China’s Spring Festival film slate is shaping up to be a major battle for box office supremacy, with pre-sales already exceeding 200 million yuan as of . Eight films are currently slated for release during the holiday, with six debuting on , the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The lineup includes a diverse range of genres, from action and comedy to mythology, and animation. Han Han’s Fly With Me 3, Zhang Yimou’s Silent Seeker, Yuan Heping’s Borderline, Han Yan’s Starry Dreams, the animated Pandas: The Tribal Adventure, and the family-friendly Boonie Bears: New Year’s Eve are all vying for audience attention. The documentary Return to the Wolves will be re-released on , and a new Cantonese comedy, Night King, from Wong Jing, will premiere in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces on .
Several film crews are reportedly planning to spend the Spring Festival holiday in cinemas with audiences, a testament to the importance of this period for the Chinese film industry. A promotional event for Borderline is scheduled in Hangzhou on , featuring cast members Yu Bai Mei, Yu Shi, Li Yunxiao, Lin Qiu Nan, Jing Ci, and Li Jia Hui.
Zhang Yimou Tackles National Security Thriller
Zhang Yimou’s Silent Seeker marks the acclaimed director’s first foray into the national security genre. The film, guided by the Ministry of State Security, is his fourth Spring Festival release, following Snipers (2022), Full River Red (2023), and Article 20 (2024). The film boasts a star-studded cast including Yi Yangqianxi, Zhu Yilong, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin, Yang Mi, and Zhang Yi in a supporting role, with Liu Shishi and Liu Yaowen also appearing.
The story centers around a breach of classified information related to China’s latest fighter jet, prompting an urgent investigation by a national security team. The narrative unfolds as a tense game of trust and betrayal, exploring the complexities of espionage and counterintelligence.
Fly With Me 3 Takes to the Road Again
Han Han returns to write and direct Fly With Me 3, continuing the story of Zhang Chi (Shen Teng). The film sees Zhang Chi, having achieved his racing dreams, navigate new challenges and a changing landscape in the world of motorsports. The cast also includes Yin Zheng, Huang Jingyu, Zhang Benyu, Wei Xiang, Sha Yi, Fan Chengcheng, Sun Yizhou, Duan Yihong, Zhang Xincheng, Hu Xianxu, Li Zhiting, Bai Yu, Zhou Zhengjie, and Gao Hua Yang, with Jia Bing and Wang Anyu making guest appearances.
This represents the third installment in the Fly With Me series, following successful releases during the 2019 and 2024 Spring Festival holidays, which grossed 1.728 billion yuan and 3.361 billion yuan respectively.
Borderline: A Martial Arts Spectacle
Directed by renowned action choreographer Yuan Heping, Borderline is an adaptation of a popular martial arts comic. The film stars Wu Jing, Donnie Yen, Yu Shi, Chen Li Jun, Sun Yizhou, Ci Sha, and Li Yunxiao, with Liang Jia Hui, Zhang Jin, Hui Yinghong, Zhang Yi, Jet Li, Liu Yaowen, and Yu Rongguang also appearing.
Set against the backdrop of the vast desert, the story follows a perilous escort mission across the western regions of China. The journey attracts the attention of various factions vying for control of a high-profile fugitive, leading to a thrilling and action-packed adventure. The production emphasized practical effects and stunt work, with actors undergoing months of training in physical conditioning, wire work, combat techniques, and horsemanship. Filming took place on location in Xinjiang to capture the rugged beauty of the region.
Starry Dreams: A Futuristic Vision
Director Han Yan’s Starry Dreams is a new science fiction offering, described as a “refreshing and imaginative dream adventure.” Starring Wang Hedi and Song Qian, the film explores a near-future world where a virtual dream system called “Liang Meng” allows people to fulfill their desires in customized dreamscapes.
Pandas: The Tribal Adventure: A Familiar Favorite
The latest installment in the popular Pandas animated franchise, Pandas: The Tribal Adventure, continues the adventures of the beloved panda character Hu Hu, with Jackie Chan reprising his role. The film builds on the success of the previous installment, which earned 307 million yuan during the 2024 National Day holiday. The new film introduces a mysterious tribal setting and promises a family-friendly adventure.
Boonie Bears: New Year’s Eve: A Holiday Tradition
The Boonie Bears franchise is continuing its annual tradition with Boonie Bears: New Year’s Eve, marking its twelfth consecutive year releasing a film during the Spring Festival. This year’s installment features enhanced visuals and a fantastical storyline, with the Boonie Bears gaining supernatural powers and embarking on a new adventure.
Return to the Wolves: A Resurrected Documentary
The documentary Return to the Wolves, originally released in 2017, has experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to a viral short video highlighting the story of a wolf named Gelin. The film chronicles the journey of a wolf cub rescued by a painter and its eventual return to the wild, capturing a poignant tale of loyalty and connection.
Night King: A Hong Kong Comedy Revival
Directed by Wong Jing, Night King is a Cantonese-language comedy starring Anthony Wong and Sammi Cheng, marking their first collaboration in 11 years. The film follows Huan Ge, a manager at a nightclub, as he navigates a takeover attempt by his ex-wife, V Jie, leading to a showdown between the two.
