Traces of Justice Leads China's Golden Week Box Office
“Traces of Justice” earned $31.2 million (RMB208.9 million) in mainland China over the Oct. 2–4 weekend to top the box office, according to figures reported by Variety. The crime drama opened just as the holiday crowds arrived. It held the lead through all three days.
The film was directed by Chen Sicheng and co-written with Ji Zhang. It was released on Oct. 1 to open the Golden Week holiday corridor, the weeklong National Day period when time off work and school usually lifts cinema visits. By the close of the Oct. 2–4 weekend, its cumulative total, meaning all ticket sales to that point in mainland China, stood at $41.8 million.
The run started fast. It earned $10.5 million in mainland China on Oct. 1, the first day of the weeklong National Day holiday, as reported by Screen Daily. That opening-day result put it first on the daily chart before the weekend began.
“Mr. & Mrs. Pardon” placed second. It earned $17.3 million in mainland China over the Oct. 2–4 weekend. Its cumulative total since its Oct. 1 rollout reached $24.5 million by the end of that weekend.
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” came third in its eighth weekend. It added $4.4 million in mainland China to lift its cumulative haul to $349.9 million since its Aug. 11 rollout. “All Wishes Come True!” followed close behind in fourth. It earned $4.3 million in its 12th weekend in mainland China for a cumulative $302.2 million since its July 18 premiere.
“Go for Broke 2” debuted in fifth. It earned $4.2 million in mainland China across its two-day opening frame starting Oct. 3. That short frame covered Saturday and Sunday only.
The combined mainland China box office for Oct. 2–4 reached $74.1 million. Year-to-date revenue in mainland China stood at $4.52 billion after that weekend. That total was down 29.7% compared with the same period in 2025.
What makes this stand out is the balance on the chart. Two holiday newcomers lead. Three older titles, including two with more than $300 million each in mainland China, still draw enough viewers to stay in the top five.
