How more filmmakers can bite the lychee of success

For many people, summer is incomplete until they have bitten into a sweet and juicy lychee. Last Friday, the fruit leapt from dining tables to the silver screen through The Lychee Road, a historical drama adapted from a bestselling novel. As of Sunday, the 122-minute film had grossed 200 million yuan ($27.88 million) at the box office, with its total earnings estimated to exceed 660 million yuan. Its success is a reminder that in an age of streaming and short videos, audiences still appreciate thoughtful cinema.

While some worry about the long-term future of the movie industry, China's film market tells a more complex story. According to data released by the National Film Administration, the country's total box office revenue exceeded 29.23 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, a 22.91 percent year-on-year increase. These numbers reflect strong underlying demand. People still want to go to the movies. The real question is: what are we giving them to watch?

Beyond a few hits this year, such as the best-known Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea (Ne Zha 2), and now The Lychee Road, many recent domestic releases have underperformed. Audiences have become increasingly selective. With a world of cinema to choose from, they do not go to theaters to watch just about any film. They look for stories that intrigue them, move them or reflect something meaningful about their lives.