The Wedding Banquet Release Date, Storyline, and Everything You Need to Know
When Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet was released in 1993, it was groundbreaking — one of the first mainstream films to tackle LGBTQ+ relationships among Asian American families. More than 30 years later, a new remake by Andrew Ahn brings this story to 2025 with relevant themes and an all-star cast.
This contemporary take on the story acknowledges how marriage equality has reshaped the landscape for LGBTQ+ couples today, while honoring the cultural traditions that continue to inform modern family life.
The Wedding Banquet Release Date
The Wedding Banquet (2025) officially premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it garnered positive early reactions from critics and audiences alike. The North American theatrical release was scheduled for April 18, 2025, with Bleecker Street overseeing its domestic distribution.
Before that, UK audiences were offered an early preview at the prestigious BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in March 2025.
Although international release dates have not been comprehensively detailed, Universal Pictures is managing overseas sales. Given the film’s modest box office and enthusiastic critical reception, digital and home media releases soon followed in mid-May and June 2025.
Box Office Performance
Despite strong critical acclaim and festival buzz, The Wedding Banquet had a modest box office performance. It opened with just under $1 million in its first weekend and, by early May 2025, had earned approximately $2.1 million in North America. International markets contributed an additional $270,000, bringing the global total to around $2.36 million.
The Wedding Banquet: New Twists On An Old Story
In this 2025 reimagining of The Wedding Banquet, director Andrew Ahn presents a heartfelt and humorous story of love, family, and cultural tension.
The film follows Min (Han Gi-chan), a Korean American man living in the U.S., who becomes increasingly frustrated with his boyfriend Chris (Bowen Yang), whose fear of long-term commitment is straining their relationship.
In a desperate attempt to ease familial and immigration pressures, Min proposes a marriage of convenience to their friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran), offering financial help for her partner Lee’s (Lily Gladstone) IVF treatment in return.
Their supposedly simple plan unravels when Min’s traditional grandmother makes an unexpected trip from Korea, insisting on throwing an elaborate Korean wedding banquet.
What was meant to be a discreet arrangement spirals into a full-scale cultural affair, forcing all four characters to confront deeply rooted expectations around marriage, family roles, and identity.
As the wedding preparations grow more chaotic and public, the characters are pulled in different emotional directions. The film delicately explores how cultural traditions intersect with modern values, especially in a world where same-sex marriage is legal but not always simple.
With warmth, humor, and emotional nuance, The Wedding Banquet captures the complexity of queer identity, love, and the desire to both honor one’s heritage and live authentically.
The Wedding Banquet Remake Adds Star Power With Diverse Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character Name | Notable Previous Work |
|---|---|---|
| Han Gi-chan | Min | Where Your Eyes Linger, K-dramas |
| Bowen Yang | Chris | Saturday Night Live, Fire Island |
| Kelly Marie Tran | Angela | Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, Sweet Tooth |
| Lily Gladstone | Lee | Killers of the Flower Moon, Under the Bridge |
| Joan Chen | Min’s Mother | Didi, The Last Emperor |
| Youn Yuh-jung | Min’s Grandmother | Minari, Pachinko |
The Wedding Banquet Director Andrew Ahn Infuses the Film With a New Perspective
Andrew Ahn directed and co-wrote The Wedding Banquet, a remake that offers his perspective on this material. This is not Ahn’s first time rendering an old story through a new, LGBTQ-friendly lens. His prior film, Fire Island, was a contemporary reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, set in New York’s famed gay holiday resort.
Ahn’s experience directing episodes of Bridgerton and his acclaimed independent films Driveways and Spa Night should help him balance the romantic comedy aspects with deeper emotional themes. His work is preoccupied with the intersection of sex, culture, and family—themes that are the heart of The Wedding Banquet.”
Co-writer James Schamus brings much-needed continuity to the project, having been one of the original writers on Ang Lee’s original 1993. Remake information: Collaborations like these help a remake honor the spirit of the original while also allowing new perspectives on the story being told.
Talking at Sundance, Ahn explained that marriage equality shifted the story’s fundamental questions: “Now that we can get married, should we? Do we want to?”
The Wedding Banquet: Critical Reception Shows Early Promise
But The Wedding Banquet has only been screened at festivals so far and has received positive critical reviews. Early reviews: The film holds a 95 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 22 critics’ verdicts, with an average score of 7.8/10. Metacritic gives it a 72 out of 100, based on 10 critics, meaning it receives “generally favorable” reviews.
The film’s blend of comedy and emotional depth, along with the ensemble cast’s performances, has drawn praise from critics. The features of visual beauty and cultural accuracy have been especially praised in wedding sequences.
Critics say it’s an update of its predecessor’s premise that works for a contemporary audience but keeps the emotional heart that made the 1993 movie connect with viewers.
Already, the film is being recognized in awards nominations, picking up a “Next Big Thing” nomination at The Queerties, an awards show celebrating LGBTQ+ media and culture.
The Wedding Banquet, released in April, will probably be in the running for more mainstream awards later in the year, especially in categories that honor ensemble casts and adapted screenplays.
Awards and Nominations
The film has received recognition from both independent and LGBTQ+ award circuits:
- At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the production team was honored with a notable industry award for excellence in independent filmmaking.
- It earned a nomination in the “Next Big Thing” category at a prominent LGBTQ+ media awards ceremony.
- The film also led the nomination tally at the 2025 Pride Awards, with individual honors for cast members Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone in leading performance categories.
FAQ
Is this movie a direct remake of the 1993 movie?
Yes, “The Wedding Banquet” is an official remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 film with the same title. But it relocates the story to the present day and updates the laws on marriage equality and contemporary attitudes toward LGBTQ+ relationships. James Schamus, who co-wrote the original, collaborated with its director, Andrew Ahn, on the new version.
Would I have to see the original film before watching this remake?
No, you can watch the remake without having seen the original. The 2025 version has its own satisfying, complete story. Then again, the original version isn’t available to stream right now, so the remake allows you to witness the tale for the first time.
How is this film different from the original?
The main point of contrast is the context of marriage equality. When the first movie was made, same-sex marriage was not legal, so the green-card marriage was a necessity. A remake that poses the question of whether marriage remains desirable even when legal. The remake features two couples instead of one primary couple, providing more insight into Korean wedding traditions.
Who would enjoy this movie?
This one will appeal to fans of romantic comedies with something inside. It’s an able humor vessel while unpacking things of significance regarding family, culture, and identity.” The target audience for this movie includes viewers who identify as LGBTQ+, those who appreciate stories of Asian American culture, and fans of wedding-centered comedies with emotional resonance.
Final Words
The Wedding Banquet opens in theaters on April 18, offering a fresh take on a familiar tale. This remake has an incredibly talented cast, an experienced creative team, and timely themes, so it stands to reason it will give a new generation an introduction to the story while also providing something new for fans of the original movie.
One of the more anticipated independent releases of spring 2025 reflects how far representation in Hollywood has come — and how far it still has to go.
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