Recently, the China Film Archive released the results of the audience satisfaction survey for the 2024 National Day film season. The findings revealed an overall satisfaction score of 83.3, reflecting a 0.5 point increase from the same period last year.

According to the organizers, of the eight films included in the survey, “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” topped the list with an impressive score of 86.0. Other notable films such as “The Road of Flames,” “Panda Project,” and “Only This Green” also achieved satisfaction ratings above 83. This year’s lineup featured a diverse array of films crafted by a mix of seasoned and emerging directors and actors, presenting a broad spectrum of new works across various genres.

When breaking down the satisfaction metrics for the National Day season, three key indices showed promising growth: enjoyment at 83.2, intellectual engagement at 83.9, and dissemination at 82.8. These figures mark increases of 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 points, respectively, compared to the same time last year.

Focusing on specific films, Chen Kaige’s “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” led all three indices. This film zeroes in on the Iron Original Blockade during the Korean War, capturing profound themes of patriotism, familial bonds, and camaraderie, culminating in an intellectual engagement score of 87.1.

Of the eight key films assessed in the 2024 survey, seven received “satisfactory” ratings from audiences. Five of these films scored above 82, and four surpassed 83, capturing the attention of viewers more than the combined total of similar films from 2022 and 2023.

In terms of individual film ratings, “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” stood out with a score of 86.0, leading by 2.7 points over the second-ranked “The Road of Flames.” When compared to the first installment, “Volunteer Army: The Great Charge,” which was released in 2023, the sequel garnered a 2.2 point higher satisfaction rating with marked improvements across all three indices, particularly in enjoyment, which increased by 2.3 points. It’s widely accepted in the industry that sequels often struggle to surpass their predecessors, making the significant leap in satisfaction for this film a reflection of its high-quality production and viewer appreciation.

The 2024 National Day films varied in genre, encompassing traditional categories like comedy, action, drama, and animation, alongside innovative types such as dance drama and adventure fantasy. The survey indicated that 28.4% of general audiences and 27.4% of professional viewers found the selection of films this year to be “very good” and “rich,” with increases of 7.1 and 0.3 percentage points respectively compared to the previous year.

The diverse content availability has enriched the viewing experience, allowing audiences of different ages and tastes to discover movies that resonate with them.

In terms of audience consensus, the top two rated films, “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” and “The Road of Flames,” consistently ranked first and third among different audience categories. Conversely, the two lowest rated films, “Popular Good Guy” and “Bureau 749,” placed seventh and eighth, respectively, while “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” received unanimous praise.

Breaking down the evaluative metrics, “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” claimed nine out of ten top ratings in the general audience evaluation category, leading indicators of story appeal, visual effects, positive messaging, and depth of thought for the films surveyed in 2024.

The organizers emphasize that in an era where cultural and social content continues to evolve and face stiff competition from alternative media, including online shorts and live events, filmmakers must actively listen to audience feedback to refine their craft. By doing so, they can better create more exceptional films like “Volunteer Army: The Battle of Survival” that resonate with diverse audiences, ultimately driving interest in cinemas and the overall film market while providing opportunities for varied and distinctive content to gain visibility.