"Kungfu Soccer" Surpasses 700 Million Yuan in Just Four Days as Stephen Chow Is Moved to Tears by Fans' Support
Just days after its theatrical release, "Kungfu Soccer" has become one of the hottest films in the Chinese cinema market. According to data from Maoyan, the movie had already earned more than 700 million yuan (approximately US$97 million) by the evening of July 14, achieving the milestone only four days after its premiere.
This impressive performance has propelled the film—written and directed by Stephen Chow—into the Top 6 highest-grossing films in mainland China in 2026, while also generating widespread discussion across social media platforms.
Mixed Reviews, Strong Box Office Performance
Despite its remarkable commercial success, the film has received a divided response from both critics and audiences.
On Douban, it currently holds a rating of 6.6/10, reflecting mixed opinions among viewers.
Some audiences believe that the signature absurd comedy that made Stephen Chow famous does not hit as hard as it did in his classic films. Others have criticized the visual effects, saying certain CGI-heavy scenes appear artificial, while some performances are considered overly exaggerated.
On the other hand, many moviegoers praise the film for maintaining Stephen Chow's trademark optimistic spirit. The story of ordinary underdogs refusing to give up on their dreams continues to resonate with audiences and delivers an inspiring message.
Many fans also admitted that they bought tickets simply because it was a Stephen Chow film, regardless of whether reviews were positive or negative.
Expected to Reach 3 Billion Yuan
Based on Maoyan's latest forecast, "Kungfu Soccer" is expected to surpass 3 billion yuan at the Chinese box office if its current momentum continues.
Industry analysts also believe the film still has a chance to challenge "Pegasus 3", which currently leads China's 2026 annual box office with more than 4.43 billion yuan in ticket sales.
A Spiritual Successor to "Shaolin Soccer"
Widely regarded as the spiritual successor to Stephen Chow's legendary "Shaolin Soccer," the new film tells the story of a women's football team that combines the beautiful game with traditional Shaolin martial arts.
The cast features several well-known Chinese stars, including Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang (Zhang Yixing).
The movie blends comedy, football, martial arts, and fantasy elements to create an entertaining experience aimed at family audiences.
Stephen Chow's Rare Emotional Moment
To promote the film, Stephen Chow has participated in numerous promotional events across major Chinese cities—something that has become increasingly rare over the past several years.
During a fan event in Tianjin, thousands of audience members repeatedly chanted his name and expressed their appreciation. The veteran filmmaker was visibly emotional, pausing for several moments with tears welling up in his eyes.
Speaking to the audience, Chow admitted that he often feels he has not done enough and worries about disappointing those who have continued to support him throughout his career.
Videos capturing the emotional moment quickly spread across Chinese social media, touching many longtime fans who rarely see the legendary filmmaker express his emotions publicly.
Interesting Stories from Behind the Scenes
At another promotional event, Stephen Chow shared several humorous stories from the production.
He joked that he was far from being an intimidating director and often found himself receiving advice from his own cast members.
According to Chow, Zhang Xiaofei frequently reminded him to stay calm and avoid becoming overly impatient while directing.
He also praised Lay Zhang, saying the actor always arrived fully prepared and often performed multiple versions of the same scene, giving the production team a variety of options during editing.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Chow said working with Lay Zhang taught him an important lesson—that giving actors more creative freedom can sometimes produce even better results than insisting on a director's original vision.
Stephen Chow's Enduring Star Power
Although opinions on the film remain divided, "Kungfu Soccer" once again demonstrates the enduring appeal of Stephen Chow in Chinese cinema.
With more than 700 million yuan earned in just four days and projections pointing toward a 3-billion-yuan finish, the film is widely expected to become one of the biggest box-office hits in China in 2026.
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