Stephen Chow Is Back, and Kung Fu Soccer Just Had One of China’s Biggest Openings of the Year

Desk

2 hours ago

Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Soccer opened with $73.6 million in China, delivering one of the country's biggest debuts of 2026 and marking his return as director.

Stephen Chow has returned to the director’s chair after seven years, and China has welcomed him back in a big way. Kung Fu Soccer, his long-awaited spinoff of the 2001 classic Shaolin Soccer, opened across mainland China on July 12 and earned a massive $73.6 million over its first two days. The opening accounts for nearly three-quarters of all ticket sales in China that weekend, making it one of the country’s biggest openings of 2026 and reaffirming Chow’s enduring popularity with audiences.

Kung Fu Soccer launched on Saturday on IMAX and regular screens across mainland China, taking in $38.3 million on its opening day alone. By the end of Sunday, the two-day total had reached $73.6 million. Audiences on ticketing platform Maoyan gave the film a score of 9.4 out of 10, a strong signal that word of mouth is working in its favour. Based on current momentum, Maoyan is projecting a total China run of $368 million, though The Hollywood Reporter noted that such early forecasts are routinely revised as a film moves deeper into its theatrical run.

The film’s explosive debut is particularly significant because it marks Stephen Chow’s first feature as a director since The New King of Comedy in 2019 and his long-awaited return to the world of Shaolin Soccer. Widely regarded as one of Chinese cinema’s most influential filmmakers, Chow has built a career blending martial arts, slapstick comedy, and emotional storytelling. The early response to Kung Fu Soccer suggests audiences were eager to see him revisit one of his most beloved creations.

Kung Fu Soccer is a spinoff of Chow’s beloved Shaolin Soccer but reimagines the concept around an all-female team. The story follows the underdog Emei squad, whose players combine martial arts with their game during an improbable run through a tournament called the Supreme Invincible Cup. Zhang Xiaofei, best known internationally for Hi, Mom, leads the cast as the team captain. Dilraba Dilmurat plays the squad’s star striker, and Lay Zhang plays their kung fu coach. The film also features guest appearances from Hong Kong screen legend Carina Lau, Japanese actor Takeru Satoh, former Chinese women’s national team goalkeeper Zhao Lina, and American comedian Jimmy O. Yang.

Stephen Chow, now 64, wrote and directed the film, his first feature behind the camera since The New King of Comedy in 2019. He does not appear on screen. Chow stepped away from acting after his 2008 film CJ7 and has remained behind the camera ever since. The China release was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shaolin Soccer and to capitalize on the excitement surrounding this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

The original Shaolin Soccer, released in 2001, was a phenomenon. It smashed Hong Kong box office records upon release and became the city’s highest-grossing local film at the time. Over the years, it grew into a global cult favourite, beloved for its blend of physical comedy, heart, martial arts, and wildly inventive visual style. Its influence extended far beyond Hong Kong, helping establish Stephen Chow as one of Asia’s most recognizable filmmakers and introducing international audiences to his distinctive comedic style.

Outside mainland China, Singapore’s Encore Films acquired worldwide rights last month. The company previously handled the international release of Ne Zha 2, China’s all-time box office record holder, bringing considerable experience in distributing major Chinese films overseas. Territory-by-territory deals are currently being finalized, although no U.S. release date has been announced.

Kung Fu Soccer has given Stephen Chow a triumphant return behind the camera with one of China’s biggest openings of 2026. While its final box office trajectory will become clearer in the coming weeks.

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