Wong Jing's Mahjong Queen Flops in Mainland China with Record Zero Viewers
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 8 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Director Wong Jing (王晶) and co-director Yip Nai-chung (葉念琛) have faced a major box office setback with their film Mahjong Queen (麻將女王), originally titled Sparrow Queen Chase Men (麻雀女王追男仔). The movie, starring Hong Kong television stars Gao Haijiang (高海寧) and Ma Guoming (馬國明), was released in mainland China on November 6, 2025, but recorded shockingly poor results. According to data from Maoyan Professional Edition, the film earned only 4,843 yuan (approximately 5,695 Hong Kong dollars) in cumulative box office over nine days, with a mere 139 total admissions . The film's opening day saw only one nationwide screening, and some showings reportedly had zero audience members, creating what industry observers call a "zero viewer" record. The film's poor performance even trended on Baidu's hot search list, sparking widespread discussion among mainland netizens .
Key Points
- The film Mahjong Queen was released in mainland China on November 6, 2025, earning only 4,843 yuan (5,695 HKD) with just 139 viewers over nine days
- The movie had only one nationwide screening on opening day, with some theaters reporting "zero viewers" during showings
- Prior to its mainland release, the film had already underperformed in Hong Kong in January 2025, collecting only 3.84 million HKD, a 16-year low for Hong Kong New Year films
- Mainland audiences criticized the film as having "outdated comedy techniques" and "absurd plot," giving it a 4.8 rating on Douban
- Director Wong Jing responded on Weibo, defending the film as a Hong Kong New Year comedy paying tribute to Chase Men, noting it features the late actor Hui Siu-hung's final screen performance
Why It Matters
The film industry's struggles extend beyond box office numbers. Industry experts highlight how short video platforms have reshaped audience habits, making viewers reluctant to spend time and money on films with uncertain quality. The Hong Kong film industry's reliance on nostalgic themes like mahjong and romance no longer resonates with mainland audiences seeking fresh content. This shift suggests traditional Hong Kong film formulas face an uphill battle in recovering their former market dominance.
The film industry's struggles extend beyond box office numbers. Industry experts highlight how short video platforms have reshaped audience habits, making viewers reluctant to spend time and money on films with uncertain quality. The Hong Kong film industry's reliance on nostalgic themes like mahjong and romance no longer resonates with mainland audiences seeking fresh content. This shift suggests traditional Hong Kong film formulas face an uphill battle in recovering their former market dominance.