2026-07-21
Dear You North America Delay
Dear You’s North American release has been delayed after the wider release plan changed. For viewers abroad, the film already reached mainland China first and then opened in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia on June 18. The story is led by Chaoshan dialect dialogue, old-letter clues, and a trip to Thailand that anchors its family search plot. Its domestic run was already strong, with box-office momentum rising from more than 700 million yuan by May 21 to more than 1.6 billion yuan by June 7.
What changed
The North American plan moved from active rollout to delayed timing after the broader distribution strategy was adjusted. That means the film’s overseas path is not simply a single-date launch; it is being handled market by market.
For viewers waiting in the United States or Canada, the key point is that the film has not vanished from the rollout. The delay is tied to a strategy change, while the movie has already proven it can travel well in nearby Asian markets.
Where the film already played
Dear You opened in mainland China on April 30, then reached Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia on June 18. Those dates matter because they show the film’s overseas expansion began in stages rather than all at once.
The movie is directed by Lan Hongchun and stars Li Sitong, Wang Yantong, Wu Shaoqing, Zheng Runqi, and Wang Xiaohui. Its main language is Chaozhou dialect, and the plot follows a grandmother, a grandson, and a search in Thailand built around qiaopi letters.
Why overseas audiences noticed it
The film’s domestic momentum was already large: it passed 700 million yuan by May 21 and reached 1.6 billion yuan by June 7. That kind of run helps explain why audiences outside mainland China paid attention to each new release date.
The film also stands out because about 95% of the dialogue uses Chaoshan speech, which gives family scenes a strong local texture. The Thailand journey and the letter-and-remittance trail make it easy to follow even for viewers encountering qiaopi for the first time.
What viewers can expect next
Because the North American release was delayed due to strategy changes, the practical next step is to watch for a new date rather than assume the film is gone from the schedule. The rollout has already shown a staged pattern across regions.
For viewers planning ahead, the film’s existing trajectory suggests a release model built around market timing, not a one-day global drop. It arrived first at home, then in parts of Asia, and North America will follow when the adjusted plan is ready.