Bao main backdrop
Bao main poster

7.6/10 • 1.2K

2018-06-150h 8m

AnimationFamilyFantasy

An aging Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.

Directors
Domee Shi
Writters
Domee Shi
Editors
Domee Shi, Katherine Ringgold

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Daniel Kailin

    Daniel Kailin

    TV Son (voice)

  2. Sindy Lau

    Sindy Lau

    Mom (voice)

  3. Sharmaine Yeoh

    Sharmaine Yeoh

    (voice)

  4. Tim Zhang

    Tim Zhang

    Dad (voice)

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jul 27, 2025

7/10

I thought there was a little bit of a culinary “Tom Thumb” to this as a couple pining for a child get their wish when one of their freshly steamed dumplings springs to life. It’s a lively, curious and mischievous little wrap that gets itself into all sorts of scrapes as it becomes used to human society. Thing is, though, as it becomes older and more confident, it wants to get friends of it’s own - maybe even get a girlfriend? Just how might how the doting mother cope when she is no longer the only apple in it’s eye? I have to say this is probably the best solution for dealing with recalcitrance I’ve ever seen and the denouement really did make me smile. This animation is really quite charmingly crafted, quickly paced and needs no dialogue to tell it’s story. Good fun.

Media

  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster
  • Bao poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
cookingcartooncoming of agechinesewoman directormother son relationshipdumplingshort filmempty nestchinese cuisine