The story is set in a future where the is rapidly expanding into a red giant, threatening to consume the Earth. To survive, the United Earth Government launches the "Wandering Earth" project: installing 10,000 massive fusion thrusters to propel the planet out of the solar system toward a new star system 4.2 light-years away.

While the film employed consultants from the to ground its worldbuilding, it largely prioritises "rule of cool" spectacle over hard science.

The main narrative follows a multi-generational team, including astronaut ( Wu Jing ) on a space station and his estranged son Liu Qi on Earth’s frozen surface. When Earth is nearly pulled into Jupiter by its intense gravity, the group must embark on a perilous mission to reignite the planet's stalled engines and prevent global destruction. Scientific Accuracy vs. Spectacle

: Critics praised the "stunning landscapes" of a frozen, terraformed world, including a snow-covered Shanghai and the massive, swirling surface of Jupiter looming over the horizon. Production and Box Office Success

: NASA engineers and scientists note that the central idea—moving the entire planet—is "utterly ridiculous" under current scientific theory, as the Sun won't become a red giant for another 5 billion years.

, directed by Frant Gwo , is a landmark in global cinema as China’s first large-scale science fiction blockbuster. Adapted from a novella by Liu Cixin , the film is a visually staggering epic that prioritises collective humanity over individual heroism, marking a significant departure from standard Western sci-fi tropes. Plot and Central Conceit

The film was a massive financial success, particularly within the Chinese market: Film Review: The Wandering Earth - Lowy Institute