The best Chinese films and TV shows

There's nothing like coming together with family and friends, sitting around the TV, and watching a film, a show, or two. Here's a list of some of the best Chinese films and shows we recommend for group watching TV together.

Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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From Hong Kong, 'Shaolin Soccer' is a 2001 film directed by Stephen Chow. The film is a creative balance of the East and West due to the film's unique content in blending the Western aspects of soccer with the Eastern culture of Shaolin martial arts.

Image: Universe Entertainment Ltd.

'Infernal Affairs' is a 2002 Hong Kong film centered on the espionage battle between the Hongkong police and triads. The film features a star-studded cast such as Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung in the series.

Image: Media Asia Films

There are a total of 3 films in the franchise ('Infernal Affairs II' and 'Infernal Affairs III') and each film in the series is a must-watch.

Image: Media Asia Films

'From Vegas to Macau' is the first of a three-part Hong Kong comedy film series directed by Wong Jing. With gambling as its main theme, the films were shot primarily in Hong Kong’s gambling paradise, Macau.

Image: Mega Vision Pictures and Bona Film Group

The film features iconic Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat who reprises his role as 'The God of Gamblers' Ko Chun, in a crossover from the 'God of Gamblers' series.

Image: Mega Vision Pictures and Bona Film Group

'881' is a 2007 Singaporean musical-comedy film directed by Royston Tan. The film depicts the culture in Singapore's 'Getai' scene.

Fun fact: it took only two weeks for Royston Tan to write the script for '881'.

Image: Zhao Wei Films

Produced by MediaCorp Singapore in 2003, 'Holland V' is a television drama series based on the Singaporean neighborhood of Holland Village. The drama centers around the Mo family, who owns a 'Nasi Lemak' restaurant in the titular neighborhood.

Image: MediaCorp

The series is known for being one of the longest-running dramas in Singaporean television history. The length and focus of the show were inspired by TVB Jade’s Hong Kong family drama, 'A Kindred Spirit'.

Image: TVB

'My Little Nyonya' is a 2008 period drama and television series by MediaCorp Singapore, set in the 1930s. The drama depicts the lives of a Peranakan family across three generations, from prewar times to the postwar period.

Image: MediaCorp

Like 'Holland V', 'My Little Nyonya' is regarded as one of the best television series in Singapore and it has since earned itself international acclaim, with China's CCTV paying tribute to its success by doing a remake of the series in July 2020.

Image: CCTV

When referring to Hong Kong star Chow Yun-Fat, this action comedy film from 1989 was already mentioned briefly. 'God of Gamblers' was directed by Wong Jing and features A-list Hong Kong star Andy Lau alongside Chow Yun-Fat.

Image: Win's Movie Production & I/E Co. Ltd.

'God of Gamblers' once held the title of being Hong Kong’s highest-grossing film. Its success led to the continuity of the 'God of Gamblers' series, which includes the 'From Vegas to Macau' trilogy.

Image: Newport Entertainment

A Singaporean television classic, 'The Unbeatables' is a 1993 revenge drama serial produced by MediaCorp Singapore. It is part of a trilogy that focuses on the gambling world in the fictitious Coral Island.

The series is the first to ever win the 'Most Popular Drama' award in Singapore’s annual Star Awards.

Image: MediaCorp

Based on a true historical figure, 'Ip Man' is a 2008 martial arts film based on the life of Bruce Lee’s martial arts mentor and grandmaster of the Wing Chun martial art style, Ip Man. Donnie Yen plays the titular character and the film centers around the theme of survival, detailing events in Ip’s life during World War II in the 1930s.

Image: Mandarin Films

'Ip Man' went on to become a series with several more films under the brand. This includes 'Ip Man 2', 'Ip Man 3', 'Master Z: Ip Man Legacy', 'Ip Man 4', and another film that has yet to be titled and released.

According to the New Straits Times, the sequels also have a thematic focus, with 'Ip Man 2' being centered on the topic of "Making a Living and Adaptation," for example.

Image: Pegasus Motion Pictures

'Kung Fu Panda' is a 2008 Dreamworks Animation action comedy film that is set in a fantastical setting of ancient China, centering on Po's quest to become a famed martial warrior.

Image: Paramount Pictures

The story of 'Kung Fu Panda' is an original production inspired by Chinese martial arts classics and the 'Wuxia' fantasy genre.

Despite being not an original Chinese production, the film was very well received in China. Chinese audiences have praised the team behind 'Kung Fu Panda' for their meticulousness and sincerity behind the making of the film, with music composer Hans Zimmer taking on a cultural exchange trip to China himself to ensure his work is as authentic as its source material.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Another film to watch is 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'. 'Shang-Chi' is a film that's set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, telling the story of its titular character, Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu), in his quest to stop his father (played by Tony Leung) from unleashing a great evil upon the earth.

Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Other than being a great Marvel film, 'Shang-Chi's' dominant theme of placing family first makes this a great film to watch with friends and family! Further, the film gives an insight into modern-day Chinese sensibilities -- where Eastern tradition is not far off from the Westernized lives of many Chinese today.

Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Another Stephen Chow classic that should not be missed is 'Kung Fu Hustle'! It's an action-comedy film about a man who wanted to be a gangster but eventually became a hero.

Image: Huayi Brothers

Another film about the spirit of family is A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. The film not only includes an incredible multiverse sequence, but it also beautifully tells the story of reconciling a family's intergenerational trauma.

Image: A24

Who can miss Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon'? Given that it is the Year of the Dragon, now is an excellent time to revisit this 1973 martial arts cult classic!

Image: Golden Harvest

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