Yo, heads up! Stephen Chow’s latest flick, ‘Kung Fu Soccer,’ is straight up crushing it at the China box office, pulling in a wild $214.3 million in just nine days. This movie, a spin-off of the beloved ‘Shaolin Soccer,’ added a dope $73.7 million over the July 17-19 weekend, proving that Chow’s comedic genius still hits different. According to Artisan Gateway, this ain’t just a win, it’s a statement, especially since the film’s second weekend business actually topped its two-day debut. Talk about a comeback for real, prompting ticketing giant Maoyan to bump its full-run forecast way up to $441 million.
This success is pretty wild when you consider how Stephen Chow, the well-known writer and director, rolled out the film. Dude lowkey dropped the release date on social media for his birthday in late June, and boom, it was in theaters less than three weeks later with almost no traditional marketing. It’s a testament to his singular blockbuster prowess, a move that only a legend could pull off. According to the report, Chow, 64, hasn’t been behind the camera for a feature since 2019’s ‘The New King of Comedy’ and hasn’t acted onscreen since 2008’s ‘CJ7,’ making this return a big deal for fans who’ve been waiting for his signature style.
The film itself reworks the classic premise of its predecessor, bringing a fresh twist to the kung fu-meets-soccer action. This time around, it’s an underdog, all-female squad whose players integrate martial arts into their game, aiming for an improbable run at a tournament dubbed the Supreme Invincible Cup. The cast is highkey stacked, with Zhang Xiaofei leading as the team’s captain, Dilraba Dilmurat as the star striker, and Lay Zhang as the kung fu coach. Plus, you got guest turns from heavy hitters like Hong Kong screen icon Carina Lau, Japanese star Takeru Satoh, and U.S. comedian Jimmy O. Yang, adding some serious international flavor to the mix.
‘Kung Fu Soccer’ definitely faced some stiff competition in its second frame, going up against ‘All Wishes Come True,’ an animated tentpole from Pearl Studio, which pulled in a solid $30.6 million over two days. Other contenders like Enlight Pictures’ ‘A Part of Me’ and Universal’s ‘Minions & Monsters’ also vied for moviegoers’ attention. The article notes that the China box office currently stands at $2.97 billion, a figure that’s down from last year but showing a significant narrowing of the deficit seen earlier this year. This indicates that Chow’s film isn’t just a hit; it’s providing a much-needed kick-start to the summer moviegoing season in the country, which is super important for the industry.
Looking ahead, a North American theatrical release for ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ is expected later this year, though no date has been set. Singapore’s Encore Films, known for handling the international rollout of other Chinese blockbusters, acquired worldwide rights outside the mainland, so hopefully, more territories will get to experience this dope film. The market is also bracing for Curry Barker’s horror phenomenon ‘Obsession,’ which has already grossed over $400 million worldwide. This upcoming release will test if a new wave of internet-bred filmmakers can shake things up for Hollywood studios in China, where the report suggests filmgoers are growing tired of traditional U.S. franchise fare. It’s an interesting time, for real, to see how the global film landscape continues to evolve.
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
