Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Soccer secured a $73.6 million opening weekend in China, capturing nearly 75% of the market’s total ticket sales, according to Artisan Gateway. The film serves as a spinoff to his 2001 hit Shaolin Soccer and marks the director’s first feature project since 2019, as the industry tracks whether this nostalgia-driven release can stabilize China’s 2026 box office, which currently trails last year’s figures by 38.6%.
The Box Office Impact of Chow’s Return
The performance of Kung Fu Soccer has been immediate and lopsided. Data from Artisan Gateway confirms the film earned RMB 500.3 million ($73.6 million) over its opening weekend, outperforming its nearest competitor by a factor of nine. Ticketing platform Maoyan reports that the film earned $38.3 million on its Saturday debut alone, currently holding a 9.4 out of 10 user rating.
While industry analysts often revise early projections, Maoyan currently forecasts a total domestic haul of $368 million (RMB 2.5 billion). This release is critical for the domestic market, which has struggled to match the record-setting pace of 2025, when Ne Zha 2 generated $2.26 billion. As of Sunday, the total 2026 box office in China stands at $2.74 billion.
Did you know?
Stephen Chow, 64, has not appeared on screen as an actor since his 2008 film CJ7. Kung Fu Soccer marks his return to the director’s chair following 2019’s The New King of Comedy.
Global Expansion and Distribution Strategy
While the film is currently a China-exclusive phenomenon, international distribution is underway. Singapore-based Encore Films secured worldwide rights outside of mainland China last month, according to industry reports. Encore, which previously managed the international rollout for Ne Zha 2, is currently negotiating territory-by-territory deals. As of now, there is no confirmed release date for the U.S. market.
Competitive Landscape: How Other Titles Are Faring
The arrival of Kung Fu Soccer has pushed other major titles down the charts. Universal’s Minions & Monsters dropped to second place in its sophomore weekend, grossing $8.1 million—a 50% decline from its debut.
Meanwhile, Light Chaser Animation’s Three Kingdoms: The Beginning saw a modest start, earning $4.7 million in its opening weekend for a total cume of $6.4 million. A24’s Backrooms remains a notable outlier in the top five; the horror film, directed by Kane Parsons, has grossed $21.8 million in China to date, contributing to a global total exceeding $330 million against a $10 million budget.
Keep an eye on regional box office reports from platforms like Maoyan and Artisan Gateway to identify shifts in consumer sentiment for non-franchise comedies versus established global IP.
FAQ
Is Stephen Chow starring in Kung Fu Soccer?
No. While Chow wrote and directed the film, he does not appear on screen. The cast is led by Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang.
What is the premise of the new film?
The film reboots the Shaolin Soccer setup by focusing on an all-female underdog team called Emei. The squad incorporates martial arts into their soccer matches during a tournament known as the Supreme Invincible Cup.
Will there be a U.S. release for Kung Fu Soccer?
A U.S. release date has not been set. Distribution rights outside of China were acquired by Encore Films, which is currently planning a territory-by-territory rollout.
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