HONG KONG – A low-budget, dialect-heavy family drama with no bankable stars or flashy visual effects has quietly become one of the year’s biggest cinematic surprises. “Letter to Grandma,” directed by emerging filmmaker Lan Hongchun, has earned more than 21.3 million Hong Kong dollars since its June 18 release, making it the highest-grossing Chinese-language film of 2025 in the territory and the third most successful mainland Chinese film ever screened in Hong Kong.
The film, performed entirely in the Chaozhou dialect, tells the story of a young man reconnecting with his elderly grandmother amid the backdrop of diaspora and family sacrifice. It has defied industry expectations by drawing packed theaters across the city, with many families attending in multi-generational groups. The official cumulative box office figure, announced today by the film’s distributors, places it behind only animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” and Zhang Yimou’s martial arts epic “Hero” on the all-time mainland Chinese film chart in Hong Kong.
Industry analysts note that the film’s success stems from its emotional authenticity rather than spectacle. “It is a rare example of word-of-mouth driving a theatrical phenomenon in an era dominated by franchise films,” said local box office tracker Jason Wong. “Audiences are responding to the story’s sincere portrayal of family bonds and the immigrant experience.”
The film’s appeal has also transcended language barriers. While Chaozhou, or Teochew, is primarily spoken among older generations and diaspora communities, younger viewers have embraced the film for its cultural specificity and universal themes. Social media posts show viewers describing the experience as “a letter home” and sharing their own memories of grandparents.
For director Lan Hongchun and his cast of non-professional actors, the Hong Kong milestone is both emotional and validating. In a statement released today, the team expressed gratitude to Hong Kong audiences for embracing what they called “a warm letter to family.” The director has previously described the film as a personal project rooted in his own relationship with his grandmother.
At nearly 20 million yuan worldwide, the film has already exceeded production budgets by a wide margin. Its performance in Hong Kong is particularly noteworthy given the city’s shrinking market for non-Mandarin mainland films. The record suggests a growing appetite for regionally specific storytelling that resonates with local identity and migration history.
Looking ahead, distributors are planning expanded screenings in diaspora communities across Southeast Asia and North America, where large Teochew populations may drive further box office growth. For now, “Letter to Grandma” stands as a testament to the power of a simple, heartfelt narrative—and proof that audiences are willing to cross linguistic lines for a story that feels real.
