January 29, 2025, marks the beginning of a new lunar year, ushering in festivities and celebrations for Chinese New Year! Also known as the Spring Festival, this holiday represents not only new beginnings but, more importantly, togetherness, family, and feasts. After indulging in delicious food and honoring your ancestors, why not celebrate by watching films that embody the essence of Chinese New Year?
Ring in the Lunar New Year with fireworks, family, food, and these five festive films that will bring you good fortune while setting the perfect mood to welcome the Year of the Snake:
1. Everything Everywhere All at Once
Chinese-American immigrant Evelyn, while planning for a Chinese New Year party at the laundromat she owns, learns that she is the key to saving the multiverse from her own child in this surreal and hilarious comedy about the powerful, beautiful, and complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. This weird and absurd but touching and funny film won seven Oscars including Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, Best Director, and Best Picture.
2. All’s Well, Ends Well
Starring legendary Hong Kong-based stars Leslie Cheung, Stephen Chow, and Maggie Cheung, All’s Well, Ends Well is a romantic comedy that follows the three Shang brothers as they navigate love, familial relationships, and personal growth. A classic Chinese New Year favorite, this film uses slapstick humor and absurdly silly moments to convey the importance of respecting and loving both family and significant others.
3. Us and Them
A swoon-worthy yet bittersweet Chinese film, Us and Them tells the story of an ex-couple who serendipitously reunite on their journey home for Chinese New Year. As they travel together, memories of their past romance resurface. Through poignant flashbacks, we witness how they first met on a similar journey a decade earlier, experiencing their love story from the beginning. In the spirit of rebirth and reunion, this film perfectly captures the nostalgia and longing that the holiday often brings.
4. Over the Moon
Set during the Moon Festival (a Mid-Autumn celebration that shares similarities with Chinese New Year) this beautifully animated musical fantasy film follows a young girl named Fei Fei, who builds a rocket to prove to her family that the Moon Goddess, Chang’e, is real. A vibrant celebration of Chinese culture and identity, Over the Moon is also a touching tale of grief, letting go, and embracing what’s to come.
5. Eat Drink Man Woman
Featuring some of the most visually stunning depictions of cooking and food ever captured on screen, this Taiwanese classic tells the story of a master chef and his three daughters as they navigate life, love, and loss. Directed by Ang Lee, this film uses food and feasts as a metaphor for family—showcasing the crazy, unique, and nourishing elements that come together to create a rich and unforgettable experience.
These films not only celebrate Chinese culture and traditions but also emphasize the importance of family, love, celebration, and, of course, a great meal—all of which define the spirit of Chinese New Year. May these stories bring you joy, warmth, and good fortune as you welcome 2025!