Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026)
Critics are positive; audience ratings are still coming in.
The FilmyChill Score combines audience ratings and critics' reception, and updates twice a day. No studio or platform can pay for a score. How the score works
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East opened in theatres in Australia on 11 Sept 2026 and may still be showing — check local cinema listings. Its streaming release date hasn't been announced — this page updates the day it lands on streaming.
What the audience says
The few people who have rated Once Upon a Time in the Middle East rate this Chinese film highly. It carries an 8.9/10 on TMDB across 47 ratings — a small sample, so treat it with caution.
Good word from critics, with the themes and performances earning most of the praise. — distilled from critics' published reviews
Should you spend 2h 20m on it?
2h 20m of Chinese drama with war threaded through. Only 41 people have rated it, so treat that 9.1 as an early signal rather than a verdict.
- Skip if
- you're after something that moves faster than it feels
- Best for
- A night you can give it your full attention
Story
Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off family debts, where he meets floor manager Ma Junsheng. Their Dragon Restaurant rises to fame, attracting crowds with authentic‑tasting Chinese food. But war breaks out, and local conditions take a drastic turn for the worse. No one can remain unaffected. What lies ahead for them? And how will the Dragon Restaurant hold on amid the war?
Good to know
| Runtime | 2h 20m |
| Genre | Drama / War |
| Language | Chinese |
| Best screen | Theatre / big screen |
Director
Wen Muye
Cast
When is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East coming to streaming?
Not streaming yet — Once Upon a Time in the Middle East opened in theatres in Australia on 11 Sept 2026. Chinese releases typically reach streaming about 5–9 weeks after opening, which would put it somewhere around October 2026 and November 2026.
That's the usual pattern, not a confirmed date — no platform has announced one. We re-check every day and this page updates the moment it lands.
Where to watch in Australia
Availability as of 25 Sept 2026 — platforms may change over time.
Trailer
If you liked this
