When coffee appears on screen, what comes to mind? The conversations in Coffee and Cigarettes, or the unforgettable encounter in Before Sunrise?

As one of the defining social spaces of modern life, cafés have long served as backdrop for memorable movie moments. In Shanghai, that connection runs deep. One of the first Chinese cities to embrace coffee culture, Shanghai is now home to more than 10,000 coffee shops – more than any other city in the world. From the Western-style tea houses of old Shanghai to cozy cafés tucked away along historic lanes, coffee has become part of the city's cultural fabric and cinematic identity.

As the 2026 Shanghai International Film Festival opens on June 12, why not begin your movie-going journey the Shanghai way: with a coffee in hand before the lights go down? 

(Photos via VCG)