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Once Upon a Time (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Once Upon a Time (2017) movie poster

Once Upon a Time is a 2017 drama directed by Anthony LaMolinara and Xiaoding Zhao, starring Yifei Liu, Yang Yang and Chun Li. It is based on To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi and Poppy Toland. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $82.9 million worldwide on a $90 million budget. IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
worldwide gross
$82.9M
Echo Score
78
budget
$90M
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Once Upon a Time (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$90M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Once Upon a Time About?

The premise of Once Upon a Time without spoilers, adapted from To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi and Poppy Toland. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Three hundred years prior, a tragic parting on Zhu Xian Terrace marked the heartbreaking end of a couple's relationship, an event witnessed by a bronze mirror. Fate intervenes centuries later when they unexpectedly reunite within the mystical East Sea Dragon Palace. Their destinies are once again entwined, forcing them to confront the sorrow of their past and the challenges of a renewed connection.

Once Upon a Time Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • hollywood california
  • place in title
  • violence
  • film within a film
  • actor as protagonist
  • alternate history
  • 1960s
  • manson murders
  • friendship between men
  • los angeles california
  • western filmmaking
  • home invasion
+38 more
  • western town movie set
  • hippie girl
  • stunt double
  • struggling actor
  • revisionist history
  • murder
  • movie theater
  • manson family
  • foot fetish
  • actress
  • california
  • sharon tate character
  • steve mcqueen the actor character
  • connie stevens character
  • actor
  • roman polanski character
  • dog
  • dog attack
  • reference to telly savalas
  • teenage girl
  • friendship
  • scene during end credits
  • playboy mansion
  • western novel
  • reference to batman and robin
  • film set
  • cult
  • based on real person
  • charles manson character
  • reference to walt disney
  • death
  • bruce lee character
  • fictional tv show
  • fictional tv commercial
  • acting
  • child actress
  • gun
  • dog food
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Cast & crew

Once Upon a Time Cast

Yifei Liu leads the cast, with Yang Yang and Chun Li. Directed by Anthony LaMolinara and Xiaoding Zhao; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Once Upon a Time

· 2 more
Ratings

Once Upon a Time Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Once Upon a Time 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

78 /100

Once Upon a Time Echo Score Breakdown

Once Upon a Time delivers a visually striking and performance-driven experience but struggles to maintain narrative momentum. Critics and audiences alike highlight the lush production design and carefully composed sequences, while others point to moments of episodic digression and inconsistent pacing. The ensemble cast earns consistent acclaim for its nuanced interplay and comedic timing, offsetting the film’s structural unevenness. As a result, the movie offers a compelling sensory journey and strong character work, though its storytelling irregularities temper its overall impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels in its lavish cinematography and meticulous production design. The director’s choices yield well-framed compositions and measured editing rhythms, creating an immersive period environment. While the ambitious visual scope occasionally feels indulgent, the overall craftsmanship reinforces the film’s aesthetic appeal and underscores its thematic immersion.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the ensemble performances anchor the film with credible depth and rapport. Lead portrayals convey a balance of humor and pathos, fostering authentic chemistry across key relationships. Some secondary roles remain underexplored, yet the principal cast’s dynamic interplay and emotional clarity sustain audience engagement throughout the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film’s episodic structure yields moments of originality but also uneven pacing. Early sequences introduce intriguing set pieces, yet the condensed narrative occasionally lacks clear direction. Viewers note both engaging subplots and instances of digressive detours that disrupt momentum. Ultimately, the plot’s inventive concept is offset by variable coherence and pacing irregularities.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film presents a vibrant soundscape and lush musical selection that accentuate its period setting. The sound design balances diegetic and score elements for immersive effect, while the visual style employs bold color palettes and dynamic effects. These sensory dimensions consistently enhance the film’s atmosphere and viewer immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When it comes to Rewatch Factor, the film offers strong replay value through memorable character interactions and striking set pieces. Viewers often cite its blend of humor and spectacle as rewarding on subsequent viewings, uncovering new details in dialogue and visual design. Although pacing variances persist, the compelling performances encourage multiple returns.

Plot

Once Upon a Time Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Once Upon a Time from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In February 1969, Rick Dalton, portrayed by Yifei Liu, a once-celebrated actor known for his role in the 1950s Western television series Bounty Law, shares his despair with his best friend and former stunt double, Cliff Booth (Yang Yang). Dalton feels that his acting career is at an end, a sentiment reinforced during a lunch with his producer and agent, Marvin Schwarz. Dalton comes to the disheartening conclusion that appearing as a guest villain in new network shows only solidifies his status as a “has been.” Meanwhile, Booth, a war veteran living in a trailer with his pit bull Brandy, relies on Dalton for job opportunities as rumors swirl about his past, particularly concerning his wife’s mysterious death, which tarnished his reputation and barred him from finding work.

Full summary

The whole story of Once Upon a Time, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Once Upon a Time Box Office & Budget

Once Upon a Time grossed $82.9 million worldwide on a $90 million budget, 92% of what it cost. $485,728 came from the US and Canada and $82.4 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$82.9M

92% of its budget back

US & Canada
$485.7K
International
$82.4M
Budget
$90M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

Once Upon a Time Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Once Upon a Time.

Once Upon A Time Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Once Upon a Time?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Rick Dalton's profession?

Cars

Cars in Once Upon a Time

37 cars on screen, including the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD W123 and the 1969 Cadillac DeVille Convertible.

All 37 cars
  • 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD W123 in Once Upon a Time 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD W123 Main role
  • 1969 Cadillac DeVille Convertible in Once Upon a Time 1969 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Important role
  • 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu in Once Upon a Time 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Important role
  • Chevrolet Cruze in Once Upon a Time Chevrolet Cruze Important role
Details

Once Upon a Time Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Eternal Love” and “Three Lives Three Worlds”.

Also known as
  • Eternal Love
  • Three Lives Three Worlds
  • Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms
  • San Sheng Sanshi
  • San sheng san shi shi li tao hua
  • 삼생삼세 십리도화
  • Once Upon A Time - In einer fantastischen Welt
  • Три жизни, три эпохи, десять ли персикового цвета
  • Tam Sinh Tam Thế Thập Lý Đào Hoa
  • Era Uma Vez

Seen Once Upon a Time?

FAQ

Once Upon a Time FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Once Upon a Time, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Once Upon a Time?

Once Upon a Time runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Once Upon a Time released?

Once Upon a Time was released on August 11, 2017.

Who directed Once Upon a Time?

Once Upon a Time was directed by Anthony LaMolinara and Xiaoding Zhao.

Who is in the cast of Once Upon a Time?

Once Upon a Time stars Yifei Liu, Yang Yang and Chun Li, among 6 credited actors.

How much did Once Upon a Time make at the box office?

Once Upon a Time grossed $82.9 million worldwide ($485,728 domestic, $82.4 million international) on a budget of $90 million.

How is Once Upon a Time rated?

Once Upon a Time has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 68% on TMDB, 2.8/5 on Letterboxd and 1.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Is Once Upon a Time based on a book?

Yes. Once Upon a Time is adapted from To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi and Poppy Toland.

Does Once Upon a Time have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Once Upon a Time has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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