Cannes: Netflix Takes Chinese Blockbuster 'Us and Them' for the World (Exclusive)

The hit romantic drama currently tops the Middle Kingdom's box office, having earned $191 million over two weekends.

Chinese blockbuster Us and Them is set to get a global splash courtesy of Netflix.

The directorial debut of Chinese pop star turned actress turned filmmaker Rene Liu, Us and Them currently tops the Middle Kingdom's box office, having earned $191 million over two weekends. The streaming giant will release the film on its platform for all territories outside of China.

The romantic drama stars Chinese heartthrobs Jing Boran and Zhou Dongyu as two strangers who meet by chance on a train while traveling home to China's remote northeast. Us and Them was produced by the film division of Chinese ticketing giant Maoyan, Shanghai Shigu Film Co., Dadi Films and others. Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan sings the movie's theme song, which is also topping the local charts.

There was no immediate word on when Netflix will bow the film, and the company didn't reply to requests for comment. The streaming giant has been blocked by Beijing regulators from setting up its service in China, which is among the very few territories in which it isn't active.

Netflix has been modestly boosting its mainland Chinese content. The streamer prebought all non-China rights to the animated feature Over the Moon, to be directed by legendary animator Glen Keane (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) for Shanghai-based animation house Pearl Studio (formerly Oriental DreamWorks). Netflix also has picked up several Chinese TV dramas, including Youku's detective series Day and Night and iQiyi's remake of Sony Pictures Television’s psychological thriller Chosen.

A version of this story appears in The Hollywood Reporter's May 8 daily issue from the Cannes Film Festival. Click here to download.