Raise the Red Lantern
“China, 1920. One master, four wives.”
In 1920s China, 19-year-old Songlian becomes a concubine of a powerful lord and is forced to compete with his three wives for the privileges gained.
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Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
14 people
Gong Li
Songlian
Known for
Mulan
Memoirs of a Geisha
He Saifei
Meishan
Known for
Lust, Caution
Cao Cuifen
Zhuoyun
Known for
Love is Not Blind
Kong Lin
Yan'er
Known for
Go Go Squid!
The First Frost
Jin Shuyuan
Yuru
Known for
The Children of Huang Shi
Cuifen Cao
Zhuoyan (Second Wife)
Ma Jingwu
Chen Zuoqian
Known for
Green Snake
The Banquet
Cui Zhigang
Doctor Gao
Known for
Joy of Life
The Knockout
Zhao Qi
Housekeeper
Chu Xiao
Feipu
Also in
Consuming Sun
缉毒英雄
Cao Zengyin
Old Servant
Known for
Martial Arts of Shaolin
Ding Weimin
Songlian's Mother
Also in
Old Well
The Quiet Little Li River
Zhang Yimou Director · Ni Zhen Writer Su Tong Author
Worldwide gross $17M · Budget $1M · United States release November 6, 2026
Box office
Budget
$1,000,000
Worldwide gross
$16,600,000
Gross vs. budget
16.6×
Production
China Film Co-Production
Production
Century Communications
Production
Salon Films
Production
Era International
Production
China · Hong Kong SAR China · Taiwan
Produced in
Languages
Original title
大红灯笼高高挂
Original language
Chinese
Spoken on screen
Chinese
Release dates
Canada · September 10, 1991
Premiere · Toronto Film Festival
China · January 1, 1992
Theatrical
United States · November 6, 2026
Limited theatrical · Re-release
Belgium
February 13, 1992 · Theatrical
Brazil
January 1, 2000 · Physical · Capa do DVD
China
October 27, 2026 · Physical · 4K UHD
Czechia
March 5, 1999 · Limited theatrical · Non-commercial screenings only
France
December 20, 1991 · Theatrical
Germany
August 19, 2013 · Digital
Hong Kong SAR China
October 10, 1991 · Theatrical
Italy
September 10, 1991 · Premiere · Venice Film Festival
December 17, 1991 · Premiere · (Milan)
December 18, 1991 · Theatrical
Netherlands
February 14, 1992 · Theatrical
Poland
May 22, 2026 · Limited theatrical
Portugal
January 22, 1993 · Theatrical
South Korea
January 1, 1992 · Theatrical
Spain
February 14, 1992 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
January 13, 1992 · Theatrical
November 2, 2026 · Limited theatrical · Re-release
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Some details come from TheTVDB.