Chinese Box Office Hit 'Dear You' Acquired for U.K., Ireland, and France Theatrical Release
Trinity CineAsia has acquired theatrical rights to 'Dear You,' a Teochew-language family drama that became China's second-highest-grossing film of 2026 with $246-266 million earned domestically. The film, directed by Lan Hongchun and made on a modest $2 million budget with largely non-professional actors, will release in U.K. and Ireland cinemas on June 26, followed by France. The acquisition reflects the film's remarkable word-of-mouth success and its resonance with diaspora communities seeking authentic representation of their cultural heritage.
Trinity CineAsia has secured all theatrical rights to 'Dear You' for the U.K., Ireland, and France from producers Hugoeast and Damai Entertainment, with the U.K. and Ireland release set for June 26 and a French release to follow. The Teochew-language family drama, directed by Lan Hongchun, has become a box office phenomenon in China, earning between $246-266 million since its April 30 release—making it the country's second-highest-grossing film of 2026 and achieving approximately 120 times its $2 million production budget. The film's success is driven primarily by word-of-mouth and audience enthusiasm rather than major marketing campaigns, evidenced by its 9.2 rating on Douban from over 700,000 users. The story follows a debt-ridden young man who travels to Thailand searching for a wealthy grandfather, uncovering a three-generational secret rooted in the history of Chinese migration to Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The cast consists largely of non-professional actors from the Chaoshan region, with the lead role played by a 20-year-old finance student with no prior screen credits. Thai actress Usha Seamkhum, known for 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,' makes a special appearance reflecting her own Teochew-Thai heritage.
What different sources said
- The Hollywood ReporterCenter
China’s Underdog Box Office Phenomenon ‘Dear You’ Lands U.K., France Release
- VarietyCenter
Chinese Hit ‘Dear You’ Set for U.K., Ireland and France Theatrical Release
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