Panda Express marks Lunar New Year with animated film

Family-owned pioneer of American Chinese comfort food Panda Express has launched a Lunar New Year campaign built around an animated short film titled Wishes, marking the brand’s first fully animated holiday story.

The campaign focuses on family, togetherness and the role of food in connecting people, ahead of Lunar New Year 2026.

Developed in partnership with independent agency Opinionated and animation studio Passion Pictures, the campaign represents Panda Express’ most expansive Lunar New Year storytelling to date. It continues the brand’s Have You Eaten Yet? platform, which has anchored its culturally grounded communications over the past year.

Animated storytelling for Lunar New Year

Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during Lunar New Year celebrations, the two-minute animated film follows a young girl whose wish is to have her family together for the holiday. When her father, a physician, is called away on an emergency, the story unfolds across the city’s streets and skyline, centring on themes of absence, love and connection.

The film was produced using hand-drawn two-dimensional animation supported by subtle three-dimensional effects. The craft approach aims to balance realism with warmth, with detailed depictions of community life reinforcing the brand’s association between food and care.

Honouring tradition and emotion

Fabiola Del Rio, Vice President of Integrated Marketing Communications, Panda Express: “This year, we chose animation because we wanted to create something that could capture the sense of wonder and possibility that children feel during the holidays, the magic of making a wish and believing it can come true. We also wanted to honor what so many of us know to be true, that sometimes the people we love can’t be there in the way we hope, and yet love still finds us. Wishes is for anyone who’s ever waited for someone to come home, for families discovering Lunar New Year for the first time, and for those who’ve celebrated it their whole lives.”

Wishes follows Panda Express’ 2025 Lunar New Year film The Invitation, which introduced the emotional tone of the Have You Eaten Yet? platform. The 2026 film broadens the scope from a single family gathering to a wider portrayal of community and shared celebration.

Distribution and creative collaboration

Cameron Soane, Associate Creative Director, Opinionated: Long- and short-form versions of the film will run across broadcast, YouTube, Panda Express’ owned channels and social platforms. Additional campaign assets will appear in restaurants and across paid digital and social media.

“None of this would have been possible without Passion’s partnership. They represent such an elite level of craft—it’s been a joy to observe their impeccable process every step of the way. It’s been a privilege to bring it to life.”

Chris Le, Associate Creative Director: “I don’t think I’ve been more excited to show my mom anything. So much thought, care and love has been poured into this film from our partners across continents.”

www.pandaexpress.com

www.opinionatedgroup.com

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