Niu Lai

Name: Niu Lai
Genre: Family, Animation
Released: 2026-08-05
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 3.5
Cast: Sun Lifang, Xin Yumeng

Cows Are Better Than People

Rating

3.5 (1)

Release Date

8/5/2026

Runtime

86 mins

Genres

Family Animation

Overview

The naive calf Niu Lai loves exploring the grasslands, but struggles to live up to his family’s expectations as future leader of the herd. With migration fast approaching, Niu Lai finds unlikely allies on his journey to learn the meaning of courage as they prepare for a dangerous trek across the desert.

Status

Released

Original Language

Chinese

Budget

$600

Revenue

$4,889,922

Homepage

How It Feels

Read from this film's synopsis, keywords and credits, and used to work out what it sits beside.

A charming animated adventure that follows a young calf finding his own path while learning what it means to be brave. It's a gentle exploration of self-discovery wrapped in an absurdist sensibility that keeps things playful even as stakes rise.

Mood

WhimsicalHopefulBittersweet

Themes

Coming of ageFamilyIdentity

Tone

Earnest

Pacing

Steady

Look

3D animationStylized genre

Structure

Linear

Xin Yumeng

Male Characters (voice)

Sun Lifang

Female Characters (voice)

Reviews

nicolascagegoons

Aug 27, 2026

Laugh but there is something so atmospheric and interesting about it.
Sure, the animation isn't good but its style allows for a surreal vibe and the voice acting is fine. I think its first two acts are actually pretty fun about a family. Its third act is where it loses me a bit but its decent.
Its better then half of the new releases this year.
(Watch my filmography: https://boxd.it/2A45h )