ALL WISHES COME TRUE! (八仙!) (2026)

Genre: CG Animation
Director: Mu Zhengyang
Cast: Chen Hao, Li Shaozhe, Li Dong, Zhang Yunqi, Huang Guo, Cao Zhishan, Deng Xiansen, Dong Tianyi, Yu Pengli
Runtime: 2 hr 24 min
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Golden Village
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 27 August 2026

Synopsis: On a wondrous island where mortals and Immortals dwell as one, a legendary vault holds a fortune beyond dreaming. Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan have a plan. To crack that vault, these two mortals will pull off the impossible: pose as Immortals themselves. They gather six more misfits along the way: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Eight ordinary souls, one extraordinary heist, and death waiting for anyone caught trying to outsmart the heavens. But something far worse is already closing in: a shadow conspiracy that could undo the balance of all things. And our eight bumbling schemers stand right in its path. Inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.

Movie Review:

Riding on the huge success of Ne Zha 2 comes All Wishes Come True, the latest animated adventure from China. Produced by Pearl Studio (the Shanghai-based studio behind Kung Fu Panda 3 and Over the Moon), the film reimagines the Eight Immortals from classic Chinese mythology as if they were on an Ocean’s Eleven-style heist. Sounds fun, and indeed it is.

Director and screenwriter Mu Zhengyang ought to be given the biggest pat on the shoulder. Not only does he reinvent the origins of the Eight Immortals as we know them, but he also reimagines the entire mythology surrounding gods and mortals. So, you think the all-too-familiar Gods Fu, Lu and Shou are simply three benevolent elderly deities? Are the gods in the heavenly realm truly that benevolent and selfless?

In Mu’s All Wishes Come True, there are more hidden messages, conspiracies and double-crossings than in the average political thriller. And that’s what makes it such an enjoyable viewing experience.

The story begins with a voice-over explaining that Doomsmite is coming after a magical lantern that protects all mankind is stolen. In comes a swordsman by the name of Lü Dongbin, who teams up with a charming thief, Zhongli Quan, to retrieve the lantern from the underground vault of Fu, Lu and Shou in Penglai. In other words, the lantern is now in the hands of the three deities, who are in turn waiting for the right time to hand it over to a mysterious client.

In the meantime, Lü and Quan unwillingly recruit a bunch of rogues and conmen, including Tie Guaili, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe and Zhang Guolao, to help dig a tunnel to the underground vault. If you are wondering why He Xiangu is missing from the lineup, fret not, as she might or might not otherwise be known as Lord Dark Blade.

For an animation that runs for over two hours, there’s hardly any downtime. Mu keeps things moving fast, often faster than you can catch the English subtitles. For that, we have to apologise, as some of the native Mandarin dialogue is a bit hard to catch. Still, there are countless comedic and laugh-out-loud moments along the way, such as their fake temple operation, which goes extremely well with the villagers, a surprise appearance by a celestial horse, and a clever take on our wireless earphones. Trust good old Monkey King to make a cameo as well.

Besides the aforementioned heist and the arrival of a powerful villain with a vague motive towards the end, All Wishes Come True comes with endless backstories, twists and turns involving the relationship between Lü and Quan. On one hand, their story is handled with much pomp and, ironically, satisfaction in the end. However, this also weakens the film somewhat, as the rest of the immortals (before they become immortals, anyway) are relegated to comic relief for the majority of the screen time, especially with a feminine Cao prancing around and Tie being all sarcastic.

The animation in All Wishes Come True is truly breathtaking, as are the top-notch character designs. The rendering of Lü Dongbin stands out as the best, with its lively facial expressions, body movements and personality. The heavenly realm of Penglai is also an achievement in the visual department, with its distinct similarity to our highways. The Shadow’s Edge stunt coordinator Su Hang is credited as the action choreographer, which results in a few impressive sparring sequences.

For such a clever and witty animation, it’s a pity that All Wishes Come True is eclipsed by the release of Kung Fu Soccer and the low-budget animation Niu Lai in the mainland. We are not ashamed to admit that this is going to be one of our top ten movies of 2026, even with some minor quibbles. But since even the immortals have their flaws, according to first-time director Mu, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with loving this madcap, mystical comedy.

Movie Rating:

(An imaginative and great reinvention of a classic mythology we know)

Review by Linus Tee