Escape from the 21st Century (2025): Release date, plot, and everything we know so far
Escape from the 21st Century is a science fiction adventure comedy film, directed and written by Yang Li. Beijing Enlight Pictures, Desen International Media, and Huanxi Media Group have produced it.
Three friends, Wang Zha, Chengyong and Paopao, mysteriously gain powers to travel 20 years in time with a sneeze. This leads them into life-threatening situations as the future turned out to be more dangerous than they had imagined.
Fans in the United States can watch the film on the big screen on June 9, 2025. It stars Zhang Ruoyun, Song Yang, LI Chenhao, Zhong Elane, Wu Xiaoliang, and Zhu Yanmanzi in prominent roles.
Read on to know more about Escape from the 21st Century.
When will Escape from the 21st Century be released?
As mentioned above, the film will be released on June 9, 2025, in selected theatres across the United States. The official trailer for global audiences was released on YouTube on May 20, 2025.
It must be noted that it is a one-day event, so fans who want to watch the adventure comedy film would have to find the theatres nearby where the film will be playing. The tickets can be booked from the film's official website. The information regarding showtimes is available on the film's official Instagram and Facebook handles.
The 98-minute-long film was released in China on August 2, 2024. After the US release, it will be available on digital platforms from June 27, 2025.
Escape from the 21st Century plot details
Escape from the 21st Century is a slapstick comedy film that follows a group of three friends who gain time-travel powers after falling into a lake with mysterious colors. With every sneeze, they transport 20 years back and forth into the future, causing disruption and chaos all around. The film combines action, science fiction, and coming-of-age themes, infused with moments of comedy and drama.
Here's the official synopsis:
"Three 18-year-old boys, Wang Zha, Chengyong and Paopao, accidentally fall into a lake with flashy colors. When they get out, they realize they can travel back and forth 20 years into the future with a sneeze. However, the future is not what they expected. An elusive crime organization runs rampant in their city."
It continues,
"As a reporter, Wang Zha unveils the crime and discovers that Chengyong is a part of it. Meanwhile, Paopao finds himself dating Chengyong’s girlfriend. Also, an evil scientist has nefarious plans to take over the world. In order to make things right, the trio go back to the present and train themselves relentlessly for 20 years to defeat the evil forces at play."
Who is in the cast of Escape from the 21st Century?
Below is the list of actors and the roles they play in the film:
- Zhang Ruoyun as Wang Zha
- Song Yang as Wang Chengyong
- LI Chenhao as Paopao
- Zhong Elane as Liu Lianzhi
- Wu Xiaoliang as Han Guang
- Zhu Yanmanzi as Yang Yi
- Wen Zhengrong as The Boss
- Lee Leon as Paopao
- Liang Shi as Wang Chengyong's father
- Yichen Chen as young Wang Zha
- Zhaozhao Li as young Wang Chengyong
- Fanding Ma as young Yang Yi
- Qixuan Kang as young Paopao
- Marina Malaia as Han Guang's girlfriend
Stay tuned for more news and updates on Escape from the 21st Century and other upcoming films and TV shows.
