Meaning:

    “贺岁” means to “celebrate New Year,” and “片” is short for “影片” which refers to a “movie.” Therefore, the term refers to movies celebrating New Year, often premiering between Christmas and the Spring Festival. Most such movies are comedies and often have an all-star cast. The concept became popular after Chinese director Feng Xiaogang cashed in on the holiday season with his first New Year movie “The Dream Factory” in 1997.

    Example:

    A: 今年的贺岁片有什么好看的？

    Jīnnián de hèsuìpiān yǒu shénme hǎokàn de?

    What do you recommend for New Year movies?

    B: 动画片《功夫熊猫3》是老少咸宜的合家欢电影。

    Dònghuàpiān 《gōngfū xióngmāo sān》 shì lǎoshàoxiányí de héjiāhuān diànyǐng。

    Animation “Kung Fu Panda 3” is a family movie for both young and old audiences.

    A: 还有呢？

    Háiyǒu ne?

    What else?

    B: 周星驰导演的《美人鱼》，说是动作奇幻喜剧片。

    Zhōuxīngchí dǎoyǎn de měirényú, shuō shì dòngzuò qíhuàn xǐjùpiān。

    There is “The Little Mermaid” directed by Stephen Chow, said to be a fantasy action comedy.