From screen to society: latest iQIYI-presented films champion realism in cinematic storytelling
Rhea-AI Summary
iQIYI, China's leading online entertainment platform, has announced the premiere of two reality-driven films, 'Mumu' and 'We Girls', for the Qingming Festival holiday. Mumu, starring Yixing ZHANG, features nearly 30 hearing-impaired actors and has already generated RMB 10.8 million in pre-sales. We Girls, directed by Xiaogang FENG and starring Liying ZHAO, focuses on women's solidarity and survival stories.
The releases align with a growing trend in Chinese cinema toward realism, with real-life themed films contributing 32% of the total Chinese box office in 2023. iQIYI's recent successes include 'Upstream', 'Break Through the Darkness', 'Hachiko', and 'Wolf Hiding' - each grossing over RMB 100 million.
The company supports industry development through initiatives like Golden Screenwriters' Night and the Online Film Young Creators Project, providing funding, mentorship, and distribution assistance to emerging filmmakers.
Positive
- Strong pre-sales performance: Mumu generated RMB 10.8M in pre-screening revenues
- High audience reception with 9.7 rating on Taopiaopiao platform
- Multiple films (Break Through the Darkness, Hachiko, Wolf Hiding) each grossed over RMB 100M
- Strategic alignment with growing market trend towards realism (32% of box office)
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – IQ
On the day this news was published, IQ declined 4.57%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
The premieres reflect a broader shift in Chinese cinema toward realism. According to an industry report, in 2023, more than half of the top 20 films drew from real-life themes, contributing
"Mumu" and "We Girls" bring realism to the big screen
Starring pop star and actor Yixing ZHANG, "Mumu" tells the story of a deaf father determined to build a better life for his daughter who unfortunately falls into a trap and becomes ensnared in a life of crime. The touching and heartfelt narrative is brought to life by authentic performances, including those of nearly 30 hearing-impaired actors. Directed by Mo SHA, the film is adapted from the tear-jerking short film of the same name, which earned him the best young director award on "Action!," an iQIYI original variety show designed to empower emerging filmmakers. Early screenings have earned a 9.7 score on
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Xiaogang FENG and starring Liying ZHAO, "We Girls" follows a mother who risks everything to purchase an expensive cochlear implant for her daughter and is subsequently sentenced to prison. There, she meets a group of other women who help each other reintegrate into society and start anew. With an all-female cast and themes of solidarity and survival, the film is already generating buzz, topping real-time watchlists on ticketing platforms like Maoyan and trending across Weibo, Baidu, and WeChat.
iQIYI's diverse film offerings and strategic industry initiatives
These premieres build on iQIYI's strong portfolio of realism-themed content, highlighted by the theatrical release of "Upstream," a blockbuster portraying the struggles of a laid-off middle-aged programmer who turns to food delivery work. iQIYI has also expanded its premium film offerings through strategic partnerships with filmmakers, delivering commercial hits like "Break Through the Darkness," "Hachiko," and "Wolf Hiding" – all of which grossed over
Over the years, iQIYI has made sustained contributions to the film industry through content creation, talent cultivation, and innovative business models. iQIYI's Founder and CEO Yu GONG has previously shared the aspirations guiding the company's continued support for filmmakers, including increasing copyright investments to generate sustainable returns, expanding filmmaker collaborations to diversify content, and carefully balancing artistic expression with commercial viability.
This vision is exemplified by initiatives like Golden Screenwriters' Night, a pioneering event in
CONTACT: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com
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SOURCE iQIYI
FAQ
How much pre-screening revenue has iQIYI's 'Mumu' generated as of March 30, 2025?
What percentage of Chinese box office came from reality-based films in 2023 for IQ?
Which recent iQIYI (IQ) films have grossed over RMB 100 million?
What initiatives does iQIYI (IQ) have to support emerging filmmakers?
What is the rating of iQIYI's 'Mumu' on Taopiaopiao platform?
