Tag: China

Not Just Monkey Business: Upcoming Chinese Animated Films of 2026

Although not every Chinese animated film makes it to international distribution, they are worth seeking out for the die hard donghua fan.

Chinese Animated Films Three Kingdoms Part One: Struggle for LuoyangChina’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

GG Bond: Race Through TimeRelease 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

Another World Movie PosterRelease 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.

Streaming Ne Zha 2 Isn’t Enough, Where’s the Blu-ray Release?

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?

Ne Zha 2 Movie PosterEven 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?

Continue reading “Streaming Ne Zha 2 Isn’t Enough, Where’s the Blu-ray Release?”

Light Chaser Animation’s Liao Zhai Lan Ruo Si May Well Be Ghosted By Western Distributors, and ….

….it’s easy to see why changes to this narrative is struggling to be visible outside of China. Strange Tales (Liao Zhai Lan Ruo Si) is borrowing from tropes some may say are outdated but not everyone will agree to that accessment.

Liao Zhai Lan Ruo SiLight Chaser Animation

After countless searches and a properly worded query to Claude AI about availability, the elusive Liao Zhai Lan Ruo Si (Curious Tales of a Temple, aka Strange Tales: Lan Ruo Temple) is finally within reach. When it will receive an official release remains uncertain. In a future article, I’ll explore the challenges behind getting Ne Zha 2, White Snake: Afloat, and this work to home video. For now, wht’s offered are my early reactions.

What I’ve managed to see in the wilds of the Internet suggests this is a film worth watching. I won’t dive into a full review just yet, but it’s worth sharing some early impressions. As for how long this fleeting upload remains available is anyone’s guess.

Continue reading “Light Chaser Animation’s Liao Zhai Lan Ruo Si May Well Be Ghosted By Western Distributors, and ….”

An Italian Kung-Fu Hustle Is Happening In The Forbidden City. Is Yaxi Prepared?

The Forbidden City blends Italian gangster cinema with martial arts action as a woman searches Rome’s Chinatown for her missing sister. Yaxi Liu’s transition from stunt performer to leading actor anchors the film, even if the choreography and story occasionally stumble. Strong cinematography and cultural tension keep the experience visually engaging.

The Forbidden City 4K CoverWell GO USA
Digital Release: March 17, 2026
Home Video: April, 21, 2026 (available to pre-order here)

When filmmaker Gabriele Mainetti mixes high-octane gangster action with martial arts in modern-day Rome’s Chinatown, The Forbidden City becomes a clash of cultures that feels both unusual and ambitious. Whether the conflict comes through fists or gunfire, two very different worlds collide when Mei (Yaxi Liu) arrives searching for her missing sister. The reason for that search becomes clearer in the opening sequence. The siblings were secretly raised during China’s one-child policy era, and although the film never fully reveals when they were separated, the implication is that Mei has spent years searching.

Part of me still feels this story might have worked better as a period piece. That said, what Mainetti presents is effective in its own way. The film offers a glimpse of how Chinatowns exist beyond the usual cinematic settings of North America or Asia. In this case, the story unfolds in Rome. Without the occasional landmark or explicit mention, the location can be easy to miss, but the cinematography and production design give the city a textured, lived-in feel.

Continue reading “An Italian Kung-Fu Hustle Is Happening In The Forbidden City. Is Yaxi Prepared?”

Chinese New year 2026: The Essential Film Lineup You Need to See

The films offered during Chinese New Year 2026 is a mix of fun and action in the only way the leading film likes it. From animated bear sized chaos to desert-scale action, here are the releases worth tracking down.

Chinese New Year熊出没·年年有熊 (Bears Appear Every Year) Chinese New year 2026 2026 may feel late, but there’s a reason for that. In ancient times, the traditional calendar followed both the sun and the moon. That balance matters, especially when studios deliberately time releases to echo ideas of renewal, repetition, and harmony. This year’s holiday slate leans hard into that symbolism. Whether it’s animated bears stuck in a cycle, desert-bound warriors chasing destiny, or families barely holding it together over banquets, these films feel tailor-made for the season. This list highlights what to find, from international releases to local favourites.

熊出没·年年有熊 (Bears Appear Every Year)

The Boonie Bears are a chaotic duo who’ve become one of mainland China’s most recognisable animated exports, though comparing them to Yogi and Boo Boo only gets you so far. They’re operating in a different tonal universe, one where slapstick escalates quickly and logic is optional. Over the years, they’ve been joined by familiar faces like Vick, once an outright adversary, and Warren the raccoon, expanding their world beyond simple bear-on-human mischief.

It’s almost expected at this point that a new Boonie Bears movie arrives every year, often timed squarely for Chinese New Year. That consistency has turned the series into a holiday fixture. The humour is broad, the pacing relentless, and the appeal is cross-generational. With 年年有熊 literally translating to “Bears Appear Every Year,” there’s a strong suggestion this entry leans into repetition, tradition, and cyclical time. If there’s a Groundhog Day-style loop involved, it would fit neatly with zodiac symbolism and the idea of patterns renewing themselves year after year.

镖人：风起大漠 (Blades of the Guardians)

镖人：风起大漠 (Blades of the Guardians)Styled as a full-throttle wuxia epic, Blades of the Guardians sends Dao Ma (Jing Wu), the “second most wanted fugitive,” on what should be a straightforward escort mission to Chang’an. Naturally, it isn’t. Set against the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert, the trailers suggest a Mad Max meets Wild West energy, with bandits, shifting allegiances, and violence erupting from every direction.

The mystery surrounding the mission, and the involvement of the Mo family clan, hint at deeper political and personal stakes. With Jet Li in the cast and international distribution planned via Well Go USA, this one feels positioned to travel well beyond the holiday window.

Hong Kong Chinese New Year 2026 Releases

夜王 (Night King)

夜王 (Night King)Directed by Jack Ng, following the success of A Guilty Conscience, Night King explores Hong Kong’s nightlife through a comic lens. Set around the East Sun Nightclub, the story revolves around Brother Foon, played by Dayo Wong, as he battles a hostile corporate takeover. The threat comes in the form of V-jie, a ruthless CEO portrayed by Sammi Cheng, who also happens to be his ex-wife. Old-school values clash with modern corporate power, but the film frames that tension as comedy first, making it a familiar, crowd-friendly New Year watch with bite beneath the laughs.

双囍 (Double Happiness)

双囍 (Double Happiness)Few films align more neatly with the emotional pressure of Chinese New Year than Double Happiness. The holiday is built around reunion, even when families are fractured, and this film turns that tension into farce. Two incompatible families, two wedding banquets, one hotel, one day. The result is escalating chaos as a soon-to-be-married couple, played by Liu Kuan-ting and Jennifer Yu, try to keep everyone smiling.

Five 2025 Animated Films That North America Is Missing

International animation in 2025 has produced some of the most ambitious and heartfelt films of the year, yet many remain unseen in North America. What these animated films offer in how they they can be different from traditional narratives.

Animated Films Round the WorldThe global animation scene in 2025 has delivered a spectrum of visually striking and narratively bold films, yet many of these treasures remain unseen in North America. Whether sidelined by limited festival runs, language barriers, or distribution hurdles, some of the year’s animated films from afar are not being screened in North America.

From intimate European adventures to imaginative Asian reinterpretations of classic tales, these international works offer worlds that deserve a broader audience. Here are five animated films from 2025 that North America is missing — and why they’re worth seeking out.

Jumbo

Jumbo (France) Movie Poster🇫🇷 France / 🇧🇪 Belgium
🇱🇺 Luxembourg / 🇮🇩 Indonesia

Directed by Ryan Adriandhy, this tender adventure follows Don, a young boy whose size makes him the object of schoolyard teasing. To prove himself, he creates a play filled with fairies and spirits, blending slice-of-life drama with whimsical fantasy.

Although Jumbo has screened in Indonesia and appeared at select European festivals, it still hasn’t reached North America. Its cross-cultural charm, heartfelt characters, and festival pedigree make it a standout example of a smaller international co-production that deserves far more visibility.

A Magnificent Life

A Magnificent Life Movie Poster🇩🇪 Germany / 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This imaginative biography reflects on the life of playwright and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. He’s considered to be one of France’s greatest talents whose works are considered a national treasure. At 60, he finds himself confronted by a vision of his younger self, prompting a meditation on memory, destiny, and the wonder threaded through his work.

Premiering at Cannes, the film represents the kind of sophisticated, festival-leaning European storytelling that too often goes undistributed in North America. Its blend of nostalgia, fantasy, and emotional depth makes it a gem that deserves recognition beyond the festival circuit.

A Chinese Ghost Story 2025

🇨🇳 China

This new animated adaptation revisits the iconic series that have seen countless sequel and remakes. From the first film directed by Tsui Hark to a live-action series, just what it offers is romance, horror, and supernatural intrigue. Just who loves whom more is the trope that gets explored in different ways.

With no marketing, inclujding a poster release, and it looking like vapourware, maybe it never saw release at all. The sources consulted for this entry are suspicously minimal, even when checking Chinese reports. Despite maybe being offered at the wrong time due to a competing work, this work did not get the love it deserves, and for long time fans, it still needs to be seen!

Strange Tales: Lan Ruo Temple

Curious Tales of a Temple Official Movie Poster🇨🇳 China

Inspired by Strange Tales of a Chinese Studio, this adaptation may not cover the full breadth of the anthology, but it captures some of its best-known stories. Paired with larger-scale works like A Chinese Ghost Story 2025, it highlights the range and ambition of contemporary Chinese animation.

Its absence from the American and Canadian markets reveals a recurring distribution gap: even studios with proven North American success — such as those behind Chang’an — still struggle to secure releases for follow-up projects.

Balentes

Balentes Movie Poster🇮🇹 Italy / 🇩🇪 Germany

Set in Sardinia in 1940, this painterly, somber film follows Ventura and Michele, two young boys who discover that a herd of local horses is being sold to the army. Driven by idealism and a fierce sense of honour — balentes means “bravery” in Sardinian — they plot to free the horses before they reach the battlefield.

Despite a strong presence at European festivals throughout the year, there is no confirmed North American release. It’s a familiar fate for smaller European animated features, particularly those that favour personal themes or painterly experimentation over commercial formulas.