There’s no denying the fact that the OTT has wholly changed our content consumption habits. Language is no longer a barrier, allowing us to transcend borders and immerse ourselves in diverse worlds. If you are looking for some new and exciting foreign language content, there’s a lot to explore from the Chinese entertainment industry. From martial arts epics to heartwarming romances and visionary science fiction, these films offer a diverse glimpse into China’s rich cinematic landscape. Embark on a cinematic journey through some of the most compelling Chinese movies streaming on Netflix.
7 engrossing Chinese movies to watch on Netflix that are high on action and thrill
1. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a cult classic for martial arts and is often cited as one of the greatest kung fu movies ever made. The movie revolves around San Te, a young man who seeks revenge against the oppressive Manchu government after his family is killed. He trains in Shaolin martial arts and eventually becomes a master, creating the 35th and 36th chambers to teach others. The movie makes for a compelling watch with its intense training scenes, gravity-defying fight sequences, and the charismatic performance of Gordon Liu as San Te. It has had a significant influence on martial arts cinema, inspiring filmmakers to make similar movies.
2. The Yinyang Master (2021)
This engrossing Chinese epic fantasy drama is based on the popular video game Onmyoji, set in a world where demons, gods, and humans co-exist. The narrative follows a group of Yinyang Masters tasked with maintaining the balance between the mortal realm and the spirit realm. The plot primarily revolves around Yinyang master Qing Ming, a human-demon officer, navigating between the three realms while fighting adversaries who seek his downfall. The movie features a star-studded cast featuring Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Qu Chuxiao, and William Chan. It was praised for its stunning visual effects, elaborate production design, and engaging storyline.
3. The Wandering Earth (2019)
The plot is set in a distant future where the sun is expanding threateningly and will engulf Earth in about 100 years. To survive, humanity builds massive thrusters on the planet’s surface to propel the Earth out of its orbit and towards a new star system. The story follows a group of people, including a father and son, who become instrumental in this mission. The movie combines elements of drama, disaster, survival, and space opera. Impressive special effects and an imaginative portrayal of futuristic technology make the movie an enchanting watch.
4. Love O2O: The Movie (2016)
Based on the eponymous novel by Gu Man, this romantic comedy follows the blossoming romance between Xiao Nai, a gaming expert, and Bei Wei Wei, a skilled player in an online role-playing game. After being highly impressed with Wei Wei’s gaming skills, Xiao Nai tries to win her heart, both in the virtual and the real world. The use of gaming terminology like ‘experience points’ and ‘level up’ adds a playful touch to the narrative, given the gaming theme of their relationship. The title Love O2O stands for ‘Love Online to Offline’, reflecting the transition of their relationship from virtual to real. The movie is a sweet and heartwarming portrayal of modern romance.
5. A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora’s Box (1995)
This fantasy comedy movie is loosely based on the 16th-century classic Chinese literary work titled Journey to the West and is a comedic reimagining of the story. Stephen Chow stars as the mischievous Monkey King. While travelling to fetch an ancient Buddhist scripture, Monkey King betrays his master, Longevity Monk, after being bored of his nagging. However, the master pleads to the Gods and asks them to forgive the Monkey King. He is then reincarnated as Joker and, after opening a mysterious time portal, learns of his true identity. Joker takes it upon himself to complete his master’s journey and time travels to save a woman, crossing paths with mythical creatures and overcoming numerous challenges. The second part is called A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella, and both movies combined to make A Chinese Odyssey.
6. Warriors of Future (2020)
This sci-fi actioner is a post-apocalyptic thriller set in 2055. Earth has almost become a difficult place to live due to the excessive use of military robots, pollution, and global warming. Children are born with birth defects, and humanity is facing a survival crisis while living in Skynets, which are built to protect livable cities. The Earth is on the verge of destruction when a meteor strikes and an alien plant emerges. While the plant grows alarmingly, scientist Dr Chan charts a plan to halt the planet’s growth by tweaking its genome. Soldiers Tyler and Johnson Cheng are enlisted to destroy the plant. The plot then takes an interesting turn as the fight for survival begins. It combines elements of science fiction, action, and adventure, creating an engaging and visually stunning cinematic experience.
7. Connected (2008)
The action-thriller is a remake of the American movie Cellular, which starred Chris Evan, Kim Basinger, and Jason Statham, among others. The film follows Grace, kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned house. Somehow, she fixes a broken phone and calls a debt collector, Bob. She requests his help finding and saving her daughter and tracking her location to be reduced. What ensues is an action-packed journey with Bob helping Grace and struggling to keep his promise to his son, who is leaving for Australia. The movie is known for its suspenseful plot, fast-paced action sequences, tense atmosphere, engaging storyline and strong performances.
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