Hong Kong movies have been popular worldwide because of their unique mix of action, crime, comedy, and romance. From Jackie Chan’s kung fu classics to Johnnie To’s crime thrillers, Hong Kong cinema has something for every movie lover.
If you are looking for the best Hong Kong movies to watch online, this guide will give you a clear list of classics and new releases you should not miss.
Infernal Affairs (无间道)
- Director: Andrew Lau & Alan Mak
- Starring: Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang
- Release Year: 2002
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO, YouTube, and Hulu.
Plot Summary: “Infernal Affairs” is a Hong Kong crime thriller that tells the story of the dual lives of undercover police officer Chan Wing-yan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and undercover triad agent Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau). Both men struggle with identity, loyalty, and the pressures of being exposed.
Why it’s recommended: Unlike typical Hong Kong movies, this film’s tension lies in its multiple layers of suspense. The film’s portrayal of morality, loyalty, and deception is so precise that every twist seems both inevitable and shocking. If you’re searching for the best Hong Kong crime film, this one will satisfy you.
Police Story (警察故事)
- Director: Jackie Chan
- Starring: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung
- Release Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to Watch: Police Story is available on various streaming platforms, including YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and HBO.
Plot Summary: The film tells the story of a tough but kind-hearted Hong Kong police officer, Chan Ka-kui (Jackie Chan), who is determined to take down a drug lord. However, things become complicated when he is framed for a trumped-up crime, forcing him to not only fight the criminals but also clear his own name.
Why it’s recommended: “Police Story” is one of the defining classics of Hong Kong movies in the 1980s. Jackie Chan’s daring stunts, performed entirely without a body double, make it a standout among Hong Kong action films. Unlike many Hollywood movies, the film’s scenes are authentic, raw, and even physically dangerous.
A Chinese Odyssey: Part Two – Cinderella (大话西游之大圣娶亲)
- Director: Jeffrey Lau
- Starring: Stephen Chow, Athena Chu, Ng Man-tat, Lam Kit-ying
- Release Year: 1995
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Viki, Tubi, and Apple TV.
Plot Summary: This film picks up where Part One ended. The Monkey King (Stephen Chow), now living as the bandit Joker, meets Zixia Fairy (Athena Chu), who believes he is her destined love. Although Joker is tied to a promise of marriage with Zixia, he is also haunted by his true identity as the Monkey King and his duty to protect his master, Tang Monk.
Why it’s recommended: “A Chinese Odyssey: Cinderella” is a Hong Kong movie that blends comedy, romance, and a classic story. The love story between the Joker and Zixia has become a classic, and many of the lines from the film are still widely recited today.
Kung Fu Hustlec (功夫)
- Director: Stephen Chow
- Starring: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Danny Chan, Eva Huang
- Release Year: 2004
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube.
Plot Summary: Set in 1940s Shanghai, the story follows Sing (Stephen Chow), a small-time crook who wants to join the notorious Axe Gang. He and his partner stir up trouble in Pigsty Alley, a poor neighborhood that hides several retired kung fu masters. When the Axe Gang attacks the community, the true power of the residents is revealed.
Why it’s recommended: “Kung Fu Hustle” is one of the most internationally successful Hong Kong movies, blending martial arts, slapstick comedy, and modern visual effects. It won the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Action Choreography, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. The film deftly blends over-the-top action scenes, cartoonish humor, and traditional kung fu.
A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色)
- Director: John Woo
- Starring: Chow Yun-fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung
- Release Year: 1986
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi, and YouTube.
Plot Summary: The movie tells the story of two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Ho (Ti Lung) is a senior member of a counterfeiting syndicate, while his brother Kit (Leslie Cheung) is a police officer determined to take down the triads. After Ho is betrayed and sent to prison, he decides to leave the criminal world behind. But he must fight to protect his brother and his loyal friend Mark (Chow Yun-fat).
Why it’s recommended: “A Better Tomorrow” is one of the most influential movies in Hong Kong cinema history. It pioneered the iconic “heroic gore” genre, featuring slow-motion gunfights and themes of brotherhood. The film was a huge box office success in Hong Kong and across Asia, catapulting Chow Yun-fat into international superstardom. It won Best Picture at the 6th Hong Kong Film Awards.
In the Mood for Love (花样年华)
- Director: Wong Kar-wai
- Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung
- Release Year: 2000
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, HBO, YouTube, and Apple TV.
Plot Summary: Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the movie tells the story of neighbors Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung), who discover their spouses are having affairs. As they spend more time together, an indescribable bond gradually develops between them. Despite their growing feelings, both choose to restrain themselves.
Why it’s recommended: “In the Mood for Love” is a critically acclaimed Hong Kong movie. Tony Leung Chiu-wai won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance. Wong Kar-wai’s use of slow motion, rich colors, and tight compositions creates an elegant and melancholic atmosphere. Its visual style and storytelling have influenced filmmakers around the world.
Days of Being Wild (阿飞正传)
- Director: Wong Kar-wai
- Starring: Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau
- Release Year: 1990
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and YouTube.
Plot Summary: The film tells the story of Yuddy (Leslie Cheung), a young man adrift in 1960s Hong Kong. He pursues several women, including his mother’s friend and a nightclub singer, but is unable to establish a true emotional connection with her. Meanwhile, his friend Leung (Andy Lau) tries to help Yuddy find his purpose in life.
Why it’s recommended: “Days of Being Wild” was nominated for Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Christopher Doyle’s cinematography uses soft lighting, slow motion, and carefully composed shots to capture the characters’ longing and loneliness. If you’re looking for a Hong Kong romance film with a distinctly Hong Kong feel, “Days of Being Wild” is a must-see.
Ashes of Time (东邪西毒)
- Director: Wong Kar-wai
- Starring: Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Brigitte Lin
- Release Year: 1994
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV
Plot Summary: This movie, a reimagining of the characters from the martial arts novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes, follows Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) and other martial arts masters as they explore love, revenge, and loneliness in the desolate desert.
Why it’s recommended: “Ashes of Time” won Best Cinematography at the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards and was acclaimed for its innovative visual style. Unlike traditional action-heavy martial arts films, Wong Kar-wai employed vast desert landscapes, carefully composed shots, and slow-motion sequences to highlight the characters’ emotional struggles.
Young and Dangerous (古惑仔)
- Director: Andrew Lau
- Starring: Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Gigi Lai, Jason Chu, Jerry Lamb, Michael Tse
- Release Year: 1996
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix, YouTube
Plot Summary: The movie tells the story of Chan Ho-nam (Ekin Cheng) and his childhood friends, who grow up to become members of the Hong Kong triads. As they rise within the gang under the leadership of their mentor, they face betrayal, violent conflicts, and the heavy price of loyalty.
Why it’s recommended: “Young and Dangerous” launched a movie franchise spanning six main films and numerous spin-offs. The film made Ekin Cheng and Jordan Chan household names, and its theme of brotherhood resonated deeply with young audiences at the time. While it didn’t win any major awards, it remains one of Hong Kong’s most iconic gangster films.
Love In A Puff (志明与春娇)
- Director: Pang Ho-cheung
- Starring: Miriam Yeung, Shawn Yue
- Release Year: 2010
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix, WeTV
Plot summary: Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s 2007 smoking ban, the film tells the story of cosmetics saleswoman Cherie (Miriam Yeung) and advertising executive Jimmy (Shawn Yue) who meet in a back alley smoking area and develop a romantic relationship.
Why it’s recommended: With its authentic dialogue, urban settings, and intriguing characters, “Love In A Puff” has become one of Hong Kong’s most acclaimed modern romantic comedies. The movie also won Best Screenplay at the 2011 Hong Kong Film Awards, a testament to its strength in storytelling and witty humor.
Other Best Hong Kong Movies You Can Choose
Project A (A计划, 1983): Jackie Chan’s classic Hong Kong action movie blends breathtaking stunts with slapstick humor.
Once Upon a Time in China (黄飞鸿, 1991): Jet Li portrays the folk hero Wong Fei-hung, showcasing breathtaking martial arts choreography and a sense of national pride.
The Legend of the Drunken Master (醉拳II, 1994): This sequel, considered Jackie Chan’s finest martial arts performance, elevates the action to new heights with stunning choreography and inventive “drunken master”-style fighting.
Running Out of Time (暗战, 1999): A gripping cat-and-mouse thriller starring Andy Lau and Lau Ching-Wan, packed with twists and turns and psychological battles.
Shaolin Soccer (少林足球, 2001): Stephen Chow blends kung fu with thriller-comedy and computer-generated special effects to create one of the funniest and most original works in Hong Kong cinema.
Comrades: Almost a Love Story (甜蜜蜜, 1996): This film tells a heartwarming love story spanning decades. Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung play two immigrants in Hong Kong, torn between love, dreams, and fate.
Prison on Fire (监狱风云, 1987): This prison drama about brotherhood, survival, and the harsh realities behind bars showcases genuine emotion and courage.
Dragon Inn (新龙门客栈, 1992): A classic Hong Kong martial arts movie featuring stunning desert scenery and gripping intrigue.
Fight Back to School (逃学威龙, 1991): Stephen Chow’s undercover cop comedy blends slapstick humor with social satire, making it one of the most popular Hong Kong comedies of the 1990s.
A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂, 1987): Starring Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong, this fantasy tale tells the story of a scholar’s love affair with a ghost.
The Last Dance (破地狱): A groundbreaking Hong Kong movie exploring themes of identity and redemption, it has garnered attention for its bold storytelling and powerful performances.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (九龙城寨·围城): A tense crime action film set in the legendary Kowloon Walled City. It has received acclaim for its gritty atmosphere and gripping action sequences.
Time Still Turns The Pages (年少日记): A deeply moving drama that explores themes of childhood trauma and mental health. It has received widespread acclaim for its nuanced storytelling and emotional depth.
How to Watch These Best Hong Kong Movies?
Many classic Hong Kong movies are available on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Viu, iQiyi, and other streaming sites. Due to regional licensing differences, some films are only available on streaming platforms in mainland China.
If you want to stream Hong Kong films online anytime, anywhere, a VPN is the easiest solution.
- Install LightningX VPN on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or browser).
- Open the app → Log in → Select Hong Kong nodes.
- Unblock Hong Kong streaming libraries or Chinese streaming platforms.
- Restart your streaming app, search for a title, and play.
- For 4K/HD, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet and select the closest high-speed node with the lowest latency.
LightningX VPN offers high-speed servers in over 70 countries, making it easy to unblock Hong Kong movies and Chinese dramas. Advanced encryption protocols and obfuscation technology provide strong privacy protection.
With this list and viewing guide for Hong Kong movies, feel free to enjoy every classic story!
