In its second weekend, Jackie Chan The Shadow’s Edge, a thriller from iQiYi Pictures, surged to the number one spot at the Chinese box office, earning RMB182.9 million ($25.4 million), according to Artisan Gateway. Directed by Larry Yang, the film has accumulated a total of $77.5 million in revenue so far.
The story centers on Wong Tak-Chung, a retired surveillance expert from Macau played by Jackie Chan, who is drawn back into action to investigate a high-tech robbery orchestrated by a criminal mastermind known as the Wolf King. He teams up with rookie police officer He Qiuguo, portrayed by Zhang Zifeng, as they confront Fu Longsheng, a shrewd gang leader played by Tony Leung Ka-fai, and his criminal network. Despite only recently topping the Chinese chart, the film has also earned third place on the global box office rankings.
Competing Films Maintain Strong Positions at the Box Office
Following closely, Shanghai Animation Film’s Nobody slipped to second place after previously leading the box office. The movie added $19.2 million during the weekend, bringing its total to $175.3 million. Directed by Yu Shui, Nobody reinterprets the classic Chinese epic Journey to the West, focusing on minor demons undergoing their own spiritual journeys. This film is ranked fourth globally.
In third place, China Film’s Dead to Rights earned $11.3 million this weekend, with cumulative earnings now reaching $381.4 million. This political thriller, led by Liu Haoran as A Chang, is set during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. The film depicts A Chang assuming a false identity as a photo developer within a Japanese-controlled studio to secretly aid Chinese soldiers and civilians. The story draws heavily on real historical events and holds the sixth position worldwide.
Other Notable Releases and Overall Market Growth
New Line Cinema’s horror film Final Destination: Bloodlines debuted in the fourth spot, collecting $8.4 million in its opening weekend. Meanwhile, Universal’s animated feature The Bad Guys 2 secured fifth place, adding $4.6 million for a total gross of $16.5 million.
The weekend’s total box office revenue reached $78.3 million, boosting China’s year-to-date box office to $5.32 billion, which is a 17.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Significance of The Shadow’s Edge’s Success
The ascent of Jackie Chan The Shadow’s Edge to the top of the Chinese box office reflects growing domestic interest in action thrillers enriched with local cultural elements and star power. Jackie Chan’s longstanding appeal combined with a gripping narrative allows the film to compete well not only within China but also on the international stage. This continued success could inspire more large-scale productions centered on Chinese settings and themes, contributing to the expanding strength of China’s film market.
