‘Shang-Chi’ Early Buzz: The First Reactions To The New Marvel Movie Are Here
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringswon’t hit theaters until September 3, but the movie rolled out the red carpet for its world premiere in Hollywood last night, and now the first wave of social media reactions is in. Here’s what people have been saying about Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero film.
Last week, Disney CEO Bob Chapek drew flak for callingShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsan “interesting experiment.” He was referring to the movie’s release model, which will forego the hybrid theatrical/streaming strategy that we’ve seen other recent Marvel and Disney films likeBlack WidowandJungle Cruiseemploy.Shang-ChistarSimu Liufired back, positioning the film as “a celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year.”
The red carpet ceremony forShang-Chiwas certainly a celebration, with Liu, co-stars likeAwkwafinaandBenedict Wong, and directorDestin Daniel Crettonall in attendance. EvenSir Ben Kingsley, the fake Mandarin fromIron Man 3,was there, which led some fans to speculate that his character might make an appearance in the movie alongside the real(?) Mandarin, played byTony Leung.
Early reactions forShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsseem to be uniformly positive. Our own Peter Sciretta was in attendance, and he saidShang-Chi"has some of the best fight scenes of any MCU movie." He also said Liu and Awkwafina make for “a fantastic pairing.”
In many ways it feels like the least MCU movie of the MCU, and I think a lot of people will really love that. It’s a great standalone adventure/origin story and now I’m excited to see how Shang-chi fits into the future of this cinematic universe.
— Peter Sciretta (@PeterSciretta)June 21, 2025
A number of other journalists in attendance praised the fight choreography, too, making it sound likeShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsreally delivers on the action front:
#ShangChiwas a blast! Actually, Marvel’s first true “family movie” that has a lot of heart. Loads of fun, great fight choreography, & likeable characters galore!
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe)June 10, 2025
#ShangChiis fantastic. It’s full of INCREDIBLE, beautifully choreographed fight scenes and full of badass women. Get ready to know Simu Liu’s name if you don’t already. Marvel has another hit on its hands.pic.twitter.com/3efV1kzJ7O
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna)August 15, 2025
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is PHENOMENAL. Get hyped. Even fight scene/action sequence is better than the last.@SimuLiufully embraces the marvel superhero role. Amazing imagery. Killer soundtrack. You’ll want to see this on the big screen.#shangchi
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany)August 13, 2025
Those#ShangChiaction set pieces are STUNNERS. Choreography, cinematography, costume design, VFX – all on point and come together to make those fights MCU standouts.pic.twitter.com/ZfbT66XXsb
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff)August 23, 2025
#shangchiis the perfect balance of fun, heart and action! And when I say action, I mean jaw dropping action!@SimuLiuis the perfect addition to the#MCU!pic.twitter.com/D29Pll741Y
— Fenix Nests (@FenixNests)June 21, 2025
In addition to action, it would appear thatShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringshas some real heart to it, too. Some called it “unexpectedly spiritual and emotionally complex” and mentioned the “personal, family story at its core.”
#ShangChiis an absolute triumph, unexpectedly spiritual and emotionally complex, with some of the very best action in the MCU.@SimuLiuis your new favorite Avenger and the movie’s myriad influences (everything from Jackie Chan to Hayao Miyazaki) pay off big time). Astounding.🐉pic.twitter.com/72Yubnb4KV
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored)June 24, 2025
#ShangChiis such a personal, family story at its core. That’s when it’s at its best.
The third act is full of surprises but sometimes is a little crazier than is needed. Ultimately delivers epic action and the intimate moments to land. Big MCU stuff.
Can’t wait to watch again!pic.twitter.com/4zy7HiF5EO
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD)August 08, 2025
Wow,#ShangChihooked me! Funny, visually stunning, just dazzling.@SimuLiublows it out of the park as does@awkwafina. Also, gotta shout out Tony Leung just because.@Marvel@Disneyhttps://t.co/SwAyVUUBkk
— Kristen Lopez (@kristenklopez)July 22, 2025
Still others talked up the movie’s distinct vibe, teasing surprises that trailers have not shown and saying it’s “like no Marvel movie you’ve ever seen.”
I really dug#ShangChi! There is a lot not in the trailers (maybe avoid ads in the next couple of weeks I fear will show more?) and it has its own vibe and distinct elements that make it stand out and not feel like a standard origin story. And Simu Liu makes for an awesome hero.
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman)July 16, 2025
#shangchiis like no Marvel movie you’ve seen. Love that it opens the door to a new world that I can’t wait to see more of.@SimuLiuliterally kicks so much ass and he is perfectly cast. Got to see it in@imaxtonight and this is how you want to see it. Looked and sounded perfectpic.twitter.com/43SaSxfx3m
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty)June 24, 2025
There are nits to be picked, but#ShangChiis a terrifically entertaining piece of blockbuster filmmaking. It’s much better than the trailers (lots of goodies unspoiled) and is unafraid to be weird and fantastical. It is exactly the shot in the arm that Marvel and Disney needed.pic.twitter.com/b2VcSEKidU
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson)June 29, 2025
All in all, it sounds likeShang-Chibrings a new flavor to the MCU and won’t disappoint fans with its action or family dynamic. The only real criticism so far seems to be a third act that’s sometimes “a little crazier than is needed.” Keep in mind that the hype of a big Hollywood premiere can sometimes fuel an excited first round of Twitter reactions. We’ll know more once the critical embargo is lifted and some actual reviews start pouring in.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsopens in theaters onSeptember 3, 2021.
