(Yicai Global) Jan. 2 -- Chinese movies generated a record CNY64.3 billion (USD9.2 billion) at the box office last year, bouncing back from their only first-half decline since 2010.

Annual earnings from cinematic releases rose 5.4 percent from a year earlier thanks to a stellar array of Chinese flicks in the second half, according to data published by the China Film Administration on Dec. 31. Full-year revenue bested its previous record on Dec. 13.

Some 1,037 films showed in Chinese cinemas last year, including 850 features, 51 animated movies, 74 instructional films, 47 documentaries and 15 interactive and screened-in-museum films. Eight of them made the top 10 box office hits in China, with 47 grossing at least CNY100 million (USD14.3 million) each and 41 films from overseas surpassing the same milestone.

Animation feature Ne Zha was the biggest hit of the year, raking in CNY5 billion to become the country's second-highest-grossing film of all time behind Wolf Warrior II, which scooped almost CNY5.9 billion. Science fiction flick Wandering Earth was the country's second-best earner of 2019, taking CNY4.7 billion.

Avengers: Endgame in third place and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw in 10th were the only international blockbusters to make the top 10.

Beijing Culture was by far the most successful filmmaker in terms of revenue growth, bringing in 13 times more in the third quarter than the year-ago period, while Beijing Enlight Media more than doubled its income. Net profit at Wanda Cinemas slipped over 57 percent from July through September as ticket sales missed expectations.

Editor: James Boynton