Breaking the 100 million mark in less than four and a half hours! As of 10:23 AM today (August 2), the 2025 summer movie box office has set a new record for the fastest single-day break of 100 million!
These three anti-Japanese war movies are must-sees in the summer
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. A number of film, television, drama, music, dance and art works with the theme of remembering the history of the War of Resistance and continuing the spirit of the War of Resistance are being released one after another.
Among them, three masterpieces , "Nanjing Photo Studio," "Dongji Island," and "Mountains and Rivers as Witness," will hit the big screen this summer. These works are based on real historical events and show the Chinese people's war of resistance from different perspectives, highlighting the great spirit of the war.
"Nanjing Photo Studio" continues to lead the box office charts, with cumulative box office revenue exceeding 1.1 billion yuan since its release on July 25.
"Nanjing Photo Studio" is based on real evidence of Japanese military crimes during the Nanjing Massacre. The story revolves around these "Japanese military incriminating photos." Based on historical photographs, the film reveals the source of these photos and shows the difficulties and obstacles faced in bringing these evidence to light.
Faced with the Japanese army, the unarmed civilians did not retreat. They used film as "weapons" to carry out a determined struggle.
Dongji Island
Dongji Island, located in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, is home to Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to rescue British prisoners of war during World War II. The film "Dongji Island" is based on this true historical event: the sinking of the Lisbon Maru.
A huge ship capsizes violently, fishermen go out to sea in hundreds of boats, prisoners of war struggle to survive in the raging sea... A series of highly impactful visual effects scenes will be presented on the big screen, leading the audience to immerse themselves in the visual shock and the weight of history.
The film "Dongji Island," co-directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang and starring Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, and Ni Ni, will be released nationwide on August 8th. These brave, upright, and kind-hearted Chinese fishermen have contributed positively to world peace and exemplified the righteous integrity of the Chinese nation. This summer, the silver screen will illuminate this unforgotten history.
Mountains and Rivers as Witness
"Mountains and Rivers as Witness" is the first documentary film to present a panoramic view of the arduous journey of the Chinese people's 14-year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. It is not only a profound look back at history, but also a magnificent picture of the spirit of resistance against Japanese aggression cast with light and shadow. It is a solemn writing of the Chinese nation's spirit of resistance and indomitable will.
In its creation, "Mountains and Rivers as Witness" upholds a serious historical perspective and a strong sense of artistic responsibility, focusing on both the clarity of historical logic and the inheritance of national spirit. Based on a vast amount of precious video footage, the creative team combined digital restoration and artistic reconstruction to awaken memories of the era from dusty archives and recreate the passionate history of the Chinese nation's all-out war of resistance.
The film will be released nationwide on August 15, allowing the audience to witness that turbulent and glorious period together.
