China has released its first fully AI-generated feature film in cinemas, marking a significant step for artificial intelligence in filmmaking. However, the movie has faced a lukewarm reception, with advance ticket sales falling well below expectations.
Titled Sanxingdui: Future Past, the science-fiction thriller opened nationwide on Friday, October 23. Despite more than 10,000 screenings scheduled for its opening day, early box-office figures suggest limited audience interest.
Weak Ticket Sales Raise Concerns
According to ticketing platform Maoyan, advance sales stood at just 65,000 yuan, approximately $9,700, by Thursday evening. The film’s total box-office revenue was forecast to remain below 100,000 yuan.
That projection represents only a small fraction of the reported production cost, which exceeded 10 million yuan, or around $1.5 million.
The film took more than two years to produce, involving nearly 100 people. Its release is therefore an important commercial test for China’s growing AI filmmaking industry.
Viewers Question Film Quality
Some viewers remain unconvinced that AI-generated visuals can deliver the quality expected from a cinema experience. Iris Yang, who attended a free preview screening, said she would not have paid to watch the film because of its quality.
Meanwhile, independent AI director Zhang Jun noted that audiences would not automatically buy tickets simply because a movie uses artificial intelligence.
Although AI-generated short dramas have gained significant popularity in China, that success has not necessarily translated into demand for full-length cinema productions.
AI’s Growing Role in Entertainment
The film’s release comes as China rapidly expands its AI video industry. On Douyin, the country’s equivalent of TikTok, AI-generated short dramas attracted more than 200 billion views in September.
However, the technology has also raised concerns about job losses among actors and other film professionals.
Ultimately, Sanxingdui: Future Past will test whether audiences are willing to pay for AI-generated storytelling. Its performance could offer valuable insight into the future of artificial intelligence in mainstream cinema.
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