5 Emotional CNY 2026 Commercials That Put Family Bonds at the Heart of Storytelling

While humor is an integral aspect of CNY advertising, as seen in these funny CNY commercials, the Chinese New Year will always be a powerful reminder of what truly matters – family, belonging, and the invisible threads that tie generations together. Family bonds sit at the heart of the occasion, offering a universal emotional anchor that transcends geography, language, and background. CNY advertising is increasingly moving beyond surface-level festivity and diving deeper into storytelling that resonates on a human level.

​

So, here we are with 5 emotional CNY 2026 commercials that place family bonds at the center, reminding viewers that amidst all the noise and change, it is these connections that remain constant, grounding every celebration in meaning.

​

1. redONE Mobile: The Little Horse

One doesn’t have to be biologically connected to others to form a lifelong bond with them. This lovely advert by the Singaporean mobile network operator redONE perfectly demonstrates that.

​

The ad follows a young boy who’s adopted by a foster family. While his foster parents and siblings love him to bits, he’s always bothered by how different he looks from them. Noticing his concern, his foster father sits him down and tells him that just because he is different doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong with the family. Through the story of the little horse, his father tells him that every herd is different, and every bond is unique.

​

After all, family isn’t about looking the same; it’s about standing together.

​

2. U Mobile: Eternal Hearts

Love and warmth tend to fizzle out after a while in all relationships, especially between married couples who have been together for a long time. It is in these moments of difficulty that one must make efforts to rekindle the old flames of love and affection, as seen in this heartwarming CNY spot by the Malaysian telecom brand U Mobile.

​

The ad follows an elderly couple who have been together for almost fifty years, but the wife doesn’t feel loved and valued enough. So, when her daughter asks her how she plans to celebrate their fiftieth marriage anniversary, she says that there isn’t much to celebrate since her husband doesn’t even remember her birthdays anymore, and as far as she can recall, he didn’t even propose to her when they got married all those years ago.

​

Soon enough, we see the couple taking a trip to Thailand to celebrate their wedding anniversary. But the trip seems to be ruined even before it started, as first there are issues with the customs clearance, then their taxi breaks down, and finally the driver of the tow truck runs off to pee midway, leaving the couple stranded. These endless hassles make the elderly wife lose her mind and take it out on her husband as she blames him for always creating problems. She decides to walk the rest of the way to their hotel.

​

However, a lovely surprise awaits her as her husband, after all these years of marriage, goes down on his knees to propose to her. It turns out that the poor fellow heard her remark about him not proposing to her at the dining table and devises a plan to win her over by teaming up with the customs clearance officials and the tax and tow truck drivers.

​

You see, when there’s a mountain of complaints in a relationship, one has to go the extra mile to mend ties. After all, family bonds grow stronger through the journeys we take together.

​

3. MR.DIY: The Family Trial 2

Taking inspiration from its last year’s CNY ad campaign, MR.DIY has once again launched a terrific CNY ad set against a courtroom drama.

​

The ad shows two brothers accusing each other of not being there for their parents and family in times of need, as their misunderstandings are deepened after their father passes away. But unbeknownst to them, each of them demonstrated their love towards the family in their own ways and through their share of sacrifices. While the elder brother prepared the deed for the transfer of the family house to his younger sibling, the younger brother had let go of a scholarship to study overseas in the past so that he could support his parents while his brother was away.

​

The love they never spoke of quietly shaped their choices and ultimately also bridged the gap between them.

​

4. Air Selangor: Love Never Forgets

Living with a person with mental health issues can be very taxing, but the love and care we have for them helps us get through, even if the going gets tough.

​

This Air Selangor ad follows Mei as she cares for her husband living with dementia. Despite the best of her efforts, she has a hard time keeping her husband calm. From getting lost at a market to not being able to recognize Mei’s friends, he has a hard time coping with dementia, which often leaves him agitated and Mei frustrated. The final straw is his inability to understand that his son, whom he still remembers as a young school-going boy, is now an adult and away for work, which makes Mei have an emotional outburst.

​

But when bonds are forged in love and fading memories are met with unwavering care and affection, how long can one really remain cross with their near and dear ones? Because even if memories fade, love never forgets!

​

5. McDonalds Malaysia: The Blessing

And here’s what I can surely call one of my favorite CNY 2026 commercials– probably because it reminds me of my own turbulent but love-laden relationship with my sisters🥹

​

The ad follows two elderly siblings who argue about who amongst them should be taking care of their sick mother. When the sister asks her brother why she should always be the one to step up when it comes to taking care of their mother, the brother hurts her by saying that, unlike her, he has his own family to take care of. However, when reminded by his daughter that they are a family to her aunt, he realizes his mistake.

​

Reminiscing about the old days when the two siblings would bond together over toys and heartbreaks, the two settle their differences and decide to care for their mother as a family. After all, no matter how life unfolds, family remains our truest blessing!

​

Wrapping Up

And that’s a wrap of some of the most emotional CNY 2026 commercials. As these stories show, the Chinese New Year is not just about new beginnings– it’s about returning to what has always been there. In a world that constantly pulls people in different directions, family remains the one constant that grounds, heals, and defines us. And that is precisely why these narratives continue to resonate so deeply during this festive season.

​

We’ll be back with more wonderful ad campaigns for you. Till then, stay tuned!