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China society
ChinaPeople & Culture

China’s science-fiction blockbuster The Wandering Earth seeks out new audiences with Netflix deal

  • Streaming service with reach into 190 countries picks up box office smash
  • Adaptation of Liu Cixin novel is hit with fans, critics and culture authorities

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The Wandering Earth was a huge hit in Chinese cinemas over the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Reuters
Natalie Koh

China’s second highest-grossing film, The Wandering Earth , will be streaming on Netflix soon, the media company said on Wednesday.

It was not clear when the film will be released, but Netflix said it would be translated into 28 languages.

“Audiences from over 190 countries will soon meet The Wandering Earth on Netflix,” director Frant Gwo, known better as Guo Fan in China, said. “I am glad that our movie can reach to people from different parts of the world. To my surprise, this movie resonated outside mainland China.”

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Actor Wu Jing in The Wandering Earth. Photo: Future Affairs Administration
Actor Wu Jing in The Wandering Earth. Photo: Future Affairs Administration

Netflix in 2017 was available in about 190 countries, but China was not one.

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Reactions from Chinese film fans on social media were mixed. Some said the Netflix deal was “good news” and voiced satisfaction that a Chinese film was hitting the international stage.

“Finally, it’s foreigners’ turn to watch subtitles,” one said.

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