
Stephen Chow’s *Kung Fu Soccer* Stumbles in a Misguided Sequel
The 2026 follow‑up to *Shaolin Soccer* and *Kung Fu Hustle* fails to capture the charm of its predecessors, leaving critics and audiences underwhelmed.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Stephen Chow across Soccer, Football.

The 2026 follow‑up to *Shaolin Soccer* and *Kung Fu Hustle* fails to capture the charm of its predecessors, leaving critics and audiences underwhelmed.

From the Pacific islands to the soccer fields of China, recent releases have delivered unexpected numbers and milestones.

During the July 24‑26 weekend, mainland China’s cinemas collected $102.3 million, with Pearl Studio’s fantasy feature earning $46.3 million in its second week and a slate of new releases making strong entries.

Stephen Chow returns to the big screen with 'Kung Fu Soccer', a spiritual successor to his 2001 cult classic 'Shaolin Soccer'. The film mixes deadpan comedy with jaw‑dropping visual effects, delivering a fresh action‑comedy experience that feels both familiar and daring

A box‑office hit that has ignited debate over cultural representation in Asian cinema

Stephen Chow's martial‑arts comedy 'Kung Fu Soccer' has earned more than 600 million yuan in China, but its portrayal of the South Korean women's national soccer team has ignited a debate about stereotypes and cultural representation.

In just nine days, the film topped $214 million, outshining new releases and narrowing the gap with the previous year's performance.

In just nine days the film topped $200 million, with a $73.7 million second‑weekend surge that propelled its total to $214.3 million and a projected $441 million run.

The latest weekend in mainland China’s cinema market delivered a surprisingly robust $132.9 million in total grosses, underscoring a resilient appetite for new releases despite a year‑to‑date revenue that sits 35.3 percent below the comparable period last year.

Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster tops global charts as holiday seasons boost Chinese cinema and major franchises like Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters dominate worldwide box office.

Celebrating 25 years since its release, Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer blends martial arts and soccer in a way that still captivates audiences, while its sequel Kung Fu Soccer enjoys success in China and sparks talk of a Western launch.

Kung Fu Soccer bursts onto the Chinese box‑office with a $73.6 million opening, a martial‑arts twist on soccer, and a projected $369 million total, while star‑studded cast and distribution partners aim to reverse a slump in cinema attendance.

Stephen Chow's latest film grossed $73.6 million in its opening weekend in China and is projected to reach $369 million, potentially easing a 40 percent decline in the market.

In just two days, Shenzhen Film Studio's "Kung Fu Soccer" grossed RMB500.3 million, while other titles including Universal's "Minions & Monsters" and Light Chaser Animation's "Three Kingdoms: The Beginning" held steady, shaping a $101.2 million weekend.

Within two days of its release, Shenzhen Film Studio's 'Kung Fu Soccer' earned RMB500.3 million, outpacing rivals and highlighting a shift toward genre‑blending Chinese productions.

In its first two days, Kung Fu Soccer grossed $73.6 million across China, reshaping the nation's box‑office landscape and sparking plans for a worldwide release.

The film’s explosive opening, star‑studded cast and anniversary tie‑in mark a new milestone for Asian cinema.

Stephen Chow's latest directorial effort blends martial arts with women's soccer, grossing over 455 million yuan in two days and sparking both admiration and critique.

After a 20‑year hiatus, Stephen Chow returns to the pitch with a new comedy that blends martial arts and football, spotlighting an all‑female team and aiming for a summer launch across China and Singapore

A look at the films that use soccer as a storytelling device, highlighting cultural tensions, gender issues, and the global passion that unites fans.

Encore Films has acquired worldwide theatrical rights to Stephen Chow’s new film ‘Kung Fu Soccer,’ a cross‑cultural project that follows the Emei Women’s Football Team in a fictional tournament and will be released in several languages.

Encore Films has secured global distribution rights for Stephen Chow’s upcoming Kung Fu Soccer, a spin‑off of his 2001 classic Shaolin Soccer. The film, directed by Chow and starring an all‑women martial‑arts soccer team, is set for a 2026 release outside mainland China, where Maoyan Entertainment will handle the domestic rollout.

Encore Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights for Kung Fu Soccer outside mainland China, partnering with Maoyan Entertainment for the domestic launch and tapping into global football enthusiasm.

Encore Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights for Kung Fu Soccer outside mainland China, positioning the film for a 2026 launch that aligns with the FIFA World Cup buzz and the original classic’s silver anniversary.