Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ Blasts Past $200 Million at China Box Office

July 20, 2026 - Two decades after it first kicked its way into theaters, Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer has just scored a massive new milestone: crossing $200 million at the Chinese box office. Yes, the 2001 cult classic-released in some markets as Kung Fu Soccer-is still raking in cash, proving that martial arts, comedy, and a good old-fashioned underdog story never go out of style.

The Legend Lives On

For those who somehow missed this gem, Shaolin Soccer follows a young Shaolin disciple named Sing (played by Chow himself) who reunites with his broken-down brothers to form a soccer team. Their secret weapon? Applying ancient martial arts techniques to the beautiful game. It’s part sports flick, part slapstick comedy, and entirely bonkers in the best way possible.

The film originally hit theaters on July 5, 2001, running a brisk 113 minutes. That’s short by modern blockbuster standards, but packed with enough wire-fu soccer moves, goofball gags, and heartfelt moments to fill three movies. Chow directed and starred, surrounding himself with an ensemble that reads like a who’s-who of Hong Kong cinema: Ng Man-Tat as the team’s beleaguered coach Fung, Vicky Zhao Wei as the dough-making love interest Mui, and Patrick Tse Yin as the villainous Hung. Even Karen Mok shows up in a small role as a moustachioed player. Yes, you read that right.

Why Now?

You might wonder how a 25-year-old comedy is suddenly pulling in nine-figure numbers. The answer isn’t simple re-release magic. Over the past few years, Shaolin Soccer has enjoyed a steady second life on streaming platforms, festival circuits, and nostalgia-driven marathons. Chinese audiences, both those who remember its original run and a new generation discovering it for the first time, have been turning up in droves.

The film currently holds a TMDb rating of 7.182 out of 10-solid, but not dazzling on paper. Yet numbers don’t capture the sheer rewatchability of Chow’s brand of humor. The visual gags, the cameos, the perfectly timed physical comedy-they hit just as hard today as they did when audiences first saw a goalkeeper’s hands turn into a steel trap.

A Box Office Anomaly

Crossing $200 million domestically is rare for any film, let alone one that’s been out for a quarter-century. But Shaolin Soccer has always been an outlier. It blended genres that shouldn’t work together-kung fu, soccer, romance, and outright absurdism-and somehow made them feel seamless. It also launched a wave of imitators and parodies, though none matched its chaotic charm.

The film’s success also speaks to Stephen Chow’s enduring star power. Even as he’s stepped back from acting in recent years, his earlier work continues to be discovered, rewatched, and celebrated. Shaolin Soccer remains one of his signature achievements, a film that defined an era of Hong Kong cinema and still feels fresh.

What This Means

The $200 million figure isn’t just a victory lap for a beloved movie-it’s proof that classic comedies can still resonate in a market hungry for new content. As Chinese audiences increasingly turn to streaming and repertory screenings, older films are finding new life. Shaolin Soccer is now part of a growing list of titles that have broken records years after their original release, challenging the notion that box office success is only about opening weekends.

For fans, this milestone is a chance to celebrate a film that’s aged like fine wine-or maybe like a perfectly kneaded dumpling dough, Mui-style. For the industry, it’s a reminder that quality and nostalgia are powerful forces. And for Stephen Chow? Well, he’s likely already thinking about his next move. If history tells us anything, it’ll involve wire work, a straight face, and something completely unexpected.

So grab your shao lin soccer ball, cue up the theme song, and raise a glass to a movie that just won’t quit. Twenty-five years later, it’s still scoring.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter