“Niu Lai” box office revenue has climbed to 17.1 million yuan in China after online memes transformed the low-budget animated film from a weak opening into a viral cinema hit.
The Associated Press reported that the film earned only about 7,700 to 10,000 yuan during its first 10 days, before social-media attention sharply increased audience interest.
“Niu Lai” opened on August 5, 2026 and was created over about five years by Xin Yumeng and his mother, Sun Lifang, who formed the core of the film’s creative team.
Clips began circulating widely on Chinese social platforms around mid-August, with users mocking the film’s rough animation and unconventional storytelling. The online reaction instead generated curiosity and helped drive wider theatrical screenings.
AP, citing Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan, reported that “Niu Lai” collected about 8.2 million yuan in a single Monday and drew nearly 300,000 admissions that day.
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Users on Douban and other platforms also highlighted the production’s handmade quality, contrasting its visual style with the growing volume of AI-generated content online.
The film remained in cinemas when its box office reached 17.1 million yuan, meaning the reported total was not yet final
