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| Weibo Movie Night 2026 Winners: Wang Junkai, Zhang Yimou, Ma Li and Dear You Shine at Star-Studded Shanghai Ceremony. |
Shanghai rolled out the red carpet in style as Weibo Movie Night 2026 brought together some of the biggest stars, directors and film creators in Chinese cinema. Held at the Jiuke Shu Future Art Center on 14 June under the theme “Beyond the Screen, Towards the Future”, the annual event celebrated not only box office success but also artistic achievement, cultural impact and the projects that dominated public discussion throughout the year. From rising young performers to industry veterans who have spent decades shaping Chinese cinema, the ceremony delivered a packed evening of recognitions, emotional speeches and plenty of social media buzz.
One of the night's most talked-about figures was Wang Junkai, who received the Quality Film Figure award. The actor and singer has continued expanding his film portfolio in recent years, proving he is far more than a former idol star.
During his acceptance speech, Wang Junkai thanked audiences, directors and fellow cast members for their support. He noted that every role had taught him something new and said he hoped to continue challenging himself through diverse projects.
His humble remarks earned loud applause inside the venue and immediate praise across Weibo, where many fans described his career growth as one of the most impressive transitions in the entertainment industry.
The future of Chinese cinema was also celebrated through the Annual Rising Breakthrough Actors category. Han Haolin, Lan Xiya, Li Sitong, Wang Shengdi, and Wang Yantong were recognised as promising young performers who have steadily attracted attention through their recent work.
Many industry observers believe several names from this group could become leading stars over the next decade. Considering how quickly younger actors are breaking into major productions these days, some viewers joked that established stars should probably start checking their rear-view mirrors.
The Most Anticipated Actors honour went to Cheng Xiao, Lin Yun, Sun Yi, and Wang Tianchen, reflecting strong audience excitement for their upcoming projects.
Meanwhile, Jiang Long, Li Xueqin, Wang Hao, and Zhang Chi received the Most Loved Actors recognition, highlighting performers who have built strong connections with viewers through both film work and public popularity.
Film franchises remained a major force in the industry. Nobody, The Legend of Hei II, and Boonie Bears secured the Most Popular Movie IP awards, proving that audiences continue to embrace familiar stories and beloved characters.
In a market where every studio is chasing the next blockbuster universe, these titles have already established themselves as reliable crowd favourites.
The Performance Actors of the Year category honoured Ci Sha, Louise Wong (Wang Danni), Zhang Tianai, and Zhou Yutong for delivering standout performances.
Their recognition reflected a year where strong character-driven storytelling often received as much attention as spectacle-heavy productions.
Behind the scenes, contributions from filmmakers and creators were equally recognised. Bai Xue, Dong Zijian, and Wu Lei were named Outstanding Film Figures, while Liu Yase, Sun Yang, Sun Yizhou, and Zhou You earned the title of Texture Actors of the Year, a category celebrating performers who consistently bring depth and authenticity to their roles.
Animation continued to enjoy a strong year. All Wishes Come True, Dasheng Rises, Demon Agent, and The Three Kingdoms: The Fight For Luoyang were recognised as the Most Noteworthy Animated Films. Chinese animation has grown significantly over the past decade, and these projects demonstrate the industry's increasing confidence in delivering ambitious stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Among the evening's acting highlights, Liu Haoran and Wen Qi received the Spotlight Actors of the Year award. Both performers have maintained strong momentum through recent projects and remain among the industry's most respected talents.
The Most Anticipated Films category went to Be Reborn 2 and A Part of Me, with audiences already counting down to their eventual release.
Recognition also extended to influential figures working across different areas of filmmaking. Director Kelvin Tong (Ke Wenli) and actor Zhang Ruoyun were honoured as Popular Film Figures, while filmmaker Dong Runian joined Wang Junkai in receiving the Quality Film Figure award.
Several critically praised productions earned recognition as Most Acclaimed Films, including The Shadow's Edge, The Lychee Road, Gezhi Town, Dear You, and It's OK. These films generated strong discussion throughout the year for their storytelling quality, performances and audience reception.
Meanwhile, directors A Lang and Yang Lina were named Most Acclaimed Directors, further highlighting the growing diversity of filmmaking voices in Chinese cinema.
The Powerhouse Actors category recognised Bai Ke, Gao Ye, and Wang Xiao, performers known for consistently delivering memorable performances regardless of genre. Their careers have become examples of how strong acting can elevate even the most challenging material.
When it came to major productions, the Films of the Year honours went to Blades of the Guardians, Pegasus 3, Zootopia 2, Scare Out, Dead to Rights, and The Volunteers: Peace at Last.
The selection reflected the broad range of films currently thriving in the Chinese market, from animation and action spectacles to large-scale dramas.
Industry influence was another major theme throughout the evening. Wang Baoqiang and Wen Muye were recognised as Most Influential Film Figures, while veteran stars Liu Ye and Qin Hailu received the Craftsmanship Actors award for their dedication to the profession.
Meanwhile, Huang Bo and Ma Li secured the Influential Actors title, a fitting recognition for two performers whose impact extends far beyond individual projects.
The directing honours continued with Guan Hu, Kong Sheng, and Andrew Lau receiving the Outstanding Directors award.
Their combined body of work represents some of the most respected filmmaking in the Chinese-language industry, with each director helping shape contemporary cinema in distinct ways.
The ceremony also highlighted socially and culturally significant productions. Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, It's My Time, Make Zhonghe Great Again, The Decisive Moment, and Crossing received Special Recommended Film recognition for their contribution to the wider film landscape and public discussion.
The loudest applause of the evening arguably belonged to legendary filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who received the prestigious Director of the Era Influence award. Few directors have left a larger mark on Chinese cinema.
From visually stunning epics to intimate human dramas, Zhang's influence spans generations. His recognition served as both a celebration of his achievements and a reminder of how much modern Chinese filmmaking owes to his decades of work.
Online reactions were predictably lively. Many fans celebrated Wang Junkai's recognition and praised his continued growth as an actor, while supporters of Dear You were delighted to see the film among the most acclaimed titles.
Some C-netz applauded the balance between commercial hits and critically respected projects, while others immediately launched the annual tradition of debating who deserved more awards and who should have won different categories. In other words, it was a perfectly normal awards season discussion on Chinese social media.
As the curtains closed on Weibo Movie Night 2026, the event once again demonstrated why it remains one of China's most closely watched film celebrations.
The ceremony honoured rising stars, respected veterans and influential productions while offering a snapshot of where the industry is heading next. Which winners were your favourites, who do you think was overlooked, and which upcoming film are you most excited to watch? The conversation is only just beginning.