You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 3 days ago • loading... • Updated 8 hours ago
Chinese Feature ‘Niu Lai’ Became A Surprise Viral Box Office Hit
Since its August 5 release, the Chinese animated film Niu Lai has transformed from a box-office bomb earning only 10,000 yuan in its first 10 days into a viral sensation, reaching 17.1 million yuan in revenue by Monday.
Initially criticized for its stiff animation and poor voice acting, the film became a viral social media phenomenon as users shared clips and memes, turning mockery into unexpected theatrical demand.
Reportedly created by mother-and-son team Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang over five years, Niu Lai now rivals Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, with viewers flocking to theaters to see "just how bad it could be."
State-Owned Beijing News warned that cinemas risk "losing the trust" of viewers if they "continue to lower their standard" by adding screenings of Niu Lai instead of rejecting substandard films.
Whether fans are laughing at or with the project remains debated, though some audiences champion the film's handmade aesthetic as a genuine antidote to overly polished studio animation.