China's first AI film flops
The gist
Bona Film Group's Sanxingdui: Future Past took RMB1.21 million ($181,000) through its first Monday.
The weak opening tests whether AI alone can sell cinema tickets in China.
How it unfolded
- Apr 2026Sanxingdui: Future Past announced it had obtained its public release license from the National Film Administration.
- Sep 27, 2026Bona Film Group announced the release date; its share price hit the 10% daily limit the next day.
- Oct 9, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026Bona's share price rose 9.94% and 10.04% on the two trading days.