2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 20:00 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 17:11 UTC
The AI-generated sci-fi film Sanxingdui: Future Past, released in China last week, grossed $181,000, according to Bona Film Group, falling far short of its $1.5 million budget. The 100-minute film, inspired by the Sanxingdui civilization and produced by a team of 70 to 80 people over two years, marked the first wide release of a fully AI-generated feature film in a major market. Bona Film Group's CEO Jiang Defu called it an important experiment, noting it was the first AI film to receive a theatrical release permit in China. Some viewers said the quality still falls short of human-made productions.
The film originated from a popular AI microdrama series with nearly 200 million views, and production has already begun on Bona's next AI feature, Unplanned Operation in the Cold Moon. Meanwhile, the U.S. is set to release its first AI-generated feature film, Gods Don’t Give Gifts by YouTuber Gossip Goblin, in December, with international sales launching at the American Film Market and plans to submit for Oscar eligibility in Best Animated Feature.
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