The Wandering Earth Wanders Over to Netflix

Netflix has acquired the streaming rights to The Wandering Earth, an epic sci-fi film from China that has become a box office sensation back home, and achieved several significant milestones. Among other things, it’s 2019’s most successful film to date and already one of the most successful sci-fi films of all time.

Based on a story by China’s most acclaimed sci-fi author, Liu Cixin (best known for his award-winning “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” trilogy), The Wandering Earth is set in the not-too-distant future where the sun has begun to expand, threatening all life on Earth. To escape extinction, humanity has turned the planet into a giant spaceship and begun a 2,500-year-long journey to find a new home in a distant solar system.

The Wandering Earth was directed by Frant Gwo (My Old Classmate) and stars Wu Jing (Wolf Warrior 2, Sha Po Lang), Ng Man-tat (Shaolin Soccer), and Zhao Jinmai. And as can be seen in the trailer above, the film boasts some pretty impressive production design and effects. The film’s reviews have been generally positive. Screen Anarchy’s J Hurtado loved the film, calling it “a rousing space adventure,” while Simon Abrams appreciated the filmmaker’s “can-do spirit and consummate attention to detail.”

Netflix has yet to announce a release date for The Wandering Earth but hopefully, it’ll be sooner rather than later.