Diversifying genres, fierce competition at the end of the year
If previously Vietnamese films often revolved around only a few familiar topics such as family love or horror, then in the last months of 2025, audiences witnessed an explosion in many different film genres. In October alone, 7 works were released in theaters, each film pursuing a separate story, showing a clear shift in creative thinking.
The audience can find the warmth in Sister Upon My Rising - a film that exploits sisterhood love, or the romantic and entertainmental phase of Give Me a Star, a story about cross-border love associated with the showbiz backstage. The story of a multi-generational family is expressed through "The Golden Department of the Ancestors", while spiritual and folk elements appear in "Cai Ma" and "Nha ma".
In addition, the black comedy genre that is rarely seen on the Vietnamese big screen will be available through Mothers birthday Party, a work that satires sensitive topics. The diversity of genres makes the October box office more vibrant than ever and opens the fierce race that lasts until the end of the year.
Entering the last months of 2025, it is expected that there will be about 10 films following in the footsteps, notably "Blood Paradise" (December 31), an action and crime work marking the return of People's Public Security cinema. The horror film genre, despite signs of cooling down after many dismal revenue works, still maintains a certain position. The most anticipated is The Devils Prince, a major-invested historical horror film, promising to create a new boost for the market by the end of 2025.
The richness in theme and exploitation shows that Vietnamese cinema is no longer limited within the familiar framework. This is also a positive signal showing that manufacturers are increasingly confident in experimenting and boldly expanding the market instead of only targeting a few major holidays.
Challenges ahead
According to Box Office Vietnam, Vietnamese cinema revenue has now surpassed more than VND3,000 billion in revenue, nearly double the 2024 achievement. Of the 29 films released, 12 films have surpassed the 100 billion VND mark, a figure that shows unprecedented strong growth. Most notably, Red Rain, the film ended its theatrical journey at the end of September with a record of about 714 billion VND. This achievement is expected to be surpassed in a long time.
The fact that a series of films have reached hundreds of billions has turned this revenue milestone from a "miracle" to a standard. However, it is the explosion that puts great pressure on works released at the end of the year. After going through many high-quality films, the audience became more demanding and expected more from each product.
Another highlight is the joining of many new directors in the hundred-billion-dong club. In addition to familiar faces such as Tran Thanh, Ly Hai, Victor Vu, there are now the participation of Dang Thai Huyen, Bui Thac Chuyen, Ham Tran, Thu Trang, Pom Nguyen. This reflects the shift in generations, while opening up opportunities for the market to be richer in storytelling style.
Abundant revenue also motivates manufacturers to boldly spend more on communication, promotion and distribution.
However, it is undeniable that increasingly fierce competition also means that works with weak scripts or productions will be quickly eliminated. The current audience is no longer easy to calculate, they are willing to reject a film just a few days after its release if the quality does not meet expectations.
If it maintains its current form, Vietnamese cinema can completely reach the 4,000 billion VND mark this year. This success does not stop at revenue but also affirms the clear maturity in quality, diversity and self-reliance of Vietnamese films.
With a series of diverse works, an emerging director team and consecutive record-breaking revenue, Vietnamese films are going through a memorable period. The last months of 2025 are not only the busiest film season of the year, but also a test to measure the endurance and maturity of the entire market.
Vietnamese cinema is entering a new phase: both potential and pressure. If we continue to maintain creativity and seriousness in production, this could be the year to bring Vietnamese films to a new level.
