Chinese New Year movies are more than just seasonal entertainment — they are a tradition that brings families together every festive season. But in CNY 2026, history will soon be made as two of Southeast Asia’s most legendary comedy icons make their long-awaited return to the big screen!
Malaysian filmmaker-actor Jack Lim and Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo return as Ah Beng and Liang Po Po for Ah Beng 2026 and Liang Po Po Returns to the Hustle, respectively, for CNY 2026!
Here’s everything you need to know about this historical comeback:
1. Reviving Ah Beng after 12 years
Since the early 2000s, Jack Lim has had a near-constant presence in Malaysia’s Lunar New Year film scene. The Malaysian “Lunar New Year box-office anchor” has been releasing top-grossing CNY movies almost every year, which saw him grow from actor to producer and finally, creative lead.
Among his many film roles, it’s Lim’s ‘alter ego’ Ah Beng who stands out as one of the most recognisable characters in Malaysian modern festive cinema, having made appearances in successful local films like Tiger Woohoo!, Ah Beng The Movie: Three Wishes, and Ah Beng: Mission Possible that cement the character’s popularity.
After a 12-year hiatus from the Lunar New Year lineup, Lim’s Ah Beng persona will be making an epic comeback in Ah Beng 2026. With a refreshed take on the character that reflects modern local culture, Malaysian cinemagoers would undoubtedly be excited to enter the next chapter of Ah Beng’s story with their whole family this CNY.
2. Showdown with fellow legend, Liang Po Po
As if CNY 2026 isn’t already shaping up to be Malaysia’s hottest festive movie season, Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo ALSO announced that his iconic character, Liang Po Po, will return in the highly-anticipated sequel: Liang Po Po Returns. Created and portrayed by Neo in the 1999 Liang Po Po: The Movie, Liang Po Po continues to be one of the most iconic matriarch figures in Chinese-language festive cinema, thanks to the film’s timeless blend of family-centric storytelling with sharp social observation. Liang Po Po Returns marks her first appearance in 27 years!
The timely return of these beloved icons is even more special when you realise that these two filmmakers have a history together! Did you know Jack Lim actually made his film debut in Neo’s blockbuster, Ah Long Pte Ltd? The Singaporean director recognised Lim’s talents and gave him his first major break in cinema! That opportunity kick-started Lim’s career, with the Ah Beng actor expanding beyond acting and into the core of film production, establishing his distinct creative voice within the Lunar New Year genre.
3. 2026 CNY: Return of a legendary era!
With a former mentor and protégé each returning to the big screen with their signature characters, Chinese New Year 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting festive film season that carries symbolic weight beyond box-office numbers. This rare head-to-head between icons is not merely about friendly competition; it’s also about how classic icons can continue to evolve, while maintaining the emotional connection with audiences that’ll continue to inspire generations to come.
The release dates for Ah Beng 2026 and Liang Po Po Returns have yet to be revealed, but konfem will be releasing in Malaysian cinemas this year. Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ as we bring you more updates about this cinematic cross-generational showdown!
