BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's musical theater market saw great expansion in 2025, with nearly 19,700 performances staged nationwide and box-office revenue reaching 1.8 billion yuan (about 255 million U.S. dollars), according to an annual industry report.

The report, jointly published by the China Association of Performing Arts and the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, said total audience visits climbed to nearly 8.19 million, pointing to sustained growth in the sector.

A wave of original Chinese-language musicals has hit the market, with several new productions drawing on everyday life and distinct regional characteristics, emerging as unexpected standouts at the box office, the report said.

Imported musicals accounted for 51.4 percent of total box-office revenue in 2025, reflecting a market where audience preferences are becoming increasingly diverse. High-quality productions based on classic intellectual properties, particularly those making their debut performances in China, attracted heightened attention. ■