From martial arts action movies to offbeat comedies,\u00a0Chinese movies are some of the world’s best cinema. And they’re the kind of entertainment that immerses you in the language and culture at the same time, which is a bonus for Chinese learners.<\/p>\n
For the 57 best Chinese movies of all time<\/strong>, take a look at our guide below. We also have a shorter list of recommendations on our YouTube channel<\/a>:<\/p>\n [fluentu-toc skip=3]<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/a> “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is a visually stunning martial arts epic<\/strong> directed by Ang Lee, set in ancient China.<\/p>\n The film follows the intertwined destinies of several characters, including a warrior who seeks to retire from the martial world, a young noblewoman with a secret past, and a skilled thief who steals a legendary sword. Their paths converge as they become embroiled in a quest for honor, love, and redemption, set against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and intricate fight choreography.<\/p>\n Ang Lee’s masterful direction and the film’s poetic storytelling elevate “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” beyond a typical martial arts film<\/strong>. The characters grapple with themes of duty, sacrifice and the pursuit of inner peace, resulting in a deeply resonant and emotionally engaging cinematic experience.<\/p>\n While the dialogue is primarily in Mandarin Chinese, with some Cantonese and other dialects spoken by certain characters<\/strong>, the film offers an immersive linguistic and cultural experience for learners. The dialogue is rich in both formal and colloquial expressions, providing ample opportunities for language acquisition.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a> \u201cLet the Bullets Fly\u201d is set in 1920s China, the exciting era of warlords.<\/p>\n Together with his wife and right-hand man, the new governor of Goose Town is on a train there when a notorious bandit halts the train and steals the governor\u2019s identity. The new fake governor meets his match in the Goose Town slave and opium trader.<\/p>\n Be warned that the language is rather unrelatable. The actors also speak with\u00a0the Sichuan accent,<\/strong> which may take some getting used to for those who are used to the standard Mandarin accent.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to\u00a0brush up on or\u00a0learn more\u00a0chengyu<\/em><\/a>,<\/strong> this is a good one to watch.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/a> “Ip Man” is an exhilarating martial arts biographical film based on the life of the legendary Wing Chun master<\/strong> of the same name.<\/p>\n Set in 1930s Foshan, China, the film chronicles Ip Man’s journey from a respected martial artist to becoming the renowned teacher of Bruce Lee. Amidst the turmoil of war and occupation, Ip Man demonstrates his skill and resilience as he navigates through various challenges, including defending his honor and protecting his family.<\/p>\n The film showcases breathtaking fight choreography and captures the essence of Wing Chun, a style known for its speed, precision and efficiency. Through Ip Man’s encounters with rival martial artists and Japanese invaders, the film explores themes of honor, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.<\/strong><\/p>\n While the dialogue is primarily in Cantonese, with some Mandarin and Japanese spoken<\/strong> throughout, “Ip Man” offers an immersive linguistic and cultural experience for learners. The film’s dialogue ranges from formal to informal, providing valuable exposure to different registers of the language.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Prime Video<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Netflix<\/a> A tale of a\u00a0magician who wants to save his lover from a general\u2019s grasp<\/strong>, this movie gets my vote based on the awesome fire tricks alone.<\/p>\n The protagonist oozes cool, busting out gems and doves around all the ladies, making him the life of every party. Other perks of the movie? Badass tanks, great choreography and a scene with quite possibly the fastest Chinese ever spoken.<\/p>\n No, seriously, about an hour and six minutes in\u2014check it out. It\u2019s pretty amazing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Prime Video<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Viki<\/a> While I\u2019ve used the direct translation in the heading, the actual English title is \u201cLeap.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n This 2020 movie is\u00a0based on real struggles and events surrounding the China Women\u2019s National Volleyball team,<\/strong>\u00a0particularly their hiatus from the Olympic circuit.<\/p>\n It\u2019s told from the perspective of the current coach, and many of the actors are the volleyball players themselves.<\/p>\n In terms of the type of language and vocab,\u00a0the conversations revolve around\u00a0training, teamwork, sportsmanship and the media.<\/strong><\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Prime Video<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> Based on the novel \u6797\u6d77\u96ea\u539f (l\u00edn h\u01cei xu\u011b yu\u00e1n)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cTracks in the Snowy Forest\u201d<\/a> by Qu Bo<\/span>, \u201cThe Taking of Tiger Mountain\u201d is an enthralling portrayal of a small group of soldiers on a mission to retake land overrun by bandits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The 2015 movie opens in the wake of World War II with Unit 203 of the People\u2019s Liberation Army<\/strong> running low on food, clothes and other provisions during winter. Nearby villages have been infiltrated and plundered by various groups of bandits, including one village where they encounter a boy who lost his family.<\/p>\n Unit 203 decides to stay in this village to defend the residents against one of the big bandit chiefs<\/strong>, Hawk. One brave soldier volunteers to infiltrate the bandits and act as a spy so their small unit may have a chance at overtaking Hawk\u2019s large criminal network.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/a> “Chungking Express” is a mesmerizing romantic movie<\/a> directed by Wong Kar-wai, set in the bustling streets of Hong Kong.<\/p>\n The film intertwines two separate but interconnected stories of love and loss<\/strong>. In the first story, a police officer who recently broke up with his girlfriend becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman who frequents a local fast-food restaurant. In the second story, another police officer encounters a woman who is involved in drug smuggling and finds himself drawn to her despite their circumstances.<\/p>\n Through its dynamic cinematography and evocative storytelling, “Chungking Express” captures the frenetic energy and loneliness of urban life. Wong Kar-wai’s signature visual style, characterized by vibrant colors and kinetic camera movements, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that immerses viewers in the characters’ emotional journeys.<\/p>\n While the dialogue is primarily in Cantonese, with some Mandarin and English mixed in<\/strong>, the film offers a rich linguistic and cultural experience for learners. The dialogue is relatively colloquial and conversational, providing ample opportunity to pick up new vocabulary and expressions.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Prime Video<\/a> A haunting love story that transcends time<\/strong>, this movie is not only a punch in the feels, but also a great film for practicing Chinese.<\/p>\n The very chic and popular Jay Chou (\u5468\u6770\u4f26) plays the main protagonist, a young piano student who falls in love with a mysterious girl.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Mandarin is succinct and the vocabulary is easy to pull apart. And if you\u2019re into classical music, the soundtrack to this film is pretty impressive. It\u2019s cute, playful and funny, too.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Netflix<\/a> Although literally translated as \u201cLater Us,\u201d this movie is called \u201cUs and Them\u201d in English. \u201cUs\u201d and \u201cthem\u201d represents the past and present.<\/p>\n In the past, a random encounter on a train back home brings two strangers together.<\/strong>\u00a0In the present, they reunite at the airport and spend the night together after their flight gets delayed.<\/p>\n The story\u00a0toggles back and forth between their present and past relationship,<\/strong>\u00a0showing how they\u2019ve loved and struggled over the years. This is definitely a tear-jerker, so you might want to have some tissues handy.<\/p>\n The love story is modern and by far one of the most realistic on this list. \u201cUs and Them\u201d gets into the nitty-gritty of\u00a0relationship issues,<\/strong>\u00a0which is a good challenge for\u00a0advanced learners.<\/strong><\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Disney Plus<\/a> If you enjoy romance films like\u00a0\u201cThe Notebook,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0then you\u2019ll like \u201cMy Egg Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n The story is about\u00a0a woman seeking love and hoping to start a family.<\/strong> She eventually meets Mr. Right, and their journey takes them to the wintry Alps, where the snow becomes a symbol of love frozen in time.<\/p>\n One character is a chef, so there are many\u00a0references to food and cooking.<\/strong>\u00a0Vocabulary to listen for includes words like \u65b0\u9c9c (x\u012bn xi\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 fresh, \u51bb\u7ed3 (d\u00f2ng ji\u00e9)<\/em> \u2014 frozen\u00a0and other terms pertaining to food types and preparation.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Prime Video<\/a> \u201cThe Road Home\u201d is a\u00a0subtle, sweet love story<\/strong>\u00a0set about fifty years ago in rural China.<\/p>\n A small village gets a new schoolteacher. One of the village girls falls in love with him and they\u2019re eventually married. Many years later, the woman is determined that her husband\u2019s burial procession will be on foot. It\u2019s a long enough journey that most would take by car, but she\u2019s quite stubborn.<\/p>\n The majority of the story takes place when they\u2019re young. The advantage for the learner is that there aren\u2019t too many characters,\u00a0the story is very easy to follow<\/strong>\u00a0and there\u2019s some narration by the old couple\u2019s son.<\/p>\n The film has great visuals and great music, which really keep you along for the ride. It also gives the Chinese language learner a chance to see\u00a0life in rural China before the Cultural Revolution<\/strong>\u00a0modernization and without any of those themes.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Prime Video<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Tubi<\/a> The story centers around a married man with a six-year-old son, who suddenly finds himself questioning his sexuality<\/strong>. Inside he\u2019s tormented because he finds himself having\u00a0feelings for a male flight attendant<\/strong>, but at the same time he still loves his family dearly.<\/p>\n Not only is the movie provocative for Chinese cinema, but it\u2019s also beautifully done. It\u2019s very whimsical with imaginative interpretations of the protagonists\u2019 thoughts and feelings.\u00a0<\/p>\n As for language opportunities, the\u00a0dialogue is simple<\/strong>\u2014a perfect film to dissect for all sorts of delicious colloquialisms. This movie has some bite, but the social commentary is excellent.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0iQIYI<\/a> \u201cYou Are the Apple of My Eye\u201d is\u00a0a coming-of-age story<\/strong>\u00a0that surrounds a group of friends in a private school in Taiwan who all end up falling in love with the star pupil, Shen Jiayi.<\/p>\n The movie explores each kid\u2019s journey of falling in love with the same girl, showcasing their individual experiences and internal struggles with teen love against the backdrop of Taiwanese culture.<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a\u00a0modern classic<\/strong>\u00a0that will have you reaching for a box of tissues. When it first came out in 2011, it was an instant hit as it ignited viewers\u2019 nostalgia for young love and their first relationships.<\/p>\n This movie is\u00a0perfect for beginners<\/strong>\u00a0since it\u2019s filled with conversational phrases, colloquialisms and words applicable to day-to-day life. The language used never gets too deep, but the dialogue still gets you in the feels.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> iQIYI<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0YouTube<\/a> In \u201cA Wedding Invitation,\u201d\u00a0high school sweethearts<\/strong>\u00a0almost make it to university graduation.<\/p>\n A surprise proposal throws the girl off and lets her boyfriend know that she isn\u2019t ready. They forge a breakup agreement: if neither one of them are in a relationship in five years, they\u2019ll get married.<\/p>\n Five years later, the young woman receives a call from her ex. She hopes they\u2019ll fulfill their agreement. Instead, she receives an invitation to his wedding. She decides she has to win him back, one way or another.<\/p>\n While the language isn\u2019t complicated and is relatable in social situations and relationships,<\/strong>\u00a0some of the characters do speak with an accent. They also speak moderately fast, and some of them sound like they\u2019re mumbling, so this movie is\u00a0best for intermediate learners.<\/strong><\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Viki<\/a> Also released in 2020, \u201cWarm Hug\u201d is a\u00a0musically centered romantic comedy.<\/strong><\/p>\n It features\u00a0two main characters who are polar opposites:<\/strong> a man who has inherited his parents\u2019 loveless and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and a woman who leads a rather messy lifestyle.<\/p>\n The two are bound by their passion for music, as the man is a piano teacher and the woman a singer-songwriter. With the woman\u2019s help, the man slowly but surely learns about life, emotions and the warmth of a hug by welcoming a little chaos into his life.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Prime Video<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0YouTube<\/a> This\u00a0Taiwanese musical film<\/strong> starring singer Jay Chao takes place in a fantasy world where conflict arises between two communities: a happy-go-lucky group that lives and sings on a rooftop, and a more affluent class that lives below.<\/p>\n This musical is a great way to\u00a0improve your Chinese\u00a0since\u00a0learning through songs<\/a>\u00a0is another way of acquiring\u00a0new vocabulary<\/strong>\u00a0and adding a breath of\u00a0novelty.<\/strong><\/p>\n Research also suggests a cognitive connection between\u00a0music and language learning<\/a>. For example, subjects who heard a series of unfamiliar words were more able to accurately distinguish one word from the next when the words were sung.<\/p>\n Where to watch:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a>Best Chinese Action Movies<\/h2>\n
1. \u81e5\u864e\u85cf\u9f8d (w\u00f2 h\u01d4 c\u00e1ng l\u00f3ng<\/em>) \u2014 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Martial arts, drama, action
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n2. \u8ba9\u5b50\u5f39\u98de (r\u00e0ng z\u01d0 d\u00e0n f\u0113i)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cLet the Bullets Fly\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Historical action comedy
\nGood for:\u00a0<\/strong>Advanced learners<\/p>\n3. \u8449\u554f (y\u00e8 w\u00e8n<\/em>) \u2014 Ip Man<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Martial arts, biography, action
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n4. \u5927\u9b54\u672f\u5e08 (d\u00e0 m\u00f3 sh\u00f9 sh\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cThe Great Magician\u201d\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Action fantasy
\nGood for:\u00a0<\/strong>Advanced learners<\/p>\n5. \u593a\u51a0 (du\u00f3 gu\u00e0n)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cWin\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Sports, Action
\nGood for: <\/strong>Intermediate\u00a0learners<\/p>\n6. \u667a\u53d6\u5a01\u864e\u5c71 (zh\u00ec q\u01d4 w\u0113i h\u01d4 sh\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cThe Taking of Tiger Mountain\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Military, Action
\nGood for: <\/strong>Intermediate\u00a0learners<\/p>\nBest Chinese Romance Movies<\/h2>\n
7. \u91cd\u6176\u68ee\u6797 (zh\u00f2ng q\u00ecng s\u0113n l\u00edn<\/em>) \u2014 Chungking Express<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama, Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n8. \u4e0d\u80fd\u8bf4\u7684\u79d8\u5bc6 (b\u00f9 n\u00e9ng shu\u00ec de m\u00ec m\u00ec)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cSecret\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama, Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n9. \u540e\u6765\u7684\u6211\u4eec (h\u00f2u l\u00e1i de w\u01d2 men)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cLater Us\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n10. \u6211\u7684\u86cb\u7537\u60c5\u4eba (w\u01d2 de d\u00e0n n\u00e1n q\u00edng r\u00e9n)<\/em> \u2014\u00a0\u201cMy Egg Boy\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n11. \u6211\u7684\u7236\u4eb2\u6bcd\u4eb2 (w\u01d2 de f\u00f9 q\u012bn m\u01d4 q\u012bn)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cThe Road Home\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n12. \u660e\u5929\u8bb0\u5f97\u7231\u4e0a\u6211 (m\u00edng ti\u0101n j\u00ec de \u00e0i sh\u00e0ng w\u01d2)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cWill You Still Love Me Tomorrow?\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Romance, Comedy
\nGood for:<\/strong> Beginner to Intermediate learners<\/p>\n13. \u90a3\u4e9b\u5e74\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u4e00\u8d77\u8ffd\u7684\u5973\u5b69 (n\u00e0 xi\u0113 ni\u00e1n, w\u01d2 men y\u012b q\u01d0 zhu\u012b de n\u01da h\u00e1i)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cYou Are the Apple of My Eye\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama, Coming of Age
\nGood for:<\/strong> Beginners to intermediate learners<\/p>\n14. \u5206\u624b\u5408\u7ea6 (f\u0113n sh\u01d2u h\u00e9 yu\u0113)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cA Wedding Invitation\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama, Romance
\nGood for:<\/strong> Beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n15. \u6e29\u6696\u7684\u62b1\u62b1 (w\u0113n nu\u01cen de b\u00e0o b\u00e0o)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cWarm Hug\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Romantic comedy
\nGood for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced learners<\/p>\n16. \u5929\u53f0\u611b\u60c5 (ti\u0101n t\u00e1i \u00e0i q\u00edng)<\/em> \u2014 \u201cThe Rooftop\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Musical
\nGood for:<\/strong> Beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\nBest Chinese Comedy Movies<\/h2>\n
17. \u5e78\u798f\u65f6\u5149 (x\u00ecng f\u00fa sh\u00ed gu\u0101ng)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u201cHappy Times\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Comedy