China’s first fully AI-generated feature film flops after wide release

China’s first fully AI-generated feature film to receive a wide release, "Sanxingdui: Future Past", earned only $198,000 in its first week.

China’s first fully AI-generated feature film to receive a wide release, "Sanxingdui: Future Past", fell far short of expectations at the box office.

The Hollywood Reporter, citing AFP, reported that the science-fiction film, which was released last week, earned approximately $198,000. The film was shown in more than 10,000 screenings on its opening day, while advance ticket sales stood at around 12% of its 10 million yuan budget, approximately $1.5 million.

The 100-minute film draws inspiration from archaeological artifacts left by the Sanxingdui civilization in southwestern China. It depicts a crisis unfolding in a future where a superintelligent artificial intelligence has spread across the world and humanity has handed control to algorithms.

One of the bronze masks found during excavations at Sanxingdui (archive)

Jiang Defu, CEO of the production company Bona Film Group, said the film was nevertheless an important experiment. "We were the first to try it, the first to receive permission for a theatrical release and the first to face the test of audiences. I think that is by no means easy," he said. A viewer who watched the film commented: "In terms of quality, it is still behind films made by humans."

Earlier, India screened the 95-minute musical "Love You" in May 2025, while Malaysia released "Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao" in a limited number of theaters in January. In the United States, the first AI-generated feature film, "Gods Don't Give Gifts", is expected to receive a limited release on December 4.

In China, AI is used to produce 95% of short online series.