A war comedy-drama set in a fictional Middle Eastern city has maintained its grip on China’s box office, pulling in another RMB174.4 million over the August 28 to 30 weekend. That’s $25.6 million for those keeping count. The film has now topped the charts for three consecutive weeks, according to box office tracking data.
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East launched on August 11 and has since accumulated a total of $283.7 million at the mainland China box office. Director Wen Muye, who previously helmed the critically acclaimed Dying to Survive, brings this summer breakout to aunces with producer Ning Hao backing the project.
What makes a war film resonate so deeply with Chinese aunces? The answer might lie in its unique premise. The story centers on a debt-ridden Chinese chef whose restaurant becomes an unexpected refuge for orphans and civilians when armed conflict erupts around them.
Shen Teng leads the cast alongside Jiang Qiming, Aarif Rahman, and Omar Sherif. The film’s sustained performance suggests it could climb even higher before its theatrical run concludes, cementing its place among China’s top earners for 2026.
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