Traces of Justice China box office — New Classics Pictures’ crime procedural drama “Traces of Justice” reclaimed the top spot at the mainland China box office during the Nov. 6–8 weekend, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The film collected RMB21.5 million ($3.2 million) over the three-day frame, returning to first place after local debuts “Embers” and “The Coffin Swap” entered the market.
The weekend result pushed the multi-decade investigation epic to $103.7 million since its Oct. 1 release. Directed by Chen Sicheng, known for “Detective Chinatown,” the film was co-written by Zhang Ji and Yan Zijie. Its cast includes Zhang Yi, Ma Li, and Chen Minghao, alongside Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu.
“Traces of Justice” follows an elite public security detective who solves complex historical cases based on real events. The narrative spans decades, a scope reflected in the film’s title and its box office endurance across more than a month in theaters.
A crowded weekend for local releases
While “Traces of Justice” returned to the top, the weekend also saw the arrival of “Embers” and “The Coffin Swap,” two local titles making their debuts. Their entry added fresh competition to the mainland market, though exact figures for the two films were not included in the weekend data.
The box office performance of “Traces of Justice” underscores the drawing power of crime procedurals in China, particularly those anchored by established directors and ensemble casts. Chen Sicheng’s involvement brought additional attention, given his track record with the “Detective Chinatown” series. The film’s co-writers, Zhang Ji and Yan Zijie, contributed to a script that blends fictional drama with cases rooted in real events.
Zhang Yi, Ma Li, and Chen Minghao lead the ensemble, with Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu also featuring. The combination of seasoned performers and younger stars has helped the film maintain momentum since its Oct. 1 launch, a period that included the National Day holiday, a traditionally strong window for Chinese cinemas.
What the numbers show
The RMB21.5 million ($3.2 million) weekend haul represents a rebound for “Traces of Justice,” which had previously ceded the top position. Its cumulative total of $103.7 million places it among the higher-grossing releases of the season, though the weekend itself was shaped by the arrival of new local titles.
Artisan Gateway’s data provides the figures used to track the weekend’s rankings. The firm’s numbers are widely cited for mainland China box office reporting, offering a snapshot of audience demand during the Nov. 6–8 frame.
For “Traces of Justice,” the return to No. 1 comes more than a month after its debut, suggesting sustained interest rather than a front-loaded opening. The film’s multi-decade investigation storyline and its basis in real events may have contributed to its longevity, though the weekend’s exact drivers were not detailed in the available data.
As “Embers” and “The Coffin Swap” settle into their runs, the coming weekends will show whether “Traces of Justice” can hold its position or whether the new local releases will reshape the rankings. For now, the crime drama remains at the top of the mainland China box office, with a cumulative gross of $103.7 million since Oct. 1.
