The Arab Times reported Tuesday that the film «Niu Lai» pulled in just 7,700 yuan in its first 10 days after its Aug. 5 release, with some days seeing takings as low as the equivalent of $30. Maoyan tracking data cited across multiple outlets then showed a sharp reversal with one recent day alone generating more than 6 million yuan and the cumulative total surpassing 14.9 million yuan. The surge has placed the title alongside major Hollywood releases in domestic revenue rankings, the Guardian reported.
Online platforms such as Douban carried scathing reviews that the Arab Times said described the work as «unbelievably terrible and eye-opening» and «a symbol of the new internet troll culture.» Commenters played on the title’s double meaning with stock market terminology by calling it «a must-watch for Chinese stock market investors,» while others sarcastically labeled it «awesome and highly recommended.» The Associated Press dispatch carried by the Arab Times noted that characters rendered in rudimentary 3D animation drew particular criticism for appearing «ugly» and «eerie.»
Production of the 86-minute feature took five years and involved only director Xin Yumeng and his mother Sun Lifan, according to the Arab Times account drawn from the AP. Posters for the release leaned into its unconventional style with messages such as «Come on over if you’re into the bizarre» and «No refunds.» A Shanghai student identified as Du Mingxi recounted tricking friends into attending screenings as part of the emerging prank trend.
Some viewers embraced the film’s unpolished quality, with one identified as Zhong Jiaming telling local media it stood out as «a rare find in this era of polished productions» that felt «like a simple bedtime story.» The Arab Times noted the pattern mirrors «so bad it’s good» phenomena observed in other markets. Social media amplification of the mockery drove screenings from fewer than five per day initially to more than 1,700 nationwide at the peak.
Mordor Intelligence data shows the China animation, VFX and post-production market stood at $21.72 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand at an 11.06 percent compound annual growth rate through 2030. The Guardian assessment found that «Niu Lai» has cracked the upper ranks of 2026 domestic animated releases despite its micro-budget origins. Industry figures from Maoyan place potential earnings as high as 18.4 million yuan within 30 days of release, the South China Morning Post reported.
The film’s trajectory has prompted wider discussion of independent filmmaking and internet-driven audience behavior, according to coverage in the BBC and Straits Times. Early ticket sales totaled fewer than 300 admissions before the viral shift, Maoyan data indicate. Red Star News reports cited in secondary coverage confirmed the single-day high exceeded 700,000 yuan on Aug. 15 alone.
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