When is the release date of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East in the Philippines?

It opens in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026. The worldwide release was on August 8, 2026.

Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle East in the Philippines?

You can watch it in local cinemas starting October 21, 2026. No streaming platform has been announced for the Philippines yet.

Who is in the cast of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?

Shen Teng stars as chef Xu Fu, and Jiang Qiming plays restaurant manager Ma Junsheng. They are joined by Omar Sherif, Aarif Rahman, Sherif Sabry, Ahmed Salim, Faruk Muhammad, Russell Shealy, Naira Al-Kasim and Karma Hazim. Wen Muye directs.

What is the movie rating and runtime in the Philippines?

The film is rated R-16 in the Philippines and runs 141 minutes, or about 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East getting good reviews?

Early audience response looks positive. TMDB lists an audience average of 8.9/10, although this is based on only 54 votes so far.

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026): PH Guide

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East: Plot Without Spoilers

Xu Fu is a chef with debts piling up and a family relying on him back home. He sees a way out in a job overseas and leaves China for a Middle Eastern city in the 2000s. There he joins the Dragon Restaurant, an eatery that is barely staying afloat. Working with the restaurant’s manager, Ma Junsheng, he sets out to revive the business through his cooking, and their efforts finally start to pay off.

Then the Iraq War era arrives at their doorstep, and everything they built is suddenly at risk. With fighting outside, the restaurant takes on a new purpose as a shelter for people who have nowhere else to turn. Xu Fu came only to earn a living. Now he carries responsibility for far more than a menu, and he must decide how much he is willing to risk for the people around him.

The tagline captures the film’s spirit: “Eat well, stay alive.” This is a story about food, survival and the small communities that form when ordinary people live through extraordinary times.

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes It Notable: Cast, Director and Background

Cast: Shen Teng leads as chef Xu Fu, with Jiang Qiming as restaurant manager Ma Junsheng. The international ensemble includes Omar Sherif (Seif), Aarif Rahman (Tony), Sherif Sabry (Zayd), Ahmed Salim (Ali), Faruk Muhammad (Jamal), Russell Shealy (Morgan), Naira Al-Kasim (Lina) and Karma Hazim (Susu).
Director and writers: Wen Muye directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Lang Qunli and Wei Zhong.
Origin: This is a Chinese production from Bad Monkey (Shanghai), Alibaba Pictures Group, China Film Group Corporation and 梦将军（上海）影业有限公司. The original title is 欢迎来龙餐馆, which roughly means “Welcome to Dragon Restaurant.”
Genre and languages: It is a war drama and period piece with a strong culinary thread. The dialogue is in Mandarin, Arabic and English, which reflects its cross-cultural setting.
Runtime: 141 minutes (about 2 hours and 21 minutes).
Early audience reception: If you’re looking for a review, TMDB shows an audience average of 8.9/10 from 54 votes. That is an encouraging early signal, but the sample is still small.

Who Will Enjoy It

Viewers who like war dramas that focus on civilians rather than soldiers
Food lovers who enjoy films where cooking drives the story
Fans of Chinese cinema and of Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming
Audiences who are drawn to stories about community, resilience and starting over abroad
Mature viewers aged 16 and up who are comfortable with wartime themes

Release Date in the Philippines and Where to Watch

The film had its world release on August 8, 2026. In the Philippines, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East opens in cinemas on October 21, 2026, with an R-16 classification, so viewers must be at least 16 years old.

For now, the place to watch it in the Philippines is the cinema. Check your local theater’s schedule for screening times. No streaming platform has been announced for the Philippines yet, so a local streaming release date is still unknown. An official trailer is available if you want a preview before buying tickets.

Trailer

Cast

Shen Tengas Xu FuSee credits →
Jiang Qimingas Ma JunshengSee credits →
Omar Sherifas SeifSee credits →
Aarif Rahmanas Tony
Sherif Sabryas Zayd
Ahmed Salimas Ali
Faruk Muhammadas Jamal
Russell Shealyas Morgan

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When is the release date of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East in the Philippines?: It opens in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026. The worldwide release was on August 8, 2026.
Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle East in the Philippines?: You can watch it in local cinemas starting October 21, 2026. No streaming platform has been announced for the Philippines yet.
Who is in the cast of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East?: Shen Teng stars as chef Xu Fu, and Jiang Qiming plays restaurant manager Ma Junsheng. They are joined by Omar Sherif, Aarif Rahman, Sherif Sabry, Ahmed Salim, Faruk Muhammad, Russell Shealy, Naira Al-Kasim and Karma Hazim. Wen Muye directs.
What is the movie rating and runtime in the Philippines?: The film is rated R-16 in the Philippines and runs 141 minutes, or about 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East getting good reviews?: Early audience response looks positive. TMDB lists an audience average of 8.9/10, although this is based on only 54 votes so far.

Sources

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