China Box Office: Crime Procedural ‘Traces of Justice’ Leads National Day Frame

New Classics Pictures’ crime procedural drama “Traces of Justice” took the top spot at the mainland China box office during the Oct. 2–4 weekend, grossing RMB208.9 million ($31.2 million) over the three-day frame, according to data from Artisan Gateway.

Following its Oct. 1 release to launch the Golden Week holiday corridor, the feature, also known as “Sherlock of China,” has amassed $41.8 million. Directed by Chen Sicheng (“Detective Chinatown”) and co-written with Ji Zhang, the production stars Zhang Yi alongside Li Ma, Li Xuejian, Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu. Spanning multiple decades, the period procedural follows a legendary detective who, alongside his dedicated team, cracks complex criminal cases while chronicling the evolving apparatus of China’s public security forces.

Beijing Joy Fun Pictures’ comedy “Mr. & Mrs. Pardon” debuted in second place, pulling in $17.3 million over the weekend frame to lift its cumulative total to $24.5 million since rolling out on Oct. 1. Directed by Shen Chunyang and written by Ma Duo, the satirical family feature stars real-life comedic couple Shen Chunyang and Xiao Shenyang alongside Jia Bing and Yu Yang. The storyline centers on a long-married middle-aged couple grappling with domestic monotony and an escalating marital crisis, whose routine existence descends into slapstick chaos following an unexpected body-swap event.

Dirty Monkeys’ war comedy-drama “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” took third position in its eighth weekend, adding $4.4 million to lift its cumulative haul to a massive $349.9 million since its Aug. 11 rollout. Directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Aarif Rahman, and Omar Sherif, the enduring summer hit tracks a Chinese chef whose overseas restaurant in a fictional Middle Eastern city becomes a vital civilian refuge following the outbreak of armed conflict.

Pearl Studio’s animated fantasy comedy “All Wishes Come True!” placed fourth in its 12th weekend, collecting $4.3 million. Directed by Mu Zhengyang, the release crossed the RMB2 billion milestone with a cume of $302.2 million since its July 18 premiere.

Rounding out the top five, CMC Pictures’ crime action thriller sequel “Go for Broke 2” debuted with $4.2 million across its two-day opening frame. Including preview screenings since launching on Oct. 3, the title has accumulated $4.2 million. Written and directed by Marc Ma (“Go for Broke”), the gritty revenge actioner stars Isabella Leong, Wen Junhui (of K-pop boy band Seventeen), and martial arts icon Sammo Hung in a story following a bereaved mother who aligns with another grieving parent to track down a ruthless criminal syndicate responsible for victimizing children.

Mainland China’s overall weekend box office reached $74.1 million as theatrical activity accelerated for the National Day holiday. Year-to-date box office revenue stands at $4.52 billion, down 29.7% compared to the same period in 2025.