Three Kingdoms Animated Film Returns to Theaters on October 17 After Pulling Out

The animated film Three Kingdoms: Part One - Battle for Luoyang now has a new release date. After being pulled from theaters in July, the Zhui Guang Animation film returns to Chinese cinemas on October 17, 2026.

The news comes from the production company, which confirmed the new date this October 8. The film is the first installment in a saga dedicated to the Three Kingdoms period, one of the most classic eras in Chinese history and an endless source of war stories and betrayals.

Poster for the animated film 'Three Kingdoms: Part One - Battle for Luoyang' featuring characters and a sword.finance.sina.com.cn

The return to theaters is no accident. The film originally premiered on July 10, but things didn't go as expected. In 15 days it grossed just over 80 million yuan, a low figure for a production of this caliber, and on July 25 its withdrawal was announced to seek a better release window.

The curious thing is that critics did back it. On Douban, the most widely used review platform in China, the film holds a rating of 8.0, a pretty solid number for an animation. The problem was the audience, not the quality.

The Team Behind the Film

Directing duties fall to Xie Junwei, who already proved his talent with Chang'an San Wan Li, one of the biggest animated hits in China in recent years. The script is written by Wang Wei, a heavyweight at Zhui Guang: he also wrote Chang'an San Wan Li, White Snake: Origin, and New Gods: Yang Jian.

The fact that the same people behind those films are involved in Three Kingdoms says a lot about the production level we can expect. Zhui Guang Animation has earned a reputation for its detailed animation and its way of reinterpreting classic stories with a modern touch.

The Three Kingdoms saga is fertile ground for animation: massive battles, brilliant strategists, and characters that have become legend. Luoyang, the city that gives this first part its name, was a key point in the power struggles after the fall of the Han dynasty.

A Second Chance at the Box Office

The October 17 re-release is a risky bet. The film already had its chance and failed to connect with the mass audience, but the good reviews and the studio's prestige could give it a boost in this second window.

It's not the first time a Chinese film has been pulled and re-released in search of better numbers. The strategy has become more common in recent years, especially when critical reception is good but the box office doesn't follow.

For now, there's no information on whether this film will reach Latin America or if any streaming platform will have it available. What is certain is that on October 17, Chinese cinemas will have a new battle for Luoyang on the big screen.