Grab some snacks and gather your folks around the telly to watch and re-watch these top Chinese movies.
The best way to get into the Chinese New Year mood? Snuggle up on the sofa with pineapple tarts and bak kwa (a far superior alternative to popcorn), plonk yourselves in front of the telly, leave the mess until tomorrow and catch a flick from our list of classic Chinese movies. You can’t go wrong with these cinematic gems.
Chinese movies for the ultimate marathon
1. The Ghost Bride (2020)
We know that this isn’t exactly a movie, but we couldn’t resist including this drama series into the mix. The Taiwanese-Malaysian Netflix original is about Li Lan, a Malaysian Chinese woman who chooses to accept a proposal to marry the Lim family’s eldest son, Tian Ching. Sounds normal so far, right? But here’s where it gets whacky. Tian Ching actually isn’t alive. Having passed away under suspicious circumstances, the Lim family matriarch looks to Li Lan to be Tian Ching’s ghost bride (hence the name of the movie). She juggles through love triangles (or squares?) and supernatural encounters while trying to get herself out of Tian Ching’s Netherworld lair.
Watch on Netflix
2. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
If you love thinly veiled messages that explore complex themes, this movie will really scratch that itch. Raise the Red Lantern is set in 1920s China. Songlian is a young girl that is forced to marry the wealthy Master Chen after her father’s death leaves her family bankrupt. Now in her new home, she has to navigate the social politics of the Chen family. This includes the three other concubines, a jaded handmaid, and constant competition to win the affection of Master Chen. A big bonus is that the artistic expression in the film is absolutely sublime. We’re in love with the costume choices, use of colour, and set design.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
3. Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013)
Everyone’s heard of Journey to the West at least once. And if you only know it by the title, why not give this movie a spin and get to know this classic Chinese tale? And when it’s directed by our man Stephen Chow (the veritable king of Hong Kong cinema), you know it’s going to be good. The story takes place before Tang Sanzang, a Chinese Buddhist monk, got his disciples and embarks on the journey to the west. Instead, it explores the process of how he met his disciples, who were previously demons that he would conquer.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
4. In The Mood For Love (2000)
Two words: Tony Leung. Wong Kar-wai’s romantic drama tells the tale of star-crossed lovers struggling to come to terms with unfaithful spouses and their own burgeoning extra-marital urges. The film is a visual treat, offering the viewer lush colours and clever camerawork. If you’re a fan of film noir, you’ll probably notice Wong’s not-so-subtle homages to the genre as well.
Available for purchase on Amazon
5. Red Cliff (2008)
Red Cliff makes our list for its sheer visual appeal. The film is a fictionalised recounting of the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208AD and features massive set pieces with thousands of soldiers. If you enjoyed movies like 300, Troy and Braveheart for their spectacular fight scenes, Red Cliff’s penultimate battle will definitely get your adrenaline pumping.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
6. Mulan (1998/2020)
It’d be a dishonour on your family (and your cow) if you’ve never watched Mulan – the cartoon version, that is. The plot follows one of China’s most beloved ancient fables about how a girl disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s spot in the Chinese military. Spoiler: she eventually saves China. Plus, the Disney version with Mushu the dragon and that adorable cricket is great to watch with kids. If you’re up for a Mulan marathon, follow it up with the 2020 live action version for epic warrior scenes.
Watch Mulan (1998) and Mulan (2020) on Disney+
7. From Beijing with Love (1994)
So you’re a fan of James Bond? You might appreciate this Stephen Chow spy comedy spoof. When a heist goes down involving a valuable dinosaur skull, who do the authorities call for help? A bumbling hawker-turned-secret agent, of course. Mysterious yet hilarious shenanigans ensue.
Watch on Netflix
8. House of Flying Daggers (2004)
This plot has so much drama and we’re so here for it. Flyer Daggers is a Robin Hood-style rebel group that steals from the rich and give to the poor. Two police officers (played by Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro, swoon!) are tasked to capture the group. They meet a blind dancer (Zhang Ziyi) who’s a suspect in the investigation but things get a little complicated when they both fall in love with her. The plot is filled with plenty of twists and action scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you’ve never seen this, now’s the time!
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
9. All’s Well, Ends Well (1992)
Love it or hate it, this Chinese movie about three brothers and their crazy love lives go down as one of the best CNY classics from the 90s. Join the trio as they try to win the hearts of their in-laws and SOs with crazy antics, slapstick comedy and major ROFL moments. Trivia: it was one of the highest-grossing Cantonese flicks and is followed by six sequels.
Watch on iTunes
10. Ip Man (2008)
You can’t skip Wilson Yip’s martial arts masterpiece, Ip Man. The movie tells the story of legendary Wing Chun grandmaster, Yip Man (also master to Bruce Lee) and his early life in the Japanese occupied prefecture of Foshan. If you’re a practitioner of martial arts yourself, you’ll definitely appreciate the authenticity and choreography displayed in this film. In fact, go ahead and make it a marathon with all five films.
Watch on Netflix
11. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Set in the Qing Dynasty, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon brought the martial-arts genre back into Hollywood’s spotlight, paving the way for future movies like Hero. Fifteen years on, this classic remains one of the modern exemplars of the genre. Action junkies have lots to look forward to in this film, including THE most beautifully choreographed fight scene between Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh.
Watch on Apple TV
12. Infernal Affairs (2002)
Andrew Lau’s acclaimed crime-thriller takes viewers into Hong Kong’s underground world of triads and undercover policemen. The premise is a simple one: an undercover cop meets a cop who’s actually a triad member, without either of them being any the wiser. The film is widely regarded as a benchmark for Asian filmmaking for its cinematic, story and technical prowess. Martin Scorsese was impressed enough by it that he directed its Western remake, The Departed, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
13. A Chinese Ghost Story (2001)
In this part rom-com, part horror, part martial arts film, Leslie Cheung, who plays a travelling tax collector, takes shelter for the night in an abandoned temple. When he meets the lovely maiden Nip Siu-sin, he immediately falls for her. In a nutshell, she turns out to be a ghost forced to serve a cruel demon. He resolves to save her from the evil spirit with the power of love and his martial arts skills. If you didn’t watch this over and over as a kid, start now.
Watch on iTunes
14. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
As far as laid-back Chinese comedies go, Shaolin Soccer is our go-to movie. Expect over-the-top action, physical comedy and hilarious one-liners. Perhaps our favourite thing about Shaolin Soccer is that it’s a movie that makes no attempt to take itself seriously. And how could it? It’s the story of a Shaolin monk who takes his mastery of the martial arts out of the dojo and onto the pitch.
Watch on iTunes
15. A Chinese Odyssey (1995)
Loosely based on the Chinese novel Journey To The West, this two-part film stars Hong Kong actor Stephen Chow as the Monkey God who happens to be reincarnated as a bandit. Here’s the backstory: in his past life, he was supposed to protect his master, the Longevity Monk, but he ended up betraying him. That soon changes when he comes across Pandora’s Box in the present and learns about his past. This movie has everything – from epic fight scenes to age-old legends.
Watch on Netflix
16. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
If the shenanigans in Shaolin Soccer cracked your ribs, you’ll love Stephen Chow’s next flick. This martial arts comedy tells the tale of two friends and their attempt to join the Deadly Axe Gang. Of course, nothing goes their way and they soon find themselves on a hilarious misadventure chock full of mystical assassins and secret kung fu masters.
Watch on Google Play or Apple TV
17. Hero (2002)
Just two years after Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Zhang Yimou’s take on the martial arts genre exploded into Hong Kong cinemas. The film stars Jet Li as the nameless protagonist who seeks an audience with the King after slaying the assassins who made an attempt on the latter’s life. The movie showcases some spectacular cinematography and martial arts choreography that’s exemplified by the duel in the Yellow Forest.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
18. Enter The Dragon (1973)
Did you really think we’d put together a list of Chinese movies and not include the quintessential Bruce Lee flick? Unlike most of the films on this list, Enter The Dragon was filmed in English, so your buddies who don’t speak Mandarin won’t have to strain their eyes reading subtitles. While definitely a Hong Kong film, Enter The Dragon takes many cues from Western cinema making it much more accessible than films like Hero and Red Cliff.
Watch on iTunes
19. 881 (2007)
Here’s a movie that’s closer to home. Written and directed by local filmmaker Royston Tan, this musical comedy takes a closer look at the getai scene in Singapore. Follow two friends, Big Papaya (Yeo Yann Yann) and Little Papaya (Mindee Ong), as they hone their getai skills with the guidance of seasoned veterans. When they finally grace the stage, they soon gain vast popularity, attracting the attention and jealousy of their competitors, the Durian sisters. Not sure what getai is all about? Let this movie give you a crash course.
Watch on Netflix
Now you’re all set for the ultimate binge sesh with these Chinese movies.
