The big-screen adaptation of early-2000s TV series A Step into the Past has become 2026's first cinematic phenomenon, blending nostalgia with fresh storytelling to dominate box offices across the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The film, released on December 31, 2025, reunites original stars Louis Koo and Raymond Lam in a continuation of the time-travel saga that first captivated audiences in 2001.
Box office records fell swiftly as the production earned HK$30 million ($3.86 million) in Hong Kong within four days and crossed 100 million yuan ($14.29 million) on the Chinese mainland in just three days. Hong Kong's Headline Daily reported unprecedented screening numbers for a debut release, signaling strong audience demand.
Social media platforms have buzzed with viewers recalling childhood memories of the original series, which followed a modern agent's accidental journey to China's Warring States period (475-221 BC). Many praised the film's balance of nostalgic callbacks and new narrative developments.
As of January 7, 2026, industry analysts note the production's success highlights Hong Kong cinema's enduring cultural influence while raising questions about sustainable growth beyond nostalgia-driven projects. The film's performance comes amid renewed interest in cross-strait cultural collaborations, with mainland audiences accounting for 68% of total ticket sales.
