Deep into our YouTube binging sessions this time of year we’re bound to see a Chinese New Year advert. Normally, we hastily wait to tap the skip button, but the best Chinese New Year ads for 2026 keep our eyes locked and fingers frozen. Through comedy, nostalgia, or emotions, these ads keep us hooked until we realise they’re over.
The best Chinese New Year ads not only tell a good story but do it in a creative memorable way. Some of the best this year are creative, funny, relatable, but all of them share one thing in common. They all take the familiar tropes of the lunar new year and make them their own. We have chosen some of the most outstanding ones released this year from our favourite local brands.
So if you’re looking to get into the festive mood, gather some mandarin oranges, and start a new binging session. These ads are short films that will get you ready for your upcoming auspicious gathering. Here are our picks for the best Chinese New Year ads you shouldn’t skip.
A roundup of the best Chinese New Year ads of 2026
Grab – Wait…Whose CNY Ad Is This
Using a unique ‘ad within an ad’ concept, Grab’s entry into this list is a creative spin. Creating a self-aware take on commercial production houses and the confusion of endless CNY ads. With this creative manoeuvre, Grab not only underscores its brand relevance in the lives of everyday consumers but also invites viewers to reflexively think about the clichés of CNY storytelling itself
McDonald’s – 福气 The Blessing
This tearing jerking entry by McDonald’s tells the story we are all to familiar with, when our loved ones begin to age up and slow down. Anchored by everyday household interactions and the dynamics between siblings and ageing parents. It’s story flips the idea of prosperity, traditionally associated with material success, and instead emphasises the importance of perseverance through hard times and caring for our loved ones.
RHB – CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026: DIGNITY
The RHB Chinese New Year 2026 campaign diverges from the archetypal prosperity message by spotlighting personal dignity, purpose, and resilience. Inspired by real stories of empowerment, specifically of women uplifted through community-based initiatives.
Marrybrown – 纸为你 (Crafted With Love)
Marrybrown’s entry this year uses the traditional craft of paper cutting as a narrative device to explore heritage, memory, and the quiet interconnectedness of family life. By tracing the evolving relationship between grandmother and granddaughter across years and celebrations, the campaign underscores how small gestures and inherited traditions are the love language of an Asian household.
Apple – Chinese New Year – Glad I Met You
Apple’s year Shot On iPhone series of short films continues with Glad I Met You. This short follows an unexpected friendship between a young woman and a stray dog, ultimately reflecting on how found family and companionship can enrich the festival’s spirit. If love the companionship of cute dogs then you’re in for a treat.
Maybank – Blessings All Around
Centering around family and uplifting others, Maybank’s entry focuses on the importance of gestures over monetary gain. Starting with familiar CNY motifs such as the lou sang (prosperity toss), it gradually reframes prosperity as something already present in everyday gatherings and simple gestures, encouraging audiences to slow down and value what they already have.
Mister Potato – Bruise Lee
In this hilarious parody of the Bruce Lee classic Enter the Dragon, this Mister Potato commercial recreates a retro aesthetic and has gags to spare. Drawing inspiration from classic kung-fu films. The ad is energetic and exaggerated, using parody and pop-culture references to entertain. Starring local influencer Sai as ‘Bruise Lee’, this ad is just the right kind of silly you need this Chinese New Year.
Mah Sing – 2026 Official CNY Festive Video《年年难过，年年过》
We all face hardships through the year, but when festive season comes around we pretend like everything is okay. Mah Sing’s film reflects on hardship as a recurring part of life, saying it’s okay to be not okay. Its message suggests that although every year comes with challenges, each one is also something that can be overcome together. If you have had a challenging past year, this ad will lift you spirit and tell you that you’re not alone.
(Hero image credit: YouTube/McDonaldsMalaysia / Feature image credit: YouTube/MarrybrownTV)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
