The Wandering Earth 3 Part One Set for 2027 Spring Festival Release

China’s highly anticipated science-fiction blockbusterThe Wandering Earth 3is set to return to cinemas during the 2027 Spring Festival holiday, with the first part of the two-part film scheduled for release in China.

China Film Group confirmed the latest release plan on September 21 during China Film Co.’s 2026 interim results briefing. The company saidThe Wandering Earth 3 (Part One), which it is leading as the main production company, is planned for release during the 2027 Spring Festival movie season.

The film is the third installment in theThe Wandering Earthfranchise, one of the most prominent Chinese science-fiction film series of recent years. Director Frant Gwo returns for the new movie, which is being developed as two parts.

A Two-Part Sci-Fi Epic

According to information previously disclosed by China Film Group,The Wandering Earth 3will be divided into an upper and lower part. Part One is planned for the 2027 Spring Festival period, while the release timing of Part Two will depend on the progress of post-production. It has previously been discussed as potentially arriving in the summer of 2027 or during the 2028 Spring Festival period.

The latest reports indicate that the first part is expected to arrive on February 6, 2027, which falls on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

The production continues the franchise’s large-scale approach to science fiction. The story is based on Liu Cixin’s science-fiction work and expands the central premise established by the previous films: humanity attempts to save Earth as the Sun faces a catastrophic future, eventually setting the planet on a journey through space in search of a new home.

Original Cast Returns

Several major actors from the earlier films are returning, including Wu Jing, Andy Lau, Li Xuejian and Zhao Jinmai. The new installment will also feature additional cast members, including popular Chinese actor Shen Teng.

The involvement of new performers is expected to add new characters and storylines to the expanding universe of the franchise. However, details of the plot remain closely guarded as the production continues.

Director Frant Gwo has previously emphasized the need for innovation in the third installment. The production team has been working to develop new ideas and raise the technical and creative standards beyond those of the first two films. The script has also gone through multiple revisions during development.

Continuing the Global Journey

The firstThe Wandering Earth, released in 2019, became a major milestone for Chinese science-fiction cinema, earning about 4.69 billion yuan at the domestic box office.The Wandering Earth 2, released in 2023, generated about 4.03 billion yuan domestically.

The third film is expected to expand the series’ exploration of humanity’s survival, technological development and long-term future. Its two-part structure will also give the filmmakers more space to develop the story and its large-scale science-fiction setting.

With Part One scheduled for the 2027 Spring Festival holiday,The Wandering Earth 3is now moving closer to its theatrical debut. More details about the film’s final runtime, story and international release plans are expected to emerge as post-production progresses.