Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state of the Chinese film industry, highlighting the challenges it faces in retaining audiences and the impact of changing viewer demographics on box office performance [4][6][10]. Group 1: Box Office Performance - The summer box office in China reached nearly 120 billion, surpassing the same period last year, indicating a recovery despite earlier struggles [6]. - The top five films of the summer included "Nanjing Photo Studio," "Wandering Monster," "Chasing the Wind," "Lychee of Chang'an," and "Jurassic World: Rebirth," with the first three receiving ratings above 8 on Douban [6]. - "Nezha 2" achieved a remarkable box office of 15 billion, leading to mixed opinions on whether it expanded the market's potential or exhausted it [5][6]. Group 2: Audience Demographics - The total number of viewers during the summer season decreased by nearly 200 million compared to 2023, with an average cinema occupancy rate of only 6.9% [7][10]. - The average age of moviegoers increased from 27.7 years in 2021 to 32.5 years in 2023, suggesting that the same audience is simply aging [7][10]. Group 3: Industry Challenges - The article emphasizes that the Chinese cinema industry is losing its audience, with the relationship between viewers and films changing significantly over the years [7][10]. - The rapid growth of cinema infrastructure in lower-tier cities and the introduction of low-cost tickets previously attracted new audiences, but this growth has plateaued [9][10]. - The pandemic and subsequent cinema closures have disrupted the viewing habits of the new generation, leading to a decline in cinema attendance [10][11]. Group 4: Changing Consumption Patterns - The rise of alternative entertainment options, such as short videos and online games, has made it more challenging for cinemas to attract viewers [10][11]. - The cost of attending cinemas has increased, with ticket prices now averaging between 40 to 50 yuan or more, alongside the time commitment required for a film [13][12]. Group 5: Emotional Engagement and Content Strategy - The article suggests that films need to connect with social emotions to become relevant and generate discussions on social media, transforming them into "social currency" [14][15]. - Successful films like "The Disappeared Her" and "Nanjing Photo Studio" have effectively captured contemporary societal anxieties, leading to significant box office success [14][20]. - The focus on creating films that resonate with specific audience segments rather than attempting to appeal to the broadest possible audience is emphasized as a more sustainable strategy [20][18].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that despite the summer box office performing better than the previous year, the Chinese film industry is facing a significant crisis as it struggles to retain its audience [5][9][20] - The summer box office reached nearly 12 billion, surpassing the same period last year, and was noted for having high-quality films [5][9] - The success of films like "Nezha 2" is viewed with mixed opinions, with some believing it expanded the market's potential while others argue it drained the market's capacity for the year [4][5] Group 2 - The average audience age has increased from 27.7 years in 2021 to 32.5 years in 2023, indicating that the same audience is simply aging [8] - The total number of viewers during the summer season decreased by nearly 200 million compared to 2023, highlighting a loss of audience engagement [8] - The article emphasizes that the film industry must find new value propositions to attract audiences, as traditional cinema experiences are losing appeal [27][30] Group 3 - The article discusses the shift in audience consumption patterns, with younger generations preferring interactive and engaging content over traditional cinema experiences [17][18] - The rise of alternative entertainment options, such as short videos and games, poses a significant challenge to the cinema industry [19][20] - The film industry is increasingly focusing on creating "social currency" through films that resonate with widespread emotions, rather than prioritizing artistic integrity [27][30] Group 4 - The article critiques the "maximum common divisor" approach in filmmaking, suggesting it leads to a lack of diversity and creativity in the industry [31][34] - Successful films in recent years have often simplified complex realities to create easily shareable content, which may not sustain long-term audience interest [30][35] - The industry is at risk of emotional desensitization among audiences due to the over-reliance on high-intensity emotional outputs [36][37] Group 5 - The article advocates for a focus on niche storytelling that deeply engages specific audiences rather than attempting to appeal to everyone [41][42] - Films like "Nanjing Photo Studio" and "Wang Wang Mountain Little Monster" are highlighted for their innovative narratives and focus on individual stories, contrasting with the trend of broad emotional appeal [41][42] - A healthy film ecosystem requires a variety of content that caters to diverse audience preferences, rather than relying solely on blockbuster hits [38][43]