Management Review: An International Journal, 15(2), 1-153 (December 31, 2020). ISSN: 1975-8480 eISSN: 2714-1047 American Film Industry Challenges in China: Before and During COVID-19 Outbreak Candy Lim Chiu College of Business & Public Management, Wenzhou-Kean University 88 Daxue Rd, Quhai, Wenzhou Zhejiang Province 325060, China Email:
[email protected] Jason Lim Chiu Correspnding author Department of Business Administration, Keimyung University 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu42601, South Korea Email:
[email protected] Han-Chiang Ho College of Business & Public Management, Wenzhou-Kean University 88 Daxue Rd, Quhai, Wenzhou Zhejiang Province 325060, China Email:
[email protected] Zhicheng Zu Marketing Department, University of Leeds Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom Email:
[email protected] Received No. 8, 2020, Revised Dec. 20, 2020, Accepted Dec. 26, 2020 ABSTRACT The stagnation of the U.S. film market opened doors for Hollywood to depend on Chinese significant huge revenues, investments, and growth opportunities. Hollywood becomes a destination for 118 Management Review: An International Journal, 15(2), 1-153 (December 31, 2020). ISSN: 1975-8480 eISSN: 2714-1047 Chinese outbound capital. However, before and during the pandemic outbreak, it shows how incredibly vulnerable Hollywood is in accessing the world's biggest market. This study analyzes the challenges of the Hollywood film industry in China, such as rampant piracy, strict content censorship, US-China trade war, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. This study sheds light on the gaps in the existing US-China relationships in the film industry. The original contribution of this research is to set guiding questions that can facilitate a strategic analysis of the film industry and how they will emerge from this crisis.