2020 has been a strange year for people across the globe. The Coronavirus pandemic and international lockdowns have had a substantial impact on life as we know it. However, the effects of the pandemic have not been felt in the same way in every place at the same time. China already claims to be going through its recovery stage and this of course has an impact on its entertainment industry.

The Coronavirus pandemic shut cinemas around the world but with Chinese cinemas now largely open, the Chinese people are seeing films in public once again. This is not the case in lots of parts of Europe as well as the United States where cinemas have been closed for most of the year. China was already on track to overtake the United States as the most lucrative place to release films within in the foreseeable future but now, China may overtake America in 2020.

This is not to say that this has been a good year for Chinese cinemas. In the early part of the year, their cinemas were shut. Some of the biggest films such as “Vanguard” with Jackie Chan had their release dates pushed back significantly. Also, with productions and global releases of many foreign films delayed, the Chinese will have largely been stuck with their own films.

The long-term implications of the Chinese market overtaking America’s may be significant for the film industry. In recent years, Hollywood has increasingly focused on ensuring that their films do well in China. Some have been critical of this approach, fearing potential censorship as foreign filmmakers seek approval from Chinese authorities. Others may welcome the increasingly international nature of film productions. Many Hollywood films are no longer created with America being the only major intended market. Whether you like it or not, it now appears inevitable that China will become the dominant cinema market.