Good news for international fans of director Wong Kar Wai. His first television series, the acclaimed Blossoms Shanghai, finally has an international streaming date. The show will become available on the streaming service Mubi starting February 26, 2026. However, this release is for specific countries, and availability differs in places like the United States and the United Kingdom.
The series, which became a major hit in China, follows the rise of a businessman in 1990s Shanghai. It features popular Chinese actor Hu Ge in the lead role. For many viewers outside Asia, this will be their first chance to see Wong Kar Wai’s unique visual style applied to a long-form story.
Where to Watch Blossoms Shanghai: A Regional Guide
The release of Blossoms Shanghai is not universal. Different streaming services hold the rights in different parts of the world. This has led to some confusion, as the show is already available in some regions.
For viewers in Latin America, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Turkey, and India, the wait ends on February 26. This is when the show premieres on Mubi.
In the United States and the United Kingdom, the series arrived much earlier. It has been streaming on the Criterion Channel since November 24, 2025. New episodes were released weekly on the platform. Reports indicate that Criterion also holds the rights for Australia, but as its streaming service is not available there, it is unclear when or where Australian fans will be able to watch the show.
How Mubi Will Release the 30-Episode Series
Blossoms Shanghai is a substantial series, with a total of 30 episodes. Understanding that this is a significant time commitment for viewers, Mubi is using a special release strategy. Instead of dropping all episodes at once, the platform will release the show in parts.
The plan is to split the 30 episodes into three groups. The first 10 episodes will be released on February 26, 2026. The next set of 10 episodes is scheduled to follow in March 2026, and the final 10 episodes will arrive in April 2026. This method allows audiences to absorb the story gradually.
The Story and Style of Blossoms Shanghai
For those unfamiliar, Blossoms Shanghai is based on the award-winning novel Blossoms by author Jin Yucheng. The story is set in the 1990s, a period of rapid economic change and growth in Shanghai. It follows the journey of Ah Bao, played by Hu Ge, as he transforms from an ordinary young man into a wealthy and influential business figure known as “Mr. Bao”.
His rise is guided by several key people, including his mentor Uncle Ye and Miss Wang from the Foreign Trade Office. The narrative explores his relationships and the pressures of success in a fast-moving city. The plot thickens with the arrival of a mysterious woman who opens a high-end restaurant called The Grand Lisbon, which challenges Ah Bao’s world.
The series is the first television project from legendary director Wong Kar Wai, known for classic films like In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express. He is famous for a very distinctive visual style, focusing on mood, color, and emotion. Early reviews of the series note that this style is fully present, calling the show “sumptuous” and “supersized”.
Critic Brian Tallerico wrote for Yahoo Entertainment, “Blossoms Shanghai becomes more enjoyable when one stops trying to track allegiances and financial dealings and just lets its craft wash over the frame.”
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A Long-Awaited Project with Major Cultural Impact
The journey to bring Blossoms Shanghai to screens was a long one. Director Wong Kar Wai first secured the rights to the novel in 2013 and spent years in preparation. Filming itself took over three years, a lengthy process even for a series of this scale. The attention to detail was immense, with the production team building a large, detailed set to recreate 1990s Shanghai streets.
When the series first aired in China in late 2023, it was a massive success. It became the most-streamed series in the country and started trends in fashion, food, and travel to locations featured in the show. The series also sparked interest in the Shanghainese dialect.
The international release, first on Criterion and now on Mubi, introduces Wong Kar Wai’s latest work to a global audience. It blends his signature romantic and nostalgic style with a epic story about money, power, and personal change. With its first international release date now set, fans in dozens of countries can mark their calendars for February 26.
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