Top 10 Classic Chinese Movies of All Time

In Chinese film history there are a lot of popular Chinese movies, which is the most classic Chinese movie? Everyone has his own answer. This is my list of top 10 classic Chinese movies which I think have the biggest impact in China film industry.

1. Springtime in a Small Town 《小城之春》(1948)

Spring in a Small Town is a 1948 Chinese film directed by Fei Mu. The movie was adapted from a short story written by Li Tianji. The film was known as one of the greatest Chinese films ever made.

2. Days of Being Wild 《阿飞正传》(1990)

Days of Being Wild is a romance movie directed by Wong Kar-wai. The film features several best-known actors such as Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Jacky Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wai. The film ranked the third in the list of Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures released by Hong Kong Film Awards in 2005.

3. Yellow Earth 《黄土地》(1984)

Yellow Earth is a 1984 Chinese drama film. The film was the debut of famous director Chen Kaige and with cinematography is by Zhang Yimou, who becomes an international film director later.  Yellow Earth came in fourth in the list of 100 Best Chinese Motion Pictures at 2005 Hong Kong Film Awards.

4. A City of Sadness 《悲情城市》(1989)

A City of Sadness is a 1989 Taiwan drama by director Hou Hsiao-hsien. The film focuses on Taiwanese people’s  tragic experiences under the “White Terror” brought by the Kuomintang government in the late 1940s. The film won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.

5. Farewell my Concubine 《霸王别姬》(1993)

Farewell My Concubine is a 1993 Chinese film by director Chen Kaige. The film revolves around two opera artists’ joys and sorrows in half-century, displaying the thinking and insight toward the traditional culture, people’s living conditions and human nature. The film is the only Chinese-language film to win the Cannes Palme d’Or until today.

6. A Better Tomorrow 《英雄本色》(1986)

A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 crime film directed by John Woo. The films also features famous movie stars including Chow Yun-fat, Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung. The film became a box-office record breaker in Hong Kong and then a blockbuster in Asian countries.

7. A Touch of Zen 《侠女》(1972)

A Touch of Zen is a 1971 Taiwan wuxia film by director King Hu. The film is based on a story by Pu Songling’s book “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.” The film won the Technical Grand Prize award at the Cannes Film Festival.

8. Street Angel 《马路天使》(1937)

Street Angel is a 1937 Chinese film. The film features the popular singer Zhou Xuan as  the leading role. Street Angel tells the story of a group of friends’ sad experience in old Shanghai, displaying the the darker side of life in the slums that time. The film is considered to be a masterpiece of  Chinese films in the 1930s.

9. A Brighter Summer Day 《牯岭街少年杀人事件》(1991)

A Brighter Summer Day is a 1991 Taiwan film directed by Edward Yang. It is based on a true criminal case committed by a Taiwanese youth. The film created to miracles in Chinese film-making: The film lasts for almost four hours, and it involves more than 100 amateur actors acting different roles.

10. Ashes of Time 《东邪西毒》(1994)

Ashes of Time is a 1994 Wuxia film directed by Wong Kar-wai. The film is adapted from Jin Yong’s novel “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” However, Wong completely changed the plot in Jing Yong’s novel, using only the names to create his own film.