13 Chinese Movies That Are Better Than Hollywood Movies
It used to be that people would turn to Hollywood for the best movies, but nowadays, more people are
choosing to explore the bigger world of films, and discovering movies outside of Hollywood. Actors,
directors, and writers all over the world are constantly bringing their A-game to produce the
best movies. But what has been gaining popularity in recent years are well-made Chinese movies.
Some of these movies are based on true stories and some aren’t, but what they all have in common
is how great they are. Here are 13 Chinese movies that are definitely worth your time.
Prepare yourself for some intense action scenes, because this movie is filled
jaw-dropping martial arts. Based on a true story, Ip Man delivers a great story about patriotism
and keeps you interested throughout the movie. Set in the 1930’s, this movie is about the life of
a martial arts master. Secret duels, a happy life with his wife and child, and a mansion like home,
our Ip Man surely lives a great life. Well, that is until the outbreak of the second
Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent invasion of China by the Japanese Imperial Army,
which turns the life of the Ip Man upside down.
A historical movie isn’t complete without any rebels, right? This movie will bring us back to the Tang Dynasty at a time when the great era
is declining. Rebel groups have appeared everywhere and the largest among them is
called the House of Flying Daggers. These rebels are like Robin Hood. They steal from the rich to
provide for the poor. The fight becomes stronger and two police captains will enter the picture
to take down the group’s new leader. Besides the story, House of Flying
Daggers will serve you a wonderful cast. The main actors will surely brighten your
screens with their remarkable acting. Oh, we also have a strong female lead!
If you’re looking for some action and some romance, this movie is for you.
Liking the two movies we have shared so far? Let us know by clicking that like button!
Next on our list is a movie that tells us two stories. A movie split into two parts.
The first part tells the story of a man who has broken up with his girlfriend.
Tins of pineapples will become of importance when he tries to reunite with the love of his life.
The second story is about a man dealing with his breakup and eventually meeting someone new.
Chungking Express will show viewers stories of love in the most unique way. This movie
will move away from those cliché lines and scenes, and hit us all with a well written
story that holds deep meanings.
Another classic and great movie, this is To Live. Life is turned upside down for two people in China as their fortunate life turns
into that of hardship and poverty. Our male lead is a rich man who’ll lose everything because of
his gambling addiction. Joining him is his wife trying to survive life by entering menial work.
A show about raising a family and surviving, To Live will move viewers as scenes of family
relationships roll on your screens. With the exceptional acting brought by the cast, this
movie will take us on an emotional ride of trying to endure hardships that life throws at you.
Following the hit of its first movie Detective Chinatown, the movie’s sequel did not disappoint
viewers as Detective Chinatown 2 became one of the highest grossing films of all time in China.
This movie is about two detectives teaming up for a case of a missing person that turned out into
a murder investigation. With the help from the International Detective Alliance,
these two detectives are out to find the killer. Good laughter and an entertaining movie? Detective
Chinatown 2 is here to serve. These buddies that will fill up our screens will put us on
an enjoyable ride as they try to uncover the mystery while bringing out the laughter in us.
Ending up as another hit, another installment is in the works again, Detective Chinatown 3.
Let’s follow the life of a hustler with a goal of being a badass gangster.
But his lack of skills in kung fu hinders him from achieving his goal. In order to appear strong,
he’ll pretend to be part of a gang and find himself in situations he doesn’t expect.
The movie will wow us with the double lives led by the slum dwellers.
Kung Fu Hustle will turn that frown into a smile as the movie provides scenes that
will make viewers laugh. With a cast that successfully brings this movie to life,
Kung Fu Hustle is definitely a must watch if you want to be entertained.
Have you watched this movie? Grabbing a spot in our list is Red Cliff.
Two will team up to defeat an ambitious general, but things go rocky for they
are outnumbered by the general’s million-man army. But like with most battles, one will do
everything to win. With remarkable leadership, a well-thought-out strategy,
and the emperor’s support, how will the battle to defeat the enemy unfold?
Prepare yourself for some epic battle scenes brought by the great actors in Red Cliff. This
war movie will also treat viewers with smart and classy women and of course,
well-choreographed action scenes.
Mixing fictional and historical figures, City of Life and Death provides a story set in 1937 where thousands of Chinese soldiers
and civilians are killed. Trying to change their fates and defend themselves and their countrymen,
several figures will take a great leap of faith to save thousands of Chinese civilians.
Captivating the hearts of many and pulling you in quickly, this movie will leave a mark
as the realities of war and scenes of humanity appear on your screen. The actors do a great
job in bringing their characters to life and helping create such a masterpiece.
Keep in touch with the four lives that this movie is about. A Touch of Sin will show us stories
of a miner against the corruption of his village leaders, a migrant worker who discovers the powers
of a firearm, a receptionist who had had enough with assault from a rich client, and a young
factory worker trying to make his life better. A Touch of Sin will show us the lives of people
affected by violence. The emotional message that comes with each story
will open the eyes of viewers to the harsh realities that others are facing in life.
An attempt to kill the King occurs and now the King wants no one to be closer than 100
paces to the throne. Visitors of the King have to follow this rule, but that’s until
our nameless protagonist enters the picture. Our male lead arrives to meet the King
and claims that he took the lives of the people who attempted to assassinate the King. Will our
King believe him and let him tell his story? Hero is action story with a historical setting,
and also possesses its own unique twists. This movie will keep your eyes glued to the screen
and your interest strong as stories of love, action and history unfold.
The third spot belongs to Better Days. Bullying can deeply affect someone’s life and this movie
will show viewers just that. This movie is about a bullied girl and her friend who is a teenage
street thug. And when a murder occurs, they find themselves getting involved in the crime.
Get ready for curiosity to enter the picture because this movie is a dramatic thriller
that will make you ask many questions. Your mind will be in a constant guessing game as you await
the next scenes. Check this movie out and see the pressure and challenges faced by the youth,
as well as their coming of age experiences. Set in the Qing Dynasty, this movie is about
a martial arts master nearing retirement and transitioning to a life of meditation.
But a secret longing for vengeance for the death of his master lives inside him. The story starts
off with a 400-year-old weapon called Green Destiny and a mysterious masked thief who
steals this weapon and unlocks great discoveries. Let your eyes follow the great harmony between the
characters and the action in this movie. We’re all for the martial arts. but what makes this an
even greater movie is the real-life values effortlessly placed throughout the story.
Landing first on our list is The Eight Hundred. Taking a hint from its title,
this movie is about eight hundred Chinese soldiers in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield. And
what completes the story in this movie? The Japanese army. Filled with very intense scenes,
watch the battle of the Chinese soldiers against the Japanese army who has invaded Shanghai.
Here’s a Chinese movie that rocked the whole film industry by breaking records and earning the
title as the highest grossing film of 2020 to this date. Diving into history, The Eight Hundred will
bring action to your screens and deliver you a war movie with a great message based on true events.
Bonus Mention: The Hong Kong Movie 'Infernal Affairs'
actually inspired the American film, 'The Departed' and also the Korean film 'New World' seems to have very strong similarities. Viewer discretion is advised for the intense scenes.
Did you see your favorite movie on our list? If you didn’t, we’d love to know more Chinese
movies that raised the bar for the film industry in the comment section below.