The crime procedural drama “Traces of Justice” from New Classics Pictures returned to the top of the mainland China box office during the weekend of Nov. 6–8. According to data from Artisan Gateway, the film earned RMB21.5 million ($3.2 million) over the three-day period. This performance brings the total haul for the multi-decade investigation epic to $103.7 million since it premiered on Oct. 1. The film, directed by Chen Sicheng and co-written by Zhang Ji and Yan Zijie, features a story about an elite public security detective solving historical cases based on real events.
The horror reboot “Resident Evil” from Constantin Film and Sony Pictures dropped to second place after holding the top spot for a month. The video game adaptation earned $3 million during its fifth weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $76 million since its Oct. 5 release during the Golden Week corridor.
Two new titles entered the top five during the weekend. Tencent Penguin Pictures’ road drama “Embers” debuted in third place, earning $2.1 million over its two-day opening frame starting Saturday, Nov. 7. Directed and written by Sun Aoqian, the film follows a crematorium worker played by Song Jia who must travel across the country with the deceased’s daughter, played by Vicky Chen, to return mixed-up funeral ashes.
Shanghai Captain’s rural black comedy-thriller “The Coffin Swap” opened in fourth place, grossing $1.7 million over its two-day debut. Directed by He Nian from a script by Chen Lu, the film is a re-adaptation of Xin Yukun’s 2014 mystery classic “Deep in the Heart.” The story centers on a secluded village facing intrigue after an unidentified charred body is found.
Rounding out the top five was the body-swap comedy “Mr. & Mrs. Pardon” from Beijing Joy Fun Pictures. The satirical feature earned $1.4 million in its sixth weekend, reaching a cumulative gross of $61.3 million.
The overall mainland China box office contracted to $16.4 million during the weekend as the industry faces an ongoing fall lull. The 2026 year-to-date box office reached $4.75 billion, trailing the same period in 2025 by 29%.
