GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hong Kong Film Industry Statistics

Hong Kong's film industry peaked in the early 1990s before declining and now shows signs of revival.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Hong Kong Film Awards: 42nd (2023) best film to War and Beauty.

Statistic 2

Best Actor awards: Tony Leung won 4 times (1990,1994,2000,2012).

Statistic 3

Golden Horse Awards: HK films won 150+ since 1962.

Statistic 4

Infernal Affairs won Best Film at HKFA 2003, 7 awards total.

Statistic 5

Bruce Lee: Enter the Dragon posthumous Lifetime Achievement 1993 HKFA.

Statistic 6

Wong Kar-wai: Best Director 5 times (1994,1997,2000,2004,2014).

Statistic 7

In the Mood for Love: Golden Lion Venice 2000.

Statistic 8

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: 4 Oscars 2001, HK co-production.

Statistic 9

Jackie Chan: Honorary Oscar 2016 for 60-year contribution.

Statistic 10

HKFA Best Film: 40 editions, 25 dramas won.

Statistic 11

Golden Bauhinia Awards: 15 events 2000-2015, 100+ HK winners.

Statistic 12

Andy Lau: Best Actor 3 times (1989,1990,2007).

Statistic 13

Ann Hui: Best Director 3 times (1982,2011,2012).

Statistic 14

Parasite co-producer HK link, but HKFA intl recognition.

Statistic 15

Chungking Express cult status, BAFTA nom 1996.

Statistic 16

Total HKFA statuettes awarded: over 1,200 since 1982.

Statistic 17

Stephen Chow Best Actor 1994 for From Beijing with Love.

Statistic 18

Hard Boiled (1992) won 4 HKFA technical awards.

Statistic 19

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin cult classic, Golden Horse nom.

Statistic 20

Maggie Cheung: Best Actress 5 times record.

Statistic 21

Election (2005) Golden Leopard Locarno 2005.

Statistic 22

Total Cannes entries from HK: 50+ since 1980s.

Statistic 23

Still Human (2014) Audience Award Tokyo 2014.

Statistic 24

Bruce Lee won Best Actor Golden Horse 1973 posthumous.

Statistic 25

Jackie Chan 5 HKFA Best Actor wins.

Statistic 26

Infernal Affairs trilogy grossed HK$108 million total in 2002-2003.

Statistic 27

A Better Tomorrow (1986) earned HK$34.7 million, highest of year.

Statistic 28

Kung Fu Hustle (2004) worldwide gross US$101 million, HK$62 million local.

Statistic 29

In Time with You (2010) topped 2011 charts at HK$15.2 million.

Statistic 30

1993 box office peak HK$1.8 billion total, 210 films contributing.

Statistic 31

Ip Man (2008) HK$25 million local, US$22 million global.

Statistic 32

2019 total HK box office HK$1.6 billion, local films 12% share.

Statistic 33

Police Story (1985) HK$20 million, Jackie Chan's biggest.

Statistic 34

1980s average annual box office HK$800 million, 70% local films.

Statistic 35

Cold War (2012) earned HK$20.5 million, highest 2012 local.

Statistic 36

Shaolin (2011) HK$57 million worldwide, HK$13 million local.

Statistic 37

2022 Vulgaria sequel grossed HK$10 million in first week.

Statistic 38

Hero (2002 Jet Li) HK$15 million local share.

Statistic 39

1995 Rumble in the Bronx US$76 million global.

Statistic 40

Annual box office 2000-2010 averaged HK$900 million.

Statistic 41

Table for Six (2022) HK$101 million, record local gross.

Statistic 42

1978 Drunken Master HK$10 million, boosted Golden Harvest.

Statistic 43

2018 total box office HK$1.7 billion, local 15%.

Statistic 44

Once Upon a Time in China (1991) HK$30 million.

Statistic 45

2023 box office HK$1.5 billion, up 10% from 2022.

Statistic 46

God of Gamblers (1989) HK$40 million, highest ever then.

Statistic 47

Chungking Express (1994) modest HK$8 million but cult global.

Statistic 48

1990 total box office HK$1.2 billion, 80% local dominance.

Statistic 49

Shock Wave (2017) HK$18 million local.

Statistic 50

Annual average revenue per film 1980s: HK$5 million.

Statistic 51

Ip Man 4 (2019) HK$20 million local, US$29 million intl.

Statistic 52

2005 box office slump to HK$600 million total.

Statistic 53

Detective Dee (2010) HK$12 million local.

Statistic 54

1986 studio system collapse, freelance rise 90% workforce.

Statistic 55

1959 Cathay Organisation founded, modern era start.

Statistic 56

1971 Bruce Lee Game of Death release, intl breakthrough.

Statistic 57

1982 Heroic Bloodshed genre born with A Better Tomorrow.

Statistic 58

1997 handover: production halved by 2000.

Statistic 59

2003 CEPA agreement boosted HK-Mainland co-pros.

Statistic 60

1930s Mandarin opera films, MP&GI studio dominance.

Statistic 61

1963 Shaw Bros 36th Chamber, kung fu golden age.

Statistic 62

1988 Wong Kar-wai As Tears Go By, auteur era.

Statistic 63

2012 Infernal Affairs Hollywood remake The Departed Oscar.

Statistic 64

1978 Drunken Master, comedic kung fu trend.

Statistic 65

1994 Chungking Express, indie intl acclaim.

Statistic 66

2004 Kung Fu Hustle, CGI integration milestone.

Statistic 67

1950s Cantonese cinema ban lifted 1952.

Statistic 68

1990 God of Gamblers, gambling genre peak.

Statistic 69

2010s revival with triad comedies.

Statistic 70

1920s silent era, Tianyi Film studio first.

Statistic 71

1980 Police Story, modern action template.

Statistic 72

2000s piracy crisis, output to 30 films/year.

Statistic 73

2020 COVID first full local blockbuster Table for Six delayed.

Statistic 74

1960s HK cinema attendance 200 million tickets/year.

Statistic 75

1992 peak: 180 million admissions, avg 30 per capita.

Statistic 76

2019 audience share local films 20%, Hollywood 60%.

Statistic 77

1980s cinema screens: 600+, 1990s 800 peak.

Statistic 78

2023 cinemas: 70 chains, 400 screens.

Statistic 79

Overseas market 1980s: Taiwan 30% HK film revenue.

Statistic 80

Japan imports: 100 HK films/year 1980s peak.

Statistic 81

SEA audience: 50 million HK film viewers 1990s.

Statistic 82

2000s piracy reduced market by 40%.

Statistic 83

2022 streaming share: 40% audience, cinemas 60%.

Statistic 84

Female audience 55% for romances, 45% action.

Statistic 85

Youth 18-24: 35% cinema goers 2010s.

Statistic 86

Co-productions with China: 50/year post-2010.

Statistic 87

Festival attendance HKIFF: 200,000/year avg.

Statistic 88

VCD sales 1990s: 10 million units HK films.

Statistic 89

1970s per capita tickets: 15/year.

Statistic 90

2020 pandemic drop: 70% attendance decline.

Statistic 91

Diaspora audience: 20 million overseas Chinese viewers.

Statistic 92

Ticket price avg 1980s: HK$20, 2023 HK$80.

Statistic 93

Local film market share 2023: 25%, up from 10% 2010.

Statistic 94

1990s video rental stores: 5,000 outlets.

Statistic 95

Online piracy sites blocked: 100+ in 2022.

Statistic 96

Netflix HK subs watching HK films: 1 million/month.

Statistic 97

Family audience 40% for comedies like Table for Six.

Statistic 98

Senior viewers 65+: 20% loyal to classics.

Statistic 99

Jackie Chan born 1954, starred in 150+ films.

Statistic 100

Bruce Lee 1940-1973, 4 major films, global icon.

Statistic 101

Wong Kar-wai directed 10 films, 5 Palme d'Or noms.

Statistic 102

Andy Lau acted in 170 films, singer-actor.

Statistic 103

Chow Yun-fat 120 films, Hollywood crossovers.

Statistic 104

John Woo directed 20 HK films, action pioneer.

Statistic 105

Maggie Cheung 80 films, Cannes Best Actress 2004.

Statistic 106

Tsui Hark produced 100+ films, founded Film Workshop.

Statistic 107

Sammo Hung directed 40, acted 150, martial arts choreo.

Statistic 108

Tony Leung Chiu-wai 140 films, 2x Cannes actor.

Statistic 109

Stephen Chow acted/directed 30, box office king.

Statistic 110

Ann Hui directed 25 films, female pioneer.

Statistic 111

Leslie Cheung acted 50 films, tragic icon 1956-2003.

Statistic 112

Jet Li 20 HK films before Hollywood.

Statistic 113

Yuen Woo-ping choreographed 50 HK classics.

Statistic 114

Anita Mui sang/starred 40 films, diva 1963-2003.

Statistic 115

Ringo Lam directed 15 crime thrillers.

Statistic 116

Takeshi Kaneshiro 15 HK films, Japanese-HK star.

Statistic 117

Fruit Chan directed 20 indie low-budget.

Statistic 118

Miriam Yeung acted 30 comedies post-2000.

Statistic 119

Lau Ching-wan 100+ films, versatile actor.

Statistic 120

Clara Lee debuted 2019, new gen actress.

Statistic 121

Directors Guild HK: 500+ members.

Statistic 122

Actors total in HK cinema: 10,000+ credited 1950-2020.

Statistic 123

Run Run Shaw founded Shaw Bros, 1000+ films.

Statistic 124

In 1980, Hong Kong produced 123 feature films, dominated by martial arts genre with 45% market share.

Statistic 125

Peak production year 1992 saw 232 films released, averaging 44 per month from studios like Golden Harvest.

Statistic 126

From 1970-1997, annual average film output was 150 films, with Shaw Brothers contributing 30%.

Statistic 127

In 2019, only 104 local films were produced, down 55% from 1990s peak due to competition from Hollywood.

Statistic 128

Category III films peaked at 112 releases in 1992, representing 48% of total output.

Statistic 129

1988 saw 135 films, with 60 action films starring Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung.

Statistic 130

Post-1997 handover, production dropped to average 50 films/year by 2005.

Statistic 131

2022 recovery with 52 local films, 20% increase from 2021 pandemic lows.

Statistic 132

Shaw Brothers studio produced over 1,000 films between 1958-1987.

Statistic 133

Golden Harvest released 450 films from 1970-2003, peaking at 35 in 1983.

Statistic 134

In 1993, 210 films produced, 70% financed by TVB and ATV.

Statistic 135

1976 Bruce Lee effect boosted output to 99 films, 40 kung fu.

Statistic 136

2000s average 40 films/year, with 15 co-productions with Mainland China.

Statistic 137

2015 saw 70 films, 25% animated or family-oriented.

Statistic 138

Total films 1950-2020: over 5,000 local productions.

Statistic 139

1985 output 128 films, 50% shot in 16mm format.

Statistic 140

1990: 173 films, 80 directed by Wong Jing or Wong Kar-wai influences.

Statistic 141

2023: 60 films, 40% horror genre resurgence.

Statistic 142

1970s average 80 films/year, 60% martial arts.

Statistic 143

1997: 102 films, last pre-handover boom.

1/143

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

From dominating global cinema with martial arts spectacles to navigating modern streaming wars, the Hong Kong film industry has experienced a dramatic evolution in scale and influence, as starkly illustrated by its fluctuating production numbers and box office triumphs over the decades.

Key Takeaways

In 1980, Hong Kong produced 123 feature films, dominated by martial arts genre with 45% market share.
Peak production year 1992 saw 232 films released, averaging 44 per month from studios like Golden Harvest.
From 1970-1997, annual average film output was 150 films, with Shaw Brothers contributing 30%.
Infernal Affairs trilogy grossed HK$108 million total in 2002-2003.
A Better Tomorrow (1986) earned HK$34.7 million, highest of year.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) worldwide gross US$101 million, HK$62 million local.
Hong Kong Film Awards: 42nd (2023) best film to War and Beauty.
Best Actor awards: Tony Leung won 4 times (1990,1994,2000,2012).
Golden Horse Awards: HK films won 150+ since 1962.
Jackie Chan born 1954, starred in 150+ films.
Bruce Lee 1940-1973, 4 major films, global icon.
Wong Kar-wai directed 10 films, 5 Palme d'Or noms.
1960s HK cinema attendance 200 million tickets/year.
1992 peak: 180 million admissions, avg 30 per capita.
2019 audience share local films 20%, Hollywood 60%.

Hong Kong's film industry peaked in the early 1990s before declining and now shows signs of revival.

Awards and Achievements

Hong Kong Film Awards: 42nd (2023) best film to War and Beauty.
Best Actor awards: Tony Leung won 4 times (1990,1994,2000,2012).
Golden Horse Awards: HK films won 150+ since 1962.
Infernal Affairs won Best Film at HKFA 2003, 7 awards total.
Bruce Lee: Enter the Dragon posthumous Lifetime Achievement 1993 HKFA.
Wong Kar-wai: Best Director 5 times (1994,1997,2000,2004,2014).
In the Mood for Love: Golden Lion Venice 2000.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: 4 Oscars 2001, HK co-production.
Jackie Chan: Honorary Oscar 2016 for 60-year contribution.
HKFA Best Film: 40 editions, 25 dramas won.
Golden Bauhinia Awards: 15 events 2000-2015, 100+ HK winners.
Andy Lau: Best Actor 3 times (1989,1990,2007).
Ann Hui: Best Director 3 times (1982,2011,2012).
Parasite co-producer HK link, but HKFA intl recognition.
Chungking Express cult status, BAFTA nom 1996.
Total HKFA statuettes awarded: over 1,200 since 1982.
Stephen Chow Best Actor 1994 for From Beijing with Love.
Hard Boiled (1992) won 4 HKFA technical awards.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin cult classic, Golden Horse nom.
Maggie Cheung: Best Actress 5 times record.
Election (2005) Golden Leopard Locarno 2005.
Total Cannes entries from HK: 50+ since 1980s.
Still Human (2014) Audience Award Tokyo 2014.
Bruce Lee won Best Actor Golden Horse 1973 posthumous.
Jackie Chan 5 HKFA Best Actor wins.

Awards and Achievements Interpretation

Hong Kong's cinematic legacy punches far above its weight, proving that a city of seven million can be both a prolific commercial hitmaker and an arthouse darling, with its films and stars racking up awards from the Oscars to the Golden Horses while maintaining a fiercely local, character-driven soul.

Box Office Revenue

Infernal Affairs trilogy grossed HK$108 million total in 2002-2003.
A Better Tomorrow (1986) earned HK$34.7 million, highest of year.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) worldwide gross US$101 million, HK$62 million local.
In Time with You (2010) topped 2011 charts at HK$15.2 million.
1993 box office peak HK$1.8 billion total, 210 films contributing.
Ip Man (2008) HK$25 million local, US$22 million global.
2019 total HK box office HK$1.6 billion, local films 12% share.
Police Story (1985) HK$20 million, Jackie Chan's biggest.
1980s average annual box office HK$800 million, 70% local films.
Cold War (2012) earned HK$20.5 million, highest 2012 local.
Shaolin (2011) HK$57 million worldwide, HK$13 million local.
2022 Vulgaria sequel grossed HK$10 million in first week.
Hero (2002 Jet Li) HK$15 million local share.
1995 Rumble in the Bronx US$76 million global.
Annual box office 2000-2010 averaged HK$900 million.
Table for Six (2022) HK$101 million, record local gross.
1978 Drunken Master HK$10 million, boosted Golden Harvest.
2018 total box office HK$1.7 billion, local 15%.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) HK$30 million.
2023 box office HK$1.5 billion, up 10% from 2022.
God of Gamblers (1989) HK$40 million, highest ever then.
Chungking Express (1994) modest HK$8 million but cult global.
1990 total box office HK$1.2 billion, 80% local dominance.
Shock Wave (2017) HK$18 million local.
Annual average revenue per film 1980s: HK$5 million.
Ip Man 4 (2019) HK$20 million local, US$29 million intl.
2005 box office slump to HK$600 million total.
Detective Dee (2010) HK$12 million local.

Box Office Revenue Interpretation

The Hong Kong film industry, from its local dominance in the 1990s to its global blockbuster flirtations and current struggles for domestic share, tells a story of dazzling resilience, proving its heart still beats powerfully even when its wallet occasionally stutters.

Historical Milestones and Trends

1986 studio system collapse, freelance rise 90% workforce.
1959 Cathay Organisation founded, modern era start.
1971 Bruce Lee Game of Death release, intl breakthrough.
1982 Heroic Bloodshed genre born with A Better Tomorrow.
1997 handover: production halved by 2000.
2003 CEPA agreement boosted HK-Mainland co-pros.
1930s Mandarin opera films, MP&GI studio dominance.
1963 Shaw Bros 36th Chamber, kung fu golden age.
1988 Wong Kar-wai As Tears Go By, auteur era.
2012 Infernal Affairs Hollywood remake The Departed Oscar.
1978 Drunken Master, comedic kung fu trend.
1994 Chungking Express, indie intl acclaim.
2004 Kung Fu Hustle, CGI integration milestone.
1950s Cantonese cinema ban lifted 1952.
1990 God of Gamblers, gambling genre peak.
2010s revival with triad comedies.
1920s silent era, Tianyi Film studio first.
1980 Police Story, modern action template.
2000s piracy crisis, output to 30 films/year.
2020 COVID first full local blockbuster Table for Six delayed.

Historical Milestones and Trends Interpretation

Hong Kong cinema’s story is a defiant phoenix tale: it always rises from its ashes—whether they're from a studio collapse, a handover, or a pandemic—but never without first staging a spectacular, bone-crunching, tear-soaked, neon-drenched fight scene about it.

Market and Audience Data

1960s HK cinema attendance 200 million tickets/year.
1992 peak: 180 million admissions, avg 30 per capita.
2019 audience share local films 20%, Hollywood 60%.
1980s cinema screens: 600+, 1990s 800 peak.
2023 cinemas: 70 chains, 400 screens.
Overseas market 1980s: Taiwan 30% HK film revenue.
Japan imports: 100 HK films/year 1980s peak.
SEA audience: 50 million HK film viewers 1990s.
2000s piracy reduced market by 40%.
2022 streaming share: 40% audience, cinemas 60%.
Female audience 55% for romances, 45% action.
Youth 18-24: 35% cinema goers 2010s.
Co-productions with China: 50/year post-2010.
Festival attendance HKIFF: 200,000/year avg.
VCD sales 1990s: 10 million units HK films.
1970s per capita tickets: 15/year.
2020 pandemic drop: 70% attendance decline.
Diaspora audience: 20 million overseas Chinese viewers.
Ticket price avg 1980s: HK$20, 2023 HK$80.
Local film market share 2023: 25%, up from 10% 2010.
1990s video rental stores: 5,000 outlets.
Online piracy sites blocked: 100+ in 2022.
Netflix HK subs watching HK films: 1 million/month.
Family audience 40% for comedies like Table for Six.
Senior viewers 65+: 20% loyal to classics.

Market and Audience Data Interpretation

From a staggering 200 million tickets in the 1960s, where the local industry was a cultural juggernaut fueling screens across Asia, Hong Kong cinema has dramatically contracted into a fight for its own home turf, where its stories now capture just a quarter of the local box office, relying on co-productions and a core of loyal fans to weather the storms of piracy, streaming, and pandemics.

Personnel and Talent

Jackie Chan born 1954, starred in 150+ films.
Bruce Lee 1940-1973, 4 major films, global icon.
Wong Kar-wai directed 10 films, 5 Palme d'Or noms.
Andy Lau acted in 170 films, singer-actor.
Chow Yun-fat 120 films, Hollywood crossovers.
John Woo directed 20 HK films, action pioneer.
Maggie Cheung 80 films, Cannes Best Actress 2004.
Tsui Hark produced 100+ films, founded Film Workshop.
Sammo Hung directed 40, acted 150, martial arts choreo.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai 140 films, 2x Cannes actor.
Stephen Chow acted/directed 30, box office king.
Ann Hui directed 25 films, female pioneer.
Leslie Cheung acted 50 films, tragic icon 1956-2003.
Jet Li 20 HK films before Hollywood.
Yuen Woo-ping choreographed 50 HK classics.
Anita Mui sang/starred 40 films, diva 1963-2003.
Ringo Lam directed 15 crime thrillers.
Takeshi Kaneshiro 15 HK films, Japanese-HK star.
Fruit Chan directed 20 indie low-budget.
Miriam Yeung acted 30 comedies post-2000.
Lau Ching-wan 100+ films, versatile actor.
Clara Lee debuted 2019, new gen actress.
Directors Guild HK: 500+ members.
Actors total in HK cinema: 10,000+ credited 1950-2020.
Run Run Shaw founded Shaw Bros, 1000+ films.

Personnel and Talent Interpretation

Hong Kong cinema tells us that to build an empire, you need a Shaw, to define cool, you need a Chow, to make poetry, you need a Wong, and to get the world’s attention, you need a Chan, a Lee, or a single, perfect, sideways glance from Tony Leung.

Production Volume

In 1980, Hong Kong produced 123 feature films, dominated by martial arts genre with 45% market share.
Peak production year 1992 saw 232 films released, averaging 44 per month from studios like Golden Harvest.
From 1970-1997, annual average film output was 150 films, with Shaw Brothers contributing 30%.
In 2019, only 104 local films were produced, down 55% from 1990s peak due to competition from Hollywood.
Category III films peaked at 112 releases in 1992, representing 48% of total output.
1988 saw 135 films, with 60 action films starring Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung.
Post-1997 handover, production dropped to average 50 films/year by 2005.
2022 recovery with 52 local films, 20% increase from 2021 pandemic lows.
Shaw Brothers studio produced over 1,000 films between 1958-1987.
Golden Harvest released 450 films from 1970-2003, peaking at 35 in 1983.
In 1993, 210 films produced, 70% financed by TVB and ATV.
1976 Bruce Lee effect boosted output to 99 films, 40 kung fu.
2000s average 40 films/year, with 15 co-productions with Mainland China.
2015 saw 70 films, 25% animated or family-oriented.
Total films 1950-2020: over 5,000 local productions.
1985 output 128 films, 50% shot in 16mm format.
1990: 173 films, 80 directed by Wong Jing or Wong Kar-wai influences.
2023: 60 films, 40% horror genre resurgence.
1970s average 80 films/year, 60% martial arts.
1997: 102 films, last pre-handover boom.

Production Volume Interpretation

Hong Kong cinema once punched out films with the frenetic pace of a kung fu sequence, but now, after Hollywood's body blows and changing tastes, it's more of a thoughtful character drama, carefully plotting its comeback one frame at a time.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev