// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did the family tree go to therapy? It had a lot of unexpected branches.
| Unexpected Family | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Simplified Chinese | 过家家 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Guò jiā jiā |
| Directed by | Li Taiyan |
| Written by | Li Taiyan |
| Produced by | Han Sanping |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Fan Chao |
| Edited by | Xiao Yang |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | China Film Group |
Release date |
|
Running time | 121 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Languages |
|
| Box office | US$7.7 million[1] |
Unexpected Family (Chinese: 过家家) is a 2026 Chinese comedy-drama film written and directed by Li Taiyan, produced by Han Sanping, and starring Jackie Chan, Peng Yuchang, Zhang Jianing, Pan Binlong, and Li Ping. It tells the story of an elderly person with dementia who forms a temporary family with tenants and neighbors. The film was released in China on January 1, 2026.[2][3]
Synopsis
[edit]Ren Jiqing, a retired weightlifting coach who lives alone, has developed Alzheimer's disease and mistakenly believes that his young tenant, Zhong Bufan, is the son who left home many years ago. Following a doctor's advice, Zhong Bufan, together with Su Xiaoyue, who pretends to be Ren Jiqing's daughter-in-law, "Master" Jia, and their neighbor Jin Zhen, creates a temporary family for Ren Jiqing as his condition gradually worsens.
Although each member of this unconventional "family" carries painful memories and emotional scars of their own, what begins as an act slowly becomes genuine. As they spend time together, they gradually come to terms with their pasts and discover what the true meaning of family really is.
Cast
[edit]- Jackie Chan as Ren Jiqing
- Peng Yuchang as Zhong Bufan
- Zhang Jianing as Su Xiaoyue
- Pan Binlong as Jia Ye
- Li Ping as Jin Zhengu
Production
[edit]The film was officially registered for production on July 16, 2019. It was originally scheduled to be filmed in Beijing,[4] but production was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In early 2024, the film resumed development, with the filming location changed to Wuhan, and principal photography began in March 2024.[5] Filming wrapped in Wuhan on May 14, 2024.[6]
The film is one of the few in Jackie Chan's acting career to feature no martial arts action sequences. Chan said he hoped the film would raise public awareness of people living with Alzheimer's disease and encourage society to offer them the care, companionship, and support they deserve.[7]
Release
[edit]On October 31, 2025, the film was officially retitled from Whispers of Gratitude to Unexpected Family. The following day, it was announced that the film would be released in China on January 1, 2026.[8]
Unexpected Family was released theatrically in China on January 1, 2026.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Daily Box Office > China". Entgroup. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 过家家. Maoyan. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 电影《过家家》发布终极预告，预售正在进行中. k.sina.cn. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 影剧备字[2019]第3682号. chinafilm.gov.cn. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 成龙主演《陌生家庭》开机 - 中国电影报. chinafilmnews.cn. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 项目资讯-武汉传奇人影视公司官网 | 武汉传奇人影视公司官网. cqrys.com. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 《过家家》首映 成龙：这是我最勇敢的一次演出-新华网. Xinhuanet. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 电影《过家家》发布定档预告片 成龙一个镜头"恍如隔世". finance.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ 电影《过家家》上映首日武汉路演爆火 成龙文戏"打动人"-荆楚网-湖北日报网. news.cnhubei.com. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
External links
[edit]
- 2026 films
- 2026 Chinese films
- 2026 Mandarin-language films
- 2026 comedy-drama films
- Chinese comedy-drama films
- Mandarin-language comedy-drama films
- China Film Group Corporation films
- Films shot in Wuhan
- Films about Alzheimer's disease
- Films about dysfunctional families
- Films impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films set in Wuhan