Operation Hadal (Jiao Long Xing Dong) 2025
Operation Hadal (蛟龙行动), also known as Operation Leviathan, is a 2025 Chinese action war film directed by Dante Lam. It serves as a spiritual successor to his 2018 film Operation Red Sea, shifting the focus from above-water combat to intense underwater warfare. The film was released in China on January 29, 2025, coinciding with the Chinese New Year . Set in the near future, Operation Hadal follows the Chinese Navy's efforts to thwart a covert enemy operation involving a super-submarine targeting China's southeastern coastal cities. The story centers on the deployment of China's advanced submarine, Longjing (Dragon Whale), in collaboration with the elite Jiaolong commando unit. As the mission unfolds, the team navigates perilous underwater terrains, including deep-sea volcanoes, to confront the threat.🎥 Production Highlights Filming Location: Primarily shot in Qingdao, China. Cinematography: Utilized IMAX cameras to capture the grandeur of underwater combat sequences. Visual Effects: Incorporated futuristic elements like robotic dogs and advanced submersibles to depict a high-tech naval environment .📊 Critics Box Office: The film grossed approximately $53.75 million worldwide, with $49.3 million from China alone . Critical Response: Some viewers praised the film's innovative underwater combat scenes and visual effects, noting the realistic portrayal of submarine interiors and the intense atmosphere . However, others criticized the film for its weak character development, disjointed editing, and implausible plot elements, such as a scene where the submarine captain plays a harmonica during a crisis .🎥 Box Office Summary Here’s a detailed breakdown of Operation Hadal’s box office performance: 🎯 Domestic (China) Final gross: approximately US $49.3 million, according to The‑Numbers. A China Daily article reported box office receipts of around ¥370 million (≈US $50.6 million) as of February 12, 2025. During its opening weekend (Jan 31–Feb 2), it earned about US $13.6 million, climbing to US $48.1 million by its second weekend, and reaching near $53.7 million by the third weekend .🌍 Worldwide Total worldwide gross stands at roughly US $49–54 million, indicating limited international reach.🧭 Conclusion Operation Hadal (2025) is a visually ambitious Chinese action-war film that dives deep—literally—into underwater military combat. Directed by Dante Lam, it builds on the success of Operation Red Sea by shifting the action below the surface, showcasing high-tech submarines, deep-sea warfare, and cutting-edge special effects. While the film impresses with its large-scale visuals and intense underwater sequences, it has received mixed reviews due to weak character development and a sometimes implausible plot. It's a strong choice for fans of military thrillers and high-budget action, but less so for viewers seeking rich storytelling or emotional depth. If you're into naval warfare, explosive action, or futuristic military tech, Operation Hadal is worth checking out—especially on a big screen.


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