Chinese animated film Niu Lai, meaning “The Cow Comes,” was released in China on August 5, 2026.
The 86 minute film was created by a mother and son team, with production reportedly taking around five years and almost no conventional marketing or promotion.
During its first 10 days in cinemas, the film earned only about 7,700 yuan, roughly $1,000, with fewer than 300 tickets sold nationwide.
Its basic 3D animation, stiff character movements and unusual storytelling attracted harsh criticism online, with viewers mocking it as one of the year's worst animated films.
Ironically, the ridicule became its biggest advertisement.
Clips and memes spread across Chinese social media, prompting curious viewers to buy tickets simply to experience the film themselves.
Its daily earnings suddenly surged into the millions of yuan, and cinemas added screenings to meet the unexpected demand.
