May 29, 2024

Top Chinese Film Producers that have made their mark globally

Here is a list of the leading Chinese producers that not only top box offices and dominate the local film market, they also expand globally, gaining international acclaim as they co-produce and finance projects. By Ching Wai.

China - Although there are tough crackdowns on China’s media and entertainment industry, it would be ignorant to say that the country’s film landscape is barren. In fact, it is far from it. Some of the top Chinese producers have worked on high profile international projects, on top of producing local films that have shaped the entertainment industry in China. Here are some of the leading Chinese producers that have made their mark in the film industry.

1. China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)

The CFGC is the largest, most influential film enterprise in the country, and is a state monopoly that all imported films have to work with. Involved in various aspects of film production, distribution, and exhibition, the CFGC is known for producing both domestic and international films. The most recent films YOLO (2024) and Pegasus 2 (2024) are worldwide box office hits, grossing over 469 million USD each.

2. Huayi Brothers Media Corporation

China’s largest private film company, co-headed by brothers James Wang and Wang Zhongjun, is known for producing a diverse range of films as well as its partnerships with international studios. Such partnerships include an 18-picture co-financing agreement with STX Entertainment in 2015, and Vary Peri (2012), a co-production with Korean company CJ E&M. In 2018, the media group invested $250 million in development funds for the Russo brothers’ production company Agbo Films.

Films that Huayi Brothers invested in being pulled out of theatre release lineups due to censorship amount to the company’s consistent net loss despite growing revenues. The film adaptation of Thunder Agents with Batman producer Michael Uslan and an untitled horror film co-produced with Dark Castle Entertainment seem to be in the works.

3. Bona Film Group

On top of its investments in high-end technology to create the best experience for audiences, Bona Film Group is known for its successful co-productions with Hollywood studios. Chairman of the group, Yu Dong, said, “I believe that China will eventually finance as much as 50% of all Hollywood film production.”

An $80 million investment into Roland Emmerich’s World War II drama Midway and a $150 million fund with the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) are just some of the finances Bona Film Group has done. The latter fund supports U.S.-China co-productions and Chinese language films presented by CAA.

4. Tencent Holdings

Tencent Holdings’ revenue reached 609 billion CNY last year. Investments of the production company include Snap, STX Entertainment, Tang Media Partners / Golden Road, WME-IMG China and Skydance. The company’s flagship film division Tencent Pictures has co-financed Skydance’s Terminator reboot, as well as financed and produced an adaptation of hit online game Zombie Brother with Channing Tatum's Free Association.

The above listed Chinese production companies do not only have the biggest presence in the local film market and box office successes, they have also been co-producing with international production companies and expanding their portfolios. As a result, while not every project is a big hit, the companies grow in international experience and acclaim, successfully making a name for themselves in the harshly critical world of film.

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