Popular from China
Us and Them
(后来的我们)
Fate brings Xiaoxiao and Jianqing together, but eventually, the harsh realities of life make them drift apart. Ten years later, they run into each other again.
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- China • 2018
- Director René Liu
- Cast Jing Boran, Zhou Dongyu, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Qu Zheming
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
(卧虎藏龙)
In another time, in a distant place... an epic adventure is about to unfold.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Taiwan, Hong Kong, United States • 2000
- Director Ang Lee
- Cast Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei-Pei, Sihung Lung
- Genre Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand
Hero
(英雄)
After surviving an assassination attempt, King of Qin summons a renowned warrior in hopes of uniting the Warring States of ancient China.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China, Hong Kong • 2002
- Director Zhang Yimou
- Cast Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung, Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Dao-Ming
- Genre Action, Adventure, Drama, History
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pluto TV
The Road Home
(我的父亲母亲)
Prompted by his father’s death and his mother’s grief, a man recalls the story of how they met in flashback.
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- China • 1999
- Director Zhang Yimou
- Cast Zhang Ziyi, Hao Zheng, Yulian Zhao, Sun Honglei, Bin Li
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV
The Assassin
(刺客聶隱娘)
Whether it is love or loyalty, for her next mission... a sacrifice will be made.
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- Taiwan, China, Hong Kong • 2015
- Director Hou Hsiao-hsien
- Cast Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Nikki Hsieh, Sheu Fang-Yi, Ethan Juan, Tetsuya Komuro
- Genre Action, Drama, History
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Hi-YAH, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Rakuten Viki, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Tubi TV, YouTube Free, Pluto TV, VIX , AsianCrush, Cineverse, Kanopy
Kung Fu Hustle
(功夫)
Sing and his friend Bone pretend to be members of the Axe Gang in order to gain respect.
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- Hong Kong, China • 2004
- Director Stephen Chow
- Cast Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Lam Tze-chung, Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, Eva Huang
- Genre Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube
Better Days
(少年的你)
A bullied teen gangs up with a mysterious criminal who uses violence to protect her.
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- China • 2019
- Director Derek Tsang
- Cast Zhou Dongyu, Jackson Yee, Huang Jue, Yin Fang
- Genre Drama
- Available on Fandor Amazon Channel, Hoopla, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Spectrum On Demand, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, AsianCrush, Freevee, Cineverse, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Channel
Farewell My Concubine
(霸王别姬)
When one member of an acting duo gets married their explosive breakup and tragic fall begin to take root.
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- China, Hong Kong • 1993
- Director Chen Kaige
- Cast Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li, Jiang Wenli, Ge You, Lu Qi
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
New from China
So Long, My Son
(地久天长)
A powerful portrait of the sweeping changes in Chinese society from the 1980s to the present day, as experienced by two families.
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- China • 2019
- Director Wang Xiaoshuai
- Cast Wang Jingchun, Yong Mei, Qi Xi, Du Jiang, Ai Liya, Li Jingjing
- Genre Drama
- Available on MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel
The Foreigner
When a man loses his daughter to an act of senseless political violence, he must fight for justice.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, China, United States • 2017
- Director Martin Campbell
- Cast Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Rory Fleck-Byrne, Ray Fearon, Charlie Murphy, Orla Brady
- Genre Action, Thriller
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube
Have a Nice Day
(大世界)
A darkly funny animated neo-noir following a young driver who steals a million dollars from a crime boss.
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- China • 2018
- Director Liu Jian
- Cast Yang Siming, Cao Kou, Ma Xiaofeng, Zhu Changlong, Cao Ka
- Genre Animation, Crime
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, VUDU Free, Kanopy
Full River Red
(满江红)
When an envoy dies right before an important political meeting, a soldier must discover the truth about the conspiracy.
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- China • 2023
- Director Zhang Yimou
- Cast Shen Teng, Jackson Yee, Zhang Yi, Lei Jiayin, Yunpeng Yue, Guo Jingfei
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Mystery
- Available on Rakuten Viki
Free and Easy
(轻松+愉快)
A crime-comedy featuring a traveling soap salesman, two apathetic cops, and a nontraditional monk.
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- China • 2017
- Director Jun Geng
- Cast Xu Gang, Zhang Zhiyong
- Genre Comedy
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, VUDU Free, Kanopy
Here
Before moving home, Stefan, a Romanian construction worker, meets Shuxiu, a Belgian-Chinese doctorate student, and a connection forms.
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- Belgium, China • 2023
- Director Bas Devos
- Cast Stefan Gota, Liyo Gong
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV
The Island
(一出好戏)
A cataclysmic event causes a man, who dreams of winning the lottery, to become stranded on an island with his co-workers.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2018
- Director Huang Bo
- Cast Huang Bo, Shu Qi, Baoqiang Wang, Zhang Yixing, Yu Hewei, Hao Wenting
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Mystery
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Tubi TV, AsianCrush, Plex, Plex Channel
Dragon Tiger Gate
(龍虎門)
Two martial artists discover they are half-brothers and use their skills to fight injustice.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China • 2006
- Director Wilson Yip
- Cast Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Dong Jie, Li Xiaoran, Yuen Wah
- Genre Action, Thriller
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, VUDU Free, Plex, Plex Channel
The Shadowless Tower
(白塔之光)
Through the encouragement of a new friend, Gu Wentong tries to rebuild his relationship with his long-lost father.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2023
- Director Zhang Lu
- Cast Xin Baiqing, Huang Yao, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Li Qinqin, Nan Ji, Wang Hongwei
- Genre Drama
- Available on Strand Releasing Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Telescope Recommends
Not One Less
(一个都不能少)
A 13 year-old substitute teacher in the Chinese countryside goes looking for one of her lost pupils in the city.
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- China • 1999
- Director Zhang Yimou
- Cast Wei Minzhi, Zhang Huike, Tian Zhenda, Gao Enman, Sun Zhimei, Feng Yuying
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video
Ascension
An exploration of contemporary China through the lens of consumerism, innovation, and pursuit of the "Chinese Dream."
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- China • 2021
- Director Jessica Kingdon
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel , Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
China Heavyweight
In southwestern China, state athletic coaches scour the countryside to recruit poor, rural teenagers who can throw a good punch.
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- Canada (Quebec), China, Finland, Japan, United Kingdom • 2012
- Director Yung Chang
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Kanopy
A Touch of Sin
(天注定)
Sin is in all of us --- it just takes different forms.
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- China, Japan, France • 2013
- Director Jia Zhangke
- Cast Jiang Wu, Baoqiang Wang, Zhao Tao, Zhang Jiayi, Luo Lanshan, Han Dong
- Genre Drama
- Available on AMC+ Amazon Channel, Kino Film Collection, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube, Kanopy
Angels Wear White
(嘉年华)
Respectability has no morals.
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- China • 2017
- Director Vivian Qu
- Cast Vicky Chen, Zhou Meijun, Shi Ke, Geng Le, Liu Weiwei, Peng Jing
- Genre Drama
- Available on OVID, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Kanopy, Hoopla
Behemoth
(悲兮魔兽)
A sobering Chinese documentary about the environmental, sociological, and public health effects of coal-mining in China and Inner Mongolia.
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- China, France • 2015
- Director Zhao Liang
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Fandor, Apple TV, Microsoft Store, Kanopy
Long Day's Journey Into Night
(地球最后的夜晚)
A man returns to his hometown, where he is haunted by memories of his long-lost love.
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- China • 2018
- Director Bi Gan
- Cast Huang Jue, Tang Wei, Sylvia Chang, Lee Hong Chi, Chen Yongzhong
- Genre Drama, Mystery
- Available on Kino Film Collection, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy
The World
(世界)
Employees experience alienation at a Beijing theme park filled with recreations of famous monuments.
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- China, Japan, France • 2004
- Director Jia Zhangke
- Cast Zhao Tao, Cheng Taishen, Jue Jing, Jiang Zhongwei, Yi-qun Wang, Wang Hongwei
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel
House of Flying Daggers
(十面埋伏)
A blind dancer finds herself torn between love and duty as she fights acrobatic warriors in dazzlingly choreographed treetop battles.
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- China, Hong Kong • 2004
- Director Zhang Yimou
- Cast Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Song Dandan, Zhao Hongfei, Guo Jun
- Genre Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube
China Series
Nirvana in Fire
(琅琊榜)
A story of family honor, political betrayal, and warring dynasties set against the unrest of 4th-century China.
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- China • 2015
- Creator Kong Sheng, Li Xue
- Cast Huang Xiaoming, Liu Haoran, Tong Liya
- Genre Drama
- Available on Rakuten Viki
Crayon Shin-chan Spin-off
(クレヨンしんちゃん外伝)
This spin-off of “Crayon Shin-Chan” is set 100 years in the future.
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- China, Spain, Japan • 2016
- Creator Michio Mihara
- Cast Akiko Yajima, Miki Narahashi, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Satomi Korogi, Mari Mashiba
- Genre Animation, Comedy
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
My Story For You
(为了你我愿意热爱整个世界)
A young man is determined to write his way to success, to be with the woman he loves.
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- China • 2018
- Creator Lin Yan
- Cast Luo Jin, Zheng Shuang, Zhang Yishang, Pang Han Chen
- Genre Drama
- Available on Rakuten Viki
Story of Yanxi Palace
(延禧攻略)
When her older sister dies under mysterious circumstances while working at Yanxi Palace, Wei Yingluo is determined to find out the truth.
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- China • 2018
- Creator De-Guang Wen, Kaidong Hui
- Cast Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Charmaine Sheh, Qin Lan, Xu Kai, Wang Yuanke
- Genre Drama
- Available on Tubi TV, Amazon Video, Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Rakuten Viki, iQIYI, Freevee, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
The Rise of Phoenixes
(天盛長歌)
An intense political drama set in the early years of the fictional Tiansheng dynasty.
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- China • 2018
- Creator
- Cast Chen Kun, Ni Ni, Ni Dahong, Qu Gaowei, Bai Jing Ting, Wang Ou
- Genre Drama
- Available on Rakuten Viki
The Untamed
(陈情令)
In a land dominated by the mighty Wen clan, two young men decide to take action against the clan's chief when they discover his evil plan.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2019
- Creator Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
- Cast Xiao Zhan, Wang Yibo, Wang Zhuocheng, Xuan Lu, Meng Ziyi, Liu Haikuan
- Genre Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Available on Amazon Video, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Viki, OnDemandKorea, Netflix basic with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Three-Body
(三体)
Based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Cixin Liu, this universe-spanning tale concerns scientists making first contact with alien civilization.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2023
- Creator
- Cast Zhang Luyi, Yu Hewei, Chen Jin, Wang Ziwen, Lin Yongjian, Li Xiaoran
- Genre Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Available on Tubi TV, Amazon Video, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Viki, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Documentaries from China
Hooligan Sparrow
Maverick activist Ye Haiyan and her colleagues protest the sexual abuse of six elementary school girls by their principal.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China, United States • 2016
- Director Nanfu Wang
- Cast Ye Haiyan
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube, Kanopy
Chinese Portrait
(我的镜头)
Wang Xiaoshuai's personal portrait of contemporary China.
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- China • 2018
- Director Wang Xiaoshuai
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on OVID, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Kanopy
People's Republic of Desire
What Will You Find If You Pin All Your Hopes Online?
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- China • 2018
- Director Hao Wu
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, YouTube
Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case
While under house arrest, artist Ai Weiwei continues to challenge the Chinese government in his fight for human rights.
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- Denmark, China, United Kingdom • 2013
- Director Andreas Johnsen
- Cast Ai Weiwei, Jerome A. Cohen, Feng Wang, Pan Haixia, Yunchang He
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Goodnight Nobody
A look at the lives of four insomniacs from around the world as they navigate another sleepless night.
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- Switzerland, Burkina Faso, China • 2010
- Director Jacqueline Zünd
- Cast Mila Dean, Jeremie Kafando, Fedir Nesterchuck, Lin Yao
- Genre Documentary
- Available on DocAlliance Films
Born in China
An epic journey into the Chinese wilderness that follows the adventures of three animal families: panda, golden monkey, and snow leopard.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, China, United States • 2016
- Director Lu Chuan
- Cast John Krasinski, Zhou Xun
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Disney Plus, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand
Maineland
In this documentary, two Chinese teenagers move to rural Maine and enroll in private school.
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- China, United States • 2017
- Director Miao Wang
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Amazon Video
Our Time Machine
When an influential Chinese artist realizes his father is suffering from Alzheimer's, he invites him to collaborate on an ambitious project.
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- China, United States • 2019
- Director S. Leo Chiang, Yang Sun, Shuang Liang
- Cast Tong Zhengwei
- Genre Documentary, Drama, Family
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, YouTube, Eventive, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Channel
Last Train Home
(归途列车)
A documentary portrait of a Chinese family where the parents status as migrant workers only allow them to travel to their children once a year.
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- Canada (Quebec), China, United Kingdom • 2009
- Director Lixin Fan
- Cast Changhua Zhang, Suqin Chen, Qin Zhang, Yang Zhang, Tingsui Tang
- Genre Documentary, Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Kanopy, Hoopla
Convergence: Courage in a Crisis
While Covid-19 exacerbates vulnerabilities worldwide, unsung heroes at all levels of society help turn the tide toward a brighter future.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, United States • 2021
- Director Orlando von Einsiedel
- Cast Wenhua Lin, Sara Khaki, Mohammad Rezi Eyni
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue
(一直游到海水变蓝)
A deeply insightful portrait of four important Chinese authors and the forces that shaped them.
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- China • 2020
- Director Jia Zhangke
- Cast Huifang Duan, Liang Hong, Pingwa Jia, Hua Yu
- Genre Documentary
- Available on OVID, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, YouTube
Paths of the Soul
(གངས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ)
A journey into humanity and faith.
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- China • 2015
- Director Zhang Yang
- Cast Yang Pei, Nyima Zadui, Tsewang Dolkar, Tsring Chodron, Seba Jiangcuo
- Genre Adventure, Drama, Documentary
- Available on OVID, Amazon Video, Hoopla
T-Rex
The story of Claressa "T-Rex" Shields and her quest to win the first ever Olympic gold medal in women's boxing.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- United Kingdom, China, Canada • 2016
- Director Drea Cooper
- Cast Claressa Shields
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Human Flow
When there is nowhere to go, nowhere is home.
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- Germany, United States, China • 2017
- Director Ai Weiwei
- Cast Boris Cheshirkov, Marin Din Kajdomcaj, Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Abeer Khalid
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, FlixFling, Kanopy, Hoopla
Yellow Is Forbidden
Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei works towards becoming a guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
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- New Zealand, China, France • 2018
- Director Pietra Brettkelly
- Cast Guo Pei, Wendi Murdoch, Philip Treacy, Jack Tsao
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Flix Premiere, Amazon Video, Tubi TV, Freevee, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Channel