Niu Lai (牛来) is a 2026 Chinese animated feature directed by Xin Yumeng and written by Sun Lifang. It was released theatrically in mainland China on August 5, 2026, and public film listings give it a runtime of 86 minutes.
What kind of movie is Niu Lai?
The film is an animated feature centered on a calf named Niu Lai. Public descriptions frame it as a growth story with family, courage, perseverance and sacrifice among its themes. Its presentation and production became more widely discussed than its plot alone after viewers began sharing strong reactions to the film’s visual quality and storytelling.
This site deliberately keeps the plot description high-level. It does not reproduce dialogue, subtitles, scene-by-scene content, stills or promotional artwork.
Production and public screening permit
The National Film Administration’s April 3, 2026 public notice lists Niu Lai under screening permit 电审动字〔2024〕第33号 and names Dalian Jingyuan Culture Film and Television Media Co., Ltd. as the first production company. Separate public reporting identifies Tianjin Yamazaki Film Co., Ltd. as the distributor.
The distinction matters: a public screening permit establishes that the film was cleared for theatrical release under the relevant process. It does not itself indicate critical reception, commercial scale or production budget.
Who made it?
Stable public listings identify Xin Yumeng as director and Sun Lifang as screenwriter, with both also associated with voice roles. News reports emphasize that the core creative operation was unusually small. Because some coverage differs on how it counts the full crew or credits, this guide avoids turning a disputed headcount into a definitive fact.
Why is the film notable?
Its theatrical trajectory was unusual. Reporting on August 14 said the film had earned only 7,169 yuan over its first nine days. That tiny early figure, combined with online criticism and parody, became a source of curiosity. More viewers then bought tickets specifically to see the film being discussed, and cinemas responded with additional screenings.
That sequence transformed Niu Lai from an obscure release into a broader discussion about attention, internet culture and how curiosity can reshape demand for a theatrical title.
Sources
Lists Niu Lai (牛来) under screening permit 电审动字〔2024〕第33号 and identifies Dalian Jingyuan Culture Film and Television Media Co., Ltd. as the first production company.
Provides stable film metadata including the August 5, 2026 mainland China release, 86-minute runtime, director Xin Yumeng and writer Sun Lifang.
Documents the early low-box-office period, the rapid rise in online attention, the distributor, the 86-minute runtime and key creator roles.
Confirms the production company, distributor and public screening permit while discussing the film’s sudden attention.