Hidden War Movie on Prime Video Became a Global Box Office Phenomenon

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War films, though not always profitable every time they’re released in cinemas, often rake in substantial profits at the global box office. These films offer large-scale spectacle that audiences enjoy on the big screen, while also drawing from real-world events to heighten their dramatic impact. Over time, American and British war movies such as “Saving Private Ryan,” “1917,” and “American Sniper” have become box office giants. However, neither of these countries can boast about having the highest-grossing war film of the 2020s.

The movie “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which became the 2021 blockbuster in China, is now accessible on Prime Video in the U.S., though not widely recognized domestically. However, its impressive box office earnings demonstrate that it made a significant cultural impact regardless.

What is The Battle at Lake Changjin?

In September 2021, the film The Battle at Lake Changji was unveiled, directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam. This movie is a retelling of the historical event known as The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Critics have pointed out numerous inaccuracies and noted that it originated from China’s Central Propaganda Department. Starring Wu Jing, a well-known box office sensation who was previously the lead in the Wolf Warrior series, this movie portrays two sibling soldiers fighting against invading American forces during harsh winter conditions. The film features numerous action scenes and crowd-pleasing moments.

The response from movie critics towards the film was quite varied, with some pointing out similar issues related to propaganda that had negatively impacted Western action films endorsed by American and British intelligence agencies. On the other hand, others appreciated the grand scale of The Battle at Lake Changjin, even though they noted that its exceptionally lengthy duration resulted in some rather dull and drawn-out scenes. Despite these mixed reviews, however, Lake Changjin still managed to dominate the box office in its native country.

In its cinematic release in China, “The Battle at Lake Changjin” raked in a staggering $899.4 million, establishing it as the highest-grossing Chinese film ever. This record was broken by “Ne Zha 2” in early 2025 during its theatrical run. With a global box office of $909.59 million, this movie starring Wu Jing became the second-highest-grossing film worldwide in 2021, surpassed only by “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. The success of “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and the comedy hit “Hi, Mom” made 2021 a significant year for the Chinese box office. Furthermore, future war movies released in the 2020s will likely find it challenging to outshine the box office performance of “The Battle at Lake Changjin”.

The Battle at Lake Changjin Dominates All Other War Movies from the 2020s

In the years following the box office successes of films like “Lone Survivor” and “American Sniper” in the mid-to-late 2010s, war movies have been less common on the big screen in the 2020s. Among the few notable releases from American and European film studios are Alex Garland’s films “Civil War” and “Warfare”, as well as “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” and “Devotion”. However, these movies have not matched the box office numbers of films like “13 Hours” or even come close to the success of “Lake Changjin”.

2020s war films generally have a smaller storyline compared to movies like Saving Private Ryan and 1917, and they often carry a more somber atmosphere. This style of filmmaking more accurately portrays the harsh realities of war, but it doesn’t attract large crowds at the box office as expected from blockbuster releases. This is one reason why The Battle at Lake Changjin has become the highest-grossing war movie of the 2020s so far. It offers a grand scale and inspiring energy similar to the iconic war movies of past years, while also tapping into the strong demand among Chinese cinema enthusiasts for domestic blockbusters, which undoubtedly contributed to its box office success.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to delve into “The Battle at Lake Changjin” since its limited theatrical release in the U.S., which was confined to mere 20 cinemas across the nation. However, now that it’s accessible on a prominent streaming platform in our country, domestic cinephiles can finally witness what undeniably stands as one of the most monumental war films of the 2020s thus far. Watching “The Battle at Lake Changjin” offers American viewers an intriguing glimpse into a flourishing and prosperous film industry that has been largely overlooked, hidden in plain sight. It’s high time we broaden our horizons and critically analyze these Chinese blockbusters beyond their box office successes.

The Battle at Lake Changjin is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2025-06-26 21:12