By Ghazali Ibrahim
China’s first fully AI-generated feature film, Sanxingdui: Future Past, has opened in cinemas amid weak advance ticket sales, raising questions about whether audiences are ready to pay to watch movies created entirely with artificial intelligence.
The science-fiction thriller debuted on Friday, October 23, with more than 10,000 screenings scheduled across China, according to ticketing platform Maoyan.
However, audience interest has been limited. Presale revenue stood at 80,000 yuan ($11,980) on Friday morning, while the film’s projected total box-office earnings were expected to remain below 150,000 yuan.
The projected earnings fall far short of its reported production cost of more than 10 million yuan ($1.5m).
Produced by Bona Film Group, the movie took more than two years to complete, with nearly 100 people involved in its production. Despite the human effort behind the project, its actors, voices and backdrops were all generated using AI.
Bona Film Group Chief Executive Officer Jiang Defu acknowledged the film’s lukewarm reception but described the project as a pioneering effort in the Chinese film industry.
“We are the first to try it, the first to get a theatrical release permit, and the first to be tested by the audience,” Jiang said in an interview with Chinese film industry outlet Yuli.
The film explores humanity in a future shaped by artificial intelligence, but its technical novelty has not convinced all viewers.
Iris Yang, who attended a free preview screening on Thursday, said she would not have paid to watch the movie because of its quality.
“If AI generation can match the theatrical experience of ‘Avatar’, I think I would be willing to pay for it,” she said, referring to the American science-fiction franchise known for its visual effects.
AI-generated video has gained significant popularity in China, with AI-produced short dramas on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, recording more than 200 billion views in September alone.
However, independent AI director Zhang Jun said the popularity of AI-generated content online does not necessarily translate into cinema ticket sales.
“The audience won’t automatically pay for the tickets just because it’s an AI-generated film,” he told AFP.
Some Chinese social media users have also questioned whether AI-generated movies are worth paying to watch in cinemas, with one Weibo user suggesting that such films could attract audiences if offered free on streaming platforms.
The development comes amid growing concerns in Hollywood about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on employment in the film industry.
Another AI-generated science-fiction feature, Gods Don’t Give Gifts, is scheduled for release in the United States on December 4, while virtual Hollywood actor Tilly Norwood is also expected to appear in an upcoming film titled Misaligned.
