Action-comedy icon Stephen Chow is bringing his signature brand of over-the-top martial arts comedy back to international cinemas. Distributor Encore Films has officially confirmed that Kung Fu Soccer, Chow’s spiritual sequel to his 2001 classic Shaolin Soccer, will arrive in cinemas across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland on 23 October 2026.
Western audiences can choose between the original-language theatrical presentation and a brand-new English-dubbed audio track.
Chow himself provides the English voice for his on-screen appearance, joined by actor Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown, Silicon Valley) and rapper-actor MC Jin (Fast & Furious 6), both voicing their respective roles.
The Western rollout arrives after a monster theatrical run throughout Asia and Oceania. Debuting on 11 July, Kung Fu Soccer finished as the highest-grossing film of China’s summer cinema window, racking up approximately $349 million in ticket sales.
A New Generation Takes The Pitch
Arriving twenty-five years after Shaolin Soccer first conquered Hong Kong box offices, Chow’s latest project places an all-female squad of unlikely athletes at the centre of the action.
The story centres on the Emei Women’s Football Team, an underdog crew written off by rivals as they register for the cutthroat Supreme Invincible Cup.
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Zhang Xiaofei (Hi, Mom) commands the pitch as team captain Shuangshuang, while Dilraba Dilmurat (You Are My Glory) co-stars as star striker Yulong. Pop idol and actor Lay Zhang Yixing portrays martial arts instructor Xu Feng, teaching the players to merge traditional combat disciplines with acrobatic pitch tactics.
The ensemble cast includes Hong Kong screen veteran Carina Lau, Japanese star Takeru Satoh (Rurouni Kenshin), Sisley Choi, and Louis Cheung.
Bridging Action Comedy for International Audiences
Chow directed and wrote the Hong Kong-China co-production, marking his first turn in the director’s chair since 2019’s The New King of Comedy.
Encore Films managing director Joyce Lee emphasised that the new English and Cantonese audio tracks aim to broaden access for moviegoers everywhere.
“Following the tremendous response to ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ across Asia and Oceania, we’re excited to bring the film to cinema audiences in the U.K., Canada, U.K. and Ireland,” Lee stated. “Stephen Chow’s films have always transcended language and cultural boundaries, bringing audiences together through his unique blend of action, comedy and heart.”
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Lee added that the audio releases cater to both dedicated fans and newcomers: “Through a special English-dubbed version that makes the film more accessible to wider audiences, alongside a newly completed Cantonese-dubbed version whose voice cast will be announced soon, we hope to introduce Stephen Chow’s signature style of comedy to new audiences while reconnecting with longtime fans.”
Kung Fu Soccer kicks off its theatrical run in North America and the UK on 23 October 2026.
