Best Taiwanese crime movies

The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon (2023)

The arrogant, third most-wanted criminal in Taiwan, decides to get rid of the top two competitors and crowns himself the most-wanted criminal before dying.

Cities of Last Things (2018)

Three key events during three different time periods, in three seasons, and on three nights culminate to change the life of Zhang Dong Ling.

A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

A boy experiences first love, friendships and injustices growing up in 1960s Taiwan.

A Sun (2019)

A family of four fractures under the weight of unmet expectations, unexpected tragedy, and uncompromising pride.

The Abandoned (2023)

When a mysterious corpse is found in a river, a distressed police officer delves into a string of grisly murders as danger quickly approaches.

Who Killed Cock Robin (2017)

An ambitious journalist who witnessed a hit-and-run years ago reboots his investigation led by newly emerged clues. As he beats the clock to save the only survivor after her sudden disappearance, layers of unimaginable dark truths around a corrupted system start peeling.

The Tenants Downstairs (2016)

A loafer inherits an apartment block and lets out the place to a group of tenants, including a lusty gymnastics teacher, a geeky college student, a single father with his young daughter, a gay couple, a writer and a sexy female office worker. An incredible story is about to unfold as they start their lives in the same building.

The Shooting of 319 (2019)

The movie revisits the shooting of then-president Chen Shui-bian and vice president Annette LU on the eve of the presidential election in 2004. After the shooting, the two won the presidential election. Moreover, the crime suspect was drowned in a near port days after the incident. The assassination case has been investigated by the authority for 15 years; however, several questions surrounding the "319 Shooting" remain unanswered to this day. The movie approaches a dark period of Taiwan history and shows the mechanics of power - in a witty and creative way.

The Post-Truth World (2022)

A has-been newscaster Liu Li-min is taken hostage by an escaped inmate Zhang Zheng-yi, who pleads his innocence. To Liu's astonishment, Zhang claims that he was smeared by Liu's departed wife. Thus, Liu teams up with Zhang and reinvestigates Zhang's murder case to help his beloved be cleared of blame. However, the more they get to the bottom of the case, the further the truth is beyond their reach.

Terrorizers (1986)

An uncompromising look into urban life from the eyes of a voyeuristic photographer, a rebellious teenager, and a married couple teetering on the edge of adultery.

The Gangster's Daughter (2017)

A rebellious teen is reunited with her father, a small time Taipei gangster, causing him to question his life of crime.

Rebels of the Neon God (1994)

In Taipei, revenge and love twist the paths of wayward youths.

The Great Buddha (2014)

A Buddha statue, three middle-aged men and a mysterious woman. The unexpected encounter among them creates a story of suspense. Will the Buddha protect everyone of us? or does He choose the right ones at His own will?

The Best of Times (2002)

Although their characters and temperaments couldn't be less alike, 19-year olds Wei and Jie are best friends. They're also neighbours, living with widower fathers and problem siblings in the suburbs of Taipei. When Wei is promoted from the rank of nightclub parking valet to the rank of debt-collector in Brother Gu's gang, he persuades his boss to hire Jie to work alongside him. Things begin to go wrong when they are given a handgun to reward their success in the new job. Always excitable and volatile, Jie becomes reckless and dangerous when he has the gun in his hand. When they try to collect a debt from the boss of a rival gang, a fight erupts and Jie shoots the gang-boss. The boys find themselves on the run. But fate and their youthful dreams still have tricks to play.

Secret Mission (1974)

Intrigue involving corrupt warlords and rebel spies in the Chinese provinces. Rebels take on the warlord power with brains and fearlessness.

Deep Evil (2019)

Wen and Han. As the duo search for clues to identify the headless victim, they find it all pointing to a top plastic surgeon Kao who seems to have a complex history with Han in the past.

Lost in Perfection (2023)

Mei is a beautiful and successful woman in many ways. However, her romantic relationships never go well. One day, Mei’s widowed father tells her he will marry Lan, an ugly and obese murder suspect. Even more shocking is that Lan is accused of being the “Poisonous Widow” who lives a luxurious life by killing her rich husbands. Mei begins to investigate Lan’s background to save her father from being a victim. Bit by bit, Mei is subconsciously influenced by Lan’s twisted views on love, money, and sex.

Ping Pong (2017)

Bad Education (2023)

On the night of their high school graduation, three delinquents decide to exchange their darkest, most unspeakable secret.

You Have To Kill Me (2021)

Police officer Chou is about to propose to his girlfriend Chen. He then receives a homicide case report and follows it to the mountain area. Sadly, the deceased is his girlfriend Chen. Devastated as he is, he tries his best and arrests the murderer Li. However, from Li's confession, Chou learns that Chen has voluntarily let Li kill her. Why do Li and Chen go on a murderous journey together? Or is it Chen who kills herself?

The Perfect Girl (2017)

Yeh Hsin is a top student in criminal psychology while her father is a distinguished cardiologist. Her boyfriend, Lin Miao, is a young forensic specialist. Everything seems perfect for Yeh Hsin until human remains are discovered in her backyard one rainy night. Around the same time Yeh receives a mysterious letter warning her that her life is about to change drastically.

Light (2021)

Haunted by trauma and trapped in sex work, Light meets Shuo, an undercover cop who offers him shelter. But healing isn’t easy—can Light choose a new path?

Maverick (2015)

Soon after a young police officer reports for duty, he is confronted with the unspoken rules. There are people who cannot be questioned and cases that cannot be further investigated. Although he has been sidelined, he refuses to give up the old case. However, having spent so much time and effort, will he find out the truth or some long forgotten conscience?

The Greater Good (2020)

Special Agent Lee is investigating a planned assault on a Congressmen who is tied to a series of GPS Spoofing cyber-attacks globally. The primary suspect is his junior agent Peng's ex, who was part of an underground hacker organization.

Organ Child (2025)

A series of tragic events unfolds after Chang Chi-Mao's daughter goes missing as an infant. Chang becomes consumed by revenge against a powerful criminal organization suspected of kidnapping her. Along the way, he clings to the hope that his daughter may still be alive, determined to rescue her and break free from their dark fate.

The Young Hoodlum (2024)

Cheng-han and his three buddies grew up in dysfunctional and poor families without adults protecting them. One weekend, they meet Pin-ran, who is traveling alone. They have a great time together and Pin-ran joins their “Robinhood” activities and commits crimes: Theft and robberies. However, the boys soon realize that Pin-ran belongs to another world. Cheng-han discovers that he has feelings for Pin-ran. His buddies have other wishes and desires…

Lost in Forest (2023)

Asheng, once a gang member of the Zhongshan District, was sent to jail for 12 years after saving his friend Shaou. He is released and returns to Linsen North Road, his old turf, finding it familiar yet perplexing after being away for so many years. Shaou is now a mob boss with his own turf. When the son of Seagull’s patron, Mr. Xiao, is murdered, the evidence points to up-and-coming mobster Monkey. Shauo tries to ambush Monkey and fails, getting shot by the drugged up gangster instead. Asheng, who initially refused to help Shaou, is now filled with rage and decides to avenge his friend.

Seven Black Heroines (1983)

A group of women with various criminal skills are thrown into prison during World War 2. They escape and proceed to head off to destroy a chemical lab in a well fortified valley.

The Lady Avenger (1981)

The Lady Avenger is about a young woman who is raped by four men and then taken advantage by a fifth. Abandoned by her fiancé, she strikes back at the five wolves. Wild and exciting, filled with nasty violence and highly creative killing sequences, this is Taiwanese exploitation cinema at its furious finest.

Edge of Fury (1978)

A chauffeur is pursued by drug dealers after his boss, a convicted drug kingpin, is sentenced to death.