When Yuen Woo-ping’s Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert is available to screen at Fantasia Film Festival, stream online and is ready for home video relaease in October, the big question should be this: which presentation is best to understand it all? We answer that.
Playing at Fantasia on Sunday, July 19, 2026
Well Go USA Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, and DVD on October 6, 2026
If you love intense, bloody action, Yuen Woo-ping’s Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert is the movie for you. When nearly every bounty hunter, ruffian, and vigilante wants a piece of Zhi Shi Lang (Yi-zhou Sun), the question of how well he can be protected needs to be asked. That’s because when we see Dao Ma (Wu Jing) gets called in by his old friend (Tony Ka Fai Leung) who runs the the Mo Cla, to escort this highly valued target safely to the imperial capital of Chang’an is going to be challenging!
That’s because Zhi Shi Lang is a radical political revolutionary whose ideas about equality threaten the Emperor. When he is the most wanted man in the land, everyone is gonna want a piece of him, or just want to claim the prize for themselves.
But for Ma, he just wants this job done and over with. And once anyone sees that his destination is a place where dynasties can rise and fall, it’s going to be tough to not get involved. Whether that’s because of the allegiences made or whom he believes deserves to be on the throne, that isn’t the question. After watching other films like 1,000 Miles to Chang’an, it becomes clear that understanding the depth of this film requires more than passing knowledge of the period. The story is dense. And with all the wranglings going on, it’s easy to lose track of why certain people matter.
In part two of our Fantasia Film Festival 2026 pre-event coverage, we dive into the zany and also include a blast of the past where needed.
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.
When certain must-see lists get way too large, it’s best to split things up or subsection. This fact is especially true when planning on what to see at Fantasia Film Festival 2026; when this year has a lot more short film programs added to the party, it’s safe to say some people won’t be sleeping. Some enthusiasts may well be running frantically to catch the next work on their itinerary.
No big intro is needed, and that’s because with this part, I’ve included two movies freely available on YouTube that are required viewing before part three is viewed on the big screen!
Set in a parallel world where animals talk, hustle, swear, and scheme, The Fox opens with Nick (Jai Courtney, Dangerous Animals, The Suicide Squad) discovering that his fiancée, Kori (Emily Browning, American Gods, Sleeping Beauty), is cheating on him. Forced to accept that their relationship has run its course, he’s devastated.
Everything changes when Nick captures a fox (Olivia Colman, The Favourite, The Lobster), who offers him some unconventional marital advice in exchange for her freedom.
Her suggestion? Push Kori into a magical hole, where she’ll emerge transformed into a woman who adores him unconditionally and will never leave. Not exactly a man known for making wise decisions, Nick thinks it sounds like the perfect solution, completely unaware that a much bigger plan may already be unfolding. – Fantasia Film Festival
Fantasia Film Festival 2026’s shorts programs reveal a strong thread of folklore, mythology, cultural traditions, and strange discoveries. And in part one of a week long guide, we dive into which works we’re very eager to see:
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.
In addition to a lot of cake, I believe Fantasia Film Festival 2026 has plenty of other treats in store for those headed to Montreal! Not only is this the festival’s 30th anniversary, but the programmers have pulled out all the stops to make every section feel special. Returning favourites like Hayop Ka! (review link) appear in the retro lineup, while three outstanding documentaries celebrate the craft of filmmaking. And yes, I’m sure plenty of fans will be cheering for The Origins of Ultraman too!
Before I get to my top twenty picks of the festival, I want to shine a spotlight on the various short film programs. While I haven’t had the chance to see every entry yet, I’ll be keeping an eye on YouTube and other streaming platforms to see which shorts become available internationally after the festival. Great discoveries don’t always come through the festival circuit alone. Sometimes they’re quietly waiting to be found online by those willing to dig a little deeper.
Along with a summary of each film, I’ve marked the title that has my attention with an image. Together, these selections reveal one of the biggest trends I noticed this year: folklore, mythology, and cultural traditions are woven throughout many of Fantasia’s short film programs.
The Legend of Hei II expands Xiaohei’s world with a denser story focused on politics, philosophy, and the growing divide between humans and spirits. While the material may have benefited from a serialized format, the action and emotional stakes make this sequel a rewarding continuation.
After viewing The Legend of Hei II (罗小黑战记2) on home video, a few more watches and catching the web series to spot the shift in narrative direction feels like a must. The bonus material helps fill in a few gaps, but that wasn’t enough. The chronological order is easy enough to figure out, but making sense of everything requires paying close attention to every detail and reveal. What’s presented could easily have stretched into a new web series, or even a regular television show, and for Xiaohei (Shan Xin) to stretch his legs and explore the world makes sense.
His shifu, Wuxian (Liu Mingyue), is under house arrest after being framed for an attack at a hall where several humans possessing supernatural abilities are assassinated. Someone claims to have seen him there, and although he has no alibi to truly exonerate him, he’s willing to be placed under watch.
Although not every Chinese animated film makes it to international distribution, they are worth seeking out for the die hard donghua fan.
China’s animation scene is quietly doing something interesting. Not everything has to preach Confucianism or Daoism from the mountaintop. Some challenge it, and others interpret it. As for what’s upcoming, the more interesting Chinese animated films of 2026 are leaning into practical adventures. They fold history, folklore, comedy, and mystery into stories aimed either with or beyond the usual mythological spectacle.
That matters because this industry still mostly focuses on younger audiences. Certain familiar IPs still need to be mentioned, but studios are also stretching into historical storytelling. Light Chaser Animation, in particular, looks ready to make history its next big playground. And while fans are still waiting for the final instalment of Ne Zha, here’s an update on what came out this month and what’s still ahead for the remainder of 2026.
Three Kingdoms Part One:
Struggle for Luoyang
(三国第一部：争洛阳)
Release Date: 10 July 2026
Light Chaser Animation’s next major historical epic is now dated for July 10. The studio’s official channel identifies the film as Three Kingdoms: The Beginning. Earlier reports connect the project to Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and the larger collapse of the Eastern Han order, which makes this less of a simple battlefield retelling and more of a political origin story. Early trailers suggest a style similar to Chang An, where the focus is on certain players before the big fight. If that approach holds, this could become one of 2026’s major Chinese animation events.
Master Zhong
(钟馗)
Release Date: 16 June 2023 Festival, 30 May 2026 Wide
This one has now firmed up for a May 30, 2026 theatrical release in China. Reports describe it as a family-friendly mythological animated feature built around Zhong Kui, the demon-quelling figure from Chinese folklore. Production credits vary slightly by outlet, so I’d avoid overloading the paragraph with names unless using the film’s official materials. The widely reported core is that iQIYI Pictures is involved, and the story follows a human girl, Chujiu, after she enters the underworld and becomes tangled in Zhong Kui’s fight against demonic forces.
The Great Sage Rises
(大圣崛起)
Release Date: 10 July 2026
Sun Wukong returns to the summer animation race with The Great Sage Rises, now dated for July 10, 2026. This is not being positioned as Tian Xiaopeng’s direct sequel to : Hero Is Back, so that distinction is worth making clear. Reports identify October Sky Pictures, one of the key companies behind Hero Is Back, as part of this project, with Wang Chuan of Kuiba attached as producer and/or screenwriter depending on the source. The story reportedly digs into hidden conflicts behind the Journey to the West legend, including Sun Wukong, Liu’er, and new figures such as Bifang and Bo Xun.
A Story About Fire
(燃比娃)
Release Date: 28 April 2026
Shanghai Animation Film Studio’s A Story About Fire has already opened in China through the National Arthouse Alliance circuit. This is the studio’s first feature-length xuan paper hand-painted animated film, and reports note that the production used more than 50,000 hand-painted sheets. Its story draws from Qiang mythology, following a young hero and his dog on a journey tied to fire, warmth, growth, and origin. This one is less about franchise muscle and more about preserving a handmade Chinese animation tradition in a modern feature format.
Demon Agent
(大唐妖探)
Release Date: Summer 2026
Directed by Cheng Teng, co-director of Jiang Ziya / Legend of Deification, this 3D animated Tang dynasty detective fantasy is set in Chang’an, where humans and demons share the same streets. The film follows a wolf demon accused of murder who joins forces with a human trickster tied to the Di Renjie tradition. What makes this one stand out is the genre blend: part buddy comedy, part fantasy mystery, and part mechanical Tang dynasty spectacle. Chinese coverage has described it as the country’s first comedy-detective animated feature, with a summer 2026 release window.
GG Bond: Race Through Time
Release Date: May 1, 2026
The 11th theatrical instalment in the GG Bond franchise keeps pushing the series past its TV roots. Sometimes compared to Boonie Bears, which had its latest release over Chinese New Year, GG Bond is not tied to a celebration. The series often preaches more than it tells a story, but given the audience it’s designed for, friendship, integrity, and perseverance are woven in rather than tacked on. Alongside Phoebe, Super Q, Bobby, S-Daddy, and Dr. Mihoo, the little pig has built a steady audience over the years.
This time around, GG Bond befriends Star Navi, a fierce leopard racer with a complicated home situation. When Navi’s father suffers a career-ending injury, the two travel back in time to change the outcome. It’s a heavier emotional hook than the franchise usually reaches for, which suggests Winsing is testing whether the series can grow with its audience. The film has already opened in China and is now being positioned for international distribution.
Hong Kong
Another World
Release Date: June 2026
Read our movie review here.
Out of all the films slated for release this year, there are only two confirmed to have an international release. It’s a small world when GKIDS is involved with getting this gem out. The story follows Gudo, a Keeper who guides souls to the afterlife, as he bonds with a young girl whose unresolved rage keeps her stuck. Helping her move on means Gudo has to reckon with his own emotions, and the consequences of letting that anger loose.
Hong Kong produces far fewer animated features than the mainland, which makes this one stand out on its own. It also took home Best Animated Feature at the Golden Horse Awards, giving it real pedigree going into its wider release. And after its screening at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, word of mouth has been strong. This one lands emotionally, and apparently doesn’t let go.
Despite breaking records as the highest-grossing animated film ever, Ne Zha 2 still has no Blu-ray or 4K release in sight. With streaming available but shelves empty, the question remains: where is this global hit hiding?
Even though Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing animated movie in history and can already be streamed, there’s still no indication of when it will arrive on home video. This little hero is proving as elusive as White Snake 3 (aka Afloat). It’s a strange place to be in 2026, especially for a film that’s just over a year old. Merchandise is reportedly flying off the shelves, yet the movie itself has no physical release in sight.
This work hit Chinese theatres on January 29, 2025, and quickly lit up the global box office. The film grossed over $2.2 billion worldwide and now ranks among the highest-grossing films of all time, alongside Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Titanic. It’s more than an animated milestone, it’s a cultural moment. So why is the home video shelf still empty?
Set in a parallel world where animals talk, hustle, swear, and scheme, The Fox opens with Nick (
China’s animation scene is quietly doing something interesting. Not everything has to preach Confucianism or Daoism from the mountaintop. Some challenge it, and others interpret it. As for what’s upcoming, the more interesting Chinese animated films of 2026 are leaning into practical adventures. They fold history, folklore, comedy, and mystery into stories aimed either with or beyond the usual mythological spectacle.
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Release Date: June 2026
Even though Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing animated movie in history and can already be streamed, there’s still no indication of when it will arrive on home video. This little hero is proving as elusive as White Snake 3 (aka Afloat). It’s a strange place to be in 2026, especially for a film that’s just over a year old. Merchandise is reportedly flying off the shelves, yet the movie itself has no physical release in sight.