HONG KONG — Nick Cheung’s heartfelt comedy-drama My Dad Wants to Travel is packing theaters across the city, surging past HK$7.5 million in ticket sales and holding the No. 1 daily box office spot for five consecutive days since its release last Thursday.
The film, which also stars Chung Suet-ying, Meng Ka-wai and Chiang Ho-man, opened with a commanding HK$3.33 million on day one. Momentum only built over the three-day holiday weekend, as Cheung and the creative team — including directors and co-writers Wong Yee-lam and Wong Kim, along with Chung and actress Yama Yeung — staged marathon meet-and-greet sessions at cinemas throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.
Audiences turned out in full force, many with entire families in tow. Viewer reactions were intensely emotional, with moviegoers alternating between bursts of laughter at the film’s sharp comic timing and tears during its more tender moments.
For Cheung, who stars as the father Mo Chun-keung, the film carries a deeply personal message.
“The most important thing this movie hopes to convey is to encourage everyone to express love to the people closest and most important to them,” Cheung said during one of the post-screening Q&A sessions. “Love must be expressed in time — don’t leave regrets. This is truly a film for the whole family, for parents and children to watch together and create lasting memories.”
The father-daughter dynamic between Cheung and Chung has drawn particular praise. Critics and audiences alike noted how Cheung’s portrayal felt authentic and grounded, with many saying they saw echoes of their own fathers in his performance. Cheung brings a touch of the roguish, freewheeling charm he perfected in his earlier comic roles, delivering his lines with a dry wit that kept audiences laughing throughout.
Directors Wong Yee-lam and Wong Kim revealed that the script drew inspiration from the personalities and humor of their own fathers, blending those real-life traits into a composite portrait of parenthood. They credited Cheung, a multiple-time Best Actor winner, for elevating the role with a natural, effortless performance that balanced comedy and pathos.
The film’s strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings have positioned it as one of the season’s sleeper hits. Industry observers note that its success reflects a broader appetite for locally produced family dramas that resonate with Hong Kong audiences on an emotional level.
With school holidays winding down and weekend screenings still selling well, My Dad Wants to Travel looks poised to continue its run — and its message of cherishing loved ones appears to be striking a chord far beyond the box office.
