Best Chinese Movie Right Now: 20 New Blockbusters and Timeless Favorites

Chinese cinema is on the rise. You get intense fights, heartfelt storylines, and top-notch acting that lifts the entire genre to new heights. Your search for the best Chinese movie ends here, so let's count down the top picks below.

Part 1. 20 Best Chinese Movie Picks

1. Ne Zha 2

Ne Zha 2, the best Chinese movie of 2025 in animation, continues the story of the rebellious protagonist, whose soul and that of his friend Ao Bing were saved after the events of the first film, but their bodies were destroyed.

The sequel follows their quest to find a potion from the mystical seven-colored lotus to restore their physical forms, which leads them through magical competitions, family drama, and betrayal. The story explores themes of identity, fate, and defying destiny, but you'll also see a lot of action and humor.

2. Man of Tai Chi

Man of Tai Chi is what you can call the directorial debut of Keanu Reeves in 2013. It stars Tiger Chen as a young, gifted martial artist who is lured into the world of a lucrative and brutal underground fight club run by an enigmatic and powerful figure played by Reeves.

While his skills bring him fame and fortune, he begins to lose his way, and his moral compass is pushed to the limit. The movie is a pure martial arts showcase in which you see a variety of fighting styles and non-stop, expertly choreographed action.

3. Karate Kid: Legends

Topping the list as the best Chinese movie this year is Karate Kid: Legends, a brand new chapter of the Karate Kid franchise. As the sixth film in the Karate Kid franchise, it continues the story of both the 2010 film and Cobra Kai. The plot centers on Lee Fong, a kung fu prodigy from Beijing who struggles to adapt to life in New York City. When a new friend needs his help, Lee enters a karate competition, prompting Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan, to enlist Daniel Laruso to merge their martial arts styles for a climactic showdown. Karate Kid Legends leans into nostalgia and blends different cultures.

You'll be excited to see your idol, Jackie Chan, teaming up with the original Karate Kid actor. Critics say it respectfully brings together both sides of the Karate Kid legacy. It honors old school martial arts movies while feeling modern. Family bonds and learning from mentors are major parts of the story. Jackie and Macchio have great chemistry on screen, funny but heartfelt, and the younger cast shows how cultures come together.

4. The Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants

Taking the second position this year is The Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants from the mind of master director Tsui Hark. This best Chinese movie adapts one of the most beloved Chinese novels of all time.

Set during the Southern Song Dynasty, it follows the journey of the young hero Guo Jing, a simple but courageous man who grows into a legendary martial arts master. The film chronicles his quest for justice, his fated romance, and his fight to unite the central plains warriors against a Mongolian invasion. It is a saga of honor, love, and sacrifice. The choreography is designed to feel both classic and fresh, a hallmark of Tsui Hark's genius that takes the legacy of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to new heights.

5. Creation of the Gods: Demon Force

Next, you have Creation of the Gods: Demon Force, which tells the story of a young hero, Jifa, who rises to challenge a cruel king empowered by dark magic. The king, aided by the fox spirit, Doddi, rules with fear and uses demons and sorcery to crush anyone who opposes him. Jifa, guided by a wise strategist, gathers allies, brave warriors, civilians, and supernatural beings to defend their homeland from the king's growing army.

You get massive battles between humans and magical forces, with gods, demons, and legendary heroes joining the fight. Amidst the chaos, Jifa must navigate betrayals, moral dilemmas, and the burden of leadership, all while trying to protect his people and restore justice. It is a grand tale of courage, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil.

6. Striking Rescue

Striking Rescue is a Chinese-Thai collaborative production. The plot follows Bayion, a former elite operative who witnesses the brutal murder of his wife and daughter right in front of him. Fueled by raw, primal grief, he embarks on a brutal and bloody quest for vengeance against the criminal syndicate responsible.

The movie follows his descent into the underworld as he hunts down the perpetrators one by one, facing a series of increasingly lethal opponents with nothing left to lose. The stakes are intensely personal, and the emotional journey is a dark, single-minded pursuit of retribution.

7. Ip Man 4: The Finale

This best Chinese movie that was released in 2019, and it is the conclusion to a legendary saga, Ip Man 4: The Finale. The iconic Donnie Yen returns as the Wing Chun Grandmaster.

After his wife's death, Ip Man travels to San Francisco to find a better future for his son, only to find the Chinese community there. He faces rampant racial discrimination and is forced to step up and defend his people, which leads to a powerful and emotional final chapter. Apart from masterful martial arts choreography, you get a lot of emotion while providing a poignant farewell to a beloved character.

8. The Grey Men 2

If you are looking for the best Chinese movie this year, the sequel to Grey Men is an obvious choice. The plot follows a former triad boss who tries to clean up his image and win a mayoral seat, but his past comes back to haunt him when funding issues force his enforcers to resort to violence.

Grey Men 2 explores the complex relationships and simmering tensions within his criminal crew as they spiral into a bloody city-wide conflict. The action is a significant leap forward from the first film, with its gritty and bloody choreography. A martial arts veteran delivers a physically demanding performance that serves as a highlight of the movie.

9. The Demon Hunter

The Demon Hunter is a fantasy action movie filled with magic, martial arts, and a deep love story. It follows a couple who face powerful monsters and dark magic together. When the husband is cursed and turns into a monster, his wife discovers her own hidden powers. Together, they fight to break the curse and defeat the evil behind it.

What makes this film stand out is its mix of romance and martial arts. It is not just about fighting monsters. It is about loyalty, sacrifice, and the strength of love. That's a game.

10. The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor is a classic masterpiece, and no doubt you can call it the best Chinese movie of all time. It was released in 1987, and it follows the entire rise and fall of Pu Yi, the final emperor of China, and shows how his life completely flips from luxury to loss. It starts with him held as a prisoner in 1950, where he looks back on his childhood inside the Forbidden City.

He grows up surrounded by wealth, servants, and rules, yet he stays cut off from the real world and has no idea what is happening outside those walls. As China enters one political change after another, everything he knows collapses. The comfort, the status, and the control he thought he had disappeared fast, leaving him to face the harsh reality of a country that no longer treats him as a ruler.

11. Red Cliff II

The epic conclusion to John Wu's historical masterpiece, Redcliffe 2 (Released in 2009), picks up as the decisive battle of the Three Kingdoms period looms. The allied forces of the South, vastly outnumbered, must use brilliant strategy and subterfuge to stand against the mighty Northern warlord Kowcha's invading army.

This film is a breathtaking spectacle of ancient warfare, with massive, stunningly choreographed battle sequences, strategic genius, and heroic drama on an epic scale. It is a true Chinese cinematic achievement.

12. Relentless Fury

Relentless Fury is another best Chinese movie you'll love. The plot follows Captain Lynn, who leads an elite mercenary team known as Shadow, famous for their flawless missions. When they receive an unrefusable contract to escort a Chinese woman with a secret identity and the highest bounty on the dark web, they are thrust into a deadly, unpredictable game of survival against the world's most dangerous assassins.

If you miss the fast-paced action of '90s Hong Kong movies but want something with a modern look, this is a must-watch.

13. Wanted

The story of the Chinese best movie, Wanted, takes place in the Jung-Hu, a martial arts world full of warriors, honor, and ancient traditions. It is about three sworn brothers who once promised to protect each other like family. But things go wrong when jealousy and betrayal tear them apart.

The action in Wanted is not just for show. It is woven into the emotions of the characters. Every fight reflects the pain, loyalty, and tension between the brothers. Expect traditional Wukia-style combat where swordplay is graceful, dramatic, and full of meaning.

14. Bodyguard 3

Taking the next spot is Bodyguard 3. There is a rookie bodyguard who finds his life turned upside down when his fiancée is kidnapped. His desperate quest to rescue her accidentally entangles him in a massive undercover police operation aimed at bringing down a dangerous crime syndicate. Bodyguard 3 is a classic case of an entertaining sequel.

This latest flick builds on the franchise's successful formula of blending crime action and a dash of comedic relief to deliver a consistently high-quality experience. The action is grounded and practical, showcasing the lead's physical skills in a series of intense life or death situations.

15. Battle of the Wolf

Next, you have the Battle of the Wolf. This Chinese thriller follows Vincent Xiao as a special forces trainer who becomes a hero. When terrorists hijack a passenger plane mid-flight, Jiao must use his mind and all his fighting skills to save hundreds of hostages.

You'll see intense combat; the fights are fast, brutal, and creative.

16. The Prosecutor

The Prosecutor, starring martial arts legend Donnie Yen, follows him as Faul Chiho, a former police officer who now works as a public prosecutor. His goal is to uncover corruption in the legal system and help a man who is wrongly blamed for a drug case. Sensing injustice, he uses his martial arts roots to uncover the truth, putting him at odds with corrupt officials and a powerful drug lord.

The movie combines courtroom drama with action. The editing cuts between Faul Chiho answering legal cross-examination by day and fighting a burly gangster by night, highlighting his dual life. The Prosecutor has been praised as the best Chinese movie in the action genre, showing what many call Yen's most intense fight scenes to date, which you won't forget.

17. The Shadow's Edge

The legend Jackie Chan returns in a rare dramatic role as Wong Tok Chun, a legendary retired tracking expert for the Macau police. After a crew of criminal prodigies disappears with billions, outsmarting a high-tech surveillance system, he is called back to mentor a new team and find the elusive mastermind.

The Shadow's Edge is a high stakes cat and mouse game where old-school methods of observation and intuition clash with cutting-edge technology. It is a winning combo because you get the taste of all the genres in one movie, and it shows a martial arts icon aging gracefully with his craft.

18. Angry Rescue

The plot of the latest Chinese hit movie, Angry Rescue, follows Long Xiao, a security company operative who is framed as a kidnapper after an ambush goes wrong during a mission. Forced into a life on the run, he spends three years in hiding, estranged from his family, before finally crossing paths with the real culprits.

Now he must fight to clear his name, seek justice, and prove his innocence. He embarks on a relentless journey to reclaim his honor and his life. Starring Tiger Chenhu, a renowned stuntman and action choreographer, Angry Rescue is a showcase of raw, practical combat. Chen's work on films such as Man of Tai Chi and Triple Threat is a testament to his skills.

19. The Old Way

The Old Way is about a good-hearted man who once lived as a bandit. When he rescues a woman escaping from danger, he learns her village was destroyed by a ruthless chief. Determined to fight for justice, he joins with his brothers to protect the weak and challenge the tyrant. The story builds to a final battle where he must master ancient martial arts to defeat his enemy.

This best Chinese movie is an old-school period piece with a confident grasp of classic martial arts. It is a throwback that feels fresh, and its success is a testament to the enduring power of classic martial arts storytelling in an era of CGI and fantasy.

20. Invincible Swordsman

Invincible Swordsman is a Chinese fantasy film based loosely on Jin Yang's famous novel, Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The movie tells the story of a young swordsman who is cast out of his clan after befriending the daughter of a rival leader. The ambitious and power-hungry Invincible Asia is taken in by a secluded master, where he learns a legendary fighting style known as the sword nourishing stance. But when the cult leader threatens the martial world, he must return to defend his home.

The story is full of twists with themes such as revenge, love, and redemption. If you like action, drama, and romance, this is a full-hearted package.

Part 2. FAQs of Best Chinese Movie

Conclusion on Best Chinese Movie

This guide converted the best Chinese movies, from the latest hits to a few of the all-time favorites. Which of these films are you most hyped about? Check them out and you'll love each one of them.