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Painted Skin: The Resurrection

Painted Skin: The Resurrection

2012131 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Director
Wuershan
Starring
Xun Zhou, Kun Chen, Wei Zhao, Mi Yang

According to demon lore, it takes hundreds of years to attain human form. Even then, lacking a human heart, a demon cannot experience the true pains and passions of existence. However, there is a legend that if a pure human heart is freely offered to a demon, it can become a mortal and experience true life. Sequel of Painted Skin (2008).

Where to watch

Where can I watch Painted Skin: The Resurrection?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Painted Skin: The Resurrection streaming on Hi-YAH! via The Roku Channel and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Painted Skin: The Resurrection?

Painted Skin: The Resurrection earns 3 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Painted Skin: The Resurrection worth watching?

Painted Skin: The Resurrection's Midcredits score is the 49th percentile of all films, from 5.3K ratings across 4 sources. 48% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

49th percentile

Better received than 49% of films

76th percentile among Fantasy49th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)48th
Approval (how many liked it)49th

61 /100

48th percentile of all films

76th percentile among Fantasy49th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

48% liked it

49th percentile of all films

71st percentile among Fantasy49th percentile among 2010s
48% rated it 7–1052% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 56%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 10 wins / 10 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

76th percentile

5.3K ratings across platforms

74th percentile among Fantasy78th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 14% in 30 days

Box office

BudgetCN¥150M

In Chinese yuan, not converted to dollars.

Opening weekend$18K
Domestic gross$50K
Worldwide gross$2.5M

58th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually opulent fantasy romance with strong female performances, but its story is derivative and its CGI is uneven.

Fans praised

  • visually sumptuous, poetic cinematography and production design
  • lead performers deliver emotionally charged, layered portrayals
  • thematically rich love story exploring sacrifice and inner beauty

Detractors panned

  • derivative rehash of the first film with little new to offer
  • overly theatrical, forced melodrama and unrealistic character behavior
  • shoddy CGI and inconsistent visual effects

What stands out

Cinematography85

Breathtaking imagery, poetic visuals, stunning landscapes and costumes

Acting80

Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei praised for depth and chemistry; female cast exceptional, male lead sometimes flat

Atmosphere75

Immersion into fantasy world, dreamlike quality

CharactersDivisive65

Demon and princess characters compelling; general and supporting roles underused

Emotional impactDivisive65

Tears and sympathy for characters; some find melodrama hollow

Effects and spectacle55

Some impressive set pieces, but cheap CGI (bear, green-screen) pulls down

Plot and storyDivisive45

Too similar to first film, formulaic, forced details, overly dramatic but has thematic depth

OriginalityDivisive20

Shameless knock-off of predecessor, no new ideas

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Painted Skin: The Resurrection like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseRomantic
Heaviest: late
Register
Romantic · 8% of filmsMelodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its fantastical love story and sacrifice straight, with heightened emotion and visual grandeur.
The rideThe film likely builds tension and romantic longing, with an emotional climax late in the story.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically with a final flashback revealing the guard's enduring affection.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe resolution is emotionally complex: love is affirmed and the princess's self-image heals, but sacrifices are made and the fox's fate is ambiguous.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA fox demon and a princess exchange bodies in a deal that tests the boundaries of beauty and sacrifice, driving a fantasy romance.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores a princess's journey to accept her own worth despite her scars, alongside a demon's sacrificial path toward humanity.
StanceThe film likely questions the nature of identity and love rather than celebrating or condemning it.

The world

TimelessWildernessInstitutionalFantasy
Orchestral classicalWorldSupportive music · original score
Settingancient fantasy realm with supernatural beings and royal courts
MusicLikely a lush orchestral score with traditional Chinese elements, though no composer is confirmed.

Content guide

Is Painted Skin: The Resurrection okay for kids?

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Painted Skin: The Resurrection have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Painted Skin: The Resurrection?

Cast

At least 3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Xun Zhou
as Xiao Wei
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kun Chen
as Huo Xin
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Wei Zhao
as Princess Jing
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mi Yang
as Quer
Shaofeng Feng
as Pang Lang
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tingjia Chen
as The Queen of The Tianlang
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Nuo Lu
as The Prince of The Tianlang
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Kris Phillips
as The Wizard
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Benchang You
as Alchemist
Yilong Zhang
as Gong SunBao
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Painted Skin: The Resurrection?

Movies like Painted Skin: The Resurrection include Painted Skin (2008), Beauty and the Beast (2014) and Beauty and the Beast (1946). Of the 6 closest matches, most are films set in a fictional world, and most are stories about unlikely alliances.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 6 share its world: fairy tale. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Painted Skin: The Resurrection?

77 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: god. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.