Hollywood films in China 2026: Spider-Man and The Odyssey test renewed access

Hollywood films in China 2026 are getting a more visible push from U.S. studios and stars, with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” among the latest releases seeking ticket buyers in the country. For investors following studios, exhibitors and IMAX, the shift points to increased access for selected releases, while the results still vary sharply by title.

CNBC reported that Beijing has admitted several large U.S. releases during a trade truce, and that several prominent American actors have attended China premieres this year. Tom Holland and Zendaya also visited Shanghai, according to CNBC, as “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” rolled out in the market.

Maoyan, a Chinese ticketing platform, ranked “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” among China’s 10 highest-grossing movies of 2026, CNBC reported. The publication also said “The Odyssey” had taken in more than $7 million through two weekends of limited China screenings before its scheduled Aug. 14 official release.

Why are Hollywood films returning to China?

China tightly controls access to its theatrical market, so permission to release a film can determine whether a Hollywood studio can sell tickets there at all. CNBC described the current moment as a qualified increase in Hollywood access, rather than a broad-based return of every U.S. release.

IMAX illustrates the change in available titles. The company screened 14 Hollywood movies in mainland China in the first half of 2026, versus two in the same period a year earlier, CNBC reported, citing filing data. Separately, IMAX reported $138 million in Greater China box office for 2026 through July 31, out of $802 million globally. Its figures include $14 million in China booking fees and remain subject to final adjustments.

Premium tickets are part of the immediate story around “The Odyssey.” China has no 70mm IMAX screens for the film, CNBC said, but its reporter observed strong ticket demand for premium presentations at a Beijing theater. That is a narrow snapshot, not evidence that premium formats will lift every Hollywood title.

Results remain uneven

China’s broader cinema market remains a constraint. CNBC reported that industry figures showed Chinese box office fell 40% in the first half of the year. It also said “Marty Supreme,” “Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Toy Story 5” delivered weaker China results despite efforts to promote them there.

IMAX Chief Executive Richard Gelfond said on a late-July earnings call that China box office had improved markedly in recent weeks. He said the company expected future releases, including “Dune: Part Three” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” to support further improvement. Those remarks were an executive’s outlook, not a confirmed forecast.

Chinese studios are also looking abroad

The flow of films is increasingly two-way. CNBC reported that two of China’s three top-grossing domestic films this year have expanded into other Asian markets and beyond, aided by Alibaba’s Damai Entertainment. Their overseas ticket sales have been modest so far, CNBC said.

Chinese animation has already shown what a local hit can achieve at scale. CNBC reported that “Ne Zha 2” became the world’s highest-grossing animated film last year, with most of its revenue coming from its home market. For now, both Hollywood’s China campaign and Chinese studios’ international ambitions remain dependent on which individual films connect with audiences.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.