A Chinese New Year film refers to movies usually released during the Chinese New Year period. It is a film that varies in genre but whose style is generally relaxed and humorous. It is focused around the horoscope animal, theme, and other attributes for the upcoming year, taking these Chinese New Year ideas and presenting them in a modern and exciting way. A recent tradition, it has become a popular way to celebrate Chinese New Year. In recent years, attendance at screenings for such films has grown during the holiday.

Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, observances traditionally take place from Chinese New Year's Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year, to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.