The best films in cinemas this January (plus one really bad one)

Featuring blockbusters, indie hits and questionable comedies 

The cinematic gods have blessed our fair city this month, with a small boot-full of English-language films opening in Beijing. Whether you're into lost dogs, sporting comebacks or cars that turn into fighting robots, you'll have your pick of films to see. 

Most cinemas around Beijing will be screening these films on general release. As dubbing is (thank goodness) no longer really a thing, the movies should be in their original language with Chinese subtitles. Check for sure at the movie counter before buying your tickets. 

Four Springs

First released at a film festival in 2017, Four Springs now makes its cinematic premiere nationwide. The documentary, directed by Lu Qingyi, follows the life of his parents and family in their hometown of Dushan in Guizhou. With intimate filming and bursts of photographs, Four Springs takes an in-depth view into four years of a family's life, through struggles, heartbreak, happiness and love. 

On general release now.

Creed 2

As with 2015’s affecting Creed, this sequel wants to consecrate every verse of Stallone scripture, bowing deeply to Rocky IV’s clash of superpowers (both Dolph Lundgren and an icy Brigitte Nielsen are back), and evangelising on behalf of the franchise. The people making this movie know all the beats they have to hit, and hit them they do, jab by jab.

On general release now. Read our review here. 

Bumblebee

The last four Transformers films have been a mess of clashing metal, crashing sound and little in the way of coherence. Bumblebee, meanwhile, was conceived as a spin-off, but emerges as more of a reboot of sorts: a return to the kid-and-a-car conceit of the first film. The result is an entry in this franchise that won’t give you a headache.

On general release now. Read our review here. 

China Salesman

We interrupt our regular programming with a film that is most definitely not one of the best films to see this January, but is worth a mention simply for being a contender for worst movie premise ever. Starring Li Dongxue, Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal, Made-in-China action trainwreck China Salesman sees Tyson and Seagal get into an hyper-exaggerated, super-stylised brawl in the film's first ten minutes, before being sidelined in favour of a sweeping saga 'based on true events'... about telecom sales in Africa.

Watch as Li heads to North Africa to help his company overcome an evil telecom juggernaut, and Tyson tries on his best (worst) indeterminable 'African' accent. Seagal, meanwhile, mostly sits around drinking wine. With a mere 13 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, plus the slight dodginess of it all, we're not really recommending spending hard-earned money on this cinema purchase. Plus, it's already on Netflix...

On general release from Wed 9. 

The Breadwinner

Not every animation can tackle cruelty, injustice and institutionalised misogyny and still be a must-see for kids and parents alike, but the latest hand-drawn gem from Cartoon Saloon is no ordinary animation. In the spirit of Studio Ghibli, the Irish studio's spiritual cousins, director Nora Twomey’s stunning film is about the ways we try to cradle each other from the harsher realities of life.

On general release from Fri 11. Read our review here. 

Uncle Drew

Dax (Lil Rel Howery) spends all of his life savings entering a street basketball tournament but soon finds both his cash and hopes of winning are gone as a long-term rival takes control of his team. When Dax discovers Uncle Drew (NBA star Kyrie Irving) – a basketball legend well past his supposed prime – he convinces Drew to round up his old crew so they can form a new team. Will the team of septuagenarians (who include no less than Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson and Lisa Leslie) help Dax finally find victory?

On general release from Fri 11. 

Escape Room

This horror-thriller may have a familiar plot, but with nuanced twists, turns and thrills, Adam Robitel's 2019 Escape Room has raked in the earnings from oversea's box offices so far. As six total strangers find themselves locked in an escape room, they must find their way out before the game becomes a lot more deadly than fun.

On general release from Fri 18. 

A Dog's Way Home

Directed by Charles Martin Smith and co-written by the author of the original book, W Bruce Cameron (who's also the author of A Dog's Purpose and 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter), this latest film about how fantastic dogs are follows the story of Bella. Bryce Dallas Howard lends her voice to Bella, and stars alongside Ashley Judd, Alexandra Shipp and Jonah Hauer-King, as the loyal dog journeys over 400 miles to make her way back home.

On general release from Fri 18. 

Dead Pigs

Based on true events, modern and traditional Chinese culture clash in director and writer Cathy Yan's comic debut. As thousands of dead pigs float down the river, the lives of five strangers – a hapless pig farmer, a feisty salon owner, a romantic busboy, an ambitious American architect and a spoiled rich girl – converge and collide in rapidly changing Shanghai.

On general release from Fri 25. 

For all things film in Beijing, hit 'Read more' below. 

You might have missed

More from Time Out Beijing

Stay updated