—
Dear You
Film
FilmNR2026
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Directed by Wen Muye
Seeking a fresh start, chef Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to support his family and repay his debts. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he transforms the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a thriving business. But when war engulfs the city, their hard-won success is shattered and the restaurant becomes a refuge for those caught in the conflict. As danger closes in, Xu Fu must risk everything to protect his… From TMDB
86 reactions from 4 sources (Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon, TMDB reviews) · newest Oct 31, 2026 · last updated Nov 1, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
—
No Data
Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 23 | 1 | 53 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TMDB reviews * | 1 | 0 | 0 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
At a glance
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is a 2026 drama war film, directed by Wen Muye, starring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming and Omar Sherif.
- 68 people have posted about this film on Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon, TMDB reviews
- posts span Jun 21, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026
Assembled from TMDB, Wikidata and Steam fields and our own counts, nothing written by a model. Method
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
86 public posts have mentioned Once Upon a Time in the Middle East so far, but it needs 10 opinionated reactions from checked sources before it gets a score. Seen it? Post your take.
The Experts
83%
avg of 1 source
The People
—
audience score
Reactions
60 of 86 · most liked firstThere’s a movie called Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (Chinese title is better) out in China today about a chef who moves to a MENA (clearly Iraq) that is then invaded by US troops who are portrayed as invaders, but also victims of their own government. He becomes involved in saving children.
neutral · AI labelView post →The other Chinese summer box office success is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. About Chinese chefs in The Middle East (Iraq) making local friends and children ...living through the terror of Bush Jr.'s new christian crusade.
positive · AI labelView post →China selects "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" for Oscars.
neutral · AI labelView post →China selects "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" for Oscars.
neutral · AI labelView post →China's submission for the 99th Academy Awards is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East starring Shen Teng and directed by Wen Muye #cdrama #chinesecinema youtu.be/TYKHXxCdGiU?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Psst Go see this movie if you can 欢迎来龙餐馆 / Once Upon a Time in the Middle East US release is October 9, no streaming yet, slightly chaotic list of theaters here: wellgousa.com/films/once-u... youtu.be/iHDNxZF7LRw
positive · AI labelView post →You need to watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle East btw. Extremely important movie that seems to not have much discursive presence yet. I base this assessment partially on the somewhat breezy and informal tone of its wikipedia article.
positive · AI labelView post →Chinese "Barbenheimer" but it's Niu Lai and Once Upon A Time In The Middle East as the double feature
neutral · AI labelView post →Just watched Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. My movie of the year!
positive · AI labelView post →I've yet to step in it. And ***1/2 stars for "Verity"?! They must have spiked your Coca-Cola with mescaline. I don't know what part of LA you live in, Susie, but if "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" is playing near you, please give it a look. You too, @joelcan.bsky.social!
positive · AI labelView post →This is what happened with Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. When my love and I went for The Odyssey I dipped out to go to the loo after we got our seats and they showed a trailer during the five minutes I was away, so all I had to go on was her saying "this looks good, let's watch it"
neutral · AI labelView post →my need to see Once Upon A Time In The Middle East is extremely high
neutral · AI labelView post →#OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast: “For those outside the theatre of war, violence often arrives as news commentators speaking over muted footage […] of destruction while keeping it […] at arm’s length. […] This film refuses to leave room for detachment." Read my long, spoiler-y review on #Letterboxd:
positive · AI labelView post →Just watched Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, it was so sad 😭😭😭 the entire theater was crying...
positive · AI labelView post →How ‘Dying to Survive’ Director Wen Muye Turned a Cook’s War Into $342 Million China Smash ‘Once Upon a Time in the Middle East’: ‘I Never Think About Social Issues in Advance’ Xu Fu went to the Middle East for the money. The Shenyang cook, played by Shen Teng in “Once Upon a Time in … #media #news
neutral · AI labelView post →If you see only one movie this year, make it "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East," Wen Muye’s uncompromising anti-war masterpiece.
positive · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026, dir Wen Muye). Original title (ZH): 欢迎来龙餐馆 (*Huānyíng lái lóng cānguǎn*, Welcome to Lai Long Restaurant) 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…
neutral · AI labelView post →New movies out today in Hong Kong: PRACTICAL MAGIC 2, GOOD VIBES ONLY, HOPE, I BLEW OUT THE CANDLES BEFORE MAKING A WISH, PHI PHONG: THE BLOOD DEMON, NIGHT FLOWERS, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST (11/9)
neutral · AI labelView post →I look forward to watching Once Upon A Time in the Middle East (2026) #filmsky #moviesky #OnceUponATimeintheMiddleEast #ChineseCinema #China youtu.be/CuloUbTZaSU?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026, dir Wen Muye). Original title (ZH): 欢迎来龙餐馆 (*Huānyíng lái lóng cānguǎn*, Welcome to Lai Long Restaurant.) 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…
neutral · AI labelView post →There haven't been movies worth watching for a long while, and sure for me it might be an age+novelty thing, but this year things got a bit interesting. Of the movies mentioned there I've only seen Obsession and Backrooms and both were good. I'm not that into horror but the premise for these movies were just original enough that I had to give them a shot. And then there's "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" which I'll definitely be watching tonight, looks good. "Kung Fu Soccer" though? Idk,…
neutral · AI labelView post →ICYMI, #OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast shows what happens when a Chinese chef goes to an unnamed SWANA country (it’s Iraq) during the Forever War. Watch this #film in theatres in the GTA. More at @intheseats.bsky.social. intheseats.ca/boss-our-rev...
neutral · AI labelView post →#onceuponatimeinthemiddleeast last night in #sacramento & #elkgrove 100% #reviews & 97% audience www.fandango.com/once-upon-a-...
neutral · AI labelView post →ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST was apparently a big hit in China and while there's some propaganda issues with it (not saying "Iraq" is weird!), it's mostly overstuffed but watchable. My *** review on @Letterboxd.social: boxd.it/gLc3eF #filmsky #moviesky #OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast
neutral · AI labelView post →The Egyptian child actor in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST is named "Omar Sherif", no relation to the Omar Sharif Jr. who is actually the grandson of the Omar Sharif you're thinking of.
neutral · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East might be one of the best films ever
positive · AI labelView post →The nice folks at China Global Television Network liked my review of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" so much, they want to interview me for a news story. I'll post it the minute it goes live. And in case you missed the review...
neutral · AI labelView post →ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST opens today in the US. Its the story of a chef in the Middle East who ends up trying to save people during a war. It maybe uneven in the presentation but emotionally it's spot on and kicks your ass www.unseenfilms.net/2026/10/once...
positive · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East 📽️ you'll hear it from me first. secretly one of the best movies of the year. a grueling tale of trying to survive the totally-not iraq war, refreshingly featuring protags who refuse to fight and americans as the baddies, but not without nuance for them too
positive · AI labelView post →If Once Upon a Time in The Middle East is showing near you, I highly implore anyone to go watch it. 10000/10 movie of the year for me
positive · AI labelView post →ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST is the Chinese entry for the Oscar. The sort of film Unseen Films was set up to highlight, its uneven but an extremely emotional anti war film. Thank you @wellgousa.bsky.social for releasing a film that is not like others. Review soon Give it a try
positive · AI labelView post →Worth watching this. The Chinese anti-war film Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has been selected to represent the Chinese mainland in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
neutral · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is both a hopeful and incredible war picture. It is rousing and galvanizing as much as it is heartwarming and heart-wrenching.
positive · AI labelView post →I saw the new Chinese film Once Upon A Time In The Middle East today. You should watch the trailer, because this poster will not prepare you for what this movie is. I thought it was really well made. Incredibly engaging and moving at times, and quite tense as well. Plus great cooking scenes.
positive · AI labelView post →ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST sees a Chinese chef (Shen Teng) caught in the cross-fire of a brutal US invasion of an unnamed Middle East nation. There's a lot going on that's sure to raise a few eyebrows, but on a purely technical level, it's cooking on gas. marshattacks.com/2026/09/09/o...
neutral · AI labelView post →Just watched Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026) on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/georgia_pie/film/once-upon-a-time-in-the-middle-east/ Post made with @letterboxdposter.finiteui.com
neutral · AI labelView post →Dang, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East looks good, wish there was a way I could watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=D98i...
positive · AI labelView post →This "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" sounds interesting. Have come across yet/heard of any possible UK release? 🙏🏼 bsky.app/profile/zhug...
neutral · AI labelView post →Chinese film "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" about the 2003 Iraq war emerges as summer hit in China www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj1v...
neutral · AI labelView post →Once Upon A Time In The Middle East
neutral · AI labelView post →Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026) Review @calcopia.bsky.social calcopia.com/once-upon-a-...
neutral · AI labelView post →Writing my #Letterboxd review of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East." I may need a day or so to complete it, as it is longer than the one I did for "Ghost in the Cell." #OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast
neutral · AI labelView post →i forgot to post here but a couple days ago i saw Once Upon a Time in the Middle East which, in spite of gixi’s rec, i was feeling very dubious about, and turns out it actually is a good war movie
positive · AI labelView post →China's Oscar nominee is the tremendous, heartbreaking, and intensely humane anti-war story Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, a film of devastating power and poignancy that deserves the widest audience possible. regionfree.net/once-upon-a-...
positive · AI labelView post →You know the girl in the red coat from Schindler's List? Oscar wannabe "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" is so manipulative it packs a whole orphanage with kids in red coats. thepageaholic.wordpress.com/2026/10/19/f...
negative · AI labelView post →Rewatching Once Upon a Time in the Middle East for analysis purposes
neutral · AI labelView post →The drama ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST outgrossed both THE ODYSSEY and SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY in its native China, and now it's in North American theaters. Look for this cooking-themed war film at a cinema near you. Here's my review: aisleseat.com/once-upon-a-... #filmsky
neutral · AI labelView post →#NowWatching: "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" by #WenMuye. I was supposed to watch this last weekend, but my attention span wasn’t at its best. Hopefully, it’s better now. Watch the trailer on the #YouTube channel of #GoldenScreenCinemas:
neutral · AI labelView post →A Chinese chef’s restaurant becomes a refuge amid Middle Eastern war and destruction. *Once Upon a Time in the Middle East* explores survival, solidarity, and humanity amid imperial devastation. #AntiWar
neutral · AI labelView post →In Theaters: Harrowing, heartfelt, beautiful, and agonizing, Wen Muye’s #OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast takes inspiration from real events to craft a dramatic adventure which calls to all to sit for a meal before choosing to pick up a sword. One can see why it's China's Oscar hopeful quite quickly.
neutral · AI labelView post →Harrowing, heartfelt, beautiful, and agonizing, Wen Muye’s #OnceUponATimeInTheMiddleEast takes inspiration from real events to craft a dramatic adventure which calls to all to sit for a meal before choosing to pick up a sword. One can see why it's China's Oscar hopeful quite quickly. #filmsky
neutral · AI labelView post →China Selects Once Upon a Time in the Middle East for Oscar Race as Film Opens in North America #China #Entertainment
neutral · AI labelView post →The trailer for “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” (a) is very good, and I’ll definitely go see it in a theater. Also (b) makes me very sad that the United States has thrown away its soft power and any claim to moral high ground— gradually and then suddenly youtu.be/TYKHXxCdGiU?...
positive · AI labelView post →The Chinese movie ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST is just released in the US today. It's based on a true story of a Chinese restaurant in Bagdad during the Iraq war. I hope more Americans can see it, especially now. l.threads.com?u=https%3A%2...
positive · AI labelView post →🎬 The Top 4 Drama Movies Released on October 9! What's your fave? 1. CM Punk: Best in the World 2. Ikiru 3. Once Upon a Time in the Middle East 4. Satantango 96 #Drama movies released today: https://todayinmovies.com/genres/oct-09?sort=rating#drama #FilmSky
neutral · AI labelView post →♟️Some other intriguing and unique offerings at the Waterfront: Grandmasters, Once Upon A Time in the Middle East, V Many other horrors abound. Check our site for the full list. www.pghcinema.com/listings/c3b...
neutral · AI labelView post →Next Week in Tickets for 9-15 October 2026: OTHER MOMMY, THE SOCIAL RECKONING, ANGEL AND THE BADMAN, YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST, V, NEVER AFTER DARK, THE BEAST, THE NORTH, LUCK FOR SALE, NAZA, ANIMALS, and 5 from South Asia open at Boston-area 'plexes.
neutral · AI labelView post →ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST Review: An Emotional Feast Of Timely Proportions https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/once-upon-a-time-in-the-middle-east-wen-muye-well-go-usa-movie-review/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Reviews #onceuponatimeinthemiddleeast #shenteng
neutral · AI labelView post →My latest newsletter: • Appofeniacs (lim) • California Schemin' (NYC/LA) • Friday the 13th • Ghost in the Cell (lim) • My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (NYC) • Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (Regal Transit) • Stranglehold (VOD) www.heyhaveyouseen.com/week-ending-... #heyhaveyouseen
neutral · AI labelView post →🎬 Top 4 Movies Released on October 9! What's your fave? 1. CM Punk: Best in the World (2012) 2. Ikiru (1952) 3. Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026) 4. Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (2015) 228 movies released today: https://todayinmovies.com/oct-09?sort=rating #FilmSky
neutral · AI labelView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
