The big-screen revival of the early 2000s Hong Kong TV series A Step Into the Past has been making waves this New Year film season by blending nostalgia with fresh sci-fi thrills. Released on December 31, 2025, the film reunites stars Louis Koo, Raymond Lam and Jessica Hsuan, inviting longtime fans and new viewers alike on a time-travel adventure through China's Warring States period (475–221 BC). ⏳✨
On opening day, according to Hong Kong media outlet Headline Daily, the movie set a record for the highest number of screenings ever for a first-day release in Hong Kong. Within four days, residents helped push local box-office earnings past HK$30 million (about US$3.86 million). Meanwhile, on the Chinese mainland, it soared past 100 million yuan (about US$14.29 million) in just three days. 📈🍿
First aired in 2001, the original TV drama was a genre-definer, mixing historical drama, time travel and action in a way that felt fresh back then—and still resonates today. Fans online have called the film pure nostalgia, sharing throwback memes and stories of late-night binge sessions with the original series. 🎥💭
The film picks up where the series left off, continuing the journey of a modern agent caught up in royal power struggles that could alter the course of history. Directors and writers have added new twists and characters to introduce the tale to a new generation, while keeping the core time-travel intrigue that made the show a cult classic. ⚔️🔍
As of early January 2026, A Step Into the Past proves that emotional attachment and classic storytelling still pack a punch at the box office. Whether nostalgia alone can fuel a sustained revival for Hong Kong cinema remains to be seen—but for now, fans are loving the trip down memory lane. 🎉
One thing’s for sure: this New Year, a dash of nostalgia and a time-travel twist proved a winning combo for residents across Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. 🍀
Reference(s):
Big-screen return of nostalgic Hong Kong TV series makes record debut
cgtn.com
