Once Upon a Time in the Middle East Movie: Shen Teng’s 2 Billion RMB Anti-War Hit Releases in Malaysia on Sept 11
[KUALA LUMPUR] May there be no war, and may everyone get to sit down and eat in peace! The highly anticipated Once Upon a Time in the Middle East movie (Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant) will officially hit Malaysian GSC cinemas on September 11, 2026. Directed by Wen Muye (Dying to Survive) and produced by Ning Hao, this film brings a powerful wave of warmth and emotion to local audiences.
Furthermore, the film has achieved massive success in China. Its cumulative box office has surpassed 2 billion RMB, and it holds a stellar 8.7 rating on Douban. Even more impressively, it scored a 9.8 on Taopiaopiao during previews, breaking a three-year record!
The True Story: Real “Dragon Restaurants” in Wartime Iraq
The story of the Once Upon a Time in the Middle East movie is not entirely fictional. It is based on real Chinese restaurants that operated in Iraq during the war. In the 1980s, Chen Xianzhong was sent to Iraq as a state-owned enterprise representative. In 2004, he opened a high-end Chinese restaurant called “Yan Long Wan” in Baghdad.
Moreover, another real-life inspiration comes from Liu Lei and Shuai Xuejun, who ran the “Chinese Dragon” restaurant. When the Iraq War broke out, their Chinese neutrality turned the restaurant into a “safe house” amid the flames, sheltering journalists, doctors, and refugees. Therefore, the protagonist Xu Fu is an amalgamation of several real-life heroes.
Plot: From a Debt-Ridden Chef to a Wartime Protector
Xu Fu (played by Shen Teng) travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off his family’s debts. He initially just wants to earn enough money and go home. However, in the kitchen, he meets the floor manager Ma Junsheng (played by Jiang Qiming). Together, they build the Dragon Restaurant into a thriving local favorite.
Orphaned kids kept sneaking in for food. Xu Fu would grumble, but he never turned them away. Then, war reached their doorstep. He realized that some people are worth protecting, even when you cannot save them all. Thus, a self-preserving chef gradually transforms into a hero willing to pay any price to save local children.
“One window, three stories of life — holding half a lifetime of wandering, a bond of true friendship, and a peace regained.”
— Official Poster Tagline
Box Office Sensation: Breaks 3-Year Preview Score Record
Released in mainland China on August 11, the film took the market by storm. It grossed 1.949 billion RMB in August alone, becoming the month’s box office champion. By September 4, the Once Upon a Time in the Middle East movie officially crossed the 2 billion RMB milestone, making it the 45th film in Chinese cinema history to achieve this feat.
The word-of-mouth is equally explosive. Taopiaopiao gave it a 9.8 preview score (a 3-year record), Maoyan gave it 9.7, and Wanda Cinemas awarded it 9.9. Audiences praised it as a “genuinely human-centric film.” However, some critics labeled it a “chef version of Wolf Warrior.” In response, director Wen Muye emphasized that the film focuses on the shifting fates of individuals under war, making it a profound anti-war piece.
Malaysia Premiere & Global Release Schedule
The Malaysian distributor, Mega Films Distribution, announced that the grand premiere will take place on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 8:30 PM at TGV Pavilion KL. Following this, the film opens nationwide in GSC cinemas on September 11.
Additionally, the film was specially shot for IMAX and runs for 141 minutes. The stellar cast includes Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Omar Sherif, and a special appearance by Aarif Lee.
Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, and New Zealand release simultaneously.
Singapore and Japan follow shortly after. More countries to be announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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On September 11, let’s sit down and eat well at GSC cinemas, and wish for world peace! Who will you bring to watch this tear-jerking anti-war masterpiece? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
※ This article compiles reports from China News Service, China Daily, Guancha, Oriental Daily, and Maoyan Pro. Screening information is subject to the final official announcements by Mega Films Distribution.
