House visitations and chowing down on festive snacks are just some of the ways to celebrate Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. In addition to mahjong and receiving ang pow (red packets), many of us also enjoy spending the Lunar New Year by heading to the nearest cinema. Chinese New Year is the time when many heartwarming and captivating Chinese-language flicks debut on the big screen.
Do take advantage of the CNY decor in shopping malls around Klang Valley to update your socials with Instagrammable photos in your festive OOTD. While you’re at it, why not spend a few hours on some entertainment with the following new CNY movies for 2024:
The Moon Thieves (盜月者)
- Cast: Anson Lo, Edan Lui, Keung To, Michael Ning
- Director: Kim-Wai Yuen
- Release Date: 10th February
When his scam to sell counterfeit watches goes wrong, Monsieur is forced by a cold-blooded watch smuggler to take part in a heist to steal three ultra-luxury watches in Tokyo. However, Monsieur realizes that each of his fellow robbers seems to be carrying ulterior motives. With no trust in the team, will their heist succeed?
All In (撲克王者)
- Cast: Jack Lim, Philip Keung, Namewee, Wang Lei, Yumi Wong, Xiao Yu
- Director: Matt Lai
- Release Date: 8th February
Cheng Jialang and Wei Yifu, two poker stars in their prime, are about to have their first face-to-face confrontation. However, just before the match, Cheng Jialang accidentally transfers his poker talents to a small-time crook named Huang Xiaoqi, who has no previous poker experience. The both of them must find a way to combine forces and challenge Wei Yifu.
Rob N Roll (临时劫案)
- Cast: Aaron Kwok, Gordon Lam, Richie Jen
- Director: Albert Mak
- Release Date: 9th February
A fierce robber has plotted a major heist. But unfortunately, his plan was unintentionally foiled by two dispirited middle-aged best friends, and the stolen cash disappears. As a result, the trio has to run from the pursue of a policewoman, as well as engaging in a firearm in order to reclaim the stolen cash, putting their life on the line.
Gordon Lam – who plays a washed-up taxi driver facing financial issues – reluctantly gets pulled into a heist. “My character is full of family problems. His daughter wants him to be a hero whereas his wife wants him to make more money to buy a house. However, he doesn’t meet any of the standards set. He’s helpless and would rather work in a car than at home,” the 56-year-old was quoted as saying. “I believe that if men reach a certain age yet have poor financial capabilities, managing a business becomes challenging. Moreover, they must prioritise their family’s welfare too. That kind of pressure isn’t easy! I found myself asking, ‘Is this really the life (I want)? Think carefully!’”
Money No Enough 3 (钱不够用3: 全部够用)
- Cast: Jack Neo, Mark Lee, Henry Thia
- Director: Jack Neo
- Release Date: 10th February
Ah Huang, Ah Qiang and Ah Hui have been friends for as long as they can remember. When Ah Huang’s mounting debts drive him to desperate measures, Ah Qiang and Ah Hui agree to lend him money – but he uses the money to build an illegal business. Even after the business becomes successful, he refuses to repay the money to his friends. However, when the business collapses, Ah Huang is forced to question everything as his family, friendships, and remaining money are all threatened.
Table For Six 2 (飯戲攻心 2)
- Cast: Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Min Chen Lin, Peter Chan, Tse Kwan Ho
- Director: Sunny Chan
- Release Date: 10th February
Belief in our own blessings can bring us good fortune, but what is true fortune? Fortune and misfortune, love and hate, what are their ultimate definitions? This sequel shines the spotlight on one family, three couples, and three weddings. After our favourite pair decide to move on, what further challenges await them? Marriage isn’t just about two individuals; it involves a whole family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Director Sunny Chan, with his unique sense of humour, once again dives into the complex dynamics of modern society’s men and women, families, and romance.
Happy Dragons (龙龙龙龙龙)
Cast: Eric Chen, Freddie Ng, Sam Chong, Remon Lim, Jonathan Lee, Jaspers Lai, Juztin Lan, Han Xiiao Aii, Jack Lim, Kryston Onn
Director: Chew Huat Yeow
Release Date: 10th February
Four over-top-thief who grew up together in the same orphanage had a miraculous rejuvenation of 30 years when they stumbled upon their comrade’s treasure, the mahjong set. With the limitations of the timeframe while the sunrise and sunset ‘transform’, they embodied a ‘secret mission’ once again. Determined to regain the lost dignity and freedom that they lost over the past 30 years, they must employ their ‘youthful bodies’. Little do they know, behind this battle lies a complex web of conspiracies.
The Movie Emperor (红毯先生)
- Cast: Andy Lau, Pal Sinn, Rima Zeidan, Daniel Yu
- Director: Ning Hao
- Release Date: 10th February
Hong Kong film star Lau Wai-Chi has a huge following of devoted followers and is always keeping an eye on his rivals. Wanting to shake things up, he decides to shock his legions of fans by playing a pig farmer in a humble indie drama. In order to come up with the best performance of his career, he goes to the countryside in mainland China to experience rural life there, but his arrogance leads to a series of disasters with the village people.
Love At First Lie (不是你不愛你)
- Cast: Mandy Tam, Edward Chen, Leung Chung Hang, Anjaylia Chan
- Director: Patrick Kong
- Release Date: 14th February
Nineteen-year-old Bo meets Edward, a wealthy young man with an estranged father. Edward asks Bo and her friend Keung to ruin his father’s wedding, which brings them closer together. As Bo and Edward fall in love and start dating, problems start to arise.
Rain Town (雨城)
- Cast: Chew Kin Wah, Susan Lankester, Fabian Loo, Wilson Lee, Pauline Tan
- Director: Tunku Mona Riza
- Release Date: 8th February
In the peaceful, rainy town of Taiping, Choo runs his family with an iron fist. He meddles in the lives of his three children, forcing them to live out his dreams for them and not their own. The children’s mother, Choo’s wife, is the meditator of the family. However, when something happens to her, the family is forced to confront their strained relationships with one another, deciding whether to fix it or walk away forever.
The Legend (传说)
- Cast: Jackie Chan, Lay Zhang, Bextiyar Gülnezer
- Director: Stanley Tong
- Release Date: 10th February
An archeologist noticed that the texture of the relics discovered during the excavation of a glacier closely resembled a jade pendant seen in one of his dreams. He and his team then embark on an expedition into the depths of the glacier.
Bonus:
Bureau 749 (749局)
- Cast: Karry Wang, Vivi Miao, Zhang Kai, Li Chen
- Director: Lu Chuan
- Release Date: TBC
Bureau 749 tells the passionate story of a teenager’s growth and adventure. The film is inspired by director Lu Chuan’s work experience in 749 innings after graduation. It has suspenseful and tense adventure stories, bloody action scenes, and also pays homage to his youth and that generation.
