Chinese cinema's summer theatrical season peaks in July. May 2026 is the preview window — major productions are positioning for summer slots while platforms announce their summer original lineups. iQIYI, Youku, and Tencent Video are all active. The Wandering Earth 2 on Netflix remains the international entry point for Chinese blockbuster cinema.
The Wandering Earth Franchise — Where It Stands
The Wandering Earth 2 (2023) set up a third entry in the franchise. The first film was China's defining sci-fi blockbuster moment. Part 2 went bigger and retroactively added complexity to the first film's world. Creation of the Gods I is the other side of Chinese blockbuster ambition — epic fantasy based on Fengshen mythology, first of a planned trilogy. Ne Zha (2019) broke domestic animated film records and opened Chinese animation to international audiences.
Chinese Films Worth Watching This Summer
The Wandering Earth 2
The better film in the franchise. Start with Part 1 but this is the ambition statement. Andy Lau joins. Netflix.
Netflix
Creation of the Gods I
Epic Chinese fantasy based on Fengshen mythology. First of a planned trilogy. Sets a new bar for Chinese blockbuster scale. iQIYI.
iQIYI
Ne Zha (2019)
Chinese animation mythology that crossed over to international audiences. Box office record-breaker. iQIYI.
iQIYI
Detective Chinatown 3
Comedy mystery franchise continues in Tokyo. China's biggest Chinese New Year theatrical property. iQIYI International.
iQIYIiQIYI and Chinese Streaming Platforms — Summer Originals
iQIYI's summer 2026 slate includes historical C-dramas and modern romance series. Nirvana in Fire and The Story of Yanxi Palace anchor the historical catalog. The Bad Kids is the crime pick that keeps the thriller genre relevant on the platform. Youku's Hidden Love and The Long Season are both in active international discovery. WeTV's Joy of Life Season 2 is the palace political drama pick for viewers who want something with humor.
Nirvana in Fire
54 episodes of court political drama. The most internationally popular Chinese historical series. iQIYI and Viki.
iQIYI
The Story of Yanxi Palace
Wei Yingluo's ascent through the Qing imperial court. 70 episodes. iQIYI's historical drama benchmark.
iQIYI
The Bad Kids
Three children witness a murder. 12 episodes. The Chinese crime thriller benchmark on iQIYI.
iQIYI
Joy of Life
Zhang Ruoyun in political court drama that mixes humor and stakes. Two seasons on WeTV and iQIYI.
WeTV
Hidden Love
Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan campus romance. Most internationally distributed Chinese modern romance of 2023. Youku.
Youku
The Long Season
Fan Wei in a rust-belt murder mystery across timelines. Eight episodes. Youku's best drama in years.
Youku
Word of Honor
Wuxia bromance. Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun. Built a global community via social media. iQIYI and WeTV.
iQIYI
Till the End of the Moon
Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu in xianxia fantasy across immortal lifetimes. iQIYI's dominant 2023 fantasy hit.
iQIYI
Nothing But Thirty
Three women navigating life at thirty. Modern C-drama with real emotional honesty. iQIYI.
iQIYI
Go Ahead
Three children from broken homes building their own family. Chinese family drama that travels globally. iQIYI.
iQIYI
You Are My Glory
Yang Yang and DiLiReBa in modern romance with esports backdrop. iQIYI's most globally distributed romance.
iQIYI