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13 clusters · 30 sources · 54 days · First seen · Last updated

Kung Fu Soccer dominates box office, expands globally

Overview

Stephen Chow’s comedy-action film *Kung Fu Women’s Soccer* (marketed internationally as *Kung Fu Soccer*) has continued its rapid ascent since its 11 July 2026 debut. A Singapore-based distributor, Encore Films, secured worldwide theatrical and ancillary rights for all markets except mainland China, where Maoyan Entertainment will handle distribution. The deal positions the movie for a broad international rollout timed with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 25th anniversary of Chow’s 2001 hit *Shaolin Soccer*.

Domestically, the film topped the summer box office, earning over 1.9 billion RMB in its first 16 days. By August, receipts surpassed 20 billion RMB, contributing to a total 2026 mainland Chinese box office exceeding 25 billion yuan. The film currently ranks among the top five highest-grossing movies of the year. Actress Zhang Xiaofei joined the 100-billion-RMB club, exceeding 120 billion RMB in cumulative earnings, while co-star Zhang Yixing became the first post-1990 male actor to reach the same milestone.

Unlike *Shaolin Soccer*, this installment focuses on the Emei women’s football team and their journey through the Women’s Champions League. Following its mainland success, the film premiered in over 60 Hong Kong cinemas on August 13, with many prime-time screenings in core districts selling out quickly. Due to scheduling, a full Cantonese version was not completed, though Chow recorded a special post-credits scene in Cantonese for the Hong Kong release. Director Wong Jing has described the film as Chow’s “best work in a decade.”

Entities

Stephen Chow · Carina Lau · Kung Fu Women's Football · Zhang Xiaofei · Dilraba Dilmurat

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Women's Football debuts in Hong Kong

    Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Women’s Football” debuted in Hong Kong with 1.4 million HKD in opening day revenue, amid local debate over the lack of a Cantonese dubbed version.

  2. 10 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Kung Fu Soccer drives major box office success for Stephen Chow

    Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ is a major box office hit, helping drive China’s 2026 film revenue past 25 billion yuan following its successful release in mainland China and Hong Kong.

  3. 13 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Stephen Chow's “Kung Fu Women's Football” features Carina Lau and Cecilia Choi

    Actors Carina Lau and Cecilia Choi discuss their roles in Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Women’s Football,” highlighting Chow’s directing style and the hope for a future collaboration between Chow and Tony Leung.

  4. 15 days ago

    [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Soccer holds Hong Kong premiere

    Stephen Chow's new film

  5. 22 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Kung Fu Women's Football reaches 20 billion RMB box office, sister Zhou Wenji joins Shaolin Soccer reunion

    Kung Fu Women's Football hits 20 billion RMB, Zhou Wenji attends Shaolin Soccer reunion, and Zhang Xiaofei joins the 100‑billion‑RMB box‑office club.

  6. 28 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Women's Soccer' tops 1.9 bn RMB box office, reshapes summer film slate

    Stephen Chow’s 'Kung Fu Women’s Soccer' hits 1.9 bn RMB in 16 days, topping summer box office and forcing six mainland films off screens amid scheduling chaos.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' Tops China Box Office Amid South Korean Backlash

    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' breaks Chinese box‑office records while drawing South Korean criticism for stereotypical portrayals of a Korean women’s football team.

  8. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' grosses over $200 million in China, sparks Korean backlash

    Stephen Chow’s 'Kung Fu Soccer' tops $200 million in China, may near his record, while Korean media decry its portrayal of a Korean women’s football team.

  9. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' sparks box‑office success and controversy over Korean portrayal and ticket fraud

    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' tops Chinese box office, faces backlash over a stereotyped Korean team depiction, and sparks ticket‑fraud allegations after the director posted hand‑written ticket images.

  10. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Women's Football' Scores 800M RMB Box Office as 'Mermaid 2' Nears Release

    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Women's Football' grosses 800 M RMB in five days amid mixed reviews, while his delayed sequel 'Mermaid 2' finally cleared censorship and eyes a 2028 release.

  11. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 12 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' shatters Chinese box‑office records

    Stephen Chow’s comeback film “Kung Fu Soccer” broke Chinese box‑office records with over ¥455 million in two days, set a summer‑season screening record, and drew mixed reviews but strong celebrity support.

  12. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' slated for July 11, 2026 release

    Stephen Chow's film 'Kung Fu Soccer', a female‑team sequel to Shaolin Soccer, opens in China on July 11 2026, starring Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, Lay Zhang and Japan’s Takeru Satoh.

  13. 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' Secures Global Distribution Outside China

    Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' has secured worldwide distribution outside mainland China with Encore Films; slated for a 2026 release starring Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang, timed with the FIFA

Sources

ca.sports.yahoo.com · chinesepress.com · d-cuba.com · diariolaregion.cl · dongeradeel.nl · ecranlarge.com · epochtimes.com · filmstories.co.uk · gamek.vn · h1.com.hk · hd.stheadline.com · hollywoodreporter.com · ithome.com · m.afamily.vn · m.secretchina.com · me.ign.com · mediaindonesia.com · mybb.com.hk · netflixjunkie.com · news.hkheadline.com.hk · offshore-festival.fr · pendidikan.harianjogja.com · peteluckett.com · showbiz.liputan6.com · singtao.com · star.ettoday.net · stheadline.com · stv.seoul.co.kr · technplay.com · weareresonate.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history