Planning for a quiet Chinese New Year this year with family? It’s not such a bad idea to stay indoors and enjoy some good Chinese New Year movies after a fruitful reunion dinner.
Beginning with the new moon that occurs between January 21 and February 20 (as per the English calendar), the Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is an annual festival that spans over 15 days. This year, it starts on February 10.
The festival is observed in places where the lunisolar calendar is followed. It is celebrated in various Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam with much pomp and show.
If you are planning to stay home this year, you can still bring in some New Year cheer by hosting a get-together with your family and friends. Unsure what to watch? This curated list of Chinese New Year movies can be helpful. So, get your favourite munchies ready for a Chinese New Year movie marathon and enjoy this festive season from the comfort of your home.
The best Chinese New Year movies to watch
1. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow is a master when it comes to perfectly mixing martial arts and comedy, and Kung Fu Hustle is proof of that.
The classic is based on the life of Sing (played by Chow) who wants to join an infamous gang. Sing, later, stumbles upon a community whose members exhibit exceptional kung fu skills. As the story moves ahead, it evolves into a fight between the two sides to defend their turf. Their drive to win will keep viewers hooked on their TV screens. This classic has definitely become one of the best Chinese New Year movies.
The cast includes Xiaogang Feng as Crocodile Gang Boss (as Feng Xiao Gang), Zhihua Dong as Donut (as Zhi Hua Dong), Danny Kwok-Kwan Chan as Brother Sum (as Danny Chan), Tze-Chung Lam as Bone and Siu-Lung Leung as the Beast.
2. Enter The Dragon (1973)
“Everybody was Kung fu fighting” during the 70s. One of the reasons kung fu was such a rage in the movies was because of the legend Bruce Lee. His most popular movie, Enter The Dragon was released in 1973.
The film is still one of the best in the genre and is full of breathtaking stunts that keep you on the edge of your seat. Bruce Lee plays Lee, an undercover agent. He is sent to partake in a tournament in Hong Kong to bust the opium trade at its establishment.
Directed by Robert Clouse, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri, Kien Shih, Robert Wall and Angela Mao portray iconic roles.
3. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Crazy Rich Asians is based on Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel by the same name. The film introduced the world to a part of Singapore that is dripping in luxury, glamour and wealth while following traditions.
The movie revolves around Rachel Chu (Constance Wu). She travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Goulding) to attend his friend’s wedding. She also meets his family and realises that he belongs to one of the richest families in the country. The plot entails the hardships Wu faces while making a place for herself in Young’s family.
The Jon M. Chu directorial includes a star-studded cast of Awkwafina as Peik Lin Goh, Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor Young, Gemma Chan as Astrid Young Teo and Lisa Lu as Ah Ma, among many others.
4. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
The film is about a former soccer star, Golden Leg (Ng Mang Tat). His career comes to an end because of his boss and team coach. The Shaolin follower rounds up his dispirited brothers and forms a soccer team to take part in a tournament for a one-million-dollar prize.
In Shaolin Soccer, Chow essays the role of ‘Mighty Steel Leg Sing’ who has exceptional kung fu skills and thinks Shaolin kung fu is the answer to everything. The group tries to revive their skill set and use martial arts to their advantage.
5. Last Train Home (2009)
Last Train Home revolves around the hardships and sacrifices of 130 million migrant workers who travel back to their villages during the Chinese New Year to meet their children.
The emotional film traces the journey of a couple — Changhua Zhang and Suqin Chen — who, like other migrant workers in their village, have left behind their children in the care of elders to earn money, only to return once a year to celebrate the Lunar New Year with loved ones.
6. All’s Well, Ends Well (1992)
All’s Well, Ends Well follows three Shang brothers. Shang Moon (Raymond Pak-Ming Wong), Shang Foon (Stephen Chow) and Shang So (Leslie Cheung) try to get their love lives on track.The slapstick comedy will leave you in splits as the brothers fight their inner evils while trying to get into the good books of their parents.
Directed by Clifton Ko, the film casts Maggie Cheung, Sandra Kwan Yue Ng, Teresa Mo, Sheila Chan, Heung-Kam Lee and Hoi-San Kwan in prominent roles. The Chinese New Year classic has six sequels.
7. A Guilty Conscience (2023)
It’s impressive that after three years of COVID-19 restrictions, A Guilty Conscience emerged as the highest-grossing Hong Kong film when it came out in 2023. It shows Hongkongers’ appetite not only for movies but for local stories as well.
Bring your popcorn for this courtroom drama. It narrates the story of a single mother (Louise Wong) who has been falsely accused of murder. Together with a headstrong attorney (Dayo Wong), the two fight to clear her name. The movie boasts an ensemble cast consisting of Dayo Wong, Louise Wong, and Tse Kwan-ho.
The sleeper hit came out during Chinese New Year’s Eve and grossed almost HKD 115,000,000. It also received praise for its screenwriting, direction and acting.
(Hero and featured image credits: Sony Pictures)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
