Spring Festival movie guide 2026

'Scare Out' 

A poster for "Scare Out." [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]

China's most renowned filmmaker, Zhang Yimou, has explored a range of genres and themes in recent years. This Spring Festival, he returns with "Scare Out," a spy thriller produced under the guidance of the Ministry of State Security, and the first Chinese film centered on contemporary national security. The film follows a national security task force that, after a leak of classified intelligence, finds itself caught in an internal crisis of trust — a silent battle for national security unfolding in the information age. It marks Zhang's fourth consecutive Spring Festival release — following three previous holiday hits — and his first venture into the national security genre, bringing counter-espionage to the big screen to raise public vigilance. In addition, as the first contemporary national security-themed film to be presented on IMAX screens, "Scare Out" harnesses IMAX's role as a performance magnifier to intensify the subtle, turbulent psychological warfare. High-stakes sequences — alleyway arrests, crossbow ambushes and shootouts — will draw viewers deep into a suspenseful and silent confrontation. A stellar ensemble cast, including Jackson Yee, Zhu Yilong, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin and Yang Mi, brings this silent battle and its hidden heroes to life. The film will open simultaneously in China, North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia on Feb. 17.