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Christopher Robin (2018)
Denied a release in China; media widely linked it to Winnie the Pooh memes mocking Xi Jinping.
- Status
- Banned
- Country
- China
- Category
- Movies & TV
- Banned since
- 2018
- Last checked
- 26/10/2026
Yes, in practice. China’s film authorities refused to give Disney’s Christopher Robin (2018) a theatrical release. No official reason was ever given. Most reports linked the decision to China’s crackdown on Winnie the Pooh, whose image had become a popular online joke about President Xi Jinping. As of 2026, the film has still never been shown in mainland Chinese cinemas.
Why was Christopher Robin banned in China?
Christopher Robin, a live-action film starring Ewan McGregor as the grown-up Christopher Robin, opened in US theaters on August 3, 2018. Around the same time, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that China had denied it a release. A source told the outlet the decision was tied to Beijing’s campaign against Pooh images, which critics online had used to mock Xi since 2013. CNBC and other major outlets reported the same link.
There is a second, less dramatic explanation. China limits revenue-sharing foreign films to about 34 per year, and Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time was also turned down in 2018. Because Beijing never explains these decisions, both reasons may have played a part.
Key facts
- Status: Denied theatrical release in mainland China
- Since: August 2018
- Official reason: None given
- Most reported reason: Winnie the Pooh memes comparing the bear to Xi Jinping
- Other factor: China’s annual cap on foreign films
How did Winnie the Pooh become a problem in China?
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2013 | A photo of Xi walking with Barack Obama goes viral next to a picture of Pooh and Tigger |
| 2017 | Chinese censors begin blocking Pooh images and references on social media |
| 2018 | Pooh memes spike after China moves to scrap presidential term limits |
| Jun 2018 | John Oliver mocks the Pooh crackdown; Weibo blocks mentions of him and his show |
| Aug 2018 | Christopher Robin is denied a release in China |
| 2023 | Screenings of the horror film Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey are cancelled in Hong Kong |
Is Winnie the Pooh banned everywhere in China?
No. There is no law that bans the character. Pooh merchandise is sold in China, and Shanghai Disneyland has its own Pooh ride. The restrictions target how the bear is used: political memes are deleted online, and films that put Pooh in the spotlight face extra scrutiny.
Can you watch Christopher Robin in the US?
Yes. In the United States the film is easy to stream on Disney+ and to rent or buy on major digital stores. Disney+ is not available in mainland China, so viewers there have no legal way to stream it.
Film censorship in China is part of a much wider pattern. China’s internet blocks also cover Google Search, which left the mainland in 2010. Other governments restrict screens too, from North Korea’s harsh ban on South Korean dramas to Saudi Arabia’s 35-year closure of public cinemas. You can also see the full list of bans in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Christopher Robin banned in China?
Yes, in practice. China's film authorities denied the 2018 Disney film a theatrical release and never gave an official reason.
Why is Winnie the Pooh censored in China?
Since 2013, people online have compared Pooh to President Xi Jinping, so censors delete political Pooh memes and images.
Is Winnie the Pooh banned in China?
No law bans the character. Pooh merchandise is sold and Shanghai Disneyland has a Pooh ride, but political Pooh content is censored.
Did the foreign film quota play a role?
Possibly. China allows only about 34 revenue-sharing foreign films a year, and Disney's A Wrinkle in Time was also denied in 2018.
Where can I watch Christopher Robin?
In the US, it streams on Disney+ and can be rented or bought on major digital stores. Disney+ is not available in mainland China.