April brings a surge of movie releases.

April is one of the busiest months, considered the "golden season" for the box office, with a series of high-quality films simultaneously released, ready to serve the increased entertainment needs of audiences during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and the April 30th/May 1st holidays. This year, the film market continues to witness a diversity of genres, from action and horror to psychological dramas and comedies, offering many attractive choices for a wide range of audiences.

The cast and crew of the film "Meet Me on the Day of the Eclipse" interacted with the audience in Dong Nai on April 5th. Photo: Nhat Ha

Vietnamese films continue to dominate the box office, with many meticulously produced works in terms of both content and visuals. Domestic filmmakers are increasingly focusing on script quality, exploring themes close to everyday life while combining entertainment elements to create a balance that is easily accessible to a wide audience.

Romantic films explode at the box office.

Just 10 days after its release, director Le Thien Vien's film "Meet You on the Day of the Eclipse" had a spectacular opening for April, grossing 65 billion VND. What allowed this purely romantic film, without sensational elements or spectacular special effects, to maintain its top spot at the box office was likely its emotional impact. This also shows that Vietnamese audiences' box office experiences have undergone positive changes, valuing works with artistic merit and depth.

The film is set in the Catholic village of Trà Mây in the 1990s, where young girl Thiên Ân (played by Đoàn Thiên Ân) meets and develops a pure and sincere love for Thiên (played by Khương Lê), an electrician. Their beautiful love quickly turns tragic when Ân's mother, Mrs. Hoa (played by People's Artist Lê Khanh), forbids it because Thiên is not Catholic. Ân goes through a journey from happy smiles to tears, hurt, and anguish as she protects and realizes the true value of love.

The film is an emotionally charged story about unspoken feelings, eternal love, and regrets for both the characters and the audience. The authentic and natural performances of the lead couple, Thien An and Khuong Le, are highly praised, bringing viewers emotional climaxes about a love that was unfulfilled but truly complete. "Meet Me on the Eclipse Day" also demonstrates the power of music in the film, with songs like "Xuan Thi" (performed by Phan Manh Quynh), "Hen Uoc Xin Khuat Loi," and "Chi Chung Do Thoi" (performed by Quoc Thien) playing at just the right moments, causing emotions to not only erupt but also linger in the hearts of viewers long after they leave the theater.

Sharing his thoughts with the film crew during a Q&A session with the audience in Dong Nai, Hoang Quan (from Hung Thinh commune, Dong Nai province), a student majoring in Religious Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, commented: "This is a beautiful film in terms of imagery, emotions, and aesthetic and humanistic values."

Scheduled for release on April 24th, "Hero" is a film starring Thai Hoa as a single father and taxi driver who, along with his colleague, becomes entangled in a multi-million dollar charity scam, while his young daughter's life hangs in the balance. Besides the story revolving around the exposed multi-million dollar charity scheme, the film also reflects modern social realities such as kindness and judgment.

Many choices in the horror film genre.

Besides romantic dramas, many elaborately produced films are expected to join the box office race during the upcoming Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and April 30th/May 1st holidays. Among them, the horror genre is witnessing a strong resurgence, gradually becoming a "trump card" at the box office.

Notably, director Phan Gia Nhật Linh's "Blood Moon Feast 8" is a film project selected to participate in the 2026 Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, alongside other Vietnamese films that have made a strong impression on audiences, such as "Quán Kỳ Nam," "Underground: The Sun in the Darkness," and "Battle in the Air." The film tells the story of a director who is often looked down upon (played by Vân Sơn) in his most challenging project: making a 35-minute film with only one take. A series of hilarious and awkward situations arise as the actors constantly cause embarrassing incidents. However, completing the film is his last chance to regain the respect of his art-loving daughter.

Scheduled for release on April 16th, Phi Phong: The Blood Demon of the Sacred Forest is another horror film premiering during this period. Inspired by chilling folk legends about blood-sucking demons in the highlands, the film tells the story of two brothers, Con (played by Kieu Minh Tuan) and Duong (played by Doan Minh Anh), on their journey to the village to rescue their mother. There, they uncover many horrifying secrets about Phi Phong and are forced to intervene for the safety of the villagers.

The folk horror film "Five-Toed Pig," released shortly after, explores a supernatural legend from Southern Vietnamese folklore. Directed by Luu Thanh Luan and produced by Vo Thanh Hoa, the film not only sparks curiosity with its five-toed pig legend but also with its distinct psychological and cause-and-effect approach. The film features familiar faces such as Vo Tan Phat, Tran Ngoc Vang, and Oc Thanh Van…

With a wide variety of genres and ever-improving quality, the April movie season is not just about entertainment, but also an opportunity for audiences to enjoy memorable cinematic works. In the festive atmosphere of major holidays, going to the cinema with friends and family is sure to be an attractive option, contributing to a more complete and meaningful holiday.

Nhat Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202604/soi-dong-phim-rap-thang-tu-b0c1213/