The Chinese drama ‘Take Off’ is officially coming to American theaters. Distributor Orchid Tree Media will release the film across the United States on September 17, 2026. The movie tells the story of a factory worker who spends his life trying to build a flying machine. It recently made its North American debut at the New York Asian Film Festival in July.
The film already played in Chinese theaters earlier this year and earned $12 million at the box office. Now American audiences will get the chance to see this story about dreams and determination on the big screen.
A Story Spanning Decades
‘Take Off’ follows Li Mingqi, a factory worker played by rising actor Jiang Qiming. The story starts in the 1970s and continues to the present day. It takes place in the industrial cities of northeast China.
Li Mingqi inherits his late father’s dream to build a homemade flying jetpack. But things go wrong early on. A failed experiment leaves his brother-in-law disabled. This mistake follows him for decades.
As China’s economy changes, Li and his wife, played by Li Xueqin, turn an old factory into a dance hall. They also start offering hot-air balloon rides to bring in tourists. But when his nephew gets very sick, Li decides to try flying one last time with his homemade machine.
The movie is based on a novella called The Aeronaut by acclaimed Chinese author Shuang Xuetao. The novella appeared in Shuang’s 2022 story collection Rouge Street. The New York Times named it an “editors’ choice”. Shuang co-wrote the screenplay with director Pengfei and Xu Yizhou. He also served as an executive producer.
Director Pengfei’s Journey to U.S. Screens
Director Pengfei trained at the Institut International de l’Image et du Son in Paris. He started his career working under Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang. He served as assistant director and co-writer on Tsai’s film Stray Dogs, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice in 2013.
Pengfei has become a regular at film festivals. His first film Underground Fragrance and his second The Taste of Rice Flower both played at Venice Days. His 2020 film Tracing Her Shadow competed at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
‘Take Off’ is Pengfei’s fourth feature film. The movie had its world premiere in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2025. It then opened in Chinese theaters on January 17, 2026.
Cast and Performances
Jiang Qiming, who plays the lead role Li Mingqi, is 33 years old and has become one of the most watched actors of his generation in China. He broke out in the 2023 crime series The Long Season. He also won best supporting actor at last year’s Shanghai Magnolia Awards for the TV drama Escape From the Trilateral Slopes.
The supporting cast includes several well-known names:
- Lei Jiayin (Article 20)
- Dong Zijian (My Friend An Delie)
- Jiang Wu (To Live, Let the Bullets Fly)
Other cast members include Dong Baoshi, Wang Yanlin, and Yang Le.
Festival Recognition
‘Take Off’ has received recognition at major film festivals. It was an official selection at both the New York Asian Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival.
The film made its North American premiere at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival in July 2026. The festival ran from July 10 to July 26 across five venues in New York. ‘Take Off’ was among the featured films celebrating the festival’s 25th anniversary.
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U.S. Release Details
The movie will run for 2 hours and 3 minutes. It is rated NR (Not Rated). Beijing-based sales agent Rediance handles the film internationally and made the deal with Orchid Tree Media.
Audiences can expect to see the film in theaters across the United States starting September 17. The release brings a story of personal determination and family bonds to American viewers. The film shows how one man’s unusual dream affects everyone around him across many years.
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