Summer 2026 release · SOURCED · DATED BOX-OFFICE RECORD

NIU LAI

Captured at (China Standard Time) · 2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00

A newborn calf hums a lullaby that sends a desert-traveling lark to sleep. Inside the dream, the calf grows from small and fragile into someone brave and responsible — until the moment he must face life and death itself. At 2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00, Maoyan Professional displayed approximately ¥63,672,000 cumulative gross for Niu Lai, on its 53rd release day. The platform rounds this value. This is an observation at capture time, not a full-day or final total.

📈 ¥3,420 (2026-08-05) → ¥63,672,000 (2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00)
Where can I watch Niu Lai? Read the director profile
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Where can I watch Niu Lai?

This guide does not provide a verified licensed streaming link. Availability, region and subtitle details need confirmation from the rights holder or a licensed platform.

Read the viewing guide →

Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang

Xin Yumeng is the director’s name in family-name-first order; Yumeng Xin reverses that order. Read the sourced creator profile.

Read the director profile →

What is the English title?

Niu Lai is the pinyin title. Translations and online aliases should be distinguished from a confirmed official release title.

Explore English titles →

2026 · OCTOBER

China’s October 2026 film guide

Compare five Chinese October releases, including 什么意思夫妇: comedy, animation and crime guides with runtime, cast roles and viewing-region checks.

Niu Lai practical guides

Start with your question: viewing options, subtitles, the creators or box-office figures. Each guide separates established information, unverified availability and practical next steps.

NUMBERS & FACTS

The Numbers Are More Surreal Than the Plot

Every figure carries a metric, timestamp and source; snapshots are not final grosses.

¥3,420
Day-1 box office
≈¥63,672,000
Cumulative gross · Maoyan observation · 2026-09-26 13:35:56
≈¥94,400
September 26 gross · 13:35:56, incomplete day
13:35:56 CST
Captured at (China Standard Time) · 2026-09-26
1,761
September 26 screenings · 13:35:56
2
Core crew (a mother–son team)
5
Years of hand-crafting
86 min
Runtime
2024-33
Public screening permit: 2024 No. 33
Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道 · 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 经济观察网—《牛来》排片增长报道 · 猫眼专业版实时票房 · 中国国家电影局 — 《牛来》备案立项记录
THE STORY

A Rally That Began With Almost No Promotion

Director Xin Yumeng + his 1960s-born mother. Five years. Two people.

Niu Lai opened nationwide on Aug 5, 2026. A Nanguo Morning Post report recorded ¥3,420 and 122 viewers on day one, and ¥7,169 with 236 viewers by Aug 13. China News Service reported that Xin Yumeng and his mother Sun Lifang made the film over five years and that it had almost no pre-release promotion.

At 2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00, Maoyan Professional displayed approximately ¥63,672,000 cumulative gross for Niu Lai, on its 53rd release day. The platform rounds this value. This is an observation at capture time, not a full-day or final total. At the same time, September 26 gross was approximately ¥94,400, with 1,761 scheduled screenings and 2.0% occupancy. The day was still in progress.

Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道 · 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 猫眼专业版实时票房
“Being hated is fine. Being ignored is the real tragedy.”
— Editorial parody
THE RIDE · THE TIMELINE

The chart even Hollywood would reject

From filing to viral attention, with metric, timestamp and source attached to every box-office figure.

1
2021

Script filed

The China Film Administration filing record lists Niu Lai's title, filing entity, writer and an approved-for-production result.

Sources: 中国国家电影局 — 《牛来》备案立项记录
2
2026-04-03

Distribution-notice details published

China News Service, citing the film distribution notice, reported an 86-minute runtime, nationwide theatrical distribution, public-screening permit No. 2024-33, and an Apr 3, 2026 notice date. A permit is not a quality endorsement.

Sources: 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息
3
2026-08-05

Nationwide release · Day-one gross ¥3,420

The film opened nationwide on Aug 5. Nanguo Morning Post recorded ¥3,420 and 122 viewers on day one; China News Service reported almost no pre-release promotion.

Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道 · 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息
4
2026-08-05–13

9-day cumulative ¥7,169 · 236 viewers

Nanguo Morning Post recorded ¥7,169 cumulative and 236 viewers after nine days and summarized critical online reactions such as “PowerPoint-level” and “made by a school kid.”

Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道
5
2026-08-14

Overnight legend · screenings 5 → 168

Coverage recorded online phrases such as a film this bad 'must be tasted'; in the same period, nationwide screenings rose overnight from fewer than 5 to 168. Treating the two as cause and effect remains an online narrative and editorial interpretation.

Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道
6
2026-08-15

359 screenings · about ¥350k for the day · cumulative above ¥360k

The Economic Observer recorded a rise from 21 screenings on Aug 14 to 359 on Aug 15. China News Service, citing Maoyan, reported about ¥350,000 for the day and more than ¥360,000 cumulative at 18:00 on Aug 15. These are timestamped interim snapshots.

Sources: 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 经济观察网—《牛来》排片增长报道
7
2026-08-25

Secondary-source snapshot · ¥48,544,000

At 14:44:43 China Standard Time on Aug 25, 2026, a secondary source recorded Maoyan Professional showing Niu Lai at 21 days in release and about ¥48,544,000 cumulative. The live dashboard will keep changing; this is not a final gross.

Sources: Niu Lai Explained — Box Office Timeline
8
2026-09-17

Theatrical window and sequel reports

The Beijing News reported an extension to October 4 and said the sequel-related Weibo post was no longer visible on September 15. An extension does not guarantee daily local screenings; the sequel date remains unconfirmed here.

Sources: 新京报 · 9月报道（东方财富转载）
9
2026-09-26

Niu Lai box office: ¥63,672,000 · 2026-09-26

At 2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00, Maoyan Professional displayed approximately ¥63,672,000 cumulative gross for Niu Lai, on its 53rd release day. The platform rounds this value. This is an observation at capture time, not a full-day or final total. At the same time, September 26 gross was approximately ¥94,400, with 1,761 scheduled screenings and 2.0% occupancy. The day was still in progress.

Sources: 猫眼专业版实时票房
HALL OF SHAME · REVIEWS

Editorial parody review wall

Every line below is editorial parody written for this site, not a real quotation, submission or rating.

1 out of 5 stars

“This is PowerPoint-level animation. And I mean the free trial.”

— Editorial parody
1 out of 5 stars

“Disaster-grade visuals. The 3D models clip through each other like they're fighting.”

— Editorial parody
2 out of 5 stars

“The plot is street-stall chicken soup. And I drank the whole bowl.”

— Editorial parody
1 out of 5 stars

“One star. But I laughed for 86 straight minutes. That counts for something, right?”

— Editorial parody
3 out of 5 stars

“How did THIS get a release permit? Asking for a friend. Also asking for another ticket.”

— Editorial parody
5 out of 5 stars

“The film is rough, but the box-office chart is smooth. See you at the second screening.”

— Editorial parody
5 out of 5 stars

“Being hated is fine. Being ignored is the real tragedy.”

— Editorial parody
THE CREW · CAST & CREW

Two people. Five years. One movie.

Press reports: two people spent five years on the film, with almost no pre-release promotion.

导

信雨萌

Director / Voice performer / Producer

Reports identify Xin Yumeng as the director of Niu Lai and say he and his mother Sun Lifang spent five years completing the 86-minute animated feature. The official credits remain the final authority for individual roles.

Sources: 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道
Full profile ->
母

孙丽芳

Writer / Voice performer

Reports describe Sun Lifang as director Xin Yumeng’s mother and credit her with writing and voice work on Niu Lai during the five-year mother-and-son production. The official credits remain the final authority.

Sources: 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道
Full profile ->
INTERACTIVE · QUIZ

The Niu Lai Aptitude Test

8 questions. Are you a passerby or the chief $NIULAI analyst?

POLLS · POLLS

The People's Polls

Local polls — results persist in your browser.

Is Niu Lai worth a ¥35 ticket?

Where will Niu Lai's total gross end up?

How did you board the Niu Lai bull run?

🐂 THE EXCHANGE

The Niu Lai Exchange

A market-style view of dated public snapshots. Connecting lines are illustrative, not live trading data.

NIU LAI · $NIULAI · CNY
$NIULAI≈¥63,672,0002026-09-26 13:35:56+08:00
VOL SCREENINGS1,7619/26 13:35:56
IPO PRICE¥3,420 (2026-08-05)122 viewers
RESPONSABLESmother-and-son team · press reported almost no pre-release promotionDATED
* Milestone gross figures are recorded in the cited sources; the connecting curve is illustrative.
¥3.42K8/5¥7.17K8/13>¥360K8/15¥63.672M9/26
📈 Log-scale Niu Lai chart (the chart · bull-market meme)
Aug 5OPEN
¥3,420
📉

Nanguo Morning Post: 122 viewers

Aug 139-DAY TOTAL
¥7,169
•

Nanguo Morning Post: 236 viewers

Aug 15 18:00CUMULATIVE
>¥360,000
🚀

CNS: about ¥350,000 for the day

9/26 13:35:56MAOYAN · CNY
¥63,672,000
✓

Dated observations; this page is not a live feed.

Get certified before the bell -> Explanatory translations: Niu Lai / Here Comes the Ox / Here Comes the Cow / The Bull Arrives
SLANG DICT · DICTIONARY

The Niu Lai Slang Dictionary

From the ¥3,420 opening to “reverse expansion,” separating sourced facts, timestamps and editorial parody.

Niu Lai

牛来了 · Niu Lai movie · The Bull Is Coming

A Chinese animated film released in August 2026, literally 'The Bull Is Coming'. Made over five years by mother–son team… Full definition →

The ¥3,420 opening

niu lai 3420 · 牛来 3420 · 牛来首日票房

A Nanguo Morning Post report dated Aug 15 recorded Niu Lai’s nationwide Aug 5 opening at ¥3,420 with 122 viewers. Some r… Full definition →

Ironic rally

审丑 · 逆跌 · so bad its good chinese movie

Online discussion uses “ironic rally” for attention and ticket sales that rise alongside negative reactions. Reports rec… Full definition →

Dragon Label

公映许可证 · dragon label permit

'Dragon Label' is a nickname for China’s public-screening permit. China News Service, citing the distribution notice, re… Full definition →

Taste the salt

咸淡 · taste the salt niulai

A viral Chinese idiom: 'it's so bad I simply must taste the salt myself' — the impulse to verify a heavily criticized fi… Full definition →

Mother–son handcraft

手搓动画 · two person animated film · mother son animation

China News Service and other coverage reported that director Xin Yumeng and his mother Sun Lifang spent five years compl… Full definition →

The Niu Lai chart

K线 · box office chart · niu lai ath

Meme culture treating the film's box office as a trading chart: ¥3,420 on day one is the bottom, the Aug 14 screening su… Full definition →

Reverse expansion

加场 · cinemas added screenings · sold out niulai

Films often earn extra screenings through reviews and attendance. Reports said cinemas in cities including Beijing and G… Full definition →

Production-company record

出品公司 · production company niulai · 装修公司

Film-administration filing and release records name 大连璟园文化影视传媒有限公司 (Dalian Jingyuan Culture, Film and Television Media C… Full definition →

English titles & overseas names

Niu Lai · Here Comes the Ox · Here Comes the Cow

The romanized title is commonly written Niu Lai. Here Comes the Ox, Here Comes the Cow and The Bull Arrives are explanat… Full definition →

The bull-market meme

牛市来了 · The Bull Arrives · bull market meme

Traders read 牛来 as 'the bull market arrives', so the comeback was narrated in market jargon: the ¥3,420 opening as the h… Full definition →

ATH (all-time high)

ATH · 历史新高 · niu lai ath

Trading shorthand for All-Time High. This site uses it only as a meme, not as a security-price claim. At 2026-09-26 13:3… Full definition →

FAQ · QUESTIONS

Questions & answers (sort of)

Are these box-office figures real?
At 2026-09-26 13:35:56 UTC+08:00, Maoyan Professional displayed approximately ¥63,672,000 cumulative gross for Niu Lai, on its 53rd release day. The platform rounds this value. This is an observation at capture time, not a full-day or final total.
Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道 · 中新网（澎湃新闻）—《牛来》8月15日票房与发行信息 · 猫眼专业版实时票房
How did reports describe the visuals?
Some coverage and viewer comments used critical descriptions such as “PowerPoint animation.” Those are attributed opinions, not this site's claim that every viewer agrees.
Sources: 南国早报（腾讯新闻）—《牛来》早期票房报道 · DER SPIEGEL — Niu Lai coverage
Where can I legally watch Niu Lai?
As of 2026-09-26, this site has not verified a stable licensed full-film streaming link. September reporting by The Beijing News says theatrical availability was extended to October 4; check your cinema for a particular city and date.
Sources: 猫眼专业版实时票房 · 新京报 · 9月报道（东方财富转载）
Has a Niu Lai sequel been announced?
September reports mentioned Niu Lai 2: Setting Sail in 2027. The Beijing News said the related Weibo post was no longer visible on September 15. As of 2026-09-26, we have no traceable rights-holder notice and do not list that date as confirmed.
Sources: 新京报 · 9月报道（东方财富转载）
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