Can Chinese sleeper hit Dear You conquer the US box office next?

China's latest box-office sensation, Dear You, is set to hit North American theaters on September 4. A Teochew-language family drama, the film has amassed nearly US$300 million in mainland China, marking it as a significant hit for the nation's film industry. With a modest release of 86 screens across 23 U.S. states and two Canadian locations, Dear You's North American debut aims to test whether its themes of family, migration, and cultural heritage can resonate with a broader audience beyond the Chinese-speaking diaspora.

The movie tells the story of a debt-ridden grandson from the Teochew region who embarks on a journey to Thailand to find his supposedly absent grandfather, believing him to be the source of his family's financial troubles. Instead, he discovers deeper connections to his family's history and the profound impact of his grandparents' relationship.

Distributors Well Go USA, a Texas-based company specializing in Asian cinema, hope that the film's universal message will transcend language and cultural barriers, potentially broadening its appeal.

Well Go USA's president and CEO, Doris Pfandrescher, praises the director's ability to craft "a deeply moving story about family, sacrifice, and the enduring power of human kindness that resonates across cultures." The marketing team has tailored promotional efforts for North American audiences, featuring trailers that highlight critical reviews and media praise. Publicist Will Zang anticipates that Dear You will connect with a wider range of viewers, enhancing appreciation for Chinese cinema and culture.

Chinese films have been increasingly seeking audiences outside China, with 2025 seeing those films generate US$140 million in overseas box office through October. Notably, 54 new Chinese films were released in North America in 2025, generating US$38.44 million in revenue, marking a 158% increase from the previous year. Notable titles like Ne Zha 2, released with an English dub, ranked among the highest-grossing Chinese films in North America, outperforming many domestic releases.

However, the success of Dear You in the U.S. remains uncertain. While Chinese-language cinema had been a strong soft power tool in the early 2000s, particularly through martial arts films, translating Chinese box-office success to North America has proven challenging. Despite the cultural influence of films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which grossed US$128 million in the U.S., Chinese films generally remain niche.

In contrast, Japanese anime like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has achieved more substantial box-office success in the U.S. in recent years.

Stanley Rosen, a USC professor specializing in Chinese politics and soft power, notes that while Dear You may primarily attract Chinese-speaking Americans, its performance could improve with strong reviews and positive word of mouth. If the film manages to gross US$2 million in North America, Rosen considers that a significant success. The debate over whether Dear You strengthens a sense of shared Chinese identity among the diaspora adds another layer to its cultural and strategic implications.