Bộ Tứ Báo Thù (The 4 Rascals) grossed a stunning VNĐ332 billion (over US$12.6 million) at the domestic box office. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s film industry has reached new heights in the first half of 2025, with total box office revenue of VNĐ3 trillion (about US$114 million), up nearly VNĐ270 billion from the same period last year.

Local films dominated, accounting for 67 per cent of total revenue and marking a new milestone for the country’s growing film industry.

This growth reflects more than just numbers; it signals a shift in audience tastes and the rising quality of locally produced films, underscoring cinema’s growing role in the country’s cultural industrialisation strategy.

During the first six months of the year, around 130 films were released nationwide. Notably, though only 19 were Vietnamese productions – spanning genres from horror, drama, romance and family stories to animation and action – these titles brought in an impressive VNĐ1.8 trillion.

This growth highlights the growing support from domestic audiences and the rising competitiveness of local productions.

Historical drama Địa Đạo: Mặt Trời Trong Bóng Tối (Tunnel: Sun in the Dark) received a warm reception from audiences during the nation’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of reunification. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

The record-breaking revenue was driven by a strong lineup of homegrown hits, proving that Vietnamese audiences’ appetite for cinema is stronger than ever. While in previous years only a few films crossed the 'hundred-billion club' threshold, the first half of 2025 saw at least eight blockbusters grossing over VNĐ100 billion, with several even surpassing VNĐ200 billion.

Among the top-grossing local films were Bộ Tứ Báo Thù (The 4 Rascals) at VNĐ332.1 billion; Nhà Gia Tiên (The Ancestral Home) with VNĐ242.5 billion; Thám Tử Kiên: Kỳ Án Không Đầu (Detective Kiên: The Headless Case) grossing VNĐ248.9 billion; Lật Mặt 8: Vòng Tay Nắng (Face Off 8: In the Arms of Sunshine) at VNĐ231.9 billion.

The success of these films demonstrates that the Vietnamese film market no longer depends on one or two star directors or actors, as in previous years. Viewers are now more willing to pay for a variety of genres, from comedies and thrillers to horror, psychological dramas and historical films.

This diversification signals a positive transformation in domestic filmmaking, as studios increasingly invest in both production value and storytelling, breaking away from the old trend of focusing mainly on Lunar New Year releases.

Alongside local hits, the first half of 2025 also saw strong contributions from foreign films, offering audiences a wide range of choices and helping to balance the market.

The animated Japanese hit Doraemon 2025: Nobita’s Art World Tales was among the top-earning foreign films in Việt Nam in the first half of 2025. — Photo fahasa.com

Leading the foreign box office was Doraemon 2025: Nobita’s Art World Tales, which grossed VNĐ169.1 billion, proving the enduring charm of the beloved Japanese franchise.

Other successful international titles included How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Realm at VNĐ67.5 billion; Mission: Impossible 8 – The Final Reckoning with VNĐ46.9 billion; Captain America: New World at VNĐ41 billion; The Killer’s Last Laugh grossing VNĐ34.5 billion; Holy Night: Demon Hunters at VNĐ30.7 billion; Minecraft: The Movie with VNĐ23.9 billion; and The Magnificent Five, which grossed VNĐ21.2 billion.

These films from Hollywood and South Korea continued to attract diverse audiences and maintain a balance in the overall market.

In 2024, Việt Nam’s box office had already reached a historic high of VNĐ4.7 trillion (nearly $180 million), with all top 10 films surpassing the VNĐ100 billion mark for the first time, according to Box Office Việt Nam. That momentum has carried over into 2025.

With such stellar results in the first half, along with global blockbusters such as Avatar 3 expected to dominate in December — Việt Nam’s box office revenue for the full year is widely expected to reach another all-time high. — VNS