Vietnamese cinema has kicked off 2025 with a fascinating blend of artistic breakthroughs, box office surprises, and industry growing pains. As local filmmakers push for creative recognition both at home and abroad, early-year releases offer a clear snapshot of an industry at a crossroads — balancing artistic ambition with commercial demands.
This article reviews the standout films, underwhelming entries, and emerging trends from Vietnam’s theatrical scene in Q1 2025, while reflecting on what they mean for the future of local cinema.
Vietnamese Cinema in Transition: An Industry Snapshot
Vietnamese cinema has matured rapidly over the past decade, buoyed by international festival success, digital distribution, and growing local interest. However, early 2025 reveals a duality: while some films thrive artistically, others falter due to weak scripts, marketing missteps, or audience mismatch.
The Tet season — traditionally a peak period for Vietnamese films — further exposes these strengths and shortcomings. With major studios, indie directors, and international distributors all vying for attention, competition is fiercer than ever.
The Big Wins: Notable Highlights of Early 2025
🦋 Rain on the Butterfly Wings — Award-Winning Prestige
One of the most critically celebrated Vietnamese films of the year so far, Rain on the Butterfly Wings made a resounding debut. After clinching two awards at the Venice Film Festival, it has received wide acclaim for its poetic storytelling and compelling cinematography.
- Genre: Art-house drama
- Director: Phạm Ngọc Thanh
- Festival success: Venice, Busan, and Hanoi International Film Fest
- Why it matters: Sets a new standard for global recognition of Vietnamese storytelling
This film not only drew curious domestic audiences but also elevated Vietnam’s profile on the international cinema map.
🎬 Family-Friendly Appeal: Hello Jadoo & Young and Wild
Vietnamese cinemas in early 2025 also benefited from well-timed international releases. The Thai coming-of-age comedy Young and Wild and Korean-Vietnamese animation Hello Jadoo: Jeju Island Secret both resonated with younger audiences and families.
- Takeaway: The Vietnamese market remains receptive to regional content, particularly when backed by strong dubbing and holiday timing.
- Box office results: Outperformed several local films, especially in tier-1 cities like HCMC and Hanoi
- Significance: Reinforces that genre diversity — especially animation and youth comedy — is essential to box office health
🎥 Nostalgia Wins Again: Spirited Away Re-release
Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, re-released in January 2025, was another quiet but notable success. Despite being over two decades old, the film attracted both longtime fans and a new generation, proving the timeless appeal of emotional animation.
- Cultural impact: Continues to influence local animators and filmmakers
- Theatrical strategy: Limited screens, high engagement
- Audience insight: Suggests a strong appetite for classic, well-crafted storytelling
Alt: Vietnamese cinema crowd watching a new theatrical release
The Misses: Disappointments and Controversies
❌ Trà (18+ Film): Weak Content and Marketing Fallout
One of the year’s biggest failures, Trà, an adult-themed romantic drama, was pulled from theaters just days after release. Despite a promising cast, the film struggled with poor pacing, a thin plot, and marketing that failed to position it correctly to its intended audience.
- Box office earnings: Only 1.6 billion VND — a fraction of expectations
- Criticism: Over-reliance on sensuality without emotional depth
- Industry impact: A cautionary tale on how content mismatch and weak pre-release hype can tank even a mid-budget production
📉 Quỷ Cô Thừa Kế 2: Sequel Fatigue and Script Criticism
The follow-up to a once-popular supernatural comedy, Quỷ Cô Thừa Kế 2, fell flat in early 2025. Audiences called out its lack of originality, with the plot recycling gags and emotional beats from the first film — with diminishing returns.
- Viewer feedback: “Nothing new to say — just louder and longer.”
- Why it failed: Weak script, poor character development, predictable pacing
- Lesson for producers: Nostalgia alone doesn’t sell sequels — especially when narrative innovation is missing
Alt: Vietnamese box office report before Tet 2025
Trends and Takeaways from Tet Releases 2025
Despite a few misfires, Tet remains a golden window for high-stakes domestic film releases. This year, two titles in particular generated buzz:
- 🦸 The Four Avengers: A comedic superhero ensemble film that taps into local mythology and satire
- 💋 The Billion-Dollar Kiss: A romantic comedy featuring a banking heiress and an undercover journalist
These films reflect audience demand for escapism and humor, especially during the festive season.
“Tet 2025 reaffirms that while audiences enjoy experimental and artistic films, they still flock to star-driven, feel-good releases when the holidays roll around.”
Alt: Promotional still from Daydreamers 25, a 2025 film
Stay tuned for the second half of this article, where we’ll explore industry-wide reflections, upcoming releases like Yadang: The Snitch, and systemic challenges facing Vietnamese filmmakers in 2025.
