Disney’s new movie Thunderbolts, part of the Marvel franchise, will debut in Chinese cinemas on Wednesday, marking the first American film to be released in China since the recent trade conflict between the U.S. and China began. The film, which features a team of antiheroes fighting a supervillain, was approved for release in China before the two countries imposed tariffs on each other.
This timing means the movie is not affected by China’s recent decision to limit Hollywood imports in response to the ongoing trade tensions. Earlier this month, China imposed measures to reduce Hollywood films entering the country, and Thunderbolts will be one of the few American movies released under this backdrop.
In 2024, 42 American films were shown in China. However, Chinese audiences have increasingly shown less interest in Hollywood productions. So far in 2025, Snow White earned 9 million yuan ($1.24 million) and Captain America: Brave New World grossed 104 million yuan. In comparison, Ne Zha 2, a local Chinese film, has already earned more than 7 billion yuan in China this year.
Beijing resident Pan Lei, a regular moviegoer, shared, “It’s hard to remember the last American film I watched… I think it was Dune, four years ago.” Pan, who is 49, said that while Hollywood films like the Marvel franchise once dominated the Chinese market, their appeal has faded over the years. “I miss the days when we could watch great Hollywood films like Titanic, Speed, True Lies, and Iron Man,” he added, noting that the younger generation no longer shares the same enthusiasm for Hollywood films.
Over the past decade, the rise of China’s own film industry has shifted the focus away from Hollywood. Since 2015, Chinese films have consistently led the local box office, while foreign films have become less common at the top.
Analysts predict that even without geopolitical tensions, Hollywood is unlikely to regain its former dominance in China’s market. “China will continue to dominate its home market,” said Stanley Rosen, a political science professor at the University of Southern California. “The country has learned much from Hollywood and no longer needs its blockbusters.” He added that in 2024, only two Hollywood films earned over $100 million in China, and he doesn’t expect any films to reach that threshold this year.
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