Nanjing Massacre Film Leads China's Summer Box Office Surge

The Chinese film "Dead to Rights," which depicts the Nanjing Massacre during the Japanese occupation in 1937, has become a major box office success, grossing over 1.7 billion yuan (about $236.6 million) in just 13 days and leading China's summer box office. The film, based on authentic photographic evidence, tells the story of Chinese civilians who risk their lives to preserve evidence of Japanese military atrocities, resonating deeply with audiences and emphasizing themes of peace and remembrance. It has topped the global box office over a weekend and is set for international release in multiple countries including the US, Australia, and Canada. The movie's success is part of a broader wave of historical war films commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, with other titles exploring related historical events. This surge in domestic historical films coincides with a significant rise in China's box office revenues, reaching nearly $1 billion in a single day and signaling a return to pre-pandemic peak levels, while Hollywood films face constrained market access amid China's strategic emphasis on domestic productions and propaganda. Chinese diplomatic voices underscore the importance of peace and cooperation between China and the US, reflecting a broader narrative of mutual respect despite historical grievances highlighted in films like "Dead to Rights."