Best Chinese Movies on Netflix + Movies for Mandarin Learners

If you’re new to using Netflix as a resource for language learning, check out these tips on how to make the most of your monthly subscription. (The article is about learning English, but most of the tips apply to other foreign languages, too.)

⚠️ If you’re watching Netflix from a country other than the United States, some of these titles might not be available. Also, Netflix updates its catalog regularly, which unfortunately means that these films might not be offered forever. So watch them now while you can! We update our articles as often as possible to reflect these changes. However, if you come across a Chinese movie that is no longer offered, we’d be grateful if you’d leave us a comment below so that we can update the link.

In our list, we’ve included some of the best Chinese movies on Netflix, as well as a few that aren’t available to stream but that still warrant a watch.

Once you’ve set up your language preferences and turned on the subtitles if needed, browse the lists below of our favorite Chinese movies on Netflix from every genre and add a few to your “must-watch” list!

Chinese Action Movies

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon the story of a warrior who, tired of life inside a monastery, leaves his mountain retreat to give up his sword — the Green Destiny. This modern classic, directed by Ang Lee, was a mixed production that brought together talent from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States. In 2001, it received 10 Oscar nominations and was the most-watched foreign language film in the United States.

If you’re a fan of Matrix-style fight scenes, you don’t want to miss the fantastic gravity-defying chases and fights in this movie!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2006)

This sequel of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a Netflix production. The story takes place 18 years after the death of Li Mu Bai, the warrior who gave up the Green Destiny. The sword, forged during the Qin dynasty, has a reputation of being the most powerful sword of its time. In this movie, it becomes the target of a dangerous local despot who sends a young thief to steal it. But he didn’t expect that the sword would be protected by two guardians.

Ip Man (2008)

The story of a wealthy martial artist who is forced to leave his home and his way of life when the city of Foshan is occupied by Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This visually stunning Chinese movie also has a lot of great martial arts scenes and is loosely based on the true story of Yip Man, a Wing Chun grandmaster and Bruce Lee’s teacher.

Chinese Fantasy Movies

House of Flying Daggers (2004)

Another pearl full of lyricism and fantasy on our list of great Chinese movies. The film takes place in 8th-century China when many rebel factions fight for power to stand up to a corrupt government. The “House of Flying Daggers” is one such faction, and its members are masters at throwing daggers and hitting their target in the blink of an eye.

This $12 million film was directed by Zhang Yimou, another acclaimed Chinese director. And it made more than 8 times that amount at the box office!

The Wandering Earth (2019)

A more recent release, and an interesting option for science fiction fans, The Wandering Earth is a Netflix production inspired by a book written by Liu Cixin — considered the best work of science fiction by a contemporary Chinese author. In the story, scientists create a system to redirect the Earth’s orbit to prevent the planet from being destroyed by gaseous discharge launched by the sun. Although the mechanism is successful, its use brings “side effects” such as the end of ethics and morality, among others.

The Yin Yang Master (2020)

One of the more recent films on our list belongs to one of the most recurring genres in contemporary Chinese cinema: action + fantasy. Adapted from the mobile game “Onmyoji,” it features eye-popping costumes and art direction. The film follows the adventures of the Yin Yang master. Amidst conspiracies and fights between different kingdoms, he teams up with a fallen guard to fight a demonic threat.

Chinese Romance Movies

In the Mood for Love (2000)

It’s hard not to start our list with this film, which ranks 7th on Cinemaholic‘s 100 best movies of all time. Many cinema critics and viewers consider In the Mood for Love the best love story ever told on film. This Chinese movie explores the vulnerability of love while recounting the complex romance between two ordinary individuals. With beautiful cinematography and a top-notch soundtrack, In the Mood for Love was released in 2000, directed by Wong-Kar-Wai.

Well-Intended Love (2019)

This is actually a Chinese TV series 🤫 but you’ll binge-watch both seasons so quickly it’ll feel like a movie! More on the chick-flick side of things, Well-Intended Love shows what happens when a B-movie actress is diagnosed with leukemia and agrees to falsify a marriage with a young CEO to secure a bone marrow transplant sooner…

Historical Chinese Movies

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

This delicate film, which involves complex socio-cultural situations, begins in 1920s Beijing. Set against a backdrop of political revolutions, the film tells the story of two boys who grow up together. Poor and homeless, they both learn the art of acting at the “All Luck and Happiness” academy. As the years go by, the two become famous actors at the Peking Opera, but are then swept up the drama of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Eventually, they come to a crossroads that puts their lifelong friendship in check.

The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and a Golden Globe for best non-English language film in 1993.

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

Another Chinese classic directed by Zhang Yimou, this film takes place in China during the 1920s. In the age of warlords, 19-year-old Songlian has no choice. She must become the fourth wife of wealthy Master Chen to escape poverty.

Every day, Master Chen chooses a wife by lighting a red lantern in front of her chambers. He shares his bed with his chosen wife, who also becomes his hostess during the day. Gradually, a fierce rivalry begins between the four wives, each trying to increase her influence over him.

Chinese Comedies

Cook Up a Storm (2017)

First and foremost, this simply a fun movie. Cook Up a Storm is a fairly successful Chinese dramedy. Produced in Hong Kong, the film is about two chefs vying for the title of “God of Cooking.” Sky Ko was born in China. As a child, he was bullied by his chef father, who didn’t believe his son could become a talented chef. Paul Ahn (Jung Yong-hwa), on the other hand, is a young Korean who studied modern cuisine in Europe, and decides to open a contemporary restaurant on the same street as Sky’s traditional restaurant.

Miss Shampoo (2023)

This quirky, offbeat comedy tells the story of a young hairdresser who accidentally helps a gangster and finds herself with a colorful new clientele. This Taiwanese film doesn’t take itself too seriously and pokes fun at classic film genres.

Chinese Horror Movies

The Rope Curse (2018)

In this Taiwanese horror film, young couple Jia-wei and Shu-yi try to make a viral video by filming a mysterious rope ritual. According to legend, when someone commits suicide by hanging, a curse remains on the rope. The only way to undo the curse is to burn the rope. Instead, they unleash an angry spirit and fall under a deadly curse. It consumes them and feeds off of old secrets from Shu-yi’s school days.

The Bridge Curse (2020)

In this Hong Kong-produced supernatural thriller, a group of University students set out to demystify the curse surrounding a campus bridge and several mysterious disappearances. According to urban legend, the bridge was cursed by the spirit of a young woman who committed suicide there.

Chinese Cartoons & Chinese Kids Movies

Wish Dragon (2021)

This recent-release heartwarming Chinese movie follows the story of teenager Din who dreams of reconnecting with his childhood friend. When he meets a (totally adorable) wish-granting dragon, all kinds of things become possible! Directed by Chris Appelhans and produced in part by Jackie Chan.

Little Door Gods (or The Guardian Brothers) (2016)

Competitors threaten a Chinese family’s small restaurant in this animated Chinese movie. Gods in the Spirit World are facing an existential crisis. When one of the gods ventures into the human world, both groups begin to learn how they can help each other through their problems.

An English-language remake was done in 2017.

Get the Most Out of Streaming with MosaDiscovery

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You can access MosaDiscovery through your MosaLingua Premium account.