46 Top Chinese Movies To Watch: Best Films by Genre (2026)
This list aims to give you a wide picture of Chinese cinema. The movies span 1970s to the 2020s. I am Chinese.
Genres include: Historical | War | Wuxia | Martial Arts | Animation | Sci-Fi | Fantasy | Comedy | Modern Drama | Old Classics | Hong Kong Drama
Historical
My Top Choices:
Dead To Rights⭐ | Red Cliff 1+2 | Aftershock
War
My Top Choices:
Wolf Warrior | Battle of Lake Changjin | Operation Red Sea⭐ | Assembly⭐
Wuxia
My Top Choices:
Hero⭐ | House of Flying Daggers | Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon | Blades of The Guardians⭐
Martial Arts
My Top Choices:
Ip Man series⭐ | Twilight of the Warriors | The Shadow’s Edge
See Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies later in this page
Interested in visiting China?
👉 See if you can get a cheap flight to China HERE
👉 I saved $60 by booking my hotel in China HERE 👉🏻How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China
Animation
My Top Choices:
Ne Zha 1+2⭐ | Chang’an | Nobody | The Legend of Hei | All Wishes Come True | Big Fish & Begonia
👉🏻 For an in-depth summary of animated films, please see my review summary
8 Chinese Animated Movies To Watch Before Your Trip to China
Sci-Fi
My Top Choices:
The Wandering Earth 1+2⭐ | 2046
Fantasy
My Top Choices:
Creation Of The Gods⭐ | Journey to the West | Mojin: The Lost Legend
Comedy
My Top Choices:
Detective Chinatown | Kung Fu Hustle⭐ | Shaolin Soccer (also check out Kung Fu Soccer, being released in 2026)
Modern Drama
My Top Choices:
Hi Mom⭐ | The Captain | Dear You⭐ | Pegasus series
Old Classics
My Top Choices:
Raise the Red Lantern⭐ | Red Sorghum | Farewell My Concubine
Hong Kong Drama
My Top Choices:
A Guilty Conscience | Infernal Affairs⭐ | Chungking Express | Shock Wave
Want to visit Hong Kong?
Bruce Lee
My Top Choices:
Fist of Fury | Enter The Dragon⭐ | The Way Of The Dragon
Jackie Chan
My Top Choices:
Drunken Master⭐ | Police Story | Rush Hour series | Project A
Stephen Chow
My Top Choices:
Kung Fu Hustle⭐ | Shaolin Soccer | God of Cookery
Interested in visiting China? You can see the latest movies while you’re there!
To help you out, check out these China travel articles by me👇🏻
First Time In China? A Beginner’s Bucket List For Tourists
Ultimate China Bucket List By A Chinese: 50 Places To Visit In 2026
30 Historical Landmarks You Must See In China
30 Futuristic Landmarks You Must See In China
The Ultimate Tech Shopping List for Tourists Visiting China
City Guides
Beijing: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
Shanghai: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
Xi’an: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
Chongqing: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Chinese
Hong Kong: Ultimate Travel Guide By A Local Chinese
Prepare
Is China Expensive For Tourists? Full Breakdown For First Time Visitors
How Long Should I Spend In China On My First Trip? Example Itineraries from a Chinese Traveller
Do I Need To Know Chinese For My Trip to China? Or A Tour Guide? A Practical Take
Top Hotels In China with Stunning Skyline Views
How To
How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China
How to Order Food and Drink in China? A Mini-Guide with Key Phrases
How to Get a Robot or Drone to Deliver Your Food in China
