Once Upon a Time in the Middle East

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Once Upon a Time in the Middle East

Oct 2026

2h 21m

Drama

War

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100%

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10 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

One of China's biggest stars, Shen Teng, leads the acclaimed international box office sensation Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. Seeking a fresh start, chef Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to support his family and repay his debts. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he transforms the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a thriving business. But when war engulfs the city, their hard-won success is shattered and the restaurant becomes a refuge for those caught in the conflict. As danger closes in, Xu Fu must risk everything to protect his newfound community and preserve a small beacon of hope amid the devastation.

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In Theaters Oct 9, 2026

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Brett Arnold

At the Movies Again

1 day ago

A heartbreaking, empathetic, and emotional depiction of the harsh and dehumanizing realities of war

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Jared Mobarak

Hey, Have You Seen ...?

1 day ago

8/10

I really like Jiang’s slowly hardening Ma still holding onto his empathetic heart. And Shen is fantastic as his ever-endearing Xu eventually realizes he can’t talk himself out of every situation.

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Alice Shih

Original Cin

2 days ago

A-

Director Muye Wen’s brilliant film, already an Oscar contender, illustrates the horrors of war with uncommon balance.

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Mark Dujsik

Mark Reviews Movies

2 days ago

3.5/4

[T]his is a human story through and through, and it sees everything and everyone from that perspective first and foremost.

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Robert Ewing

Flickering Myth

2 days ago

5/5

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is an absolute masterpiece and an emotional odyssey through the complexities of the War on Terror, exploring the moral grey areas of a conflict that became a perpetual cycle of pain and suffering

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Ben Miller

InSession Film

4 days ago

B

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East takes a unique approach to a more objective war story, infusing a fresh perspective, backed up with excellent performances. I doubt you'll see anything else like it in American theaters.

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Chenying G

19 hrs ago

One of the best movies I’ve seen this year

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Ricky H

@ybrick51 16 hrs ago

Good movie overall, a little overdramatic and too comedic at times considering the topic is US militarism in West Asia and the "terrorism" that spawns from that, definitely a much different take with multiple perspectives you won't see in western-made films about war.

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zhimin S

@RT61552188 21 hrs ago

Great script, powerful thought-provoking ideas in a single gripping storying line. A refreshing perspective different from the usual Hollywood depiction. Impeccable cast, all characters played out genuinely. Director's vision is superb too.

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Muye Wen

Director

Teng Shen

Actor

Qiming Jiang

Actor

Omar Sherif

Actor

Aarif Lee

Actor

Sharif Subhi

Actor

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Once Upon a Time in the Middle East: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

One of China's biggest stars, Shen Teng, leads the acclaimed international box office sensation Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. Seeking a fresh start, chef Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to support his family and repay his debts. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he transforms the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a thriving business. But when war engulfs the city, their hard-won success is shattered and the restaurant becomes a refuge for those caught in the conflict. As danger closes in, Xu Fu must risk everything to protect his newfound community and preserve a small beacon of hope amid the devastation.

Director: Muye Wen
Screenwriter: Qunli Lang, Wei Zhong
Distributor: Well Go USA Entertainment
Genre: Drama, War
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 9, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 2h 21m

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