A daring heist, friendship, redemption, justice, satire and fun – those are the words that come to mind when watching the Chinese animated film All Wishes Come True!

The animation, inspired by the ancient Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals, has now landed in British cinemas.

It probably doesn't do the film justice to summarize a story peppered with twists in just a few sentences, but here goes: When a magical lantern protecting humanity disappears, eight unlikely mortals come together to find it. What begins as a treasure hunt becomes a fight to save humanity.

The film's director, Mu Zhengyang, told CGTN that the story is ultimately about ordinary people finding the courage to "do the right thing" – a message he believes is universal and can resonate with audiences beyond China.

"One thing we want to showcase is the strength of Chinese animation," said Mu. "We now have the technology to bring the imagination of ancient China and these distinctly Eastern mythical worlds vividly to life, allowing audiences to experience the appeal of Chinese culture. 

"At its heart, the film is about doing what is right and being a good person. I think that is something people from any culture can relate to."

A story revived for a younger generation 

The legend of the Eight Immortals has evolved through Chinese folklore for centuries, with stories of individual immortals circulating as early as the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. But it was during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that the group of eight characters familiar to Chinese audiences today became established.

Now, filmmakers have given the legend another makeover – with modern humor, satire and struggles familiar to audiences today.

In the animation, Mu aims to re-imagine immortals who are conventionally portrayed as distant, restrained and almost flawless. In Penglai – a mythical realm traditionally associated with immortals – the gods are much more like us: they have fears, desires and flaws. They are even under pressure to perform, ranked according to their popularity and achievements.

Mu said the Eight Immortals themselves have never been completely static. As the legend evolved throughout history, changes to its characters reflected the concerns and aspirations of people in different eras.

The film, he said, is the latest chapter in that continuing evolution – leaving a 2026 imprint on a centuries-old story.

"I think what we've done in 2026 is find a new way into this centuries-old story, looking at it from a fresh perspective and bringing it back to life for a new generation," said Mu. "And if the film makes them curious enough to explore the mythology, culture and folk stories behind the Eight Immortals, then we've achieved what we set out to do."

Mu added that the legend has become increasingly unfamiliar to some younger people in China. His hope is simple: when they walk out of the cinema, they want to know more about the Eight Immortals.

A very Chinese film for an international audience 

For audiences without knowledge of Chinese classics, many of the film's cultural references simply move the story forward or provoke a laugh. But for many Chinese viewers, the film is peppered with references to stories, characters and sayings they may have known since childhood.

Here are some that may help international audiences understand the film on another level.

1) The Eight Immortals crossing the sea: The Eight Immortals are traditionally depicted using their own abilities and magical instruments to cross the sea, giving rise to a well-known Chinese saying that essentially means everyone has their own way of overcoming a challenge.

That idea – very different individuals bringing their own strengths to the same challenge – runs throughout the film.

2) The magical lantern: The lantern connects the story with another well-known strand of Chinese mythology involving Yang Jian – the film's antagonist – and his sister. Chinese audiences may associate it with the Lotus Lantern tradition, another familiar Chinese folk legend.

3) Fu Lu Shou: Fu, Lu and Shou are three popular deities associated respectively with good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Their imagery is instantly recognizable to many Chinese people, particularly during celebrations and in traditional households. In the film, the God of Lu takes that association with prosperity quite literally – giving the protagonists unlimited amounts of money.

4) Sun Wukong's magical hairs: The Monkey King famously has the power to pluck hairs from his body and magically transform them into copies or other objects. The film borrows this familiar ability when Sun Wukong's hairs are used to create substitutes for the Eight Immortals. For Chinese audiences familiar with the Chinese classic Journey to the West, the reference is instantly recognizable.

Sun Wukong and Yang Jian are also old rivals in the Chinese classic - adding another layer to the Monkey King's brief appearance when Yang Jian is defeated.

The rise of Chinese films in international markets 

All Wishes Come True! has already raked in around $210 million at the Chinese box office. Now, its overseas rollout is taking the film to a much wider audience.

"We hope these films can succeed commercially. More importantly, we hope they can open up a dialogue between cultures," said Ying Xujun, CEO of CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio.

"Different stories connect with different audiences in different ways. If overseas viewers can find something in a Chinese film that truly resonates with them, while also discovering how Chinese cinema is evolving, I think that's incredibly meaningful."

According to CMC Pictures, the overseas distribution of Chinese films has changed dramatically over the past decade.

Its network now spans six continents, covering over 100 countries and 1,000 cities, with some films released internationally almost simultaneously with their Chinese premieres.

The scale has also expanded. What began with releases in just a dozen or so cinemas a decade ago can now involve hundreds – or even more than 1,000 – depending on the film.

"By 2026, Chinese animation has reached a point where we can use technology, together with the imagination and creativity of a new generation of filmmakers, to build a bridge between traditional culture and mythology and today's audiences – not just in China, but around the world," said Ying.

"Put simply, what was difficult to create before is something we can now bring to life. I think that represents a major step forward. And as the industry produces more diverse and mature content, particularly across different genres, it also helps lower the barriers for international audiences, both in terms of accessibility and cultural understanding."

China's push to take its films global dates back to the early 2000s. The objectives included building overseas marketing and distribution networks, increasing international promotion, participating in film festivals and bringing Chinese films into mainstream international cinema markets.

But something else has been changing. Some of the most successful Chinese animations in recent years share a common feature: filmmakers are digging deeper into distinctly Chinese stories, mythology and aesthetics, while using increasingly sophisticated production techniques to find something universal within them.

Rather than making films cater to international tastes, there is a growing confidence in telling stories rooted firmly in Chinese culture – and then allowing their international audiences to find them.

All Wishes Come True! is part of that experiment: a centuries-old Chinese legend retold for a new generation at home, while finding out what parts of that story can resonate far beyond China.