The animated film 'Ngưu Lai', which has been labeled as the worst in China, has surprisingly performed well at the box office, generating over 9.7 million yuan (approximately 37.5 billion VND) since its release on August 5. Initially, the film struggled to attract viewers, but its revenue skyrocketed by 1,000 times, leading to a surge of interest among audiences.

According to Finance Ifeng, 'Ngưu Lai' earned more than 7,700 yuan (around 29.8 million VND) in its first ten days. Many viewers have shared clips and reviews online, criticizing the film for its lackluster special effects and content. Social media has been buzzing with reactions, with some stating that the film's quality is so poor that even AI could not replicate it.

The film's box office success has been attributed to word-of-mouth, with audiences curious to see just how bad it really is. On August 16, the keyword phrase 'Ngưu Lai's revenue increased by 1,000 times' garnered hundreds of millions of views on Weibo. Despite its rocky start, the film's earnings have exceeded initial expectations, with projections estimating total revenue to reach 18 million yuan (approximately 70 billion VND).

Interestingly, some cinemas in Dalian, where the film was produced, have stopped screening it due to concerns about its impact on the city's reputation. However, hundreds of theaters in other provinces continue to show the film. The production team consists of just two individuals: director Tín Vũ Manh and his mother, Tôn Lệ Phương. They spent five years creating the film without hiring additional staff or securing investors, with Tôn Lệ Phương also performing the film's closing song.

In response to the mixed reviews, director Tín Vũ Manh stated on his personal page that he welcomes all feedback from viewers. He acknowledged that there are many areas for improvement and expressed gratitude for the valuable experience gained during this project. He emphasized the importance of reflection and effort for their next work.

According to a producer quoted by Securities Times, films must meet specific content requirements and follow registration procedures with regulatory authorities to obtain screening licenses. The official website of the Chinese Film Bureau indicates that 'Ngưu Lai' was granted permission for public screening starting in 2024. The producer noted that having a film with zero or minimal daily earnings is not uncommon in the industry, as many filmmakers begin their journeys with low budgets. He encouraged audiences not to scrutinize such phenomena too harshly, drawing parallels to the music industry, where numerous songs are released each year but only a few gain widespread recognition.