Once Upon a Time in the Middle East(2026)
Overview
Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off family debts, where he meets floor manager Ma Junsheng. Their Dragon Restaurant rises to fame, attracting crowds with authentic‑tasting Chinese food. But war breaks out, and local conditions take a drastic turn for the worse. No one can remain unaffected. What lies ahead for them? And how will the Dragon Restaurant hold on amid the war?
Director
Wen Muye
Studio
Bad Monkey (Shanghai) 上海坏猴子
Cast
Shen Teng
as Xu Fu
Jiang Qiming
as Ma Junsheng
Omar Sherif
as Seif
Aarif Rahman
as Tony
Sherif Sabry
as Zayd
Ahmed Salim
as Ali
Faruk Muhammad
as Jamal
Russell Shealy
as Morgan
Naira Al-Qasim
as Lina
Karma Hazim
as Susu
Wei Qing
as Xu's Mother
Zhang Xiwei
as Xu Le
Where to Watch
This movie is not yet available on streaming platforms. It may still be in theaters or awaiting a digital release.
Movie Facts
Release Year
2026
Runtime
2h 20m
Language
Mandarin
Rating
9 / 10
Production Companies
Bad Monkey (Shanghai) 上海坏猴子 • 梦将军（上海）影业有限公司 • Alibaba Pictures Group
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026).
What is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East about?▼
Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off family debts, where he meets floor manager Ma Junsheng. Their Dragon Restaurant rises to fame, attracting crowds with authentic‑tasting Chinese food. But war breaks out, and local conditions take a drastic turn for the worse. No one can remain unaffected. What lies ahead for them? And how will the Dragon Restaurant hold on amid the war?
Who directed Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?▼
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East was directed by Wen Muye and released in 2026. It is a drama, war film.
How long is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?▼
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes (140 minutes total).
Who stars in Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?▼
The cast of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East includes Shen Teng as Xu Fu, Jiang Qiming as Ma Junsheng, Omar Sherif as Seif, Aarif Rahman as Tony, Sherif Sabry as Zayd and more.
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