According to figures released by Artisan Gateway, the film generated RMB121.2 million ($17.8 million) during its debut weekend, comfortably outpacing competitors and reaffirming the enduring popularity of the beloved Toy Story franchise among Chinese audiences.
While the animated sequel dominated the weekend, one of the biggest stories at the box office remains the extraordinary staying power of local hit Dear You, which continued to attract moviegoers in its eighth week in cinemas.
The family drama added another $11.3 million over the weekend, securing second place and pushing its cumulative earnings to an impressive $272.5 million since its April 30 release. Produced by Jinant Film & TV, the film has emerged as one of the year's most unexpected success stories, outperforming many larger-budget productions through strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest.
Directed by Lan Hongchun and featuring performances from Li Sitong and Wang Yantong, Dear You tells the story of Grandma Ye Shurou, a woman from China's Chaoshan region whose peaceful later years take an unexpected turn when her grandson travels to Thailand in search of his rumored billionaire grandfather.
What begins as a family investigation gradually transforms into an emotional journey through the past. The search uncovers a decades-old romance and reveals a stunning truth: the person with whom Grandma Ye had exchanged letters for more than 50 years through the traditional qiaopi correspondence system was not who she believed.
In third place, Damai Entertainment's psychological drama I Know Who You Are delivered a solid debut, earning $9 million during its opening weekend.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Feng Xiaogang and adapted from Zhang Ce's 1992 novella No Regrets Tracking, the film stars Lei Jiayin and Hu Ge in a tense psychological thriller centered on suspicion, loyalty and espionage.
The story follows Xiao Dali, a determined grassroots police chief who becomes convinced that Feng Jingbo, a seemingly ordinary schoolteacher living in a quiet neighborhood, is actually a deeply embedded sleeper spy. Their relationship evolves into a complex cat-and-mouse battle spanning four decades, exploring themes of obsession, duty and uncertainty.
Action thriller The Furious secured fourth place with a weekend haul of $6 million, bringing its total earnings to $25.3 million.
Directed by renowned action filmmaker Kenji Tanigaki and produced by Bill Kong, the film stars Xie Miao as a father driven to extremes after his daughter is abducted by a child trafficking syndicate operating in Southeast Asia.
As he embarks on a relentless mission to rescue her, he crosses paths with a determined journalist, played by Joe Taslim, who is conducting his own desperate search for his missing wife. The combination of intense action sequences and emotionally charged storytelling has helped the film gain traction with audiences.
Completing the top five was Momo Pictures' science-fiction romance The Boy Who Counted Cars, which opened with $5.8 million during its first weekend in cinemas.
Written and directed by Ling Yim, the film stars Roy Wang as A-Zhi, a young man consumed by the belief that the world around him is an elaborate simulation. His relentless pursuit of evidence to prove reality is artificial begins to unravel when he encounters Xiao Yi, portrayed by Wen Qi, whose spontaneous and unpredictable personality challenges his worldview.
As their relationship deepens, A-Zhi finds himself torn between uncovering what he believes to be the ultimate truth and embracing a meaningful human connection that may be more valuable than any answer he seeks.
Despite several new releases entering the market, China's theatrical industry continues to face challenges in 2026. Total box-office revenue for the weekend reached $58.5 million, reflecting cautious consumer spending and a slower recovery compared with previous years.
Year-to-date ticket sales now stand at approximately $2.48 billion, representing a significant 40.8 per cent decline from the same period in 2025. The figures underscore the continued pressure on China's cinema sector, even as standout performers such as Dear You and major international releases like Toy Story 5 demonstrate that audiences remain willing to turn out for compelling stories and established franchises.