Cinema Escapist

As China becomes an ever-stronger film market and global power, it’s worth better understanding the nation’s culture. Movies happen to be one of the best ways to do that: which is why Cinema Escapist has compiled this list of the eight best Chinese movies of 2017.

China’s film industry has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. Though I’ll admit things aren’t South Korea-quality, China has made quite a few movies of note during 2017.

This list of top Chinese movies hopes to highlight these films… check it out!

8. Wolf Warrior 2

Chinese title: 战狼2 | Starring: Wu Jing, Celina Jade, Frank Grillo, Hans Zhang

No discussion about Chinese movies in 2017 would be complete without Wolf Warrior 2. This is the highest grossing Chinese movie of ALL TIME, which is no small feat.

Wolf Warrior 2 is a slick action film in which a former Chinese soldier (played by Wu Jing) saves Chinese citizens in an African country. While that might sound pretty normal for Hollywood, this is unprecedented in China. These “foreign intervention” military movies are pretty new for China, and early instances (like the first Wolf Warrior movie) had pretty shoddy quality.

This is a really important film because it not only shows the progress of Chinese moviemaking, but also China’s increasing geopolitical clout.

You can learn more about Wolf Warrior 2 in this article I wrote about it.

7. Kung Fu Yoga

Chinese title: 功夫瑜伽 | Starring: Jackie Chan, Aarif Rahman, Zhang Yixing, Miya Muqi

Talking about geopolitics… I have to mention Kung Fu Yoga, which is a co-production between China and India. Released before the two countries sparred over border disputes this year, Kung Fu Yoga was ridiculously successful at the Chinese box office (#4 overall).

Honestly, this isn’t a very thought-provoking movie. However, it’s worth putting on this list for its significance as a collaboration between the world’s two biggest rising powers. Jackie Chan also headlines the movie, and I have to admit it’s a great guilty pleasure.

6. This is Not What I Expected

Chinese title: 我喜欢你 | Starring: Zhou Dongyu, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Lin Chi-ling

Two of China’s national sweethearts — Zhou Dongyu and Takeshi Kaneshiro — star in this foodie rom-com where Zhou plays a budding hotel chef, and Kaneshiro the wealthy investor who is trying to take over her hotel (remind you of Hotelier much?).

Between mouth-watering scenes of gourmet food, director Xu Hongyu sprinkles playful moments of Zhou and Kaneshiro’s relationship developing — and as an added bonus, Lin Chi-ling makes a guest appearance.

This is Not What I Expected is a perfect, light-hearted film to accompany your travels (or sitting around at home).

5. Our Time Will Come

Chinese title: 明月幾時有 | Starring: Zhou Xun, Eddie Peng, Wallace Huo, Tony Leung

Oh boy, more geopolitics, but also entertainment! This is starting to be a theme! Our Time Will Come is a Chinese World War II movie that features the anti-Japanese resistance during the occupation of Hong Kong.

Technically this is a “China-Hong Kong co-production” but, really, let’s face it, this is a Chinese movie, since one country two systems is a thing. Actually, Our Time Will Come was released on July 1, 2017, which happens to be the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to the PRC. How’s that for political significance?

Anyways, there’s a good amount of action in this movie. Also, the ever-elegant Zhou Xun is the female lead, and that’s always nice to have in a movie.

4. Never Say Die

Chinese title: 羞羞的铁拳 | Starring: Ai Lun, Ma Li, Shen Teng

Ah yes, this is another great movie to have with multiple glasses–oh sorry, bottles– of erguotou. Never Say Die is the highest grossing Chinese comedy of all time.

The plot is pretty simple… a male boxer switches bodies with a female journalist, and crazy stuff happens as a result. Never Say Die‘s comedy is pretty lowbrow, but hey, it works. Why? Because it got a LOT of RMB. Did I mention RMB? Gotta get that red money.

3. Extraordinary Mission

Chinese title: 非凡任务 | Starring: Huang Xuan, Duan Yuhong, Zu Feng

Now we’re starting to get into Chinese movies that don’t necessarily need erguotou to enjoy (although I still recommend ergoutou as a general life happiness measure). In short, Extraordinary Mission talks about a Chinese cop who goes undercover to take down a Southeast Asian heroin gang.

If that sounds to you a lot like Operation Mekong, you’re not alone. I consider this an even better iteration of the “Chinese police shoot up Southeast Asia” genre, if that’s even a thing.

That’s because Extraordinary Mission is directed by Alan Mak, the Hong Kong director who also directed Infernal Affairs (and Initial D, funnily enough). This movie has really high production quality, and its fight scenes are awesome. Highly recommended.