Chinese films are rich and varied. With their explosive box office and rich culture, Chinese films have attracted audiences around the world.
From directors like Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, and Ang Lee to actors like Tony Leung, Gong Li, and Jackie Chan, Chinese films have produced many memorable performances.
In this list, we have selected 20+ best Chinese movies of all time, including classics like Farewell My Concubine and this year’s box office champion, Ne Zha 2. Whatever type of Chinese film you’re looking for, this article has you covered.
To Live (IMDb: 8.3/10)
“To Live” is one of the best Chinese films that shows how ordinary people survived in 20th-century China. The film follows Fugui, a former gambler, and his family as they navigate wars, political movements, and personal tragedies from the Chinese Civil War to the Cultural Revolution.
What makes this film special is its realism. It tells the story of ordinary people trying to survive, love, and maintain dignity in a changing world. The film is about the resilience of people, with the superb acting of Gong Li and Ge You, and the directing skills of Zhang Yimou. It is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. It is a classic Chinese film that vividly portrays life, struggle, and resilience.
Farewell My Concubine (IMDb: 8.1/10)
If you’re looking for an unforgettable Chinese film, look no further than “Farewell My Concubine“. It’s not just a historical drama but a tragic epic that spans more than 50 years of Chinese history.
The film’s central character, Cheng Dieyi, played by Leslie Cheung, is trained to be a female character on the Peking Opera stage. He struggles with his own identity both on and off the stage, while his complicated and unrequited love for his opera partner Duan Xiaolou (played by Zhang Fengyi) adds another layer of emotional weight to the film.
This film is not only one of the best Chinese movies, but also one of the most influential films ever made. It won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, and it fully deserves the praise.
Ne Zha 2 (IMDb: 8.1/10)
“Ne Zha 2” is based on Chinese mythology and gives it a modern twist. Building on the huge success of the first film, this sequel delves into Ne Zha’s struggles. The film is beautifully animated, the action is thrilling, and the emotional core is surprisingly deep.
What makes Ne Zha: The Devil Boy stand out from the crowd of Chinese-language films is that it cleverly blends traditional legends with modern storytelling. Not only is it suitable for children, but it will touch the heartstrings of all audiences who have ever felt misunderstood or longed to break the routine.
The film also broke box office records. On its 22nd day in release, “Ne Zha 2” surpassed Inside Out 2 ($1.699 billion) to become the highest-grossing animated film in history worldwide.
Infernal Affairs (IMDb: 8/10)
“Infernal Affairs” is a crime thriller. Set in the brutal underworld of Hong Kong, it tells the story of two men who lead double lives: one is an undercover cop inside a criminal group, and the other is an undercover gangster inside the police force. The two try to unmask each other, and the truth eventually comes out.
Tony Leung and Andy Lau give fantastic performances, and the plot is tight and suspenseful. If you feel familiar, it’s because “Infernal Affairs” inspired Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning film The Departed.
The film was critically acclaimed and won the Hong Kong Film Awards many times, and was named one of the best Chinese movies many times. It is one of the best crime movies not only in Asia, but also in the world.
Happy Together (IMDb: 7.7/10)
“Happy Together” is a film directed by the famous director Wong Kar-wai, telling the love story between two men played by Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. They travel from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires in the hope of repairing their strained relationship.
Set against the backdrop of the Argentine cityscape, the film captures the loneliness and intensity of love as it is constantly broken and restarted. The film’s cinematography is a highlight, full of neon lights, handheld shots, and unexpected moments of tenderness.
Wong Kar-wai won the Best Director Award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival for “Happy Together”. Over the years, the film has been recognized as one of the best Chinese-language films and is often listed as one of the greatest LGBTQ films of all time.
A Brighter Summer Day (IMDb: 7.7/10)
If you’re on a quest to find the best Chinese films and haven’t seen “A Brighter Summer Day“, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Set in 1960s Taipei, this Taiwanese film directed by Edward Yang tells the story of a teenager named Siu Si’s gradual descent from an ordinary middle-class student into a violent young man.
The film is not only about the murder, but also about how Yang uses the crime to explore issues such as identity at a deeper level.
Based on real events from Yang’s teenage years, the film is nearly four hours long, but its layered characterizations make every minute of it exciting.
“A Brighter Summer Day” was not nominated for the 64th Academy Awards, but its reputation has only grown. Today, it is considered one of the best Chinese movies.
Dying to Survive (IMDb: 7.7/10)
When it comes to the best Chinese films of recent years, “Dying to Survive” is on the list. The film tells the story of Cheng Yong, a down-on-his-luck health product salesman who ends up smuggling cheap cancer drugs from India to treat leukemia patients in China.
The movie delves into themes such as medical inequality and human care without being preachy. Xu Zheng, who also co-produced the film, gives a wonderful performance that allows the audience to feel the transformation of Cheng Yong.
“Dying to Survive” was a huge success upon its premiere, grossing nearly $50 million on its first day and eventually exceeding $450 million. It is hailed as one of the best Chinese movies not only for its storytelling, but also for the public discussion it sparked about drug policy.
Dearest (IMDb: 7.6/10)
“Dearest” is a classic Chinese movie. Based on a heartbreaking true story, the film tells the story of a couple who have been searching for their kidnapped son for years, only to find that rescuing him is only part of a long journey.
Rather than focusing on the case of child trafficking, the film explores the changes that child trafficking brings to everyone’s life. You can feel the pain, confusion, and silent tenacity from the performances of the actors, especially Zhao Wei and Huang Bo.
The film received widespread acclaim, and Zhao Wei even won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress for her role as the kidnapper’s wife in the film.
Her Story (IMDb: 7.6/10)
Directed and written by Shao Yihui, “Her Story” has been a huge success in China and has gained great popularity. The core of the story revolves around a mother and daughter, and a neighbor girl. The film combines hilarious comedy elements with a sincere plot. The script is sharp, and the dialogue is natural and smooth.
The performances of the actors are first-class. Song Jia, Zhong Chuxi and Zeng Wenting form a strong trio. Among them, Zeng Wenting is particularly outstanding because her performance is delicate and solid, showing a mature temperament that is completely different from her peers.
“Her Story” is not only a light-hearted movie, but also a meaningful female-themed movie. If you want to find high-quality Chinese movies this year, this is a masterpiece that cannot be missed.
I Am What I AM (IMDb: 7.5/10)
I Am Who I Am is one of the best Chinese animated films in recent years. Set in Shanghai, it tells the story of migrant worker Ajuan who agrees to participate in the “Shanghai Fight Night” martial arts competition in order to pay for her father’s medical expenses.
The film combines traditional Chinese culture (especially lion dance) with a modern sports-themed plot. It’s a bold attempt, and the effect is surprisingly good.
The visual effects of “I Am Who I Am” are very unique, combining realistic proportions with Chinese style characteristics to create a new look and feel that is different from the Western animation aesthetic. The film’s soundtrack uses traditional Chinese percussion instruments to enhance the overall viewing experience.
If you are a martial arts enthusiast or animation enthusiast, this movie will definitely meet your needs.
Love Never Ends (IMDb: 7.5/10)
“Love Never Ends” is a deeply moving drama that shows the sadness, joy, and companionship of four elderly people throughout their lives.
The performances of veteran actors such as Kara Hui and Ni Dahong are solid and sincere. They integrate real life into the characters and deeply touch your heartstrings.
However, this movie is not perfect. Some viewers may find the plot too exaggerated and out of touch with the present. But “Love Never Ends” still leaves a deep impression.
Lighting Up the Stars (IMDb: 7.5/10)
“Lighting Up the Stars” is one of the best Chinese films in recent years. It tells the story of Mo Sanmei, a funeral director who has just gotten out of prison, who met an orphan girl, Wu Xiaowen, at a funeral. At first, Mo Sanmei didn’t want to take care of her, but over time, a close bond was established between the two, as close as father and daughter.
The film is simple in style, but full of power. The acting is very good, especially Zhu Yilong and the little girl Yang Enyou.
“Lighting Up the Stars” was also a big success in China, with box office revenue exceeding 1.7 billion yuan in 2022. But more importantly, it touched the hearts of many people.
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Other Best Chinese Movies
In addition to the best Chinese movies recommended above, there are more excellent movies worth watching:
- Coming Home: Zhang Yimou’s moving drama set during and after China’s Cultural Revolution. The film tells the story of a man who returns home from a labor camp only to find his wife no longer remembers him.
- B for Busy: This romantic comedy set in Shanghai is a pleasant surprise. It tells the story of middle-aged urbanites struggling to survive modern love, loneliness, and second chances.
- Hi, Mom: From comedian-turned-director Jia Ling, this hilarious and tear-jerking time-travel film is based on her real experience of losing her mother. The film was a box office sensation in China.
- Forever Young: The film spans nearly a century of Chinese history, connecting stories from four different periods – from before World War II to modern China.
- The Wandering Earth: China’s first big-budget sci-fi blockbuster, The Wandering Earth, depicts a future in which Earth is moved out of the solar system to escape the dying sun. The film is full of stunning visuals and grand action scenes.
- An Elephant Sitting Still: This is a slow-paced, haunting drama. Set in a gloomy city in northern China, the film tells the story of how several characters cope with pain, regret, and the search for meaning in life in one day.
- The Eight Hundred: Based on real events, it tells the story of Chinese soldiers defending warehouses against the Japanese during the Anti-Japanese War.
- Leap: Starring Gong Li, it is adapted from the true story of the Chinese women’s volleyball team. The film spans characters from different eras of the team, blending sports action with real emotional narratives.
- The Road Home: Directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Zhang Ziyi, it tells a simple love story that takes place in the countryside. A son returns to the village to attend his father’s funeral and learns about his parents’ past: how they met, fell in love, and lived together.
FAQ about Best Chinese Movies
1. Which Chinese movie won an Oscar?
So far, no Chinese mainland film has won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film (formerly Best Foreign Language Film). However, some Chinese-language films from Hong Kong or Taiwan have received Oscars:
- “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000): Directed by Ang Lee (Taiwan), it won 4 Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film.
- “Farewell My Concubine” (1993): Was nominated but didn’t win.
2. What is the record-breaking Chinese movie?
The record-breaking Chinese film is Ne Zha 2.
- The highest-grossing film in China, with over 15 billion RMB in box office revenue.
- The highest-grossing animated film of all time, even surpassing Disney’s Inside Out 2.
- The first non-Hollywood film to gross over $1 billion in a single market.
