Best Chinese history movies

Yellow Earth (1984)

A communist soldier is sent to a remote region of China in order to collect folk songs. Staying with a peasant family (a widower with two small children), he discovers a community whose way of life is completely alien to him, but he gradually wins their trust…

Chang'an (2023)

A few years after the Anshi Rebellion, Tang dynasty military commander Gao Shi suffers a defeat in a battle threatening Chang'an. Trapped in the besieged city, he recalls his lifelong friendship with the acclaimed poet Li Bai.

The Sacrifice (2020)

In 1953 the Korean War is entering the final stage. The People's Volunteer Army of China has launched its last major battle in Kumsong. In order to arrive on time and deliver enough ammo to the Kumsong front line, the soldiers have to defend themselves against the never ending bombardments of enemy bombers and race against time to repair the last bridge, all while facing supply shortages and with inferior equipment.

The Volunteers: To the War (2023)

In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, New China was faced with "internal and external troubles". Since the outbreak of the Korean Civil War, the U.S. military has repeatedly provoked the border between China and North Korea, and civilians have been brutally bombed. In order to maintain the hard-won peace and long-term stability for generations, in October 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteers entered North Korea, and the "Resist US Aid Korea" war kicked off.

Railway Heroes (2021)

The historical story of an enemy fighting the wits and courage of an extraordinary brave group of ordinary heroes known as the "Lunan Railway Brigade" who desperately fight to defend their homeland.

Decisive Engagement: The Liaoxi Shenyang Campaign (1991)

First part of the Decisive Engagement trilogy. Directed by Pingfen Li et al.

Mulan the Heroine (2020)

During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Mulan joined the army for his father and returned with honor. Ten years later, Rouran broke the border again, and Mulan resolutely returned to the battlefield. To save Tuoba, Mulan fell into the enemy. In prison, Mulan saw through Kunpeng's tricks. Kunpeng killed Khan and blamed Mulan. Mulan battled Kunpeng to protect innocent people. The princess pointed out that the real murderer was Kunpeng. Kunpeng was killed in the melee. The chaos subsided. This film celebrates peace and national harmony, and shows that Mulan, as a woman, does not abandon her compatriots, does not abandon her country, and constantly strives for the outstanding quality and family feelings.

Purple Butterfly (2003)

Ding Hui is a member of Purple Butterfly, a powerful resistance group in Japanese occupied Shanghai. An unexpected encounter reunites her with Itami, an ex-lover and officer with a secret police unit tasked with dismantling Purple Butterfly.

The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)

In pre-unified China, the King of Qin sends his concubine to a rival kingdom to produce an assassin for a political plot, but as the king's cruelty mounts she finds her loyalty faltering.

Leap (2020)

After 12 years, the Chinese women's volleyball team again reached the Olympic final. The ups and downs of the Chinese women's volleyball team for more than three decades have slowly spread away.

Hands Up! (2003)

Matchless Mulan (2020)

During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Rouran army invaded the border, and the country called up military residents to go out to battle. To perform the duty for her father, Hua Mulan disguised herself as a man and came to battlefield.

Decisive Engagement: The Huai-hai Campaign (1991)

Winner of the Golden Rooster for Best Film in 1992

Platform (2001)

China’s rapid changes from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, as seen through the lives of four performers in a theater troupe.

The Last Tycoon (2012)

Cheng, a young man who is set up by the chief of police, must leave the life he knows and Qiu, the woman he loves, to start again. After escaping prison Cheng quickly and violently moves his way up the ladder of Shanghais criminal underworld to become on the most powerful mob bosses in Shanghais history. But fame and notoriety take their toll when Cheng finds himself stuck between the looming Japanese army and the scheming local secret service. Matters are only made worse when he bumps into the love of his life QIU, along with her writer husband. Will love re-kindle in the dusk of an era?

Teahouse (1982)

An old teahouse in Beijing serves as the stage for a drama that unfolds over several tumultuous decades of modern Chinese history, from the waning days of the Qing dynasty to the eve of the People's Republic.

A New Old Play (2022)

On a 1980s evening, the topmost clown-actor of the 20th century Sichuan opera, Qiu Fu passes away in an accident and half-unwillingly sets off for the Ghost City under the escort of two underworld officials. Along the way, he meets old friends. As they recall the past, a history of the living is conjured up.

Lady of the Dynasty (2015)

The tragic story of a Tang Dynasty imperial consort who was the favorite of the Emperor Xuanzong.

The Founding of a Republic (2009)

The tale of one man who fought against the tyranny of a ruler and led his people in battle in the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Decisive Engagement: Beiping-Tianjin Campaign (1992)

Winner of the Golden Rooster for Best Film in 1992

Hibiscus Town (1987)

Based on a novel by the same name written by Gu Hua, a melodrama about the life and travails of a young woman who lives through the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution.

Coyote's Deadly Action (2023)

In 1943, in the Lunan area of ​​Shandong Province, Chen Tian Fang, commander of the Lunan Independent Brigade of the Eighth Route Army, led his troops to block the Japanese army. Chief of Staff Lu Chong received an urgent message and mobilized Qin Feng's Canglang Commando to go to Ganyu in the northernmost part of Jiangsu to rescue our party comrade Wang Hua who was imprisoned by the Japanese army. During the rescue process, Wang Hua was attacked and sacrificed. Ouyang Bing's identity as a communist was exposed and he left the military command action team. Through the secret message Wang Hua left on Ouyang Bing before his death, Ouyang Bing learned the location of the tungsten to the west of Shijiagou. The Canglang Commando rushed to Jixiang Village, where the Japanese army was also looking for tungsten. The Canglang Commando and others blocked the Japanese army, withstood the Japanese offensive and successfully transferred the tungsten.

Our Time Will Come (2017)

In Japanese-occupied Hong Kong, a school teacher and her would-be-fiancé link up with Chinese guerrilla fighters, forging their own path to freedom.

Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025)

Under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian army pushes west to destroy the Jin Dynasty, setting its sights on the Song Dynasty next. Amid internal conflicts among martial arts schools, Guo Jing unites the Central Plains' warriors to defend Xiangyang, embodying courage and loyalty in the fight for the nation.

The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death (2024)

The movie focuses on the battle of Cheolwon, where the 63rd Army of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA) was ordered to enter the battlefield of Cheolwon in May 1951, just after a month-long battle, to fight against four divisions of the United Nations Army (UNA). The volunteers fought with bloodshed and finally brought the enemy to the negotiation table.

Sacrifice (2010)

For generations the Zhao family has wielded power, until their mortal enemy TU’AN GU slaughters the entire clan, determined to wipe out their influence forever. But one Zhao baby survives hidden by CHENG YING the doctor who delivered him. When Tu’an Gu learns of the baby’s escape he seizes every infant in the city, vowing to kill them all unless the Zhao baby is surrendered. As the tyrant’s soldiers arrive at Cheng Ying’s home the frantic doctor hides his wife with their own baby whilst surrendering the Zhao child as his own. But his family is discovered; his baby is presumed to be the Zhao heir and murdered along with his wife for harboring the infant. Now set on revenge Cheng Ying enrolls the Zhao orphan into the service of the Tu’an Gu household, plotting to use him as an instrument of vengeance when he comes of age.

The Last Supper (2012)

The story of two warring generals fighting for control of China at the end of the Qin Dynasty.

My War (2016)

Historical drama following the Chinese volunteers sent to fight in the Korean War against the US where they experienced life and death and established profound revolutionary feelings.

Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)

A chronicle of the events that led to the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.

Fall of Ming (2013)