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iQIYI's AIGC Series 'The Ferry Man' Reaches New Revenue Milestone

On October 1, 2026, iQIYI, the leading online entertainment platform in China, made headlines with remarkable news regarding its AIGC film series, 'The Ferry Man'. As of September 23, the cumulative revenue-sharing from the series exceeded an impressive 8 million RMB (approximately $1.2 million). This financial achievement coincides perfectly with the launch of the third installment, titled 'The Ferry Man: The Dream of the Princess', marking an exciting moment for both audiences and the production team.

A New Era for 'The Ferry Man'

The franchise's first two films, 'The Ferry Man: Butterfly Dream' and 'The Ferry Man: The Dream of the Celestial Maiden', debuted simultaneously on August 22, 2026, on both the iQIYI platform and iQIYI International. The quicker-than-expected commercial reception of these films indicates a growing market trust in iQIYI's cutting-edge, AI-enhanced content.

Rooted deeply in traditional Chinese culture, 'The Ferry Man' is an iconic intellectual property (IP) that expands across various formats, including long-form dramas, online films, musicals, and short-form series. This blend of mythology, folklore, and modernity has allowed the franchise to resonate well with its audience. Moreover, the films are crafted with AI technology, bringing classical Chinese philosophical elements to life in visually stunning ways.

Enhancements Through AI Production

The success of 'The Ferry Man' serves as a profound testament to the effectiveness of iQIYI's AIGC value chain, adeptly merging production efficiency with market validation to yield substantial financial returns. By implementing AI into its production workflow, iQIYI has significantly enhanced the filmmaking process. Zhichao Li, the producer behind the series, noted that the first two films were developed from initiation to launch within just four months. The introduction of AI in preparation and production phases has led to increased productivity while still maintaining traditional practices in script development and post-production.

Throughout the production of 'The Ferry Man', AIGC technology was utilized for generating essential visual assets for concept designs, set pieces, props, and various artistic elements, allowing for direct transitions into video per the director's creative vision. This innovation streamlined numerous aspects of conventional filmmaking, such as on-site shoots and scene transitions, providing creators with more creative flexibility. For example, a key scene in 'The Ferry Man: The Dream of the Celestial Maiden' that would usually require extensive visual effects took much less time due to AI assistance, showcasing how the technology can facilitate even the most complex cinematic narratives.

Building Digital Assets

Unlike traditional film productions, the 'The Ferry Man' series is also unique in how it constructs lasting digital asset value via AIGC technology. The lead actors have lent their likenesses and provided voiceovers, allowing for the development of standardized and reusable digital character assets, scenes, and props. This method not only ensures visual consistency across the films but also drastically reduces production expenses, paving the way for a scalable model for developing serialized content.

Data-Driven Success

The commercial success of 'The Ferry Man' further exemplifies the potential for AIGC content to create a financially sustainable production ecosystem. Utilizing iQIYI's revenue-sharing model, the series recouped its full production costs within just one week while surpassing the 8 million RMB benchmark in box office revenues shortly thereafter. Such rapid feedback from the market enables producers to adapt creative strategies in real-time, further decreasing production time and costs for future projects.

The success of 'The Ferry Man' positions iQIYI as a pioneering force in the AIGC content realm, following its previous endeavor, 'Mystic Tales - The Spider Lady's Vendetta', which gained recognition as China’s first AIGC internet feature film released under a licensing agreement for internet drama and film distribution.

As iQIYI continues to develop its innovative content capabilities, the future looks promising for 'The Ferry Man' series and AIGC filmmaking as a whole. Audiences can expect more engaging stories illuminated by the blend of tradition and technology, setting a new benchmark in the entertainment industry.