动画电影大年如何诞生？

Core Insights - The Chinese film market is experiencing a significant rise in animated films, with several blockbusters emerging this year, marking it as a notable year for animation [1] - The overall film market remains sluggish, with a 22.7% year-on-year decline in total box office revenue last year, yet animated films have gained unexpected popularity [1] - The success of animated films reflects a shift in the industry towards seeking "certainty" in content production and audience engagement [1] Group 1: Box Office Performance - Three major animated films, including "Nezha 2" and "Zootopia 2," have achieved explosive box office success, with "Zootopia 2" earning 228 million yuan on its opening day, the highest for an imported animated film in China [1] - "Zootopia 2" surpassed its predecessor's total box office within just three days of release, becoming the highest-grossing imported animated film in China [1] - The trend of sequels is prominent, with six out of the top ten films this year being IP sequels, five of which are domestic productions [2][3] Group 2: Industry Trends - The rise of animated sequels indicates a growing audience base for this genre, with four out of six sequels this year being animated films, the highest in recent years [4] - The industry is increasingly favoring series films as they offer a higher probability of success based on established IP, reducing the risks associated with new content [4][6] - The audience demographic is shifting, with younger viewers (20-29 years) showing a preference for IP-based films, while older demographics are increasing in the overall audience composition [12][14] Group 3: Economic Factors - The cost of film promotion is rising, making it less viable to launch new films without established IP, as seen in the significant drop in gross profit for film distribution companies [6][7] - The profitability of animated films is higher compared to live-action films, as they attract dedicated fan bases and have better retention rates [8][19] - The decline in live-action series films is evident, with many failing to meet audience expectations, leading to a shift towards animated content as a safer investment choice [16][19]