Best Hong Kong history movies
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch history films from Hong Kong, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The Grandmaster 2013
Ip Man's peaceful life in Foshan changes after Gong Yutian seeks an heir for his family in Southern China. Ip Man then meets Gong Er who challenges him for the sake of regaining her family's honor. After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man moves to Hong Kong and struggles to provide for his family. In the mean time, Gong Er chooses the path of vengeance after her father was killed by Ma San.
67Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993
This film is a glimpse into the life, love and the unconquerable spirit of the legendary Bruce Lee. From a childhood of rigorous martial arts training, Lee realizes his dream of opening his own kung-fu school in America. Before long, he is discovered by a Hollywood producer and begins a meteoric rise to fame and an all too short reign as one the most charismatic action heroes in cinema history.
73The Legend Is Born: Ip Man 2010
The remarkable true story of the early life of Ip Man, the formidable kung fu genius who would become Bruce Lee's mentor; beginning at the start of his journey from his initial training through to the ultimate battle to become supreme master of the art of Wing Chun.
72Men Behind the Sun 1988
The film is a graphic depiction of the war atrocities committed by the Japanese at Unit 731, the secret biological weapons experimentation unit of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The film details the various cruel medical experiments Unit 731 inflicted upon the Chinese and Soviet prisoners at the tail-end of the war.
61The Kung Fu Cult Master 1993
A wild and rollicking martial arts fantasy extravaganza that features prized swords and swordsmen, a crazy monk attached to a rolling boulder, serious clan and cult rivalries, and lots of magic and flying.
65One Second 2020
A movie fan escapes from a labour camp during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and strikes up a relationship with a homeless female vagabond.
68The Banquet 2006
Crown Prince Wu Luan is in love with Little Wan but left heartbroken when she marries his father, the emperor. The emperor's brother, Li, kills him and Wu Luan tries to avenge his father's death.
68An Empress and the Warriors 2008
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
63Last Hero in China 1993
Jet Li stars in this comic spectacle as a Chinese "Robin Hood" who stumbles upon a kidnapping scheme after unwittingly opening a martial arts school next to a brothel!
72On Wings of Eagles 2016
Eric Liddell - China's first gold medalist and one of Scotland's greatest athletes - returns to war-torn China.
63Saving General Yang 2013
When a rival nation sends troops to invade the Song Dynasty, the emperor sends general Yang Ye (Adam Cheng) to defend the nation. However, Yang's place in the court is shaky due to a feud with Pan Renmei caused by the accidental death of his son at the hands of one of Yang's sons. At the battle, Yang is abandoned by Pan's troops, leaving him trapped in the face of an attack by Yeli Yuan (Shao Bing), an enemy general who wants to kill Yang to avenge his father. After learning about their father's predicament, Yang Ye's seven sons set out to rescue their father at any cost.
59Once Upon a Time in China IV 1993
Wong Fei Hung must deal with both foreign threats and the nationalist Red Lantern Society in this continuation of the popular kung fu series.
61The New One-Armed Swordsman 1971
Lei Li lost his right-arm in a sword duel with the master of a martial arts school, long ago. Now, he is able to defend himself well with just his left arm, and kung fu techniques. That he proves with just the help of his friend Chung-Chieng, when he crosses his path with a beautiful girl in need, Pao Chiao. Even against impossible odds, he will prove a great warrior.
703-D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy 2011
Loosely based on a 17th century erotic Chinese story named The Carnal Prayer Mat, the story follows a young scholar named Yangsheng who gets married to the beautiful daughter of a local merchant. When their sex life proves unsatisfactory, Yangsheng leaves home and journeys to the Pavilion of Ultimate Bliss.
48Anita 2021
This long-awaited biopic provides a vivid account of the remarkable life of Anita Mui in and behind the limelight, chronicling her journey from a child performer to becoming one of world's most recognized music icons.
70Princess Yang Kwei-fei 1955
In eighth century China, the Emperor is grieving over the death of his wife. The Yang family wants to provide the Emperor with a consort so that they may consolidate their influence over the court. General An Lushan finds a distant relative working in their kitchen whom they groom to present to the Emperor. The Emperor falls in love with her and she becomes the Princess Yang Kwei-fei. The Yangs are then appointed important ministers, though An Lushan is not given the court position he covets. The ministers misuse their power so much that there is a popular revolt against the Yangs, fueled by An Lushan.
63Lover of the Last Empress 1995
The story of an innocent girl who is destined to become one of the emperor´s concubines. Initially she suffers from a loss of innocence and the intrigues of the other concubines but over the course of time she becomes less and less scrupulous and finally is impregnated by the emperor and thus becomes his wife - the empress of China. However, her "career" has corrupted her once innocent soul and so, after the emperor dies she rules the land with terror.
65Septet: The Story of Hong Kong 2022
A seven-part anthology film exploring the history of Hong Kong from the 1940s to present day.
64Not Scared to Die 1973
Historical movie set during the Japanese occupation of China during WWII. Jackie Chan is one of the good guys but has nothing much more than a supporting role.
61The Heroic Ones 1970
A Mogul king decides to take stealthy action to help overpower his greatest rivals. He chooses nine out thirteen of his loyal generals to embark on the mission. However, jealously amongst them sparks a treacherous family feud that could lead to catastrophic consequences for all involved.
69Queen of Underworld 1991
Popular Hong Kong actress Amy Yip plays Sister Har -- a seminal figure in 1960s and '70s Hong Kong nightlife -- in this biographical film that follows the scenester's rise and fall from the upper echelons of society to the glamour and excess of Hong Kong's teeming underworld. A truly fascinating portrait of the allure and excess that were part of the fabric of Asia's favorite playground.
67Heroes Two 1974
A band of fighting Ming Dynasty loyalists branded as enemies of the state are driven underground following the burning of the Shaolin Temple by Qing Dynasty officials. Due to a misunderstanding, Shaolin kung fu prodigy Fong Sai-yuk is duped into helping Qing agents to capture leading Shaolin rebel Hung Hei-gun. Upon discovering his mistake, Sai-yuk teams up with the remaining rebels to free Hei-gun before his planned execution. Plotting to stop them is General Che Kang, a formidable Tibetan kung fu master who commands an army of fighters including four deadly Tibetan llamas.
70Weeds on Fire 2016
Inspired by the true story of Hong Kong’s first teenage baseball team. In the 1980s, two childhood friends join the Shatin Martins, a Band 3 school baseball team managed by the school principal. From these humble beginnings, the boys experience camaraderie, fall in love and make fateful decisions that resonate throughout their lives amid a changing Hong Kong and its sporting world.
66Black Sun: The Nanking Massacre 1995
Black Sun: The Nanking Massacre depicts the brutal events behind the Nanking Massacre committed by the Imperial Japanese army against the Chinese people during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
60Young Hero of Shaolin 1976
This film is about Fong Sai-yu going under cover as a servant in the villain's mansion. He is a famous fighter that fights for justice. While at the mansion he met the great Kow Lee played by Tao-Liang Tan also a great fighter that works there for the villain. He recognize Fong Sai-Yu right away and challenge him to a fight because he wanted to match his fighting skill with the famous fighter. At first Fong Sai-Yu declined but eventually agreed after the great Kow Lee threatens to reveal his identity. They met on top of a mountain where they fought to a draw and then became great friends. The great Kow Lee later help Fong Sai-Yu at the end of the film to defeat the villain who was very tough to beat.
100The Soong Sisters 1997
The Soong family was a political dynasty in China that reached the highest levels of power. This film follows the lives of the three Soong daughters, who were educated in America and returned to China. Ai-ling married a wealthy and powerful businessman. Ching-ling married Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary founder of modern China. Mei-ling married Chiang Kai-shek, China's leader during World War II. The sisters captured the world's fascination for their brilliant marriages and their strong influence on their nation.
66Stranger from Shaolin 1977
When her entire family is killed by the occupying Manchus, Yin Wing Chun narrowly escapes to Shaolin temple.
71Back to the Past 2026
The movie sequel to the 2001 TVB drama series, "A Step into the Past".
80Facets of Love 1973
This story is centering around a Ming Dynasty brothel that steams with secret erotic myths, trysts and twists of pleasurable indulgence. A shaw production
68Last Eunuch In China 1987
68No. 1 Chung Ying Street 2018
Four young lives were changed forever when they become involved in the 1967 Hong Kong Leftist Riot; half a century later, another four face similar challenges amidst the Mainland-Hong Kong conflict.
62The Voyage of Emperor Chien Lung 1978
In the 18th century, Emperor Chien Lung makes a journey into Southern China.
70Lady General Hua Mulan 1964
About a woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army.
61Kawashima Yoshiko 1990
This film is based on the life of Kawashima Yoshiko, originally Manchu princess who was the 14th daughter of Emperor Xu, later brought up as a Japanese and served as a spy in the service of the Japanese Kwantung Army and Manchukuo during the Second World War.
57The Adulteress 1963
The noted actress Li Li-hua, star of more than sixty films since 1947, beautifully portrays the drugged, then disgraced wife of a peddler in the waning days of the Ching Dynasty. To make matters worse, she’s soon framed for her husband’s murder by her rapist - the son of the local magistrate! And even that isn’t the end of her woes. It’s best to have a box of tissues nearby as two expert directors ratchet up the emotional suspense in this consummate tearjerker.
63Dearest Anita 2019
In the wake of her passing, fans of the late Hong Kong icon Anita Mui strive to save and return a collection of fan-given gifts that are destined for the landfill. As the items find they way back to the original senders, personal stories of friendship and fandom with the superstar begin to emerge.
58The Dream of the Red Chamber 1962
The Ching Dynasty novel The Dream of The Red Chamber is not only the most widely read, but also the most filmed book in Chinese history. The sprawling love story has proven a challenge to many filmmakers, but this version is acclaimed as the most successful. A sumptuous feature which took three years of planning and another for production, it was a hugely popular and critical hit which still stands out as a classic of both 18th century literature and 1960s moviemaking.
54Legend of a Fighter 1982
This is a powerful, yet fictionalized life story of Huo Yuan Chia, a real kung fu master in Southern China who brought respect to the populace and allowed kung fu to be taught to all Chinese during a time of revolt and low morale in the country's history.
45Reign Behind a Curtain 1983
55Empress Wu 1963
The renowned Li Li Hua plays Wu Ze Tian, the most famous woman in China's four thousand year history.
52The Magnificent Concubine 1962
Perhaps the most notorious concubine in Chinese history, Yang Guifei set a pudgy standard of beauty in her days of glory during the Tang dynasty. The Emperor Minghuang was so besotted with the woman that when An Lushan stages his rebellion against the empire, the ruler takes Yang Guifei along with his imperial entourage in an escape to the mountainous area of modern-day Sichuan, and sanctuary of sorts. But the concubine had roused the jealousy of the court and unfortunately for her and to the great sorrow of the king, her brother and others among the king's retainers demanded she be strangled to death while they were still in the mountains. This is the story told in this interesting Taiwanese adaptation by director Li Han-hsiang (Li Hanxiang).
52Christmas at the Royal Hotel 2019
In 1941, Hong Kong was the Casablanca of the East, a city full of war refugees, profiteers and spies. With the sudden attack by Japanese troops, a Canadian soldier's Christmas promise is broken during the Battle of Hong Kong.
55The Dream of the Red Chamber 1977
Pao-yu is in love with his cousin, Lin Tai-yu, but his family has other marital plans for him that will leave both broken-hearted.
53The Last Tempest 1976
Despite Kuang Hsu's enthronement as the last reigning Emperor of China, his ability to rule effectively is overshadowed by the ever-present power of the Dowager Empress. When his attempts to reform the Imperial system are thwarted by the Dowager Empress, he attempts to curb her power. His efforts are not successful, and this failure leads directly to his own death and the end of Imperial rule in China. The Dowager Empress, though, ends her days comfortably and in peace.
53Romance of the West Chamber 1997
Cheung, a 23-year-old unmarried travelling scholar, stops by the monastery, where he sees a beautiful woman. Against the rules, Monk Faben allows Cheung to stay and woo the girl, Ann-Ann. She is shy, and also the Prime Minister's daughter, so the wooing is arranged by Ann-Ann's maid Hung.
53Golden Gate Girls 2013
The film traces the life and times of Esther Eng, a San Francisco native known as Hong Kong’s first “directress.” She directed 10 Cantonese talkies.
48House of the Rising Sons 2018
The musical biography of the 1970s Hong Kong rock band The Wynners. Starting with their humble beginnings as band causing noise in the neighborhood, through to their career of massive stars throughout Asia.
44Inside the Forbidden City 1965
It seems that Li Zhenfei was once an imperial concubine, who often found herself competing with her rival Madame Liu for the emperor's sole, undivided attention. When Li gives birth to the Emperor's child, the jealous Liu switches the boy with a cat and commands a servant named Kou Zhu to kill the baby. However, Kou Zhu ignores the order and gives the prince-to-be to the emperor's brother, a decision which eventually leads to the boy being adopted by the emperor himself! But as fate would have it, to go along with his new son, the emperor has a new wife as well - Madame Liu! As this strange new family unit is being constructed, poor Li Zhenfei has been confined to the forbidden palace, condemned to never see or speak to her son, the prince. But destiny reunites her with her son, but will this family reunion be a happy one? And will Madame Liu finally be punished for her treachery?
43The Great Conqueror's Concubine 1994
Insurrection deposes the tyrannical first emperor of China during the evil Qin Dynasty. Warrior/general Xiang Yu and the cunning peasant Liu Pang join forces to win through civil war. Xiang Yu's weakness for Lady Yu combine with Liu Pang's treachery result in Liu founding the legendary Han dynasty
40Hero of Hong Kong 1949 1994
In 1949, CCP domain the mainland China and many people moved to Hong Kong during this period, especially the soldier of KMT. Hong King Shan, general to embarrass leading his guides escaped to Hong Kong to lived at Tiu Kan Lan, but they were repelled by the other residents. After that, he know Fan, the head of Tsing Pong and a female doctor Sheung Tse Tin. Hon and Sheung fell in love but objected by Sheung’s brother. Fan convinced Hon and his followers to kill the head of black society, Simon, and re-build up the reputation the Tsing Pong ……
40The Amorous Lotus Pan 1964
A woman in an arranged marriage falls in love with her husband's brother.
40Prostitutes in the Years Past: Broken Dreams in the Red Tower - Dong Shiao Wen 1995
40The Butterfly Chalice 1965
The story revolves around Tian Yu Quan (Chin Feng) who rushes to the aid of an elderly fisherman who is bullied by an arrogant relative of the Qiu Shan ministry. In the heat of the ensuing battle he kills the said man and is hence chased by the district's officials. Trying to use the waterway to shake off his enemies, Yu Quan finds a true friend in the old fisherman's bark-stearing daughter, Hu Feng Lian (Ting Hung) who becomes his loyal accomplice. As symbol for his gratitude, Yu Quan bestows Feng Lian with a Butterfly Chalice to reflect their eternal friendship bond...
35The Amorous Lotus Pan 1994
Helmed by the aesthetic Li Han-hsiang, The Amorous Lotus Pan features former Blue Jeans band member Shan Li-wen in a dual role as Wu Sung and Hsimen Ching. The reverse narrative tells the story of Wu Sung, who was pardoned from prison and seek the libidinous Pan Chin-lien (Huang Mei-tsing) to avenge his brother's death. The remorseful Pan recounted her pathetic life, which began when she was traded to the rich Changs as a maid. But she was raped by her master and flirted with Hsimen Ching and other gentleman callers
35Seven Magnificent Kung Fu Kids 1980
The kung-fu kids return to stop an evil dictator.
35A Dream of Red Mansions 1962
A musical adaptation of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'
35Tortured Sex Goddess of Ming Dynasty 2003
Young Ngai planned to castrate himself to enter the palace for richness and fame. On his way, Ngai was attracted by Han, a showgirl from a sex torture show. They then ran away from Sun the eunuch, Ngai’s introducer, who meant to buy Han for sexual torture until death. Same night, Han showed Ngai the greatest sex torturing skills; but in return, after learning so, Ngai killed her in the middle of the torturing and handed her head to Sun for forgiveness…
33The Story of Qin Xiang-Lian 1964
The Story of Qin Xiang-Lian is a Hong Kong Chinese Opera musical starring Jackie Chan in a child role.
25The Monkey Soldiers Come to the Rescue 1963
The Monkey Soldiers Come to the Rescue is a Hong Kong Drama starring Sammo Hung in a child role
25The Peerless Beauty 1953
This is a story of how Ru Ji, a farm girl of Chao Kuo, who sacrificed her own life to save her country and people in the year 257 B.C.
25The Power Over The World 2001
Two brothers who grew up in the countryside and fell in love with the same brothers and sisters, Yun and Tian, decided to make the biggest choice in their lives and go to the big city to break through the world together. With the efforts of the two, he became a famous figure in black and white by chance, and when he reached the highest peak, it was also the most dangerous time.
20Black Rose II 1997
Heroine Black Rose disappeared from the world 30 years ago. Actually she was rejected by the man she loves, Lui Kei, and thus trapped him in a house. 30 years later, Black Rose meets a young man Ah Mo. The girl he loves Tic Tac is kidnapped by the evil Suen Mui Tong (Sour Plum Soup), so he asks Black Rose to help. Lui Kei while trying to talk Black Rose into saving Tic Tac finally falls in love with her. Suen Mui Tong discovers Black Rose is still alive, which brings up the history of hate between Black Rose and her mother...
20Chinese Four Given Names People Prostitute: Li Xiangjun 2005
The ancient costume ethics film "Four Famous Prostitutes: Li Xiangjun", the peerless singer and legendary Li Xiangjun is from Qinhuai, beautiful and charming, and works equally well in poetry and music. After making love with Hou Chaozong, he stayed alone in the empty building and was forced by Ruan Dacheng to serve wine and have fun. Li Xiangjun angrily reprimanded the traitor and was sentenced to hard labor in the palace. Jinling City was destroyed, and Li Xiangjun shaved off her hair to become a nun, and was taken home by Hou Chaozong. After Hou became a nobleman in the Qing Dynasty, she committed suicide in anger. Hou erected a stone tablet for Xiangjun. Containing depression, my husband is ashamed of the small print in this life.
20Shui Hwu Legend 1999
A fantastic film depicting the exploits of the Black Whirlwind knight, Li Kwai: the legendary double axe fighter from the Water Margin.
20The Lord of Hangzhou 1998
Based on a popular folklore from ancient China, THE LORD OF HANGZHOU is the chronicle of Emperor Qianlong's many secret tours to Southern China, and the friendship he developed with Miqi, a big spender from a wealthy family. Their relationship laid the background for what was to follow, as Miqi subsequently headed to the Capital City after losing all his fortunes...
20Stealing the Beauty's Corpse at Night 1955
It is a simple story with a deep meaning. When the beautiful chanteuse Hung (Law Yim-hing) is forced to marry Commander Lau (Lau Hark-suen), her brother (Cheng Wai-sum) interferes but is brutally beaten to death. Hung also falls to her death when she tries to escape. The siblings are only hastily buried in a coffin home, which is haunted soon afterwards. Hung's lover Wong (Wong Chiu-mo) later sneaks into the haunted house hoping to see her for one last time; Lau, meanwhile, insists on inspecting the coffin home and the corpses to prove that ghosts do not exist…The film creates an eerie and uncanny atmosphere with its well-designed camera angles, sound and editing. The haunting looks of the two ghost characters are a nod to Hong Kong's typically told horror stories.
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