23 Top Movies for Chinese Learners in 2025

Looking for films to learn Chinese? If so, check the 23 best movies for Mandarin learners.

Did you know you can take your Mandarin to the next level by watching films? That’s right. Here are 23 great Chinese movies to learn with — there’s something for everyone!

Seeing movies is one of the most popular ways of spending free time worldwide. The complicated plot lines, heart-breaking scenes, and well-written dialogue often keep viewers engaged for hours.

Some people use it as a time to relax and relieve the stress from their busy schedules. While others watch it every instance, they get (not something to be guilty about).

Regardless, people do not realize this easy task can be very productive.

You have many excellent motivations to learn Chinese, such as reasons to study in China, new career prospects, and cultural aspects.

Movies can be an incredible way to learn a language. They often reflect a country’s culture, lifestyle, tradition, and language in its rustic and basic form and portray the people’s day-to-day lives.

Thus, it gives a better insight into the culture than reading about it in a book or on the Internet. Of course, this also applies to learning the Chinese language.

Table of Contents

Why is watching films great for learning Chinese?

There are several advantages of learning Mandarin with films.

Watching a movie in the Chinese language would introduce and help me get acquainted with native speech because filmmakers aim movies at native Mandarin speakers who are already fluent in the language.

The movie’s Mandarin language structure and flow would be realistic instead of textbook and formal.

Historical or fantasy films may not always accurately reflect current speech patterns. However, most contemporary films use everyday language that the audience will understand.

If you listened to an authentic, native speech portrayed in Chinese movies, you would more likely understand the actual dialogue in context.

The Mandarin films help you get used to those tricky accents, tones, honorific sounds, and pronunciations. You also know various dialects and common informal and conversational exclamations and phrases.

Also, vocabulary usage in Chinese movies is context-based instead of a dictionary or a textbook. So, grasping what’s going on, you won’t have to rely solely on the words themselves.

If you don’t understand a word, you usually make presumptions or guesses based on what’s happening and visual indicators such as character facial expressions. These all help significantly with learning more words.

You can examine how terminology is employed in various contexts, which can help you know when different terms are acceptable. Finally, you can engage yourself in a pictorial view of unique Chinese customs and society.

The best part is that it is a fun way to study difficult Mandarin. Watching Chinese movies for hours on end would not bore you. It is way more joyful than sitting with a conventional approach and memorizing words or sentences.

Watching movies also engages the auditory and optical senses at once. As a result, it is easy to remember, as our minds focus more and retain the knowledge that we find interesting.

Best films to learn Chinese

Where to see Chinese cinema?

The internet and online streaming offer many Chinese movies, television series, and dramas to get you started.

OTT media services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube Premium, Baidu Video, and others allow you to watch many Chinese movies.

You can also view the legitimate repository of Chinese titles on many websites from your comfort. Besides, Netflix and a few other platforms produce many original and exclusive programs for their bigger audience.

23 Best Movies to Learn Mandarin

One of the fastest movie industries globally, Chinese film production makes many good Mandarin movies yearly.

The Chinese film industry produces many good Mandarin films, but finding relevant movies is hard.

Here are 23 fabulous movies to help beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners study and improve their Chinese language skills.

1. To Live (活着 / Huózhe) — 1994

To Live” should be at the top of anyone’s list of the best Chinese movies. It highlights the changes occurring in families during this turbulent time.

The flick also depicts everything from comedy to heartbreak, birth to death, and everything in between.

Learn Chinese with movies

This is a culturally rich film with unique advantages for Chinese students. The dialogue is usually easy enough for intermediate-level Chinese learners, and you can follow it with or without subtitles.

2. Mulan (花木兰) — 2020

Mulan is one of the most well-known Disney princesses. However, a movie was also released in 2020 in Chinese.

When Mulan’s father is called to serve in the army because of war, he cannot go due to his illness. Mulan takes his place and impersonates herself as a male soldier. She must conceal her identity and battle in the army to defend her nation.

This film may not teach you much about the Chinese language or introduce you to too much vocabulary. Still, it is a terrific method for understanding more about Chinese legends and myths, history, culture, and filial piety, which are sacred in Chinese culture.

3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (卧虎藏龙 / Wò hǔ cáng lóng) — 2000

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was directed by internationally acclaimed director Ang Lee in 2000. It is a period movie set in the 19th century.

This is one of the most captivating films in the Wuxia genre (a Chinese literature genre that depicts the exploits of ancient Chinese martial artists).

This film is based on Wang Dulu’s novel of the same name, published in 1942. It’s a touching romance about a 19th-century Qing Dynasty warrior and his love interest.

One of the most intriguing parts of the picture is that each of the four characters talks with a different Chinese accent. This movie can benefit you if you aim to achieve a higher Mandarin HSK level.

4. A Beautiful Life (不再让你孤单 / Bù Zaì Ràng Ní Gū Dān) — 2011

Peiru (Shu Qi) meets Zhendong (Liu Ye), who uses his savings to help her start a business. Unfortunately, he is later fired and has a brain injury due to his actions. Zhendong leaves, but Peiru follows him despite his memory loss.

Movies to learn Chinese

They marry and start a family in the countryside. She works part-time at an office to help support them while living with his brother and family.

The movie helps you understand Chinese society and the issues it faces. The language is also relatively simple to follow, making it an excellent flick for learning the basics of the language.

5. This Is Not What I Expected (喜欢你 / Xi huan ni) — 2017

Although the Chinese title translates to “I like you,” it was released in 2017 with ‘This Is Not What I Expected.’

Based on Lan Bai Se’s novel Finally, I Get You, this movie is an excellent introduction to contemporary Chinese humor. It also has some remarkable instances of how the language is employed in everyday situations.

This amusing chick flick is worth your time if you want to learn how to order at a Chinese restaurant or how love couples communicate in China. This is one of the top Chinese movies for learning Mandarin.

6. House of Flying Daggers (十面埋伏 / Shí Miàn Mái Fú) — 2004

This 2004 martial arts film features some impressive battle scenes. It is a beautiful example of Chinese cinematography at its finest. Plus, the dialogue between the characters is very poetic for an action film.

If you are a more advanced Chinese learner and desire a career in the Chinese language, you can pick up some elegant lines. This can make your Chinese sound sophisticated.

Remembering Chinese idioms can be difficult. However, linking them with Chinese films is a fun and straightforward recognition approach.

7. Big Fish and Begonia (大鱼海棠 / Dàyú Hǎitáng) — 2016

This animated movie shows the story of Chun and her quest to save Kun, a human child who saved her life and lives in her world as a dolphin. They released it in 2017.

The artwork, narrative, and unpredictable plot create a compelling world vision, including humans, non-humans, and living and dead people.

Movies to learn Mandarin

The script uses simple Chinese phrases but is touching and touches on some philosophical themes. It will have you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

8. Happy times (幸福时光 / Xìngfú Shíguāng) — 2000

Happy Times” is an unusual comedy with a hilarious story. As with many Chinese films, you can expect it to be goofy and ridiculous for being goofy and silly, but note that it’s also reasonably mature.

The characters are a strange bunch of retired buddies who set up a faux hotel in an abandoned warehouse and hire a blind girl to work in the “hotel” with good intentions.

Concentrating on the language spoken between the laughter may be difficult, but it will be worthwhile. This one is ideal for learning light-hearted conversation and daily romantic and friendly terms.

9. Last Train Home (归途列车 / Guītú lièchē) — 2009

“Last Train Home” is a fantastic look at one of the most fascinating and crucial aspects of modern Chinese life: trying to get home for the holidays. It revolves around a physically and emotionally torn apart family by the need to relocate to large cities to find jobs.

The main characters speak with a thick dialectal accent, making it tricky to understand. Still, the film imparts at least one crucial lesson about China: don’t travel by train around the Chinese New Year.

This movie has a lot of help related to languages like transportation, commercial jargon, and family dynamics. This is an excellent film to learn Mandarin.

10. Up the Yangtze — 2007

“Up the Yangtze” depicts the massive impact the Three Gorges Dam project has on people of various classes. It tells the story of a family whose home will flood because of the dam’s construction.

Surprisingly, the family’s daughter finds work on a river cruise ship. The other lead is a famous young worker eager for new chances but lacks the values and traditions others own.

Films to learn Chinese

Many Chinese learners are bound to converse with native speakers about personal and cultural changes. This makes for a terrific learning experience.

11. You Are the Apple of My Eye (我们一起追的女孩 / Na Xie Nian, Wo Men Yi Qi Zhui De Nu Hai) — 2001

You Are the Apple of My Eye is a coming-of-age romance film based in Taiwan, released in 2011. It is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Taiwanese novelist Giddens Ko.

Michelle Chen plays Shen Chia-Yi, a popular and top student. Ko Chen-tung plays Ko Ching-teng, a troublemaker and mischievous student who eventually becomes a writer.

The plot follows the two main characters and their friends and family on their journey through life, from high school to beyond.

The movie’s straightforward language makes it easy for beginners to follow and learn from. If you wish to pass the Taiwan-based TOCFL exam, you cannot afford to miss it.

12. Getting Home (落叶归根 / Lùo yè gūi gēn) — 2007

“Getting Home” is a classic Chinese comedy film released in 2007. It follows the story of a man named Zhao who owes a favor to his close friend and co-worker.

The friend expresses his dying wish to be buried in the Three Gorges region. So Zhao, although poor, travels across the country carrying his dead friend. He meets people from all walks of life, giving him insight into their struggles and stories.

The deep story is light-hearted and has comedic elements, making it a must-watch. Besides, they kept the language simple and easy for beginners to follow.

13. The Road Home (我的父亲母亲/ wǒde fùqin mǔqin) — 1999

“The Road Home” is a quiet, charming love story set in rural China around fifty years ago. The story follows a young couple through their lives, but most of it is set when they are children.

The Chinese language learner will benefit from the lack of too many characters. The tale is simple to follow, and the old couple’s son provides some narration.

As a result, the story is simple to piece together. The film also has excellent images and a soundtrack that keeps you entertained.

It also allows Chinese language students to experience life in rural China before the Cultural Revolution’s modernization with none of the above themes.

14. Raise the Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂 / Dà Hóng Dēnglong Gāogāo Guà) — 1992

This classic 1991 film depicts China’s cultural development and changes during the early 20th century.

The plot revolves around the interactions of four spouses in a wealthy man’s household. They are occasionally amicable but more frequently envious and manipulative. The narrative is fascinating, especially as the plot unfolds and the film reaches a spectacular conclusion.

Chinese movies to learn Mandarin

The film’s character depth and cultural aspects are a go-to learning point for the learners. The terms and flow will also help with easy Chinese language learning.

15. The Story of Qiu Ju (秋菊打官司 / Qiū Jú dǎ guānsi) — 1992

In this movie, a determined woman seeking justice travels to the city while pregnant to pursue a case against the man who injured her husband.

She appeals her way up the system, but the results are, at best, irritating. All she wants is an apology, but the culprit is adamant about not apologizing.

This film is excellent for students because the language used is more like ordinary people than movie script lines. Yet, it will be perfect practice for advanced students. It also does an outstanding job of portraying China in the early 1990s through documentary-style street scenes.

16. The Blue Kite (蓝风筝 / Lán fēngzheng) — 1993

In this movie, various Chinese families describe their changing experiences during the Cultural Revolution.

In this film, the story is narrated by a young boy, Tietou. He is the central character with a charming personality that makes viewers relate to him. While growing up, he has to deal with three different fathers.

Conversations between the child and his family are a big part of Blue Kite (Lan Feng Zheng). Communication between adults is also easy to grasp. It is an incredible movie for learners who are studying to speak Mandarin.

17. Suzhou River (苏州河 / Sūzhōu Hé) — 2000

The film tells a tragic love story in a contemporary Shanghai setting. This engaging story of love and obsession covers identity, neediness, and wishes.

Shanghai’s Suzhou River flows through a rapidly expanding city with dirt, debris, chaos, and poverty. It is a place where memories, secrets, and unknown mysteries meet.

Many international film festivals and events have recognized it with awards and nominations. This film was also well-received overseas, though it was initially not screened in mainland China.

If you want to improve your Chinese language through “real cinema,” this is a flick you should keep on your favorites list.

18. Together (和你在一起 / hé nǐ zài yì qǐ) — 2002

This film is about a man who wants his son to succeed as a violin player. Together, it portrays typical Chinese thinking that success usually comes through huge sacrifice and intense focus.

Movies for learning Chinese

The man moves to Beijing with his son so that the boy can participate in a music contest. But, sadly, the hardworking father often puts his son’s match above their relationship.

The relationship between the child and his violin teacher is humorous and fun. “Together” gives us a glimpse of the challenges many Chinese who move to big cities face.

19. Beijing Taxi (北京出租 / běi jīng chū zū chē) — 2010

In Beijing Taxi, three taxi drivers followed through Beijing in 2008, just before the Beijing Olympics. The city changed dramatically during that time.

The words of these three individuals reflect the demolition of many old neighborhoods to make way for Olympic facilities. Yet, despite the changes they cannot control, it looks at hardworking people’s everyday lives.

Most Mandarin learners are likely already familiar with the Beijing accent, especially if they have spent time listening to audio lessons, which typically include this northern dialect of China.

20. Lost in Thailand (人再囧途之泰囧 / Rén Zài Jiǒng Tú zhī Tài Jiŏng) — 2012

Directed by Xu Zheng and starring Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang, and Huang Bo, Lost in Thailand is a 2012 Chinese comedy.

Scientists Xu and Bo traveled to Thailand to search for their boss, who lived in a Buddhist temple. They wanted to be the first scientists to get a patent and market a new chemical additive.

While going, Xu meets a pancake sales agent named Wang, who comes from Beijing. He wanted to achieve many dreams in Bangkok as a tourist, but he had no experience traveling.

Following a comic turn of events, both form a team and locate Xu’s boss in Thailand. The story is simple, making comedy even more enjoyable.

21. Farewell My Concubine (霸王别姬 / bàwáng bié jī) — 1993

Based on the novel written by Lillian Lee, The Farewell My Concubine is a historical drama film directed by Chen Kaige. They are set in the middle of the 1800s and come from Hong Kong.

This story is about an opera starring two of Beijing’s most renowned male opera stars and a charming woman who comes to separate them. It also tells the story of political instability in China and its effects on families, groups, and individuals.

Farewell My Concubine

This flick uses the Chinese language in the international scene. In this historical setting, the acting is outstanding, and the visuals are spectacular.

It is a fantastic movie for Chinese learners who plan to appear for the Mandarin Proficiency exam.

22. Let The Bullet Fly (让子弹飞 / Rang Zi dan Fei) — 2010

Let the Bullet Fly is a Western comedy flick with many action scenes.

The story narrates a group of thieves who lay in an ambush on a train. They did all this to fight against a different group of bandits. Sadly, while the film feeds a high level of entertaining humor, the spoken Mandarin dialect is hard to hold for beginners.

Only advanced language learners can comprehend it better. Thus, this film will be helpful if you intend to appear for the Level V or VI of the Chinese HSK test.

23. Secret (不能说的·秘密 / Bùnéng shuō de·mìmì) — 2007

Secret” is a witty, romantic, delightful, and lively Chinese cinema released in 2007. Featuring Jay Chou as the protagonist, this time-spanning film delivers a strong punch and a great feeling for learners.

A Secret reveals a haunting and powerful love saga about a young and energetic piano student who falls in rebellious love with an adorable and mysterious girl.

The language is easy to grasp thanks to the uncomplicated Mandarin dialect used in the movie. And if you love classical music, you will like the pleasing soundtrack in the background.

Final Words on studying Chinese with films

Chinese film for learners

Watching Mandarin movies is a great way to learn the Chinese language.

That was the list of 23 Chinese movies that are sure to be a stepping stone on your journey of learning the language and culture of China. While I could not list all the top-rated and popular ones, these can be a perfect start for your best Mandarin learning tools.

With the proper focus and time investment, fun things like films can be great learning opportunities. So get on to it, and let the fun begin!

If you want more recommendations and further information, please feel free to ask us in the comments below.

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Vikash Gupta
Vikash Gupta

I’m a linguist, lifelong learner, blogger, and fun-loving guy. I write at studyfrenchspanish.com, languagenext.com, joyofjapanese.com, joyofchinese.com, joyofkorean.com, joyoffrench.com, and joyofspanish.com.

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    • Join any learning center or find a teacher. Alternatively, use some resources like books, podcasts, apps, etc.

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