May Day dark horse A Letter to Grandma (给阿嬷的情书) surpasses RMB 1 billion; Douban (豆瓣) score 9.1

Box-office milestone

It has been reported that A Letter to Grandma (给阿嬷的情书) crossed the RMB 1 billion mark at the Chinese box office, according to real‑time data from Lighthouse (灯塔) cited by IT Home (IT之家). The film, released on April 30, reached the milestone by May 24, despite low expectations at launch. Douban (豆瓣) — the influential Chinese cultural review platform whose ratings and word‑of‑mouth often sway urban audiences — currently shows a 9.1 score for the film, making it one of the highest‑rated domestic openers this year.

Word‑of‑mouth breakout

The family drama centers on Chaoshan grandmother Ye Shurou (叶淑柔), played by Wu Shaoqing (吴少卿), and her grandson Xiaowei (晓伟), played by Zheng Runqi (郑润奇). Xiaowei’s search for a rumored tycoon in Thailand leads to a half‑century‑old revelation that upends the family’s quiet life and uncovers a long‑hidden love story. Reportedly, the picture’s strong audience response has been driven by emotional storytelling and social‑media buzz rather than big marketing spends — a classic sleeper success.

Why it matters

Why does this matter beyond a tidy box‑office number? In China’s post‑pandemic market, domestic films that capture local sentiment and cultural specificity can outperform better‑financed imports and studio tentpoles. The film’s rise underscores Douban’s growing power as a cultural gatekeeper and highlights how word‑of‑mouth can overcome initial distributor skepticism. Given ongoing trade and cultural policy dynamics that shape what screens in China, domestic hits like this are likely to remain strategically important for local studios and exhibitors.