Chinese historical movies

List of the best Chinese historical movies selected by visitors to our site: The Palace, Saving General Yang, 14 Blades, The Lost Bladesman, God of War, Red Cliff, Dragon Blade, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, Aftershock, Little Big Soldier.

In the top there are new films of 2023, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

Markimdb: 5.9
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryChina
Duration01:55

In Qing Dynasty, Chen Xiang and Liuli became maids and friends in the imperial palace. Liuli wanted to be famous whereas Chen Xiang just wanted to live a normal life. Liuli attempted to change her life by knowing the prince, even at the cost of betraying Chen Xiang.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genreadventure, military, history
CountryHong Kong, China
Duration01:42

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.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genreaction, thriller, history
CountryHong Kong, China, Singapore
Duration01:54

Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jinyiwei were masters of the 14 Blades; eight being for torture, five for killing, and the last blade reserved for suicide when a mission failed. An elite force of secret agents with a license to kill, the Jinyiwei devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone. When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch Jia (Law Kar Ying), the best of the Jinyiwei, Qinglong (Donnie Yen) is assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. However unbeknownst to Qinglong, the Jinyiwei have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission Qinglong is betrayed and barely escapes with his life. Now as the most wanted man in the land, Qinglong must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.

Markimdb: 5.9
Genreaction, drama, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration01:49

During the warring period of the three kingdoms, ancient China is in turmoil. To unify the country, general Cao Cao (Jiang Wen), the real power behind the Emperor, enlists the aid of the greatest warrior in the land, Guan Yu (Donnie Yen). However, Guan Yu is a loyal friend of Cao Cao's enemy Liu Bei (Alex Fong) so to persuade the peerless warrior to fight, Cao Cao takes his beloved Qi Lan (Sun Li) hostage. After leading Cao Cao's forces to victory Guan Yu sets out with Qi Lan to rejoin Liu Bei. But now Cao Cao has deemed him too great a threat to live, and on the journey he must face all the forces at the Emperor's command sent to destroy him.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genreaction, military, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration01:43

During the 16th century, pirates rule the Chinese coastline, pillaging the small villages and terrorizing the citizens. When maverick leader Commander Yu enlists the help of a sharp young general, they devise a plan to defeat the pirates. A violent clash of wit and weapons will decide who will rule the land.

Markimdb: 7.3
Genreaction, drama, military, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea
Duration02:28

In 208 A.D., in the final days of the Han Dynasty, shrewd Prime Minster Cao convinced the fickle Emperor Han the only way to unite all of China was to declare war on the kingdoms of Xu in the west and East Wu in the south. Thus began a military campaign of unprecedented scale. Left with no other hope for survival, the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu formed an unlikely alliance.

Markimdb: 5.9
Genreaction, fantasy, drama, adventure, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:01

Huo An, the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions, was framed by evil forces and becomes enslaved. On the other hand, a Roman general escapes to China after rescuing the Prince. The heroic duo meet in the Western Desert and a thrilling story unfolds.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genreaction, drama, history
CountryHong Kong, China
Duration01:46

    Seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was responsible for his teacher's death (Huo Yuanjia) in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. A mysterious stranger arrives from overseas and befriends a local mafia boss. That man is a disguised Chen Zhen, who intends to infiltrate the mob when they form an alliance with the Japanese. Disguising himself as a caped fighter by night, Chen intends to take out everyone involved as well as get his hands on an assassination list prepared by the Japanese.

    Markimdb: 7.5
    Genredrama, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration02:16

    Based on the Tangshan Earthquake in 1976 that took the lives of 240,000 people.

    Markimdb: 6.9
    Genreaction, comedy, adventure, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration01:32

    The story of a farmer forced into conscription, who has been looking to get out of the army ever since. His great chance arrives when he stumbles upon a wounded general from an enemy state, and he kidnaps him, intending to claim credit for the capture, which includes five "mu" of land, and most importantly, honorable discharge from the army.

    Markimdb: 6.3
    Genreaction, drama, history
    CountryTaiwan, China, Hong Kong, France
    Duration01:45

    A female assassin during the Tang Dynasty who begins to question her loyalties when she falls in love with one of her targets.

    Markimdb: 8.1
    Genremelodrama, drama, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong, Taiwan
    Duration02:05

    China in the 1920s. After her father's death, 19 year old Songlian is forced to marry the much older lord of a powerful family. With three wives already, each living in a separate house within the great castle, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained. This competition gets out of hand...

    Markimdb: 5.8
    Genreaction, melodrama, drama, history
    CountryHong Kong, China

    After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, Germany, China, USA
    Duration02:15

    Iin 1930s Shanghai, 'The White Countess' is both Sofia—a fallen member of the Russian aristocracy—and a nightclub created by a blind American diplomat, who asks Sofia to be the centerpiece of the world he wants to create.

    Markimdb: 7.6
    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration02:26

    A Westerner finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety.

    Markimdb: 7.1
    Genredrama, military, history
    CountryChina
    Duration02:10

    A group of performing art troupe members each face their own trials and tribulations in Chengdu; from escaping a family scandal to dealing with unrequited love, each experiences rejection that shapes their lives.

    Markimdb: 8.3
    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountryUSA, United Kingdom, India, Spain, Canada, China

    At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers.

    Markimdb: 6.6
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryChina, USA

    The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

    Markimdb: 5.7
    Genreaction, drama, history
    CountryChina
    Duration02:00

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

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
    CountryChina, Japan, South Korea, USA
    Duration02:08

    During the Chinese Revolution in 1949, three couples flee from China to an island of Taiwan.

    Markimdb: 7.1
    Genremelodrama, drama, history
    CountryChina, France
    Duration02:20

    Country girl Yu Hong leaves her village, her family and her lover to study in Beijing. At university, she discovers an intense world of sexual freedom and forbidden pleasure. Enraptured, compulsive, she falls madly in love with fellow student Zhou Wei. Driven by obsessive passions they can neither understand nor control, their relationship becomes one of dangerous games - betrayals, recriminations, provocations - as all around them, their fellow students begin to demonstrate, demanding democracy and freedom.

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genrefantasy, melodrama, detective, biography, history
    CountryChina, Japan, Hong Kong
    Duration02:03

    During the Late Tang Dynasty, a manor is invaded by a demon cat and a sense of unrest befalls the capital of Changan. A poet is charged with investigating the case and meets up with a monk. The two work together and pull apart the thread of clues to reveal a history of truths leading to the events.

    Markimdb: 6.7
    Genreaction, military, biography, history
    CountryUSA, China, Canada, Hong Kong

    The story of the soldiers and aviators who helped turn the tide of the Second World War during the iconic Battle of Midway in June 1942.

    Markimdb: 6.6
    Genreaction, detective, history
    CountryChina
    Duration01:42

    An imperial guard searches for the truth behind a conspiracy that framed him and his partners. The proof of his innocence lies with a wanted woman named Bei Zhai... but will she reveal what she knows? In this intense prequel to BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES, the only thing he can truly trust is his sword.

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genredrama, history
    CountryChina
    Duration02:02

    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.

    Markimdb: 6.1
    Genredrama, history
    CountryChina, USA
    Duration02:00

    A story set in 19th century China and centered on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid cultural norms imposed on women.

    Markimdb: 7.7
    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration02:13

    City of Life and Death takes place in 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Imperial Japanese Army has just captured the then-capital of the Republic of China, Nanjing. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a period of several weeks wherein tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed.

    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong

    Korean War, winter 1950. In the frozen and snowy area of Changjin Lake, a bloody battle is about to begin between the elite troops of the United States and China.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genreaction, melodrama, drama, adventure, military, history
    CountryHong Kong, China
    Duration02:06

    A heroic tale of three blood brothers and their struggle in the midst of war and political upheaval. It is based on "The Assassination of Ma," a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) story about the killing of general Ma Xinyi.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genreaction, military, history
    CountryUSA, China, Canada

    A first-time captain leads a convoy of allied ships carrying thousands of soldiers across the treacherous waters of the “Black Pit” to the front lines of WW2. With no air cover protection for 5 days, the captain and his convoy must battle the surrounding enemy Nazi U-boats in order to give the allies a chance to win the war.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genrethriller, detective, history
    CountryChina

    A pawn tries to get rid of a traitorous minister, Qin Hui, when he leads an army to the border for talks with a Jurchen mission.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genrethriller, drama, military, history
    CountryChina

    Follows the story of underground workers who risked their lives to send intelligence and defend the motherland, set after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor when the Wang Jingwei regime declared war on Britain and the U.S.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genreaction, military, history
    CountrySouth Korea
    Duration01:34

    Kingdom of Goguryeo, ancient Korea, 645. The ruthless Emperor Taizong of Tang invades the country and leads his armies towards the capital, achieving one victory after another, but on his way is the stronghold of Ansi, protected by General Yang Man-chu, who will do everything possible to stop the invasion, even if his troops are outnumbered by thousands of enemies.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genrehorror, detective
    CountryUSA, Canada, United Kingdom
    Duration02:30

    Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

    Markimdb: 5.5
    Genrehorror, thriller, drama, detective
    CountryUSA

    A series of down-on-their-luck individuals enter the decrepit and spine-chilling Rialto theater, only to have their deepest and darkest fears brought to life on the silver screen by The Projectionist – a mysterious, ghostly figure who holds the nightmarish futures of all who attend his screenings.

    Markimdb: 5.7
    Genreaction, comedy, adventure, family, military, history
    CountryChina
    Duration01:54

    A railroad worker in China in 1941 leads a team of freedom fighters against the Japanese in order to get food for the poor.

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genrethriller, drama, crime, detective, history
    CountryHong Kong, China
    Duration02:00

    An espionage thriller set in the 1950s and adapted from the novel "Year Suan/Plot Against" by May Jia. Tony Leung Chiu Wai plays a blind man who works for a piano tuner. He is recruited for a spy mission because of his exceptional hearing.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
    CountryChina
    Duration01:31

    An old leper who owned a remote sorghum winery dies. Jiu'er, the wife bought by the leper, and her lover, identified only as "my Grandpa" by the narrator, take over the winery and set up an idealized quasi-matriarchal community headed by Jiu'er. When the Japanese invaders subject the area to their rule and cut down the sorghum to make way for a road, the community rises up and resists as the sorghum grows anew.

    Markimdb: 3.2
    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountryChina

    An American pilot is sent to a Chinese province to teach a crew of would-be pilots how to fly war planes against the Japanese during World War II.

    Markimdb: 6.7
    Genreaction, drama, crime, biography, history
    CountryHong Kong, China
    Duration00:59

    An illegal immigrant from Mainland China sneaks into the corrupt British-colonized Hong Kong in 1963, transforming himself into a ruthless drug lord.

    Markimdb: 6.1
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryChina
    Duration02:05

    In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.

    Markimdb: 6.4
    Genreaction, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration02:21

    Based on the real life story of an incident in 1946 during the Chinese Civil War, the film involves a communist reconnaissance team soldier Yang Zirong who disguised himself as a bandit to infiltrate a local gang of bandits, eventually helping the main communist force to destroy the bandits. Based on the novel "Tracks in the Snowy Forest" by Qu Bo.

    Markimdb: 5.5
    Genredrama, history
    CountryChina

    In the year 198 BC, Cao Cao (Chow Yun Fat), Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, ventured to the east and defeated China's greatest warrior Lu Bu, terrifying every ambitious warlord across the country. Several years later, after taking the Han Emperor under his wing, Cao crowns himself King of Wei. He built a magnificent Bronze Sparrow Island to symbolize his power and rumors spread that he would replace the Emperor. Meanwhile, young lovers Mu Shun (Hiroshi Tamaki) and Ling Ju (Liu Yi-Fei) are taken from a prison camp to a hidden tomb, where they spend five cruel years together, training as assassins for a secret mission. In the year 220 BC astronomical signs predict dramatic change. As a result, Cao's son Cao Pi (Yau Sam-Chi) and Cao's followers urge Cao to become the new Emperor - but unknown opposing forces plot against him.

    Markimdb: 6.1
    Genreaction, drama, history
    CountryChina
    Duration02:15

    White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, which ruled Imperial China from 221 to 206 BC. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, became leaders of the rebellious army, and also became sworn brothers in battle.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are close friends who both serve King Huai of Chu. King Huai uses a plot, saying that whoever can subvert the Qin kingdom in Guanzhong would be the Lord Qin, in order to benefit from the competition between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu is over-confident. He fights against the main force of Qin army, and entrusts Liu Bang with Yu Ji, the woman he loves.Liu Bang expresses his love to Yu Ji and takes the chance to invade Guanzhong first when most of Qin army is outside fighting against Xiang Yu’s army.

    Markimdb: 7.2
    Genremelodrama, drama, history
    CountryChina, France
    Duration01:49

    Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer remembers him.

    Markimdb: 6.3
    Genreaction, crime, history
    CountryChina

    A martial arts-infused spy thriller set in 1937 Beijing. A time when China was lurching between revolution, prosperity, and chaos.

    Markimdb: 6.7
    Genreaction, melodrama, adventure, history
    CountryHong Kong, China
    Duration01:49

    Master Wong and his disciples enroll in the 'Dancing Lion Competition' to stop an assassination plot and to battle an arrogant, deceitful opponent.

    Markimdb: 6.6
    Genrethriller, drama, history
    CountryChina

    In the puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s, four Communist party special agents, after returning to China, embark on a secret mission. Sold out by a traitor, the team find themselves surrounded by threats on all sides.

    Markimdb: 7.2
    Genreaction, drama, military, history
    CountrySouth Korea, China
    Duration02:13

    In 1375, China was in chaos between Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Coryo (an ancient kingdom of Korea then) sent a delegation of many diplomats, soldiers and a silent slave to make peace with the new Chinese government. However, this delegation got charged as spies and sent in exile to a remote desert.

    Markimdb: 5.7
    Genreaction, drama, adventure, military, history
    CountryChina, Hong Kong
    Duration01:40

    At the beginning of the 20th century, China is in a state of crisis. The country is split into warring factions, the citizens are starving, and recent political reforms have made matters worse, not better. The ruling Qing Dynasty, led by a seven-year-old emperor, and his ruthless mother, Empress Dowager Longyu is completely out of touch after 250 years of unquestioned power. Huang Xing has recently returned from Japan, where he has studied the art of modern warfare. When he finds his country falling apart, he feels he has no choice but to pick up the sword.




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