A Decade-Long Reunion: Classic Chinese Animation Big Fish & Begonia Returns to Theaters on June 19 for 10th Anniversary Re-release, Carrying Forward the Legacy of Domestic Animation

After a decade, the beloved classic is back. The iconic domestic animated film Big Fish & Begonia has officially announced its 10th anniversary theatrical re-release, scheduled to hit cinemas nationwide on June 19, 2026. To mark the occasion, the film will be presented in two brand-new premium formats: IMAX 2D and CINITY. It will also have an exclusive IMAX screening at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival in advance. As a milestone work in the history of Chinese animation celebrated for its traditional Chinese style, this re-release pays tribute to a timeless masterpiece, re-energizes domestic animations rooted in traditional culture and original creation, and embodies profound value for industrial inheritance, cultural dissemination and emotional resonance among audiences.

Co-directed by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun, Big Fish & Begonia was jointly produced by B.T. Studio, Enlight Pictures and Coloroom Pictures. The production spanned twelve years, and the film first premiered in theaters on July 8, 2016. Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology, it integrates distinctive cultural elements including Fujian Tulou buildings, traditional folk customs and classical philosophy. Centered on the intertwined fates of the young girl Chun, the boy Kun and Qiu, the film weaves a romantic and poetic fantasy world. Upon release, it won wide acclaim for its unique traditional Chinese aesthetics and ethereal audio-visual presentation, grossing a total box office of 575 million RMB and retaining a steady rating of 7.0 on Douban. The theme song Big Fish performed by Zhou Shen became a nationwide hit, while classic lines such as “I will turn into wind and rain to stay by your side” have left an indelible impression on generations of viewers.

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A Benchmark for the Rise of Domestic Animation: Forging a New Aesthetic Paradigm for Oriental Animation

Big Fish & Begonia holds an irreplaceable position during the transformative period of China’s animation industry. Monkey King: Hero Is Back released in 2015 sounded the clarion call for the revival of domestic animation. Following its footsteps, Big Fish & Begonia broke the long-standing stereotype that domestic animations were solely targeted at young children. Together, the two productions ushered in a new era of diversified development for Chinese animation, proving that works featuring traditional Chinese styles boast remarkable artistic value and commercial potential.

In terms of artistic creation, the film deeply explores fine traditional Chinese culture and seamlessly blends ancient architecture, classic color schemes and mythological tales with animation art. Every frame exudes profound oriental charm, pioneering a mature creative model that combines traditional culture with animated expression. Its distinctive aesthetic style has exerted a far-reaching influence on numerous subsequent outstanding domestic animations, such as White Snake and Ne Zha: Devil Comes to the Sea, setting an important reference standard for oriental aesthetics in Chinese animation.

Thanks to its exquisite production and profound cultural connotations, Big Fish & Begonia has earned numerous prestigious awards at home and abroad. Even before its official release, it claimed the Best Technical Award at the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival and the Audience Choice Award at the Asian Youth Animation Contest. It has been featured in the exhibition 50 Years of Outstanding Asian Animation held at the Centre Pompidou in France and Sino-Japanese Animation Cultural Exchange exhibitions. Its accolades also include the Best Animated Feature at the 15th Budapest International Animation Film Festival and the Outstanding Feature Film at the 17th China Huabiao Film Awards. As a cultural envoy, it showcases the creativity and charm of Chinese animation to the world and facilitates cultural exchanges across borders. As one of the few domestic 2D animated feature films with a box office exceeding 500 million RMB, it has also reaffirmed the market viability of 2D animation and prompted the industry to re-examine its artistic value and development prospects.

Upgraded Audio-Visual Experience: A New Immersive Journey for Viewers

To repay audiences for their decade-long companionship, the 10th anniversary re-release features comprehensive audio and visual upgrades. The newly launched IMAX 2D and CINITY versions optimize image resolution, color contrast and layered sound effects. Iconic scenes including the grand Heavenly Gate above rolling sea of clouds, the mysterious underwater realm, ancient divine palaces with upturned eaves and blooming crabapple flowers will deliver enhanced visual impact and immersive experience via cutting-edge projection technology, allowing audiences to relive this fantastic journey across mountains and seas from a brand-new perspective.

The re-release poster is created once again by original artist Guo Zikai, adopting the concept of annual rings to symbolize the decade-long bond between the film and its audience. The newly released trailer is filled with warmth, and lines like “Do you still remember me?” and “Those who bid farewell will meet again” strike a chord with the public and awaken precious memories. So far, the film ranks first in the “Want to Watch” list among all titles for the Dragon Boat Festival season on Taopiaopiao, reflecting audiences’ high anticipation.

A Full Series of Commemorative Events Launched, Bright Prospects for Long-term IP Development

Alongside the theatrical re-release, a full lineup of 10th anniversary commemorative activities has kicked off to celebrate this memorable reunion. The “Big Fish & Begonia 10th Anniversary Reunion Night” will take place at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium on July 18. Original cast and crew including Zhou Shen, Lala Hsu, Xu Weizhou and Jin Shijie will gather on site to perform classic songs and share behind-the-scenes stories. A variety of themed merchandise will also be launched successively to enrich the IP ecosystem.

In addition, the development of the sequel is well underway. The highly anticipated Big Fish & Begonia 2 has released its first teaser trailer and is scheduled for official release in 2028. From classic re-screening and offline events to derivative products and sequel production, the team adopts a long-term strategy for IP operation, enabling this traditional Chinese-style animation rooted in traditional culture to maintain enduring vitality.

Profound Significance of the Re-release: Inheriting Classics and Driving Steady Development of Domestic Animation

Amid a crowded lineup of new films for the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival season, the re-release of Big Fish & Begonia goes far beyond a simple theatrical revival, carrying multiple positive implications.

For audiences, it is a heartfelt reunion after ten years. The film holds precious youthful memories for post-80s, post-90s and post-00 generations. Its return to cinemas offers a precious chance for viewers to relive touching moments, while passing down the core spirits of love, courage and perseverance embodied in the story.

For China’s animation industry, this re-release is a retrospect of original aspirations. The twelve years of dedicated craftsmanship and the creative philosophy of exploring traditional culture embodied by Big Fish & Begonia have set an exemplary standard for contemporary animators. At a time when the industry expands rapidly yet faces rampant homogenization, the return of this classic encourages practitioners to devote themselves to polished creation, uphold cultural essence, and further tap into the treasure trove of traditional Chinese culture, guiding domestic animation to pursue high-quality development rather than mere quantity growth.

From the perspective of cultural communication, the film presents ancient myths, traditional architecture and classical aesthetics to broader audiences through the medium of animation. Its re-screening after a decade will further expand the influence of traditional Chinese culture, help traditional heritage be passed down among younger generations in a youthful and entertaining form, and strengthen national cultural confidence.

A decade has passed, yet the giant fish still journeys toward distant mountains and seas. The return of Big Fish & Begonia represents not only the comeback of a timeless animated work, but also the inheritance and development of Chinese animation featuring traditional styles. This masterpiece crafted with dedication and passion will continue to shine on the big screen, leading new audiences to appreciate the beauty of oriental animation, and propelling China’s animation industry toward greater maturity, diversity and profound cultural heritage.