Commercial factors have influenced cinema since China's liberal democracy in the late-1970s and its access to global markets. The Oriental Movie Metropolis and Hengdian World Studios are the world's largest movie and drama production complexes and film studios, respectively. China has the third-largest film industry in terms of the number of feature films produced yearly in 2010. The Chinese film industry is expanding, and local productions are beginning to have the same influence on the box office as huge Hollywood blockbusters.
By box office revenue, the nation rose to the second-largest market in the world in 2012. China's total box office receipts for 2016 were 45.71 billion RMB ($6.58 billion USD). And in 2020, China surpassed the United States to take the top spot in the global movie market. According to Comscore (SCOR), the nation, which has consistently been the second-largest movie market, made $3.1 billion at the box office in 2020, which is about $1 billion more than what the United States made the previous year.
So, what attributes do Chinese movies have? The GHJ states that “compared to the global audience, the Chinese audience does not necessarily favor action and visual effect films.” The business consultancy organization said that “when the majority of the audience is already connected to the theme and the story, it is not a surprise that they give higher ratings.” That being said most people want an entertaining film that gives them something new and unique. There are many great Chinese films, but here is our ranked list of the top ones from the 21st Century (so far).
16 Blind Massage (2014)
Blind Massage is frequently cited as one of Lou Ye's best works. It is a drama that centers on the blind staff members of a massage parlor in Nanjing. With a clear and straightforward plot, this Chinese film is exceptional in its richness and coherence.
15 Election (2005)
Election is essentially a narrative about two gang bosses competing for control of Hong Kong's Triad society, as its title suggests. The film portrays Hong Kong's moment of change rather than being a conventional crime film. Leung Ka-Fai, Suet Lam, and Louis Koo are the stars of Election.
14 In the Mood for Love (2000)
Most people agree that In the Mood for Love is a timeless piece of art. It tells the narrative of a man and a woman (Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung), whose spouses are engaged in an affair, and who gradually get very close to one another. The narrative appears to be simplistic, but filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai transforms it into a singular work of art. The screenplay, background soundtrack, and cinematography all work together flawlessly to mesmerize you with the film.
13 Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Kung Fu Hustle will provide fans of martial arts films with a fresh experience. It has references to a variety of films, animated cartoons, wuxia books, and other sources, which makes it entertaining in addition to including several retired actors well-known for 1970s Hong Kong action cinema. Stephen Chow, who also plays the main character, directs the movie masterfully. Danny Chan, Yuen Wah, and Yuen Qiu round out the major cast.
12 Kaili Blues (2016)
The type of movie that forces you to continually reflect and review is Kaili Blues. It depicts the tale of a doctor (Yongzhong Chen) searching the countryside for his nephew and coming into contact with characters from both his past and future. You will be stunned by filmmaker Bi Gan's impressive debut after seeing this film.
11 Night and Fog (2009)
Night and Fog, a Hong Kong drama by filmmaker Ann Hui, is based on a 2004 homicide that took place in Tin Shui Wai. The film tells the tale of a guy who murders his wife and kids via flashbacks. One of the societal issues in Hong Kong that the film highlights has to do with the city's recent influx of immigrants.
10 Spring Fever (2010)
Director Lou Ye's film Spring Fever tells the tale of three young individuals (Qin Hao, Chen Sicheng, and Wu Wei) who struggle with their romantic desires. In contrast to Ye's earlier films, this one is both warm and reflective. In addition, the film received the Best Screenplay prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, making it a must-see.
9 The Grandmaster (2013)
Wong Kar-Wai is the director of the martial arts drama film The Grandmaster. The film tells the story of Ip Man, a renowned Wing Chun grandmaster, who is lifted in the movie. The film also has exquisite cinematography by Wong Kar-Wei, and it was nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography at the 86th Academy Awards.
8 Still Life (2006)
The drama Still Life made its world premiere at the 2006 Venice Film Festival, where it took home the Golden Lion for Best Film. It tells the tale of two people who meet in a tiny community while looking for their brides. Like many of Jia Zhangke's films, this one is stately but moves at a moderate, steady pace. Additionally, the film is so beautifully shot that it will move you.
7 The Assassin (2015)
The Assassin takes place in the last years of the Tang Dynasty in 9th-Century China. With an all-star ensemble that includes renowned Chinese performers like Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Zhou Yun, and Satoshi Tsumabuki and a brilliant director in Hou Hsiao-hsien, this movie tells the tale of a woman assassin who is given a perilous assignment to take out a prominent figure. Despite not being the action-packed film you would have anticipated, The Assassin is nevertheless a masterpiece with beautiful graphics that will stun you.
6 Infernal Affairs (2002)
Infernal Affairs is a crime thriller you shouldn't miss out on if you enjoy watching them. It relates the tale of a police department mole and an undercover mafia officer, and was directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. Both of their goals are to reveal the mole who is hiding among them in a race against time. The all-star ensemble, which includes Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, and Eric Tsang, makes this a movie that will leave you gasping for air.
5 The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
The Battle at Lake Changjin is a Chinese military movie that depicts how Chinese forces overcame adverse weather circumstances to win the battle at Lake Changjin, also known as the battle of Chosin Reservoir. The conflict between China and the United States that lasted from November 27 to December 24, 1950 is showcased. With a $200 million budget, The Battle at Lake Changjin is the most costly movie ever made in China. The movie made $913 million at the international box office. The film did so well at the opening weekend that it topped even the Venom sequel, according to Insider. With those figures, it should come as no surprise that The Battle at Lake Changjin II, the sequel, released on February 1, 2022.
4 Monster Hunt (2015)
Raman Hui makes his feature directorial debut with the Chinese-Hong Kong 3D fantasy action comedy adventure movie Monster Hunt. The movie is about Song Tianyin, a nervous young village mayor who conceives the Monster Queen's child and meets Huo Xiaolan, a want-to-be monster hunter. Together, they set out on an expedition to save the infant from both human and monster world bad guys. In 2018, Monster Hunt 2 was made available in China.
3 The Mermaid (2016)
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, in which a mermaid falls in love with a human, served as the inspiration for the movie The Mermaid, but director Stephen Chow wished to create a more contemporary version. The movie depicts the tale of Mermaid Shan, who is tasked with assassinating Xuan in order to put an end to his project, which puts the whole mermaid race in danger. They do, however, fall in love, which puts them in the cross-hairs of a deadly and covert organization.
2 Hero (2002)
Hero is a martial arts movie that became a box-office success after it was released. The Warring States Period, when China was divided into seven states, is referenced in the movie's historical backdrop. Assassins from the other six nations were dispatched to kill the monarch of Qin in 227–221 BC, just as the Qin state was ready to unite the other six states. The attempted assassination of the King of Qin by Jing Ke is one of the most well-known episodes. Hero is a distinctive movie worth seeing, with Christopher Doyle's cinematography and Tan Dun's musical soundtrack receiving praise.
1 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
One of filmmaker Ang Lee's finest works is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It is a fantastic action film that will take you on a romantic and exciting adventure ride. You may also observe when viewing this film that several sequences are filmed in a symbolic and deliberate manner, which is worth seeing repeatedly. The movie is based on Wang Dulu's 1941–1942 serialized Chinese book of the same name. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a huge box office and critical success in 2001, winning over 40 awards and earning ten Academy Award nominations, which at the time was a record for a non-English language picture. According to Deadline, a possible Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon television series is in the works from writer/ producer Jason Ning.