China’s first AI-generated film hits cinemas amid weak sales

China has launched its first AI-generated feature film, "Sanxingdui: Future Past," in theaters on Friday, facing an uncertain box-office outlook due to sluggish ticket sales. The sci-fi thriller, which cost more than 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) to produce, had more than 10,000 scheduled screenings on Friday, according to ticketing platform Maoyan.

However, public response has been underwhelming. As of Friday morning, presale revenue amounted to 80,000 yuan ($11,980), and total box-office earnings were projected to stay below 150,000 yuan, a fraction of the production cost, according to Maoyan. Ticket prices ranged from 20 to 90 yuan, resulting in sales of a few thousand tickets at most.

Production company CEO Jiang Defu acknowledged the subdued reception but emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the endeavor, stating that the film pushed boundaries by being the first to secure a theatrical release permit and be tested by audiences. The film explores humanity's future shaped by AI, featuring entirely AI-generated characters, voices, and backdrops created by nearly 100 individuals over two years.

Despite its innovative approach, the film failed to impress Iris Yang, who attended a free preview screening on Thursday and stated she wouldn't have paid for a ticket, comparing AI-generated video to the quality seen in "Avatar." While AI video content has gained traction in China, with Douyin's AI-generated short dramas garnering over 200 billion views in September, experts warn that audience acceptance of AI movies in theaters remains uncertain.