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Action adventure film

White Snake (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

White Snake (2019) movie poster

White Snake is a 2019 action adventure film directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong, starring Wei Liu as Snake Master, Stephanie Sheh and Paul Yen. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $62.1 million worldwide on a $11.9 million budget. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
70%
worldwide gross
$62.1M
Echo Score
70
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White Snake (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Directors
Ji Zhao and Amp Wong
Original language
Chinese
Studio
GKIDS
Budget
$11.9M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is White Snake About?

The premise of White Snake without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young woman discovers her mysterious past is connected to ancient forces and a forgotten identity. She finds herself intertwined with a snake catcher as they navigate a world filled with mythical beasts, trickster demons, and thrilling wuxia action. Their journey is complicated by those vying for power, and their quest for eternal love unfolds amidst danger and adventure, blending fantasy, romance, and stunning visuals.

White Snake Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • snake
  • assassin
  • magic
  • demon
  • cgi animation
  • dragon
  • love
  • ancient
  • farmers
  • poverty
  • emperor
  • china
+24 more
  • young boy
  • snake hunter
  • young girl
  • making love
  • kiss
  • chinese anime
  • sister sister relationship
  • anime
  • interspecies romance
  • sequel baiting
  • donghua
  • chinese animation
  • cg animation
  • anime animation
  • 3d animation
  • human demon relationship
  • human in love with demon
  • fight
  • transformation
  • giant animal
  • giant snake
  • turned into a demon
  • male female relationship
  • xianxia
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Cast & crew

White Snake Cast & Characters

Wei Liu leads the cast as Snake Master, with Stephanie Sheh as Blanca and Paul Yen as Ah Xuan. Directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in White Snake

· 15 more
Ratings

White Snake Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave White Snake 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (45).

70 /100

White Snake Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, White Snake delivers an arresting visual spectacle anchored by meticulously crafted animation, though its narrative and character development exhibit uneven execution. The production design and set pieces earn consistent acclaim for their intricate detail and immersive style, while the plot has been criticized for tangled storytelling and pacing issues. Emotional resonance appears in moments of the central romance but secondary characters frequently feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, the film’s striking artistry carries interest despite its inconsistent story and modest emotional impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, White Snake excels in its production design and visual composition. Critics praised the ravishingly constructed set pieces and striking cinematography, noting the attention to detail in vibrant environments and seamless direction. A handful of reviews mention that frenetic action sequences occasionally feel overloaded, but the overall design remains consistently impressive. The net result is a visually compelling presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, White Snake offers mixed results. Reviews highlighted moments of genuine chemistry in the central romance and occasional emotional depth, but also pointed to an underdevelopment of supporting figures and a lack of warmth. Some observers felt the protagonists’ motivations were unclear, diminishing emotional engagement. Overall, the character work feels uneven, providing limited resonance beyond key romantic beats.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents an engaging mythical romance but struggles with coherence. Multiple reviewers described the narrative as tangled, with subplot saturation and uneven pacing especially in the finale. The dialogue and scenario were labeled mediocre at times, making the plot difficult to follow for first-time viewers. Ultimately, the storytelling remains workable but inconsistent, preventing sustained immersion.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Regarding the sensory experience, White Snake delivers outstanding animation and sound design. Observers lauded the surreal sequences reminiscent of calligraphy paintings brought to life, alongside spectacular special effects and a dynamic soundtrack enhancing supernatural thrills. A minor criticism emerged that some flawless animated moments felt soulless, but this did little to diminish the film’s overall immersion. The sensory impact is exceptional and memorable.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When considering rewatch potential, White Snake offers moderate repeat appeal. The striking visuals and inventive action sequences invite subsequent viewings, as noted by viewers who appreciated the environments and intricate details. However, the uneven narrative coherence and limited character depth may reduce lasting engagement for some audiences. In the end, the film’s aesthetic strengths support occasional revisits despite story-driven reservations.

Plot

White Snake Plot Summary

What happens in White Snake from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative unfolds with two sisters at a traditional Chinese bath, where they engage in a conversation about immortality. The story soon shifts focus to Blanca, a skilled assassin on a mission to eliminate a Tang general. During this mission, she finds herself caught in a magical brawl, culminating in her submerging into water and consequently losing her memories. Fortunately, she is rescued by Xuan (often referred to as Xu Xian), who brings her to Snake Catcher Village. In this village, the locals are dedicated to catching snakes, as these creatures are esteemed for their supposed connection to immortality.

Full summary

The whole story of White Snake, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

White Snake Box Office & Budget

White Snake grossed $62.1 million worldwide on a $11.9 million budget, 5.2 times what it cost. $34,730 came from the US and Canada and $62.1 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$62.1M

5.2× its budget

US & Canada
$34.7K
International
$62.1M
Budget
$11.9M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Videos

White Snake Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.

White Snake [Official Dub Trailer] - Opens Nov. 15
  • Clip White Snake [Official Clip #1, English Dub, GKIDS]
  • Clip White Snake - [Official Clip #2, English Dub, GKIDS]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know White Snake?

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 the name of the skilled assassin who loses her memory at the beginning of the story?

Details

White Snake Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Bạch Xà” and “Bai She: Yuan qi”.

Also known as
  • Bạch Xà
  • Bai She: Yuan qi
  • La serpiente blanca
  • Baishe: Yuanqi
  • 백사전
  • Báishé: Yuánqǐ
  • 白蛇 缘起
  • White Snake: The Legend Begins
  • 白蛇: 縁起
  • 白蛇 縁起
  • อิทธิฤทธิ์นางพญานาคีขาว
  • A Serpente Branca 1
+16 more
  • 白蛇:緣起
  • 백사: 인연의 시작
  • Biały wąż
  • Beyaz Yılan
  • Белая Змея: Происхождение
  • A Lenda da Serpente
  • Fehér kígyó
  • La leyenda de La serpiente
  • Bạch Xà: Duyên Khởi
  • White Snake - Die Legende der weissen Schlange
  • مار سفید
  • A Serpente Branca
  • 白蛇:縁起
  • La serp blanca: L'origen
  • Baltoji gyvatė
  • נחש לבן

Seen White Snake?

FAQ

White Snake FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of White Snake, each answered in a sentence.

How long is White Snake?

White Snake runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was White Snake released?

White Snake was released on November 15, 2019.

Who directed White Snake?

White Snake was directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong.

More films by Ji Zhao

Who is in the cast of White Snake?

White Snake stars Wei Liu as Snake Master, Stephanie Sheh as Blanca and Paul Yen as Ah Xuan, among 19 credited actors.

How much did White Snake make at the box office?

White Snake grossed $62.1 million worldwide ($34,730 domestic, $62.1 million international) on a budget of $11.9 million.

How is White Snake rated?

White Snake has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.

Does White Snake have a post-credit scene?

Yes. White Snake has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is White Snake in?

The original language of White Snake is Chinese.

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