“Dear You,” the Teochew-language family drama directed and co-written by Lan Hongchun, is heading to U.K., Ireland and France cinemas after Trinity CineAsia acquired all theatrical rights from Hugoeast and Damai Entertainment.
The film opens across U.K. and Ireland screens on June 26, with a French theatrical release to follow.
Released in China on April 30, the drama became the country’s second-highest-grossing film of 2026 to date, earning $246.1 million at the local box office so far. It carries a 9.2 out of 10 score on Douban, placing it among the top-rated Chinese releases of the last 10 years. The film opens across several Asian territories beginning June 18.
Produced on a modest budget with a cast drawn largely from non-professional actors in the Teochew region, the film traces a debt-ridden young man who travels to Thailand in search of a rumored wealthy grandfather, only to uncover a three-generational secret connecting two families across borders and time. The story draws on the history of Chinese communities who migrated to Southeast Asia in the early 1900s.
Thai actor Taew Usha Seamkhum, known for her role in “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” (2024) – Thailand’s Academy Awards submission for Best International Feature and one of the country’s top-grossing films – makes a special appearance in “Dear You.” Her casting reflects her own Teochew-Thai heritage.
The screenplay is credited to Lan alongside Zheng Xuanxuan, Yang Leng and Zhu Liyun. The film will be subtitled in English and Chinese for the U.K. and Ireland release.
Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia, said: “‘Dear You’ is one of the most remarkable box-office success stories to emerge from China in recent years. Built almost entirely through audience enthusiasm and word of mouth, it has demonstrated the power of authentic storytelling to move millions of people. At its heart, the film tells a deeply human story about family, identity and belonging – themes that resonate far beyond its cultural origins. It is exactly the kind of film that demonstrates how culturally specific storytelling can transcend borders and resonate on a universal level. We are delighted to work with Hugoeast on this unique film and continue our relationship with Damai Entertainment (ex Alibaba Pictures) and look forward to bringing this exceptional film to audiences across the U.K., Ireland and France, including the many Asian communities who have long awaited the opportunity to see their history and identity reflected on screen in such a meaningful way.”
Trinity CineAsia’s recent U.K. theatrical slate has included Bi Gan’s Cannes 2025 Special Prize-winning fantasy drama “Resurrection,” Zhang Yimou’s counter-espionage thriller “Scare Out” and the animated global box-office record-holder “Ne Zha 2.”
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