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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11 Reviews

97%

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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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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

3 days ago

4.5/5

Harrowing, heartfelt, beautiful, and agonizing, Muye’s “Middle East” takes inspiration from real events to craft a dramatic adventure which calls to all to sit for a meal before choosing to pick up a sword.

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Brett Arnold

At the Movies Again

6 days 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 ...?

6 days 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

Oct 8, 2026

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

Oct 8, 2026

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

Oct 8, 2026

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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Paul

21 hrs ago

Riveting and jarring super adrenaline packed great film

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joy

1 day ago

A unique and fresh angle to look at war and the people suffering during the wartime. Hopefully it’ll wake up more people to resist war and cherish and protect the peace.

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KK

1 day ago

Rarely give a 10/10 rating, but this movie is so well done, I would be doing an injustice if I didn’t. Amazing storytelling, acting, character choices, everything! Just superb! More people should take chances and watch foreign films. I, too, once didn’t like subtitled movies, but I’m glad I gave it a chance years ago. Now they are some of the better quality films in which American Hollywood cannot deliver. Take the leap. You won’t regret it!!

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Anthony C

2 days ago

awesome! powerful and moving.

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Sonja M

2 days ago

I still loved the move with it's original voice and the subtitles I would see it again

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L F

2 days ago

The best movie about the Iraq War theme! Highly recommended

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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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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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