Action Aunties Kick into Gear for Panda Express

Panda Express, the family-owned pioneer of American Chinese comfort food, is unleashing the next chapter of its 'Have You Eaten Yet?' platform with a high-octane homage to action packed films. What happens when late-night hunger meets unstoppable auntie love? Pure comedic chaos complete with fluffy slippers, car stunts, and doors kicked off their hinges. The latest Panda Express spot transforms everyday aunties into action film heroes.

Created in partnership with independent agency Opinionated, new national creative draws inspiration from martial arts classics and action films, reimagining the iconic Panda aunties as full-fledged 'Action Aunties.' The hero spot follows a young Asian American woman who laments her late-night hunger, only to spark a full-scale standoff as multiple Panda Express–wielding aunties find their way into her home to make sure she’s been fed.

Veteran actress Cici Lau, who has appeared in films including Legally Blonde and Horizon, leads the cast of aunties, bringing what the team described as 'amazing energy and comic punch' to the role. Behind the scenes, professional stunt doubles and stunt drivers helped bring the most outrageous moments to life, adding to the sense of action-fuelled, comedic absurdity .

The work was directed by the Perlorian Brothers of MJZ, who brought their surreal, high-energy comedic style to showcase the extreme lengths these devoted aunties will go to ensure their loved ones are fed. From an auntie sliding across the hood of her car in slippers to kicking a door off the hinges, each over-the-top stunt underscores the fierce love and determination that drives these aunties to deliver her niece’s favourite comfort food from Panda Express.

"Aunties on a mission to feed people are truly unstoppable!” said Fabiola Del Rio, vice president of integrated marketing communications at Panda Express. “This new chapter shows our aunties with more energy, heart, and humour than ever, because the best comfort food is made with the fiercest love. That's the feeling we want every guest to experience here at Panda."

“Have You Eaten Yet?” is such a loaded question, and it’s been such a fun ride to find the different expressions of love within it.” said Chris Le, associate creative director at Opinionated. “For this one, we chose a more pressing hunger that required a more reactive auntie, lending itself well to the action genre. We hope it becomes a 30 second blockbuster!“

'Action Aunties' will run nationally across broadcast and connected TV, social, and online video.

The 'Have You Eaten Yet?' platform and its loving Aunties first debuted in January to celebrate Lunar New Year with an award-winning spot, 'The Invitation.' It was followed later in the year by 'Karaoke Aunties,' which further expanded the campaign across all media channels.