Discover the 35 Must-See Chinese Movies That Will Change Your Perspective!

While many of us may be accustomed to viewing high-budget Hollywood films filled with extensive CGI, it’s essential to remember that there are numerous top-quality films beyond Hollywood and the United States. In this piece, we’ve curated a list showcasing some of the greatest Chinese movies ever made.

Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, Chinese films often lack extravagant budgets and elaborate visual effects, yet they boast captivating narratives. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of these exceptional Chinese productions. Without further delay, let’s dive into the finest Chinese movies ever made.

The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)

Upon returning home with his father from a shopping trip, Wong Fei-Hong unknowingly becomes involved in a struggle between foreigners who aim to export ancient Chinese artifacts and patriots who wish to keep them within the country. In order to defend against the foreigners, Fei-Hong employs his Drunken Boxing technique, while also contending with his father’s opposition.

Two Stage Sisters (1965)

In China prior to the revolution, two young girls named Chunhua and Yuehong Xing climbed up the ranks of Chinese opera. Their artistic triumphs led to a fresh set of personal and societal hurdles. Following their sale to a Shanghai opera company and the advent of the revolution, Yuehong became more radicalized and used her career to stage politically forward performances, while Chunhua sought to escape the chaos. As the world transformed around them, they struggled to preserve their friendship amidst these shifting circumstances.

Yellow Earth (1984)

The narrative in Yellow Earth revolves around a Communist solider dispatched to rural areas to gather folk songs for the Communist uprising. He lives with a farming family and discovers that the cheerful tunes he was tasked to collect are nonexistent; instead, he uncovers melodies that echo tales of adversity and pain. Despite returning to his military duties, he vows to revisit the young woman, Cuiqiao, who has been captivated by his discussions about the liberation women experience under Communism and wishes to enlist in the Communist forces.

In the Heat of the Sun (1994)

The movie takes place in Beijing during the Cultural Revolution, narrated from the viewpoint of a teenager named Ma Xiaojun, who is also known as “Monkey.” Since the Cultural Revolution kept their parents or most adults occupied or absent, Monkey and his companions have unrestricted access to explore Beijing round-the-clock. The narrative centers on Monkey’s adventures with his mischievous buddies and his complicated romantic feelings for Mi Lan.

Not One Less (1999)

In a small, impoverished village, dedicated teacher Mr. Gao deeply cares about his students and aspires for their bright futures. When he’s required to care for his ailing mother for a month, the Mayor assigns an inexperienced 13-year-old temporary replacement, Wei Minzhi, causing distress to Teacher Gao. He’s concerned about losing more students as attrition has already claimed twelve of them. To encourage Wei, he offers her an additional 10 yuan if she manages to maintain the current student count upon his return. Thus begins Wei’s challenging task to preserve Teacher Gao’s wishes and ensure the well-being of the children.

Red Sorghum (1987)

1930s China: A father arranges for his young daughter to marry a wealthy vineyard owner. In a neighboring rye field, she encounters one of his servants and develops feelings for him. After her husband passes away, she becomes the sole heiress, transforming both the vineyard and the field into an idyllic community that she manages alongside her lover. Yet, not everyone approves of this new turn of events.

Street Angel (1937)

In the heart of historical Shanghai, two sisters, one a performer and the other a courtesan, sought refuge from their city’s nefarious characters with the assistance of a talented musician (trumpet player) and a news vendor.

Spring in a Small Town (1948)

For eight years, Yuwen has been married to Liyan, who was once wealthy but is now a mere shadow of his past due to a prolonged, devastating war. Nowadays, Yuwen mainly performs chores like grocery shopping and managing medications. However, a sudden visit from Liyan’s friend Zhang brings renewed energy to the household while also unearthing dormant emotions and bitterness.

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

In the tumultuous Shanghai of 1940, prior to China’s revolution, a man named Sing (Stephen Chow) yearns for a higher social standing and seeks to join the powerful and ruthless Axe Gang. When he attempts to extort money from a resident in a densely populated area known as Pigsty Alley, his humorously misguided threats of violence lead to conflict with the Axe Gang. The residents of Pigsty Alley are thrust into a difficult situation and must fight for their lives. As legendary martial arts masters make an appearance, Sing will confront his own mortality in order to uncover the true essence of the kung fu master.

Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks (2003)

An examination of the slow deterioration in Shenyang’s industrial district Tiexi, a place that symbolized China’s socialist economic system at its peak. However, times are changing, and the factories in Tiexi are shutting down. Director Wang Bing offers us a glimpse into the lives of workers impacted by these closures, as well as their families.

Oxhide (2005)

In this intimate portrayal, the day-to-day existence within a compact Beijing apartment assumes epic dimensions, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of a working-class Chinese family. Filmmaker Liu Jiayin creatively blends documentary and fiction by featuring her actual parents and herself as fictionalized personas. Liu Zaiping, who runs a struggling leather bag business, grapples with his financial woes and argues with his wife, Jia Huifen, and daughter about strategies to revive the shop. As they grapple with their problems, a sense of worry hangs over them even in their sleepless nights spent together. However, amidst the countless challenges of urban life, a heartwarming and poignant portrayal of Chinese family unity unfolds on screen.

Lust, Caution (2007)

In the midst of World War II, a covert operative was tasked with winning the affection and subsequently eliminating a high-ranking official within the Japanese-controlled administration in Shanghai. However, as events unfolded, her assignment became complicated when she unexpectedly developed feelings for the very person she was meant to eliminate.

Infernal Affairs (2002)

In this story, we find a young man named Chen Wing Yan (played by T. Leung Chiu Wai), who’s actually a police informant embedded within the criminal underworld. This skilled officer maintains his secret identity only with Chief Inspector Wong Chi Shing (A. Wong Chau-Sang), the one who brought him on board a full decade ago. Simultaneously, Lau Kin Ming (A. Lau) is a member of the underworld, drafted into the police force a decade past, and he serves Hong Sam (E. Tsang), a notorious leader of one of Hong Kong’s dominant mafia groups. Both men started their careers as new recruits right out of training, and over time, they rose to prominent positions within their respective organizations. However, due to the double lives and fictitious personas they live, their personal lives are fraught with difficulties, particularly for Chen.

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

1920s China: Following her father’s demise, 19-year-old Songlian was compelled to wed a wealthy, 50-year-old man named Chen Zuoqian, making her his fourth spouse. Each evening, Chen selects one of the women, and the one who captivates him will receive his favor.

House of Flying Daggers (2004)

19th century China, during the Tang Dynasty era, I find myself as one of two imperial officers – Leo and Jin. We devise a cunning scheme: first, I, Leo, will apprehend a young, blind woman named Mei, who is suspected of belonging to the clandestine rebel group known as the House of Flying Daggers. Meanwhile, Jin intends to free her and aid in her escape. The objective is for Jin to win Me’s confidence so she can guide him to the heart of the organization. Embarking on a perilous journey filled with both contrived and genuine hazards, Jin and I, Mei, develop feelings for each other; however, we both harbor hidden truths…

City of Life and Death (2009)

The novel “City of Life and Death” is set in 1937, amidst the peak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Japan’s Imperial Army had recently seized Nanjing, then the capital of the Republic of China. This event sparked a horrific incident known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking. Over several weeks, many thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were brutally murdered during this time.

A Touch of Sin (2013)

1. A miner, furious about the widespread corruption in his town, resolves to mete out justice himself.

2. Over New Year’s, a messy business traveler finds the potential of guns intriguing at home.

3. The attractive receptionist working at the sauna is driven to her limits when she gets assaulted by a wealthy patron.

4. A young factory employee, struggling with one demotivating job after another, encounters more and more embarrassing situations.

Days of Being Wild (1990)

In a twist of events, Yuddy – a notorious playboy from Hong Kong, infamous for shattering women’s hearts – embarks on a journey to uncover the truth and seek comfort, as he learns that the woman who nurtured him is not his biological mother.

Hero (2002)

In ancient China, the land was split into seven distinct kingdoms. The western province was ruled by King Qin (Daoming Chen), who faced numerous assassination attempts due to his fearsome enemies. Among these adversaries were three warriors: Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Sky (Donnie Yen). These three warriors instilled great terror in King Qin. One day, a judge advocating for peace entered the palace, boasting that he had vanquished all three of the king’s foes. The court listened intently as this judge spun an extraordinary tale about how he bested Heaven itself in combat and exploited the love between Flying Snow and Broken Sword to defeat them.

The Killer (1989)

In a different scenario, Jeffrey Chow (Chow Yun-Fat) is a professional assassin contemplating retirement but takes up one more task to aid a vocalist he inadvertently blinded during a shooting. However, in a violent confrontation, the mob abandons him, and a relentless law enforcer persistently pursues him…

24 City (2008)

Currently in Chengdu, Factory 420, once state-owned, is closing down to make way for a high-end apartment complex known as “24 CITY”. The tales of three generations – old workers, factory executives, and young professionals – intertwine, becoming part of China’s rich historical narrative.

Chungking Express (1994)

The movie unfolds on the borderline between April 30 and May 1, 1994, at Chungking House – an intricate network of shops. A Chinese woman sporting a blue wig attempts to conceal heroin from Pakistani drug couriers tasked with transporting narcotics abroad. The first day of May coincides with a month since police officer #223 parted ways with the girl. He vows that he will fall in love with the first woman he encounters: unexpectedly, she is a blonde heroin trafficker…

The Blue Kite (1993)

As I delve into the narrative of my own family’s life story during the tumultuous decades of the 1950s and 1960s in Beijing, I can’t help but reflect upon the profound effects of historical events such as the Hundred Flowers Campaign, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution that shaped our journey.

Red Cliff (2008)

In the year 208 A.D., despite being under the rule of Emperor Han Xian Di, China was fragmented into several feuding states. The powerful Prime Minister Cao Cao manipulated the emperor and declared war against the western realm of Xu, governed by the emperor’s uncle Liu Bei. Cao Cao’s long-term objective was to eliminate all kingdoms and ascend as the emperor of a unified China.

Happy Together (1997)

Leslie Cheung’s character, Ho, and Tony Leung’s character, Lai, are two passionate individuals hailing from Hong Kong who chose to settle in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, Ho’s immaturity causes constant turmoil, leading to Lai’s deep sadness. Following their separation, Lai takes a job as a doorman at a tango club to amass funds for his return journey. On the other hand, Ho ends up working as an escort. In a fateful turn of events, Ho sustains severe injuries from a brutal attack, and Lai tenderly brings him back to his apartment to heal. Despite Ho’s attempts to rekindle their love, Lai remains indifferent. Subsequently, Lai quits the tango club and takes up work in the kitchen where he encounters Chang Chen’s character, a young man from Taiwan.

Aftershock (2010)

In a compact apartment, Li Yuanni resides with her spouse Da Qiang and their twin children, Fang Da (son) and Fang Deng (daughter). On July 27, 1976, mere moments after putting their children to sleep and exiting the house, an earthquake struck, causing destruction. Tragically, Da Qiang lost his life while attempting to rescue the children from their home. In the chaos, the twins were separated, forcing Li Yuanni to make a heartrending decision about who to save. Miraculously, Fang Daa was saved, but Fang Deng was adopted by the Wang family following the disaster. After 32 years, Fang Deng moved back from Canada where she lived with her spouse to aid in the aftermath of another earthquake. Coincidentally, she encountered Fang Dao who narrated the hardships Li Yuanni had faced over the years. Despite feelings of bitterness and resentment, the family was reunited once more.

Mountain Patrol (2004)

Kekexili, China’s largest wildlife sanctuary, harbors numerous endangered creatures. Upon reaching a patrol base atop Mount Kekexili, photojournalist Lei Chang (Ga Yu) encounters volunteers grieving over the loss of one of their own. To shed light on the mysterious deaths of these volunteers, the illegal slaughter of Tibetan antelopes, and whispers of collusion between the patrol and poachers, Lei Chang decides to accompany a patrolling team into the untamed wilderness. Guided by Ri Tai (Duobuji), this team braves life-threatening situations in their battle against relentless hunters. Initially kept at arm’s length due to his camera, Lei Chang gradually finds himself entangled in a perilous struggle. Upon his return to Beijing, Lei Chang pens an expose that leaves the nation stunned.

Fearless (2006)

In the peak of his renown and accomplishments, the esteemed martial arts grandmaster Huo Yuan Jia (portrayed by J. Li) reminisces about his early years: as a young lad, he was captivated by the combat and abilities of his father, too, the celebrated master Huo Andi.

Devils on the Doorstep (2000)

During World War II, a tiny Chinese hamlet found itself governed by Japan. Every day, a contingent of Japanese troops would march about, giving an impression of a military procession. The locals took great care to avoid provoking their rulers.

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

In the first person, I’d say: “I found myself immersed in a cinematic journey spanning five decades, offering an insightful portrayal of China’s political and social transformations throughout the 20th century. This tale unfolds around the lives of two Beijing Opera performers and the enigmatic woman who played a pivotal role in their intertwined destinies.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

19th-century China serves as the setting for this tale, where the esteemed warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) grows weary of his long quest to avenge his teacher’s death and instead focuses on the spiritual aspects of martial arts. En route to part with his renowned sword, “Green Destiny,” Li Mu Bai encounters Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), an old flame whom he has never openly confessed his feelings for. However, their reunion is disrupted by the audacious theft of a sword, which turns out to be in the hands of the young and gifted warrior, Jen (Zhang Ziyi). As she becomes increasingly seduced by the power of the stolen sword, Jen begins to tread down the dangerous path of darkness. With a confrontation between Yu Shu Lien inevitable, even Li Mu Bai can no longer remain indifferent to the unfolding events.

In the Mood for Love (2000)

Chow harbors a concealed truth, initially intended as sweet retribution, but it became a torment for him instead. The process of enticement was both sweet and bitter. Li-Zhen, whose husband had been involved with Chow’s wife for quite some time, found herself before the intricate traps that Chow had meticulously set up for her. Li-Zhen didn’t anticipate things would go as low as they did. She believed she was merely curious about how people could risk a normal, content life for a life of deceit. She thought she would simply take a look and walk away. However, she stumbled instead. Revenge seemed like a temporary relief, but it soon turned sour. As if fate had played a cruel joke on him, the repercussions hit Chow right where he least expected it. Longing for Li-Zhen, Chow ended up falling into his own trap and became the victim of his hidden emotions. “I’ve heard that in ancient times, when people wanted to discard the weight of a secret, they would go to the mountains, dig a hole, and bury the secret within it.” With these thoughts, Chow heads to Angkor Wat years later, seeking to dispose of his burden.

Big Fish & Begonia (2016)

In a realm beyond our own exists a mystical race of beings who govern the ebb and flow of tides and the transition of seasons. Among them is a youthful girl called Chun, yearning for something different – she longs to witness the human world! At sixteen, her wish comes true as she metamorphoses into a dolphin to traverse this captivating realm. However, she swiftly realizes that it’s perilous and nearly meets her demise in a treacherous vortex. Miraculously, her life is preserved when a young boy selflessly gives up his own life to save hers. Touched by his compassion and bravery, Chun employs magic to resurrect him, yet learns that this gift exacts a significant toll. On an ensuing quest, she’ll have to make her own sacrifices to safeguard his spirit until it is prepared to re-enter the human world.

The Swordsman (1990)

In the story “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer” by Jinyong, when a precious scroll holding martial arts secrets is stolen from the Emperor, a group of soldiers is dispatched to retrieve it.

Space Sweepers (2021)

On the space debris retrieval vessel, The Victory, the crew stumbles upon a human-like robot called Dorothy, infamous for its potential as a destructive force. They find themselves entangled in a perilous transaction, one which jeopardizes their very existence.

2025-05-21 07:46