US-based Malaysian comedian Ronny Chieng is taking over the world of entertainment not only with his hilarious stand-ups but also with his epic movies and TV shows. With his sharp wit, clever observations and unapologetic humour, Chieng has become a household name, seamlessly blending his Asian perspective with American cultural commentary. His comedic career began in Melbourne, Australia, where he skillfully juggled open mic nights with his university studies.
His career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric, with three Netflix specials — Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America! (2019), Speakeasy (2022) and the latest Love To Hate It! (2024) — further establishing his status as a comedy genius.
Chieng’s talents, however, extend far beyond the stand-up stage. His impressive resume boasts an array of blockbuster films, including Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Godzilla vs Kong (2021), as well as critically acclaimed roles in sci-fi horror movies like M3GAN (2022), the John Cena starrer Vacation Friends 2 (2023) and Jerry Seinfeld’s directorial debut, Unfrosted (2024).
Even on streaming platforms, Chieng has showcased his acting chops in the Australian series Ronny Chieng: International Student (2017) — a comedy that draws from his days of navigating college as a law student at the University of Melbourne. Additionally, his recent turn as Fatty Choi in the Disney Plus adaptation of Charles Yu’s National Book Award-winning novel, Interior Chinatown, has garnered widespread critical acclaim.
So, what are the best movies and TV shows that showcase the acting chops and comic timing of The Daily Show (earlier The Daily Show with Trevor Noah) correspondent? Let’s dive in and explore the highlights of Chieng’s impressive acting career.
The best movies and TV shows featuring Ronny Chieng that define his filmography
1 /7
Director: Jon M Chu
Other cast members: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Lisa Lu, Gemma Chan
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Synopsis: Rachel Chu (Wu) travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young (Golding), to attend his best friend’s wedding. Upon arrival, Rachel discovers that Nick comes from an extremely influential and wealthy family, and she must now navigate the complexities of high society. As Rachel tries to win over Nick’s disapproving mother, Eleanor (Yeoh), her own identity and relationship with Nick are put to the test.
About the movie: Crazy Rich Asians marked Chieng’s film debut, where he played the memorable role of Nick’s banker cousin Eddie Cheng. Interestingly, Chieng stumbled upon the audition notice in a newspaper and requested his agent to book an audition. His authentic Singaporean accent ultimately landed him the part.
With its talented cast and visually stunning depiction of Singapore’s opulence, Crazy Rich Asians takes a significant step forward in screen representation for Asians while cleverly drawing inspiration from classic rom-com formulas. Chieng’s portrayal of the eccentric and self-absorbed banker adds to the film’s humour and charm.
2 /7
Director: Adam Wingard
Other cast members: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Terry Notary
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
Synopsis: As Kong and his guardians, Dr Ilene Andrews (Hall) and Dr Nathan Lind (Skarsgård), embark on a treacherous journey to find his ancestral home, they cross paths with Godzilla. The two titans clash to establish their authority.
About the movie: Godzilla vs. Kong delivers on its promise of an action-packed spectacle, showcasing incredible visual effects that will leave fans of the franchise awestruck. Chieng plays the smaller role of Jay Wayne in the film.
Godzilla vs. Kong released during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet proved to be a major commercial success grossing USD 470 million worldwide against a production budget of USD 155-200 million.
3 /7
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Other cast members: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Yeoh, Wah Yuen
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Synopsis: Shang-Chi (Liu) is forced to confront his troubled past when he is chased by the mysterious Ten Rings organisation, led by his father Wenwu (Chiu-wai). Alongside his friend Katy (Awkwafina), Shang-Chi must fight the dark forces and save his estranged sister Xialing (Zhang) before the evil organisation finds her.
About the movie: The movie breathes fresh air into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), blending stunning action sequences and witty dialogues. Chieng makes a brief yet memorable appearance as Jon Jon, Xialing’s charismatic right-hand man and an announcer at the secret fighting club she builds after escaping from Wenwu at the age of 16.
The film was a significant commercial success, grossing over USD 432 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2021. A sequel is currently in development.
4 /7
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Other cast members: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Brian Jordan Alvarez
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Synopsis: A brilliant toy company roboticist Gemma (Williams) creates an artificial intelligence doll called M3GAN. Designed to be a child’s companion-cum-protector, M3GAN can listen, watch and learn human behaviour. Forced to become the caretaker of her orphaned eight-year-old niece, Cady (McGraw), Gemma pairs M3GAN with the child, leading to unimaginable and terrifying consequences.
About the movie: M3GAN is an entertaining sci-fi horror film that effortlessly balances humour and technology-driven terror. Chieng brings his on-screen charm to the role of David Lin, Gemma’s demanding boss.
5 /7
Director: Kelvin Yu
Other cast members: Ben Wang, Yann Yann Yeo, Chin Han, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Synopsis: Jin Wang (Wang), a tenth-grade student in the USA, struggles to fit in with his peers because of his Chinese heritage. To make matters worse, he is tasked with showing new exchange student Wei-Chen (Liu) around. But things get interesting when he discovers Wei-Chen is the son of Sun Wukong (Wu), the mythical monkey king.
About the movie: Based on Gene Luen Yang’s 2006 graphic novel of the same name, American Born Chinese masterfully blends Chinese folk tales, mysticism and supernatural elements. The show received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling, impressive action sequences and outstanding performances. Chieng stars as Ji Gong, the Mad Monk, a mythical figure with a rich history in Chinese folklore.
6 /7
Director: Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine
Other cast members: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Synopsis: When Po (Black) is called upon to be the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, he must find a worthy successor to take his place as the Dragon Warrior. Po finds a solution in opponent-turned-friend Zhen (Awkwafina), but their journey is soon disrupted by the formidable villain, Chameleon (Davis).
About the movie: While the animated movie franchise may be starting to show signs of fatigue, the film’s stunning art, engaging storyline and lovable characters ensure that it remains an entertaining watch. Chieng brings his charm to the voice role of Captain Fish, adding to the film’s comedic relief.
7 /7
Director: Charles Yu (creator), Taika Waititi (director)
Other cast members: Jimmy O. Yang, Chloe Bennet, Chloe Bennet, Sullivan Jones
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Synopsis: Willis Wu (O. Yang), a struggling actor, feels trapped in his mundane life as a background character on the procedural cop show Black and White. By day, he waits tables at the Golden Palace, a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, alongside his best friend and co-worker, Fatty Choi (Chieng). However, when Willis inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, he gets embroiled in a complex web of intrigue in Chinatown.
About the movie: Interior Chinatown is based on Charles Yu’s 2020 novel of the same name. Yu, who also serves as an executive producer, collaborated with director Taika Waititi to bring the novel’s surreal and allegorical world to life. The Hulu series explores themes of identity, community and immigration, offering a serious and humorous commentary on the Asian-American experience. Chieng shines as Fatty Choi, bringing his wit and sincerity to the role of Willis’s loyal and lovable friend.
