Panda Express Rings in Lunar New Year with an Animated Celebration of Tradition and Togetherness

New short story from Opinionated and Academy Award-winning Passion Pictures takes viewers on a dreamlike journey through a young girl’s holiday wish.

Panda Express, the family-owned pioneer of American Chinese comfort food, is welcoming Lunar New Year with a sweeping new campaign that celebrates togetherness, family, and the enduring role food plays in bringing people together. Titled “Wishes,” the brand’s first-ever animated short story launches in advance of the 2026 Lunar New Year and marks Panda Express’ most ambitious holiday storytelling to date through a hand-crafted journey that honors tradition while inviting a new generation into the celebration.

Created in partnership with independent agency Opinionated and the three-time Academy Award-winning global animation house Passion Pictures, “Wishes” builds on the celebrated “Have You Eaten Yet?” brand platform, which Panda Express has spent the past year cementing through emotionally-resonant, culturally-grounded work. As the most significant moment of the year for the brand, Lunar New Year serves as a perfect stage for Panda Express to continue its role as an ambassador of American Chinese culture.

At the heart of Panda’s Lunar New Year campaign is a fully animated two-minute film set against the vibrant backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration. The story follows a young girl whose deepest wish is simply to have her family together for the holiday. But when her physician father is called away on a medical emergency, a journey begins that takes her high above the city’s lantern-lit streets—and ultimately to a place of pure love. 

Created entirely without the use of AI and brought to life through meticulous, hand-drawn 2D animation and subtle 3D effects, the film strikes a delicate balance between realism and warmth. Every frame is lovingly detailed with characters and community moments that reinforce Panda Express’ core belief that food is the ultimate expression of love. 

“This year, we chose animation because we wanted to create something that could capture the sense of wonder and possibility that children feel during the holidays, the magic of making a wish and believing it can come true,” said Fabiola Del Rio, Vice President of Integrated Marketing Communications at Panda Express. “We also wanted to honor what so many of us know to be true, that sometimes the people we love can’t be there in the way we hope, and yet love still finds us. ‘Wishes’ is for anyone who’s ever waited for someone to come home, for families discovering Lunar New Year for the first time, and for those who’ve celebrated it their whole lives.” 

“Wishes” follows the brand’s award-winning 2025 Lunar New Year film, “The Invitation,” which introduced audiences to the emotional and humorous heart of the brand’s “Have You Eaten Yet?” platform. “Wishes” expands that world, shifting from an intimate, slightly zany family gathering to a broader celebration of community and shared tradition.

Long and short form versions of the film will run across broadcast, YouTube, Panda Express’ owned platforms, and social channels, with additional Lunar New Year campaign assets running in-store and on paid digital and social platforms.

“None of this would have been possible without Passion’s partnership. They represent such an elite level of craft—it’s been a joy to observe their impeccable process every step of the way,” said Cameron Soane, Associate Creative Director at Opinionated.

Continues Opinionated Associate Creative Director Chris Le, “I don’t think I’ve been more excited to show my mom anything. So much thought, care and love has been poured into this film from our partners across continents. It’s been a privilege to bring it to life.”

Source: Opinionated

  Advertising, Campaign, Lunar New Year, Marketing, Opinionated, Panda Express, Passion Pictures