Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase | Nine Major Films Debut at SIFF, Lining Up for Summer Hits and Highly Anticipated Annual Releases

On June 17, the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), together with leading film companies, hosted the highly anticipated 2025 Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase.

Attending the event were: Lu Liang, Deputy Director of China Film Administration and and First-Class Inspector; Pan Min, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC and Director of Shanghai Film Bureau; Xu Yang, Director of the International Affairs Office of China Film Administration; Liu Yina, Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC; and Chen Guo, Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd.

Nine major upcoming Chinese-language blockbusters were unveiled at the showcase, including: Dongji Rescue, Strange[d1]  Tales of Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple, A Cool Fish 2, Gift from a Cloud, The Lychee Road, Assassin in Red 2, Man Huang Jin Di, Echoes of Encounter, and I Know Who You Are. The event brought together a star-studded lineup of directors, producers, executive producers, and performers, including Guan Hu, Fei Zhenxiang, Liang Jing, Yu Zhou, Song Yiyi, Rao Xiaozhi, Liang Lin, Yao Tingting, Qu Chuxiao, Da Peng, Bai Ke, Terrance Lau, Sunny Sun, Lu Yang, Wang Hongwei, Cao Baoping, Yang Hai, Feng Xiaogang, Xie Ying, and more. They took the stage to share highlights from their upcoming films, behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections on their creative processes, all while expressing heartfelt hopes for the sustainable high-quality development of Chinese cinema. To energize the crowd, professor and writer Mao Jian from East China Normal University hosted a lively open-mic session with the filmmakers, bringing a wave of enthusiasm to the event.

Chen Guo, Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., stated that “Chinese-language blockbusters”, as a backbone force in the industry, bring together top-tier talent and resources. These films not only represent the highest standard of Chinese cinema but also wield strong influence and appeal across the entire film market. The nine films featured in this year’s Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase embody the wisdom and dedication of Chinese filmmakers. Carrying the high expectations of both the industry and the audience, they are set to inject powerful momentum into the prosperity of the film market in the second half of the year.

Summer Hits and Highly Anticipated Annual Releases

A Rich Mix of Genres Fuels Market Growth

Since its debut last year, SIFF’s original branded event, Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase, has continued to gather momentum. Positioned as a major industry celebration, it brings together nine highly anticipated 2025 films in various stages of development and production. These selections span summer releases and upcoming annual highlights, presenting a multifaceted view of the excitement surrounding Chinese-language cinema in 2025.

After six years of preparation, the film Dongji Rescue returns to the summer season, scheduled for nationwide release on August 8. Directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, and presented by Liang Jing (also the lead producer), the film was specially shot in IMAX format. It challenges the record for the longest underwater shooting in Chinese film history. A water action team of over a hundred people underwent intensive underwater training, and filming lasted over 60 days underwater. The crew spent long hours submerged daily, demonstrating remarkable professionalism. The film features spectacular sea disaster scenes with full-scale island sets and restored sea vessels. Its production scope and workload are equivalent to three standard films. The art team conducted deep research on real shipwrecks, reconstructing four major parts of the vessel on a full scale. Just the portside scenery alone spans 20,000 square meters and is built to withstand simulated Category 12 typhoon conditions. Dongji Rescue promises audiences an unprecedented visual spectacle.

Strange Tales of Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple is the second installment in Light Chaser Animation Studios’ “New Culture” series, and a heartfelt return to the summer season for the fifth consecutive year. The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on July 12. Adapted from Pu Songling’s classic literary collection Strange Tales of Liaozhai, the film aims to present a world of Liaozhai that is both familiar and refreshingly new to audiences. Light Chaser Animation Studios reunites the original creative team behind Chang An, employing a “1+5” narrative structure where a main storyline links five classic chapters from Strange Tales: The Taoist Priest of Laoshan, The Lotus Princess, Nie Xiaoqian, Painted Skin, and Lu Gong Nv. The film seeks to faithfully capture the charm of Pu Songling’s short stories. In a first for Chinese animated cinema, Strange Tales of Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple presents Strange Tales of Liaozhai in an anthology format. Six directors each bring a unique and diverse aesthetic to their respective stories, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling to create an immersive and fantastical journey through the realm of Eastern supernatural folklore.

Seven years ago, A Cool Fish stood out with its unique portrayal of ordinary people, a darkly absurd comedic tone, and multi-threaded narrative. Now, A Cool Fish 2 makes a powerful return. The original cast – Zhang Yu, Ren Suxi, Pan Binlong, and Ma Yinyin - are back, along with the signature humor and heartfelt look at the struggles and hopes of everyday people, preserving the authentic flavor of A Cool Fish. This time, the story and scope have been fully upgraded: the small-town characters venture into the world. A “scumbag” man and a “ruthless” woman find themselves kidnapped in Thailand, and in the face of extreme danger, they embark on a sharp-edged emotional and desperate adventure. Fueled by intense emotions and unexpected tactics, they fight back against fate and reclaim their dignity, achieving a metaphorical rebirth. The film was specially shot in IMAX, magnifying the stories of the small and overlooked. Releasing July 5, A Cool Fish 2 invites you to the theaters this summer for a unique blend of absurdity and realism - laugh through the heat and feel the sting of truth.

Gift from a Cloud, directed by Yao Tingting, is her latest romantic fantasy film following Love You Forever. Set for release on August 29, the traditional Chinese Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day), the film continues Yao’s exploration of love and time. Using “clouds” as a poetic symbol and witness of love, the story follows a soul-healing romance that transcends life and death. Qu Chuxiao plays Qin Tian, who is reincarnated after his death but loses all memory of his beloved Xiao Fan, played by Wang Ziwen. Xiao Fan, armed with the courage to love once more, helps Qin Tian recover his lost memories of love. In this miracle of loss and rediscovery, the true essence and power of love are brought to light. Through the romantic imagery of clouds, the film delivers a heartfelt message of longing, remembrance, and the timeless nature of love, aiming to rekindle the audience’s faith in genuine, enduring romance.

The Lychee Road, written, directed, and headlined by Da Peng, is set to hit theaters on July 25, bringing a refreshing surprise to this summer’s film season. Adapted from the hit novel of the same name, the film promises an immersive Tang Dynasty audiovisual experience, crafted with exquisite production values. From the loyal and subservient Li Shande to the bold “rule-breaker”, from the evolving friendship between Li Shande and Su Liang, to the awakening of Lin Yinu, and the ruthless ambition of Zhao Xinmin, the film presents vivid and complex characters. Supported by a powerhouse cast, The Lychee Road aspires to deliver moments of surprise, emotional resonance, and lasting impact. Set against the backdrop of a “beast of burden” tale from a thousand years ago, the film reflects on contemporary realities for resonance. It touches on multiple dimensions of emotion - family, friendship, and love - poised to spark meaningful conversations and widespread discussion among audiences this summer.

Assassin in Red 2 is a new expansion of the series, weaving a narrative system that blends reality and fantasy. The doors to both the real world and the otherworld are once again opened, with magnificent fantasy and adventurous crises coexisting. The film brings together a local Chinese visual effects team, using cutting-edge techniques to create highly imaginative visuals and stunning visual effects. From the grand spectacles of the otherworld to the collision of realities, it offers an annual feast of Eastern aesthetics. Director Lu Yang returns with the original crew, and Deng Chao makes a surprise appearance as Chi Fa Gui. Alongside returning familiar faces such as Dong Zijian, Lei Jiayin, and Wang Shengdi, the film introduces new talents including Ding Chengxin, Wang Yanlin, Deng Fei, Zhang Zhen, Xin Zhilei, and Chang Yuan, contributing to an all-star ensemble cast in this epic fantasy-action production.

What will Nanjing look like in the future? Echoes of Encounter is produced and written by Wang Hongwei and directed by Lu Yang. The film showcases a unique post-apocalyptic aesthetic and visual expression, contrasting the ruins of a future Nanjing with the vibrant, lively Nanjing of today. By reimagining iconic spaces of Nanjing, the film explores the collision between apocalyptic urban aesthetics and futuristic technology, delivering a powerful visual shock and aesthetic impact. The film’s core setting centers around “interdimensional communication”, blending elements of romance, science fiction, and suspense. It explores philosophical and emotional themes of “companionship, hope, and the meaning of existence”. Through a dual-narrative structure, the film constructs a temporal and spatial overlap between the present and the future, creating ongoing suspense and emotional engagement. It tells a bittersweet love story. Beneath its hardcore sci-fi setup, the film emphasizes individual growth and the expression of sincere emotions, combining cosmic wonders with heartfelt humanistic care.

After classics such as Glorious Fury and The Dead, director Cao Baoping presents his latest work, Man Huang Jin Di. The film brings together top-tier performers from the film industry, with a powerful collaboration between the leading director and stars. It combines familiar and successful partnerships with high-level creative clashes, making it highly anticipated for the exceptional performances they will deliver on screen. The film constructs a unique and stunning worldview: a wild jungle where humans and beasts coexist, becoming a breeding ground for crime outside the rule of law. The bizarre people, events, and phenomena will captivate the audience, offering an unprecedented adventure through a forbidden land.

After Youth and an 8-year hiatus, director Feng Xiaogang returns with a period masterpiece - I Know Who You Are. The film showcases the decades-long confrontation between two neighbors, Xiao Dali and Feng Jingbo, reflecting the immense social changes in New China over the past few decades. Through the lens of their personal battle, it explores the significant historical shifts, awakening the audience’s collective memories of the era. With a strong sense of time, the film carefully recreates the Beijing streets, main roads, alleys, and residential houses, faithfully representing the lives of ordinary people and the sweeping changes of the era. In this work, Lei Jiayin and Hu Ge make their first big-screen collaboration, battling wits and courage. They perfectly embody the transformation of their characters from youth to old age. Combining a deep historical atmosphere with a strong sense of time, the film is expected to resonate with audiences in theaters, allowing them to experience the ups and downs of destiny and the changes of the era.

Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase: Uniting Forces to Contribute to the Industry’s Development

In 2025, after the record-breaking Spring Festival box office, the Chinese film market has “progressed steadily”, continuing to open new international distribution horizons. Standing at a new starting point for building a film powerhouse, the growth potential of total audience attendance and the enthusiasm of viewers entering theaters still need to be further stimulated. How to consolidate development achievements and continuously push the industry toward high-quality growth has become the core question that Chinese filmmakers must urgently address.

Whether it’s responding to the competition for user attention from diverse entertainment forms or directly facing the shortcomings within the industry, such as in content innovation, technological application, and talent development, SIFF’s Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase brings together industry forces with a forward-looking vision and more pragmatic measures. It explores breakthroughs in genres and industrial upgrades, aiming to contribute a forward-thinking answer for creating a more vibrant Chinese film market.