16 Best Chinese Movies on Netflix [August 2024]
As a fan of Chinese cinema, Netflix is one of my preferred services for watching Chinese films.
This guide will introduce you to the essential Chinese movies currently on Netflix—covering wuxia, hilarious comedies, drama, and sci-fi.
Netflix is also increasing its library of original Chinese productions, giving you plenty of new content to explore.
For a video summary of the top 10 picks, I suggest checking out this video as well:
1. The Yin-Yang Master (2021)
Chinese Title: 侍神令 Genre: Fantasy Lead Actors: Chen Kun, Zhou Xun
I must confess, I chose this film because I'm a fan of Chen Kun!
Although the movie draws inspiration from a Japanese RPG, it delves into the Chinese concept of 阴阳师 (yīn yáng shī)—yin-yang masters, individuals who can predict the future and banish spirits.
Qingming is one such yin-yang master, and his kingdom is under threat from demons. Summoned to the capital for a protective ritual, he uncovers a plot involving dark sorcery and long-standing family conflicts.
This leads him into an epic confrontation where the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
2. The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon (2024)
Chinese Title: 周处处三害 Genre: Action Main Actors: Ethan Juan, Ben Yuen, Chen Yi-wen
“The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” is a compelling film that uses ancient Chinese folklore to narrate the tale of a ruthless gangster.
Chen Guilin has an extensive criminal history: he's listed as the third most wanted, but he isn't satisfied with this position. Diagnosed with a terminal illness and wanting a memorable exit, he aims to take out the two criminals ranked above him.
It's uncommon for Chinese films to center on an anti-hero, which explains why this became a significant success in Mainland China.
3. Incantation (2022)
Chinese Title: 咒 Genre: Horror Main Cast: Tsai Hsuan-yen, Huang Sin-ting, Kao Ying-hsuan
Ronan, a documentary filmmaker, is looking into the rites of an enigmatic cult when she unintentionally breaks a religious rule. This causes a curse to fall upon her and her family.
Years later, her daughter falls victim to the curse and becomes gravely ill. Ronan frantically searches for a method to break the curse as she begins to suffer from mental collapses.
The film is frightening on its own, but the real-life events that inspired it are even more unsettling: a family in Kaohsiung, Taiwan became convinced they were possessed by gods and performed horrific acts on one another.
4. Little Big Women (2020)
Chinese Title: 孤味 Genre: Drama Lead Actors: Chen Shufang, Hsieh Ying-hsuan, Vivian Hsu
“Little Big Women” illustrates the complexities of family dynamics.
Lin Shoying is marking her 70th birthday when she receives news that her estranged husband has passed away. Despite his absence and unfaithfulness, his death stirs up conflicting feelings. Shoying and her three daughters, each facing their own personal issues and unresolved emotions, must cooperate to plan his funeral.
Complicating matters further, the family discovers concealed aspects of his life, such as a secret relationship.
If you're interested in understanding family relationships in Chinese culture, this movie offers a genuine and realistic perspective.
5. Hello Ghost (2023)
Chinese Title: 我的麻吉4个鬼 Genre: Comedy Main Actors: Tseng Jing-hua, Shao Yu-wei
The movie poster for “Hello Ghost” immediately signals that it's a comedy (despite the four ghosts floating in the background).
As a new version of the 2010 Korean film, the humor here has a more poignant tone. Ah Wei sees himself as a failure and attempts suicide, but doesn't succeed. He finds himself haunted by four ghosts who won't leave until he assists them with their final desires.
One line that stands out to me is 心只要还在跳，一切都会好的 (“As long as the heart is still beating, everything will be fine”)—spoken to Ah Wei by the paramedic who rescued him.
6. Us and Them (2018)
Chinese Title: 后来的我们 Genre: Romance Lead Actors: Jing Boran, Zhou Dongyu
“Us and Them” is an essential drama that follows a love story over many years—and how it ultimately concludes.
Jianqing and Xiaoxiao meet by chance on a train during China's hectic New Year travel season. They begin a relationship and later move in together in Beijing, where they pursue their ambitions. However, over time, diverging career and personal aspirations begin to create tension between them.
Besides being an emotional journey, this film examines various elements of contemporary Chinese culture, including the large-scale migration known as 春运 (Chūn yùn) or the Spring Festival travel period.
7. Eye of the Storm (2023)
Chinese Name: 疫起 Genre: Thriller Main Actors: Wang Bo-chieh, Tseng Jing-hua, Hsueh Shih-ling, Chloe Xiang
You may assume “Eye of the Storm” is inspired by COVID. However, it actually deals with the SARS epidemic in Taiwan in 2003, a time when numerous medical professionals died and public fear was high.
The hospital outbreak begins when an emergency patient arrives from a traffic accident. As the virus circulates within the hospital, the staff must choose whether to remain inside and endanger their lives.
This also provokes psychological turmoil among many doctors and nurses, who begin to reevaluate their principles. I appreciate how every key character, including a journalist focused on sensational stories, is transformed by the event.
8. Man in Love (2021)
Chinese Title: 当男人恋爱时 Genre: Romance Lead Actors: Roy Chiu, Tiffany Hsu
“Man in Love” is a Taiwanese adaptation of the 2014 Korean movie. The protagonists are an improbable match: A-cheng, a debt collector, develops feelings for the daughter of one of his clients—Hao-ting. Rather than demanding payment for her father's large debt, he proposes that she go on dates with him instead.
A-cheng is a very appealing character because he doesn't fit the typical image of a gangster.
Being a remake, it includes many endearing details that are distinctly Taiwanese. For instance, you'll see A-cheng expressing anger at a temple deity, walks through a local market, and the main couple enjoying bubble tea together.
9. New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021)
Chinese Title: 新神榜：哪吒重生 Genre: Fantasy
This 3D animated movie is a visual delight, showcasing a distinctive cyberpunk aesthetic not commonly found in Western cinema!
In typical superhero fashion, the protagonist (Yunxiang) appears to be a regular delivery boy. He resides in a vibrant city controlled by the corrupt De family, powerful industrialists.
However, it's revealed that the spirit of the famous Chinese hero, Nezha, resides within him. Since the De family considered Nezha a major opponent 3,000 years ago, they now must resolve their ancient rivalry—with the city's future on the line.
10. A Chinese Odyssey: Part One (1995)
Chinese Title: 大話西游 Genre: Fantasy Lead Actors: Stephen Chow, Karena Law, Ng Man-Tat
For those interested in Hong Kong film, this is one of my top recommendations. It's adapted from “Journey to the West,” one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature.
Stephen Chow plays Joker, a gang leader unaware that he is the Monkey King, a well-known mythical figure in Chinese lore. A magical object enables him to journey into the past—initially to locate his lost love, but ultimately to accept his true identity.
The film is full of physical comedy, and some parts had me laughing so much I needed to stop the video. It's a trilogy, so be sure to watch Part II and Part III as well.
11. The Wandering Earth (2019)
Chinese Title: 流浪地球 Genre: Sci-Fi Lead Actors: Wu Jing, Qu Chuxiao, Li Guangjie
Sci-fi enthusiasts should not miss this film. It's based on a story by Liu Cixin, the author of “The Three-Body Problem”—the book series that brought Chinese science fiction to a global audience.
In a far future where the sun is expanding into a red giant and threatening to consume Earth, humanity devises an ambitious plan: relocate the planet to a different star system. This involves constructing enormous engines worldwide.
The scientific concepts aren't entirely precise, but I was captivated by the imaginative storyline. The visual effects are also spectacular, with no expense spared.
12. Dear Ex (2018)
Chinese Title: 谁先爱上他的 Genre: Comedy Lead Actors: Joseph Huang, Roy Chiu, Hsieh Ying-xuan
Taiwan is recognized as a leader in legalizing same-sex marriage in Asia, but this film provides a detailed look at the actual social perceptions of gay relationships.
At its heart, it's a comedy: a woman (Liu Sanlian) and her deceased husband's male lover (Jay) dispute over the insurance payout. Their teenage son (Song Chengxi) gets drawn into the conflict, initially supporting his mother but unexpectedly forming a bond with the lover.
“Dear Ex” presents the viewpoints of all three main characters, each of whom must evolve as they deal with the concept of forgiveness.
13. Cities of Last Things (2018)
Chinese Title: 幸福城市 Genre: Comedy Lead Actors: Jack Kao, Lee Hong-chi, Louise Grinberg
This film tells its story in reverse chronological order. It opens with a dramatic moment: Dong-ling, an ex-police officer, commits suicide by leaping from a window.
The narrative then shifts to three distinct phases of his life—first, as a middle-aged man dealing with a crumbling marriage and turning to violence; then as a young officer already facing inner turmoil; and finally as a teenager, with shocking disclosures about the events that shaped his character.
The storytelling creates a fascinating psychological mystery, and the film's Chinese title (幸福城市), which translates to “Happy City,” enhances the ironic contrast.
14. A Beautiful Life (2011)
Chinese Title: 不再让你孤单 Genre: Romance Lead Actors: Shu Qi, Liu Ye
Peiru is a driven and materialistic real estate agent working in Beijing. She lives a rather carefree life, including an affair with her married employer.
However, after a night of drinking, she encounters Zhendong, who saves her from a confrontation. Zhendong is a sincere and good-natured police officer from a rural area.
Despite their differences, they continue to meet by chance, and a romance begins to blossom. The lead actors share a strong connection, with Peiru improving as a person due to Zhendong's influence. I enjoyed it so much that I wished for a follow-up film.
15. A Sun (2019)
Chinese Title: 阳光普照 Genre: Drama Main Actors: Wu Chien-ho, Greg Hsu, Chen Yi-wen, Samantha Ko
This film is a hidden treasure. It's exceptionally well-made, from its visual style to the performances.
The Chen family appears ordinary on the surface. In truth, the eldest son, Hao, is an exemplary student, while the younger son, Ho, is sent to a youth detention center for a brutal offense. Out of despair, the father devotes all his attention to the older son, while the mother strives to keep the family united.
It effectively depicts the weight of family expectations in Chinese society, as well as the severe academic stress students endure from attending 补习班 (bǔxíbān) or cram schools.
16. Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)
Chinese Title: 刻在你心底的名字 Genre: Romance Main Actors: Edward Chen, Tseng Jing-hua
“Your Name Engraved Herein” is the highest-earning Taiwanese LGBT film in history. It's a poignant and beautifully made story, with engaging characters and a memorable soundtrack.
Two high school students, Jia-han and Birdy, are good friends, but they secretly harbor romantic feelings for one another. Adding to the complexity, they both attend a Catholic school.
The story takes place in the 1980s, shortly after the end of martial law in Taiwan. Even with the political reforms happening, societal acceptance of same-sex relationships was still limited.
All these Chinese-language films are noteworthy and of high caliber. With Netflix frequently adding new Chinese content, you might find yourself, like me, becoming a regular viewer each month.
Naturally, Chinese films are also an excellent method for language immersion and gaining insight into Chinese culture. Lingflix can help you prepare for watching full-length Chinese movies by practicing with shorter video segments first.
Lingflix uses real-world videos—such as music videos, film previews, news, and motivational speeches—and converts them into customized language learning sessions. Access the Lingflix website via your computer or tablet or, for a better experience, install the Lingflix app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to benefit from our ongoing promotion! (Offer ends at the close of this month.)
