China has a long history which worth exploring. As for its movies, they also have a long and brilliant history which include different real and adapted stories and show different perspectives of Chinese cultures. Cinemas were introduced in China in 1896, and the first movie in China was shot in 1905 in Shanghai. Now with the development of technology, Chinese movies have developed to various types, including military, romance, mystery, and animation, etc.
From Chinese movies, you can learn about Chinese history, Mandarin language, both the current and passed situation of Chinese society. If you are a historian or a second language learner of Chinese, movies are an appropriate way for you to gain knowledge and improvement. Therefore, I have collected the 10 best Chinese movies of all time for you. If you are interested in China and its attractive cultures as well as customs, they are the best representatives of Chinese movies that can reveal these. Now check the list and harvest something from these excellent Chinese movies!
10 Best Chinese Movies
1. Wolf Warrior 2
Running time: 121 minutes
Original release: 27 July 2017 (China)
Director: Wu Jing
Starring: Wu Jing, Celina Jade, and Wu Gang
Story:
The movie tells a story about a soldier taking on different special missions around the world for saving Chinese. In this movie, the soldier is going to rescue Chinese in an African country and protect the medical aid workers form local wars.
2. The Wandering Earth
Running time: 125 minutes
Original release: 5 February 2019
Director: Frant Gwo
Starring: Qu Chuxiao, Li Guangjie, and Ng Man-tat
Story:
As a Chinese science fiction film, The Wandering Earth focuses much on the astronauts and rescue workers. In the movie, they make efforts to help the Earth to avoid the damage from the giant Sun and the crash by Jupiter. The movie has received generally positive reviews from different critics.
3. Operation Red Sea
Running time: 139 minutes
Original release: 16 February 2018
Director: Dante Lam
Starring: Zhang Yi, Huang Jingyu, Hai Qing
Story:
Like Wolf Warrior 2, Operation Red Sea is also an action war film which follows a group of soldiers and their ways to fulfill the difficult mission. It is adapted according to the reality of Yemeni Civil War happened in 2015. The group of soldiers are assigned to rescue the Chinese people who are trapped in Yemen. Experiencing and overcoming different and major obstacles, they finally succeed even though they make sacrifice.
4. Detective Chinatown 2
Running time: 121 minutes
Original release: 16 February 2018
Director: Chen Sicheng
Starring: Wang Baoqiang and Liu Haoran
Story:
If you are a detective novel fan, you shouldn't miss this fantastic Chinese movie. The story happens in New York and the two leading characters are going to find out the murderer who lives in Chinatown. However, Detective Chinatown 2 is also a comedy which mixes humor in the plots. Therefore, you can watch it for fun while gaining an exciting experience.
5. Dying to Survive
Running time: 117 minutes
Original release: 5 July 2018 (China)
Director: Wen Muye
Starring: Xu Zheng, Zhou Yiwei, and Wang Chuanjun
Story:
Instead of saying that it is a comedy-drama film, Dying to Survive is more about human nature and equality. Dying to Survive is also an adapted film which demonstrates the story about a peddler, who sells a cheap but illegal drug from India in order to save his store and his father who needs surgery urgently. However, he finally helps others to survive and fights for the inequality of medical system in China.
6. Hello Mr. Billionaire
Running time: 118 minutes
Original release: 27 July 2018
Director: Fei Yan and Damo Peng
Starring: Teng Shen, Vivian Sung, and Yiming Zhang
Story:
As one of the top Chinese movies, Hello Mr. Billionaire illustrates a goalkeeper who leaves his football team because he causes his team to lose score. While he is in the low point of his life, a challenge from a consortium comes to him asking him to spend 1 billion within a month. However, it is not so easy as he imagines to spend 1 billion within 1 month. What interesting things will happen? What he will do in order to spend the money?
7. Monster Hunt
Running time: 118 minutes
Original release: 16 July 2015
Director: Raman Hui
Starring: Bai Baihe and Jing Boran
Story:
The monster hunter, Huo Xiaonan, confronts the king of monsters. Originally, she plans to sell the king of monsters for a good price in order to earn some money. After she gets along with the king of monsters, she feels it cute and wants to protect him from being killed by other monsters who wants to be the king. The movie is about an adventure. Moreover, both the story and movie effects make it successful as well as being outstanding from other Chinese movies.
8. Pegasus
Running time: 98 minutes
Original release: 5 February 2019
Director: Han Han
Starring: Shen Teng and Huang Jingyu
Story:
Zhang Chi, the protagonist, is a racing driver but has been forbidden attending racing competition for 5 years. After he meets a younger racing driver, he decides to return to race. However, he has no money and no car,
and needs to get the licensing permission again. What's worse, in his competition, his pilot is hurt. How can he continue? Does he win? It is a movie about dream and enthusiasm which is motivational.
9. Lost in Hong Kong
Running time: 114 minutes
Original release: 25 September 2015
Director: Xu Zheng
Starring: Xu Zheng, Zhao Wei, and Bao Bei’er
Story:
Xu Lai, who dreams of becoming a famous painter, marries a girl who lives in a rich family. When Xu Lai knows that his dream girl is going to hold an exhibition in Hong Kong, he goes to Hong Kong with his family, expecting to have romantic activities with his dream girl. However, his plan is disrupted by his brother-in-law who participates in filming, and he discovers a different self after he sees the film. Let's see the funny disruption and what Xu Lai finds!
10. The Island
Running time: 134 minutes
Original release: 10 August 2018 (China)
Director: Huang Bo
Starring: Huang Bo, Wang Baoqiang, and Shu Qi
Story:
The Island has been praised as one of the best Chinese movies. It is a comedy that occurs surrounding several employees of a company. They travel to the sea but experienced casualty, so they are forced to live temporarily in an island. In order to live, they must unite together and help each other. But it is easy for them to confront conflicts. What will they decide?
Chinese movies are great and profound. Apart from entertainment, Chinese movies also focus on conveying the right values to audiences. From the above list of 10 top Chinese movies, you can know more about Chinese way of thinking. Therefore, grab the list and let's explore more about China!
