Blockbuster year for China's film industry

The dramatic success of Wolf Warrior 2 has helped reverse the fortunes of China's film industry, which has racked up a few box-office records in the process. Xu Fan reports.

Just like a suspense movie full of twists and turns, China's movie industry experienced a roller-coaster ride, soaring to end 2017 with a series of records, signifying a return to what industry insiders hope is a sound track of robust growth.

Newly released statistics from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, the country's top industry regulator, show last year's box-office takings hit a record high of 55.9 billion yuan ($8.59 billion), an increase of 13.45 percent year-on-year.

Last year, China produced 798 dramas, 32 animated films and 44 documentaries.

As 2016 ended with a lackluster rise in box-office takings of just 3.73 percent, its lowest growth rate in 13 years, a shadow was cast over industry investors and filmmakers alike.

Despite a minor recovery in the domestic industry thanks to a string of Spring Festival hits earlier last year, the slowdown continued for another six months. That is, until the release of Wolf Warrior 2 last summer.