Experience the magic of Vietnamese storytelling as “The Ancestral Home” brings its record-breaking success and cultural depth to North America this May.
Vietnamese cinema continues its ascent onto the global stage, and the latest testament to this is the upcoming North American release of The Ancestral Home, a film that has already taken Vietnam by storm. Directed by Huynh Lap, who also stars in the production, this family drama has not only claimed the title of Vietnam’s highest-grossing spiritual film but has also captured the hearts of millions, both at the box office and across social media.
Now, with its North American debut set for May 9 through Eastern Edge Films, The Ancestral Home is poised to introduce a new wave of Vietnamese storytelling to audiences far beyond its homeland. This moment feels significant—not just for the film itself, but for what it represents in the broader landscape of international cinema.
A Domestic Triumph Sets the Stage
Since its local release on February 21, The Ancestral Home has been nothing short of a phenomenon in Vietnam. With over 3 million admissions and nearly $10 million in domestic box office receipts, it has shattered records and set a new benchmark for spiritual cinema in the country. But its impact goes beyond mere numbers.
The film has sparked a cultural conversation, generating over 3.8 million social media mentions in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with an astonishing 84% Net Sentiment Rate—the highest in its category. This kind of organic buzz is rare, and it speaks to the film’s ability to resonate deeply with audiences on an emotional and cultural level.
Huynh Lap, already known for his work on Land of Spirits, has crafted a story that feels both timeless and urgently relevant, tapping into universal themes of family, heritage, and the ties that bind us to our roots.
Eastern Edge Films Leads the Charge
The film’s North American release is being spearheaded by Eastern Edge Films, a New Jersey-based distributor founded by Jawahar Sharma. Specializing in bringing Asian and Arabic-language films to North American audiences, Eastern Edge Films has already made notable strides in this space.
Their recent release, The Real Sister, another Vietnamese hit, screened in over 106 locations across the U.S., signaling a growing appetite for diverse cinematic voices. With The Ancestral Home, they are doubling down on this mission, strategically timing the release to coincide with Asian American Heritage Month. This is no small detail—it’s a calculated move to capitalize on a moment when cultural awareness and celebration are at their peak, potentially amplifying the film’s reach and impact.
In a market where international films are increasingly finding their footing—from the Oscar-winning success of South Korea’s Parasite to the global embrace of Japanese anime—The Ancestral Home arrives at a time when North American audiences are more open than ever to stories from beyond Hollywood’s borders.
A Story That Bridges Cultures
But what makes The Ancestral Home stand out in this crowded landscape? For one, it’s the authenticity of its storytelling. Vietnamese cinema has long been a rich tapestry of cultural narratives, but it’s only recently begun to break through to international audiences in a meaningful way.
The Ancestral Home offers a glimpse into a world that feels both intimately specific and universally relatable, exploring the complexities of family dynamics against the backdrop of Vietnam’s spiritual traditions. It’s a film that doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of its subject matter, yet it does so with a grace and subtlety that avoids the heavy-handedness often found in lesser dramas.
This is a story that invites viewers to reflect on their own ancestral ties, making it a deeply personal experience, no matter where you’re watching from.
A Milestone for Global Cinema
The timing of this release also feels particularly poignant. As the world becomes more interconnected, the film industry is no exception, and The Ancestral Home is a testament to the power of cinema to transcend cultural boundaries. Its success in Vietnam is already a milestone, but its journey to North America could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Vietnamese filmmakers looking to share their stories with the world.
With Eastern Edge Films at the helm, and a release date that aligns with a celebration of Asian heritage, the stage is set for The Ancestral Home to make a lasting impression. Whether it becomes a sleeper hit or simply a quiet success, its presence on North American screens is a victory in itself—a reminder that great cinema knows no borders, and that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that take us far from home, only to bring us back to ourselves.
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