In the context of globalization, Hollywood films have become a significant channel for Chinese cultural elements to reach the world. This study employs high- and low-context cultures theory and cultural dimensions theory to analyze Hollywood's presentation and interpretation of Chinese elements across three dimensions: visual, narrative, and values in the Kung Fu Panda film series. Findings reveal that visually, the films achieve a fusion of high-context symbols and low-context narratives through the cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese landscape designs, kung fu action imagery, and visual symbols. On the narrative level, the films reconstruct power structures within master-apprentice relationships, integrate Chinese values into coming-of-age stories, and balance collective and individual consciousness in group interactions. In terms of values, the films integrate Eastern and Western mindsets by reconciling individual and collective values, adjusting cultural approaches to conflict resolution, and modernizing traditional concepts. Finally, this study proposes cross-cultural inspirations to reduce cultural misinterpretations and support Chinese culture’s global reach, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication.

Lihao Wu, Ruting Ye, Aqin Zhou. Representation and Interpretation of Chinese Elements in Hollywood Films from a Cross-Cultural Perspective: A Case Study of the Kung Fu Panda Film Series. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 3: 93-101. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090314.

[1] Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond culture. New York: Anchor Books.

[2] Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind: Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

[3] Feng, X. Y. (2015). Chinese elements in Hollywood films. Modern Media, 23(03), 108–109.

[4] Zheng, Z. X. (2016). Research on Chinese elements in Hollywood film and television animation [Master’s thesis]. Guangzhou University.

[5] Huang, Y. (2019). Design of Kung Fu Panda themed landscape in Qingcheng Mountain. Residence, (34), 106, 184.

[6] Cai, W. (2020). A brief discussion on the cross-cultural communication of Chinese Kung Fu: A case study of Kung Fu Panda. Youth Literator, (36), 137–138.

[7] Hao, S., & Lai, S. Y. (2019). Interpreting the application of Chinese cultural elements in Hollywood films: A case study of the animated film Kung Fu Panda. Art Evaluation, (17), 157–158.

[8] Li, X. L. (2022). Research on Chinese elements in Hollywood animated films [Master’s thesis]. Xiamen University.

[9] Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

[10] Liu, X. Y. (2025). Research on creative design elements of animated films with Chinese elements: A case study of Kung Fu Panda. Comedy World (Second Half of the Month), (04), 67–69.

[11] Liu, J. (2024). Research on cross-cultural communication of domestic animated film based on cultural dimension theory: A case study of Nezha: Birth of the demon child. Research and Commentary on Humanities and Arts, 2(7).

[12] Wang, F., Wu, Y. X., & Xiong, X. Q. (2024). Study on Chinese elements in Hollywood films from a cross-cultural perspective. Comedy World (Second Half of the Month), (05), 28–30.

[13] Li, Y. (2021). The application of Chinese cultural elements in animation and film creation. https://doi.org/10.25236/ICALLH.2021.039

[14] Pu, J. (2024). An analysis of the construction of Chinese images in the Hollywood film The Farewell from a cross-cultural perspective [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Southwest University of Science and Technology.

[15] Yang, M. (2016). An analysis of the aesthetic style of the Kung Fu Panda series. Film Literature, (14), 154–156.

[16] Yuan, J., & Azahari, M. H. (2025). Research on the innovative transformation and crosscultural communication of traditional cultural elements in Chinese animated films. Research and Commentary on Humanities and Arts, 3(5). https://doi.org/10.70711/RCHA.V3I5.7376

[17] Fu, J. S. (2024). A study on the application of Chinese elements in the works of new-generation Hollywood Chinese directors: A case study of Bao. West China Radio and Television, 45(04), 114–117.

[18] Peng, Y. P. (2019). Innovation in cross-cultural communication strategies of the animated film Kung Fu Panda. Film Review, (09), 109–112.

[19] Huang, Y. (2019). Chinese elements and cultural confidence in Hollywood films: A study on the mythic archetypes in the film Aquaman. Journal of Yangtze University (Social Sciences Edition), 42(04), 7–12.