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| China Box Office Ranking 2026: Shen Teng Leads Wu Jing and Ma Li. (Photo: Sohu) |
Chinese cinema has a new headline moment. Shen Teng has officially secured his position as the highest-grossing male actor in China, thanks to the roaring success of Pegasus 3, which is currently dominating theatres nationwide.
The latest box office tally confirms that the total accumulated earnings from films starring Shen Teng have now reached an astonishing 38.392 billion yuan (approximately 93 trillion rupiah). That figure places him firmly at the top of China’s all-time domestic box office ranking for male actors — a milestone that further cements his influence in the industry.
The boost largely comes from Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3), the latest instalment in the popular racing-comedy franchise.
The film continues the story of a rally driver facing fresh challenges after the final Bayinbuluke Rally, blending humour, ambition, and comeback energy in true Shen Teng fashion. Audiences have responded loudly, with packed screenings across major cities.
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Right behind him is action heavyweight Wu Jing, whose total box office earnings stand at 35.034 billion yuan.
Known for delivering large-scale action blockbusters that resonate both domestically and internationally, Wu Jing remains a powerhouse name in China’s commercial film landscape.
On the actress side, Ma Li leads the chart with 23.515 billion yuan in accumulated box office revenue, making her the highest-grossing female star in the country at present. Her consistent box office pull highlights how female-led commercial projects are also commanding serious attention in the market.
Beyond individual achievements, the broader industry is celebrating another milestone. On 17 February, national cinema screenings reached nearly 570,000 sessions in a single day, shattering previous historical records.
This figure significantly surpassed the opening day of the 2025 Spring Festival period, which recorded 505,200 screenings.
Industry insiders attribute this surge partly to shorter film runtimes this year, allowing cinemas to schedule more flexible and frequent showings.
Notably, Pegasus 3 and Jingzhe Wusheng (惊蛰无声) together accounted for over 56 percent of total screenings and captured more than 67 percent of the day’s box office revenue — an impressive concentration of audience demand.
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The 2026 Spring Festival release window, running from 15 February to the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, features a varied slate of genres.
Apart from Pegasus 3, audiences are also flocking to:
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Jingzhe Wusheng (惊蛰无声) – A suspense-driven story centred on a national security team investigating an intelligence leak, unfolding into a tense and quiet confrontation.
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Boonie Bears: Year After Year (熊出没·年年有熊) – The beloved animated trio tackles unexpected chaos triggered by mysterious visitors.
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The Blade of the Desert: Storm Rising (镖人：风起大漠) – A desert escort warrior faces ambush and destiny while protecting a mysterious figure on a journey back to Chang’an.
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Panda Project: Tribal Adventure (熊猫计划之部落奇遇记) – A playful fantasy adventure pairing a panda named Hu Hu with an international star in a magical tribal setting.
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Star River Into Dreams (星河入梦) – A near-future sci-fi tale exploring a virtual dream system where administrators and captains enter surreal dream worlds on mission-like quests.
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| IMDb |
Supporters of Shen Teng are celebrating the milestone as “long overdue,” praising his consistency in delivering crowd-pleasing hits and calling him “the true king of commercial comedy.”
Many point out that his films have become a staple during festive seasons, turning family cinema outings into tradition.
Meanwhile, some netizens argue that box office rankings don’t necessarily reflect artistic depth, sparking discussions about quality versus commercial success.
Others are highlighting Wu Jing’s global appeal and suggesting the race between top actors remains tight.
For Ma Li, fans are applauding her as proof that female stars can headline high-performing films, with many hoping to see more big-budget projects centred around actresses in the coming years.
One thing is clear: China’s box office competition is fiercer than ever, and the Spring Festival 2026 window has rewritten multiple records in just a few days.
With numbers still climbing, industry watchers are now asking — will Shen Teng’s lead extend even further, or could another blockbuster shift the rankings before the year ends? Let us know your thoughts: are box office totals the ultimate measure of stardom, or is there more to the story?