within the mainland Chinese theatrical ecosystem.

Why it matters:This weekend box office victory highlights the enduring appeal of major Hollywood horror franchises in international markets like China. It demonstrates that well-known Western intellectual properties can still capture significant revenues even during post-holiday market cooling periods.

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