Chinese historical movies

List of the best Chinese historical movies selected by visitors to our site: Dragon Blade, Red Cliff, Aftershock, Raise the Red Lantern, Youth, God of War, The Palace, The Assassin, 14 Blades, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen.

In the top there are new films of 2021, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

Markimdb: 6
Genreaction, fantasy, drama, adventure, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:01
CharactersHeroes, Military, Soldier
PlotWar, Adventure, Martial Arts, Martial Arts, Rivalry
PlaceDeserts, China
StyleExciting, Epic, Serious

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: 7.4
Genreaction, drama, military, 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: 7.5
Genredrama, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:16
CharactersTwins
PlotDisasters, Earthquake, Adoption
PlaceChina, Asia
StylePsychological problems, Soulful, Atmospheric, Fascinating, Epic

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

Markimdb: 8.1
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Duration02:05
CharactersLovers
PlotJealousy, Intrigue
PlaceChina
StyleAtmospheric

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: 7.1
Genredrama, military, history
CountryChina
Duration02:10
CharactersVeterans
PlotLove, Death, Ballet
PlaceChina
StylePatriotic, Serious

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: 6.4
Genreaction, military, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration01:43
CharactersPirates, Samurai, Lovers
PlotWar, Kung Fu, Martial Arts, Rivalry
Time16th century

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: 5.9
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryChina
Duration01:55
CharactersMaids
PlotLove, Harem
PlaceChina
Time18th century

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
Genreaction, drama, history
CountryTaiwan, China, Hong Kong, France
Duration01:45
CharactersKillers
PlotLove, Passion, Relationship, Death, Mystery
PlaceChina
StyleBeautiful landscapes

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

Markimdb: 6.3
Genreaction, thriller, history
CountryHong Kong, China, Singapore
Duration01:54
CharactersHeroes, Emperors
PlotMartial Arts, Uprising, Rivalry
PlaceVillage, China, Asia
StyleExciting, Epic, Serious, For men, Disturbing

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: 6.3
Genreaction, drama, history
CountryHong Kong, China
Duration01:46
CharactersHeroes
PlotMartial Arts, Revenge, Rivalry
PlaceChina, Asia
StyleExciting, Heavy, Patriotic, Serious, For men

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: 6
Genreaction, drama, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration01:49
CharactersHeroes, Military
PlotMartial Arts, Rivalry
StyleExciting

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: 5.9
Genreaction, melodrama, drama, history
CountryHong Kong, China
CharactersHeroes
PlotAdventure, Martial Arts, Love triangle, Intrigue
PlaceChina, Asia
StyleAction, Fascinating, Epic, Serious, For men

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

Markimdb: 6.4
Genreadventure, military, history
CountryHong Kong, China
Duration01:42
CharactersHeroes, Military, Soldier
PlotWar, Martial Arts
PlaceAsia
StyleExciting, Epic, Serious, For men, Disturbing

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: 6.7
Genreaction, military, biography, history
CountryUSA, China, Canada, Hong Kong
CharactersMilitary, Soldier, Emperors
PlotWar, On real events, Revenge, Sea battles, Aviation
PlaceSubmarines, Sea, Ocean, Warships, Japan
TimeWorld War II

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: 6.2
Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
CountryChina, Japan, South Korea, USA
Duration02:08
CharactersMilitary, Refugees
PlotRevolution
StyleFascinating

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

Markimdb: 7.6
Genreaction, drama, military, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:26
CharactersStudents, Priests
PlotWar, On real events, Friendship, Death, Self-sacrifice
PlaceChina
TimeWorld War II
StyleHeavy, Touching, Depressive, Serious

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.

Genreaction, drama, military, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
TimeCold War

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: 7.8
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryChina
Duration01:29
CharactersTeachers, Family, Fathers, Businessmen, Parents
PlotPassion, Money, Death, Funeral
PlaceVillage, School, College, China, Beach

Prompted by the death of his father and the grief of his mother, a man recalls the story of how they met in flashback.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryChina, France
Duration02:20
PlotPassion, Revolution, Political, True love
PlaceCollege, China
StyleRomantic, Atmospheric, Touching, Serious

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: 5.7
Genreaction, drama, history
CountryChina
Duration02:00
PlotOn real events, Fight, Rivalry
PlaceChina, Asia
StyleExciting, Epic, Serious

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

Markimdb: 7
Genrethriller, drama, history
CountryChina
CharactersSpecial agents
PlaceChina

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: 7.5
Genrethriller, melodrama, drama, military, history
CountryTaiwan, USA, Hong Kong, China
Duration02:37
CharactersSpy, Students, Lovers, Actors
PlotSeduction
PlaceChina, Asia
StyleFascinating, Patriotic, Smart, Explicit scenes, Serious

During World War II a secret agent must seduce, then assassinate an official who works for the Japanese puppet government in Shanghai. Her mission becomes clouded when she finds herself falling in love with the man she is assigned to kill.

Markimdb: 7
Genreaction, military, history
CountryUSA, China, Canada
CharactersCaptain of the ship
PlotWar, On real events, Shipwreck
PlaceSea, Submarines, Ships, Ocean, Warships
TimeWorld War II
StylePatriotic

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: 7.3
Genreaction, drama, military, biography, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:04
PlotWar
StyleAction, Depressive

Follows a soldier trying to gain recognition for comrades who died in 1948, at a turning point in the civil war between the communists and the nationalist forces of the Kuomintang (KMT).

Markimdb: 5.1
Genredrama, military, history
CountryChina
CharactersGenerals
PlotOn real events
PlaceChina

The Founding of an Army is a 2017 Chinese film commissioned by China's government to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genreaction, drama, military, history
CountryChina, Hong Kong
Duration02:13
CharactersMilitary
PlotWar
PlaceChina, Asia
TimeWorld War II
StyleSoulful, Heavy, Epic, Depressive, Serious

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.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Italy, France, China
Duration02:46
CharactersTeachers, Heroes, Emperors
PlotOn real events, Political, Divorce, Buddhism
PlaceRussia, China, Moscow
TimeWorld War II
StyleAtmospheric, Epic, Serious

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

Markimdb: 6.2
Genrefantasy, melodrama, detective, biography, history
CountryChina, Japan, Hong Kong
Duration02:03
CharactersDemons, Lovers, Poets, Cats, Emperors
PlotKung Fu, Investigation, Mystery, Death, Supernatural
PlaceChina
StyleAction, Fascinating, Tense

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, detective, history
CountryChina
Duration01:42
CharactersSoldier, Emperors
PlotKung Fu, The escape, Death
PlaceChina

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: 6.8
Genreaction, drama, military, history
CountryChina
PlotOn real events

In 1937, eight hundred Chinese soldiers fight under siege from a warehouse in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield, completely surrounded by the Japanese army.





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