China's 'Honor of Kings' mobile game to get animated film adaptation

China's most successful mobile game, "Honor of Kings," is expanding into film with an animated feature announced Sunday through a partnership between Tencent Games and comedy production house Mahua Fun Age.

Director Zhang Chiyu and actor Shen Teng announce an "Honor of Kings" animated feature at the game's 10th anniversary celebration in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Oct. 26, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Tencent Games]

Positioned as family entertainment, the film will be directed and written by Zhang Chiyu, director of the sci-fi blockbuster "Moon Man." Chinese comedy star Shen Teng will serve as creative supervisor. The film is set for a 2028 release.

Zhang and Shen announced the project during an event in Chengdu, Sichuan province, celebrating the game's 10th anniversary. Both are affiliated with Mahua Fun Age, which is expanding its reach through partnerships across different entertainment sectors.

Zhang said that as a longtime "Honor of Kings" player, he hopes the film will bring the game's appeal to both players and general audiences in theaters.

The director shared his vision for the film: "I believe it can be summarized with three words: cooperation, home and happy. Creating family entertainment has been our clear and consistent focus from the very beginning," Zhang said.

"We hope children can witness heroes' growth in the movie, adults can relive the excitement of team battles, and the whole family can enjoy the joy that 'Honor of Kings' brings."

A teaser trailer shows a vehicle carrying AI data crashing on route to Hero City, causing a massive explosion. The resulting energy surge creates a new fantasy world based on the "Honor of Kings" universe.

The identity of the unnamed hero on the poster remains a mystery. Zhang said the film will not simply recreate the game's plot but will present an entirely new heroic narrative set in the fantasy world.

A concept poster for "Honor of Kings." [Image courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

"Honor of Kings," developed by Tencent Games' TiMi Studio Group, is the world's most popular mobile battle arena game. The company said at the anniversary event that the game reached 139 million daily active users in China and surpassed 260 million monthly active users globally in 2025.

The game features character designs and music from composers including Hans Zimmer, Joe Hisaishi and Howard Shore. It operates on a free-to-play model where success depends on skill rather than spending, and hosts esports competitions ranging from amateur to professional tournaments. Tencent also announced at the event that a new franchise title, "Honor of Kings: World," will launch in spring 2026.