Movie that went viral for terrible animation becomes China box office hit

Niu Lai, a low-budget animated film about a cow in a dream sequence, has become an unexpected box office hit in China. Despite its poor animation and confusing plot, the movie has seen a surge in ticket sales after going viral on social media. It grossed more than 11.4 million yuan in its first two weeks, outperforming Hollywood blockbusters like The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

One social media post warned that watching the film for 80 minutes could be regrettable, but not watching it would lead to regret for life. Other users praised the movie's handcrafted appearance, implying that the creators avoided AI in its production. They described Niu Lai as the "largest dark horse" of the summer movie season and a potential antidote to AI-generated content on social media.

The movie's success has led to increased demand for screenings, prompting cinemas to add more showtimes. However, some critics have warned that the film's success could lower the standards for cinema-goers. A commentary by state-owned Beijing News argued that cinemas should act as gatekeepers and reject poorly made films instead of allowing them to proliferate.