The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Crazy Rich Asians
Entertainment • Film

Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jon M.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Crazy Rich Asians is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jon M. Chu and based on Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel of the same name. It follows Rachel Chu, a Chinese American professor who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend and discovers his family’s extreme wealth and social influence. The film features an ensemble cast including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh.

Premise

The film follows Rachel Chu as she accompanies her boyfriend Nick Young to Singapore and learns that his family is among the country’s wealthiest and most socially prominent. The plot focuses on romance, family conflict, and class differences.

Production

Crazy Rich Asians was directed by Jon M. Chu and adapted for the screen by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim. It is based on Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel and was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Cast

The principal cast includes Constance Wu as Rachel Chu, Henry Golding as Nick Young, and Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor Young. Other notable cast members include Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, and Ken Jeong.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2018 and became widely noted for its commercial success and for featuring a predominantly Asian cast in a major Hollywood studio film. It is commonly described as a romantic comedy.

Key facts

  • The film is based on Kevin Kwan’s best-selling 2013 novel.
  • Its central characters are Rachel Chu and Nick Young.
  • The story is set largely in Singapore and centers on Nick’s wealthy family.
  • The film was directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim.
  • It features an ensemble cast including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh.

Frequently asked questions

What is Crazy Rich Asians about?
It is about Rachel Chu visiting Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young and discovering that his family is extremely wealthy and influential.
Who directed Crazy Rich Asians?
The film was directed by Jon M. Chu.
What is Crazy Rich Asians based on?
It is based on Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel Crazy Rich Asians.
Who stars in Crazy Rich Asians?
The cast includes Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where is the film set?
The story is set mainly in Singapore, with part of the setup beginning in New York.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Rich_Asians
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, director, screenplay, source novel, cast, and plot premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crazy_rich_asians
    Supports: Plot synopsis, director, screenwriters, distributor, genre, release year, runtime, and cast.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104988/
    Supports: Director, writers, premise, and principal cast.
  4. Warner Bros. Pictures — https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/crazy-rich-asians
    Supports: Official title, release year, and genre classification.