The Great Wall

The 2016 Chinese-American fantasy action film directed by Zhang Yimou follows two European mercenaries, William Garin (Matt Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), who arrive in China seeking gunpowder but become embroiled in an epic battle at the Great Wall. Captured by the Nameless Order, an elite military group defending China from ancient creatures known as Tao Tei that attack every 60 years, they learn the discipline and strategy under Commander Lin Mae (Jing Tian) and Strategist Wang (Andy Lau). Other characters include Sir Ballard (Willem Dafoe), a European adventurer long residing in China, and General Shao (Zhang Hanyu), leader of the Bear Troop. The film explores themes of trust, sacrifice, and cultural exchange as the protagonists unite to protect humanity from an impending threat. Despite impressive visual effects and large-scale battle scenes, the film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $334.9 million worldwide against a budget of $150 million, marking Zhang Yimou's first English-language film.