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The mid Autumn festival is a time of celebration. People travel back home to celebrate this festival with their family and loved ones. Everyone travels to famous destinations, watch the papers lanterns fly, have a delicious meal and of course chill at home watching movies. Here are some of the best movies to watch during moon festival.
Movies based on the Moon Festival
Over the Moon
6.4
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A movie truly inspired by the Legends of the festival is ‘Over the Moon’ also known as mooncake movie directed by Glen Keane. It is an animated film released in 2020. It features a little girl named Fei Fei who was told the tragic story of Chang’e and Hou Yi during the festival by her mother. A few years after her mother’s demise, not pleased by her father’s new fiancé, she was firm on her decision to prove that Chang’e was real. She started building a rabbit-shaped rocket inspired by the rabbit that her mother gave her she was almost successful in making it take off. She eventually does meet Chang’e but then gets caught up in a mess when Chang’e demands to see a gift that was meant to bring Hou Yi back.
Further, it is now upon Fei Fei to do what it takes to save Chin, her soon to be stepbrother and also help Chang’e move on. This movie not only tells us about the legend but also teaches us about family and a lot more. This is a must-watch movie.
Movies to watch with your family
A Chinese Odyssey part one: Pandora’s Gift Box
7.7
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Chinese name: 大话西游
It is a tragic comedy film directed by Jeffery Lau in 1995. The movie is based on a time 500 years ago when a journey was commenced to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures and the monkey got annoyed by its master. He decided to deceive his master and go on the journey only to find out Pandora’s box that opened under the moonlight when a certain chant was sung. After trials of attacks and fights, the monkey finds out what it was destined for. All now that is left for the monkey to do is fulfil its destiny. This movie is highly recommended to watch because this movie is a classic that involves romance and comedy.
Lost in Hong Kong
5.3
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Chinese name: 港囧
A romantic comedy released in 2015, directed by Xu Zheng became one of the most loved movies of all time. It is about Xu Lai and Yang Yi, two art majors at a university who fall in love but are separated when yang was sent to The Chinese University of Hong Kong and they never got to see each other again. But their lives take a turn when 20 years later Xu Lai is married but unable to conceive with his wife. Although he’s married, he never forgot about Yang. He plans on meeting her again when he goes on a trip with his in-laws to Hong Kong. What’s to see is how things turn out when Xu’s annoying brother-in-law follows him with his camera to see what he’s up to. This movie will give you a good laugh and also a glimpse into young love.
E. T. the Extra-terrestrial
7.8
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Chinese name: E. T. 外星人
One of the most recommended movies to watch with your family is E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It is a sci-fi movie directed by Steven Spielberg. This movie came out in 1983 and had been one of the bests ever since. It features a young boy named Elliot who finds an Extra-Terrestrial who was left behind on the Earth. To keep him safe, Elliot and his sibling decide him hidden until they find a way to send him back home. In the process, they develop an emotional attachment to the E. T.
The image of Elliot and the E. T. is still used as the star of many American movies.
Big Fish and Begonia
7.1
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Chinese name: 大鱼海棠/大魚海棠
Big fish and Begonia, a 2016 fantasy animated movie, directed by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun are a must watch movie. It tells us about a magical realm that lies beneath the human world where a girl named Chun goes through a coming-of-age ritual. She is transformed into a red dolphin and sent to the human world through a portal to experience life in their world. She encounters a boy who takes care of aquatic creatures who loses his life trying to save hers during a storm. She takes him back to the realm in hopes of bringing him back to life but she doesn’t realize how severe the consequences can be and she must do what it takes to save him and her people.
The Truman Show
8.1
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Chinese name: 杜鲁门秀
Released over 32 years ago in 1988, The Truman Show directed by Peter Weir is a psychological comedy-drama movie. It is a movie that shows that a salesman and his family are completely unaware that their lives were being telecasted live via hidden cameras. When the salesman suspects that something was up and finally finds out the truth, he starts finding ways to escape. It shows what human faces in the day-to-day life and also about the issues in our society.
Movies to watch with your Lover
Painted Skin
6.3
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Chinese name: 畫皮/画皮
Painted skin is a 2008 fantasy-romance movie directed by Gordon Chan. The plot of the movie shows the bright moon which mostly represents sadness and mystery. When General Wang Sheng captured a maiden Xiaowei, he didn’t have any idea how his life would change after that. Xiaowei was not just any ordinary maiden but a fox spirit that fed on human hearts to sustain her beauty. Trouble stirs up when she falls in love with General Wang but he’s already married.
When the Generals wife suspects Xiaowei of being a demon, Xiaowei casts a spell on her named the ‘painted skin’ to make everyone think that she’s the demon. This movie has very interesting twists and turns and is a must-watch.
If You are the One
6.8
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Chinese name: 非诚勿扰
Directed by Feng Xiaogang, ‘If You are the One is one of the best rom-com movies ever. The story is of a 40-year-old man who becomes a millionaire by selling an innovative invention. He then decides to end his lonely love life and puts up an advertisement online looking for marriage partners. He did get a response from many but an air stewardess caught his eye. Though their arrangement started as a business deal they both fall in love in the end.
A Season of Good Rain
6.5
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Chinese name: 호우시절
A sweet story of Dong-Ha and May who get a chance to be together after being apart after high school. This movie released in 2009 and was directed by Hur Jin-Ho. Dong-Ha was given a project to rebuild buildings after the earthquake of 2008, there he meets May coincidentally. They had feelings for each other when they were young but never confessed, now fate brought them together so that they could reclaim their love. Watching this movie with your spouse will reignite the spark.
My Old Classmate
5.6
Chinese name: 同桌的妳
Young love is always loved by all, this is one such story. Directed by FrantGwo and released in 2014 this movie shows what problems a relationship can face. The love between the main characters starts in middle school and gets stronger every year right through college but when both of them have different dreams. This movie is a rollercoaster of emotions. You will have laughter but should also keep a tissue box with you, you might need it.
Movies that are Good to Watch During the Moon Festival
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
7.8
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Chinese name: 卧虎藏龙
This is one of the best Chinese movies of all time directed by Ang Lee in 2000. Martial arts have always been the pride and joy of the country but this movie not only shows martial arts but also the culture and history of China. Master Li tells his love to pass on his sword, the Green Destiny to Sir Te but when the sword goes missing, he sets out on a mission to get it back. This movie has won over 40 awards and has been well received all over the world.
Raise the Red Lantern
8.1
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Chinese name: 大红灯笼高高挂
Director Yi-Mou Zhang did an awesome job with this movie. It shows the story of a girl in her teens who lost her father and had to become a concubine to a wealthy master. She became the third concubine to the man only to find out that the other concubines and she were pitted against one another. The quest that they are upon to win their master’s love and affection unveil the dark past of each of them.
Movies for Kids
My Neighbor Totoro
8.2
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Chinese name: 龙猫 /龍貓
A Japanese animated, fantasy movie, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, ‘My Neighbor Totoro is very famous among children. Watching this movie will give your kids an amazing experience. It is the story of Mei and Satsuki who move away to a new home because they wanted to be close to their mother. During their time there they became friends with a huge cuddly cat named Totoro who was a spirit. Totoro provided them comfort. The message conveyed through the means of this fantasy movie is to look for hope and optimism in every situation. It teaches everyone to be positive and get through their situations and come out stronger.
Fly Me to the Moon
4.5
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Chinese name: 让我飞向月亮
Inspired by the first man ever to step foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ is a science fiction animated movie directed by Ben Stassen that was released in 2008. A fly named Nat loved hearing awesome stories from his grandfather from when he was young. He wanted to experience things for himself and grew desperate and decided to go to the moon with his best friends on Apollo 11. Though they faced competition from a Russian rocket and were firm on landing.
Little Door Gods
5.5
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Chinese name: 小门神/小門神
Guardian angels are a concept that help kids keep their spirits high. Wang Wei and Paulette Victor-Lifton directed animated movie are some of those movies that will bring smiles to your kid’s faces. It shows the story of a family whose soup shop is in danger by their opposing team that was planning sabotage. Guardian angels though were retired but wanted to help them. For them to help, they came out of retirement and helped the family through their hard time.
These movies have a great plot and to do it justice, an amazing cast. Watching these movies during the festival will be a great way to spend time with your family and loved ones. These are the most highly recommended movies with the best ratings and reviews. Do give them a try!
People Also Ask
Is Over the Moon based on a true story?
According to IMDb, Over the Moon is not based on a true story.
Is Over the Moon still on Netflix?
Yes, Over the Moon is currently streaming on Netflix.
What is the movie Over the Moon about?
The movie Over the Moon is about a little girl who loves to sing and dreams of going to the moon. When her mother dies, she is so sad that she wishes she could go to the moon and be with her mother again. One night, a big, bright moon appears in the sky, and she gets her wish. She takes a magical journey to the moon, where she meets new friends and learns about her mother’s life.
Is Over the Moon on Disney plus?
Yes, Over the Moon is available to stream on Disney+.
Is Over the Moon on Amazon Prime?
No, Over the Moon is not currently available on Amazon Prime.
