Stephen Chow's latest cinematic venture, Kung Fu Soccer, burst onto the Chinese box‑office stage with a $73.6 million haul in its opening two days, instantly marking one of the strongest starts of the year.
A Martial‑Arts Spin‑Off Revives Soccer Fandom
The film reimagines the beloved 2001 classic Shaolin Soccer as a spin‑off that follows an all‑female squad that blends martial‑arts choreography with the world’s favorite ball game, delivering a fresh visual twist while paying homage to its predecessor.
According to the Maoyan ticketing platform, the movie enjoys a 9.4‑point rating and the site projects a final domestic gross of roughly $369 million, a figure that could help stem a year‑over‑year dip in China’s cinema revenues.
Chow, who directs but does not appear on screen, has stepped back from acting since his 2008 sci‑fi comedy CJ7, focusing instead on shaping the project’s creative direction and ensuring the new cast receives the spotlight.
The ensemble features Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, Lay Zhang, Carina Lau, Takeru Satoh and Jimmy O. Yang, each bringing star power that amplifies the film’s cross‑regional appeal.
Encore Films holds the international distribution rights and is rolling out the title territory by territory, while Maoyan’s involvement also celebrates the 25th anniversary of Shaolin Soccer and taps into the excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
The strong debut arrives amid a broader slump in China’s box office, which was down around 40 percent in the first half of 2025, making Kung Fu Soccer a potential catalyst for recovery.
In the same weekend, Minions & Monsters secured second place with $8.1 million in its second week, while Light Chaser’s animated Three Kingdoms: The Beginning opened in third with $4.7 million over its first three days, and A24’s Backrooms entered at fourth with a $3.2 million opening.