From flop to viral hit: How Chinese film Niu Lai beat Brand New Day, The Odyssey
In its first 10 days, the film failed to earn even 10,000 yuan ($1,480), with reports indicating it made as little as 200 yuan ($30) in a single day. That changed around August 14, when clips from the film began going viral across the internet…
That changed around August 14, when clips from the film began going viral across the internet. Viewers quickly highlighted the rudimentary computer graphics, stiff character movements, and unusual voice acting.
As clips spread across social networking platforms, online mockery turned into curiosity, driving a sharp surge in the film's box-office collections. Moviegoers who had not heard of the title earlier began filling theatres.
What Happened
Another X user wrote, "Chinese animated film called Niu Lai just set a new low for 3D graphics this year But after the internet caught wind of it, thousands rushed to cinemas to witness the masterpiece for themselves - and the movie.
In its first 10 days, the film failed to earn even 10,000 yuan ($1,480), with reports indicating it made as little as 200 yuan ($30) in a single day.
Some commented that it looked like a student project, while others dubbed it "worse than AI" and the potential "worst movie of 2026."
On August 15, the film’s daily box office collection jumped to 717,000 yuan, prompting cinema owners to increase its screenings.
Key Details
According to Manila Bulletin, the film is now closely competing in ticket sales with major Hollywood releases, including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Tom Holland’s superhero film. Its performance in theatres has been matched by strong reactions on social media.
By August 17, Niu Lai had collected 17.1 million yuan ($2.5 million) and ranked among the top 10 highest-grossing Chinese animations of 2026, according to an ABC News report.
On August 18, the film continued its run with a real-time collection of 2.3 million yuan (about $341,213).
The film was made on a budget of roughly 30,000 yuan (about $4,450).
Why It Matters
On Douban, the culture-focused website, audiences have posted more than 650 reviews. Viewers described the film as "unusually terrible but eye-opening" and “symbolic of the new trend of internet trolling”.
The production company, which has a registered capital of 100,000 yuan (about $14,835), reportedly had no experience in the film industry until 2021.
In its first 10 days, the film failed to earn even 10,000 yuan ($1,480), with reports indicating it made as little as 200 yuan ($30) in a single day.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Some commented that it looked like a student project, while others dubbed it "worse than AI" and the potential "worst movie of 2026."
On August 15, the film’s daily box office collection jumped to 717,000 yuan, prompting cinema owners to increase its screenings.
Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge
