Chinese-produced spy movies offer a fascinating perspective on the genre from Academy Award contender Cliff Walkers to the Top Gun-styled Born to Fly and the ‘wuxia’ films featuring ancient Chinese warriors with superhuman martial arts skills. We’ve also checked out China’s top spy series so you can immerse yourself in a new world of espionage and adventure.
MOVIES
Born to Fly (2023)
A Chinese special operations team headed by elite pilots are ordered to test new fighter jets, challenging the limits of the sky and themselves. If the plot has a familiar ring you are not alone in your thinking - but in this Top Gun knock off pilots are recognized more for their selfless support of China's frontline troops than individual prowess. Born to Fly may lack the humor of its US counterparts but flyboy Lei Yu, chosen to extract 'limit data' from new stealth planes, is still fun to watch. (Apple TV)
Cliff Walkers (2021)
Box office blockbuster Cliff Walkersdirected by Zhang Yimou is set in the Imperial Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s before WWII erupts. Four special agents trained in the Soviet Union find themselves in danger after a traitor sells them out. The movie was China’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. (Chinese with English subtitles, Prime Video, Google Play)
Hero (2002)
If you liked Cliff Walkers, check out Yimou’s Hero, the highest-grossing movie in China at the time of its 2002 release. Quentin Tarantino convinced Miramax to release the martial arts epic in the US in 2004 and it was a box office success. The movie is set in ancient China where an unnamed fighter is honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies but the king begins to suspect all is not what it seems. (Chinese with English subtitles, Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV)
The Taking of Tiger Mountain (2014)
Based on the popular Chinese novel Tracks in the Snowy Forest, The Taking of Tiger Mountain is a Chinese-Hong Kong epic action film based around a conflict between the People's Liberation Army of China and a bandit gang. It follows soldiers on a mission to stop thieves from obtaining a valuable artifact. (Chinese with English subtitles, (Apple TV, YouTube, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu)
Shadow (2019)
To achieve victory over a rival kingdom, a General devises a plan involving the king's body double who goes on a mission to uncover the truth behind a coup. Shadow is set in ancient China. Shadow and offers a top wuxia action thriller. (Chinese with English subtitles, Prime Video, Tubi, Apple TV)
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Chinese-produced spy movies offer a fascinating perspective on the genre from Academy Award contender Cliff Walkers to the Top Gun-styled Born to Fly and the ‘wuxia’ films featuring ancient Chinese warriors with superhuman martial arts skills. We’ve also checked out China’s top spy series so you can immerse yourself in a new world of espionage and adventure.
MOVIES
Born to Fly (2023)
A Chinese special operations team headed by elite pilots are ordered to test new fighter jets, challenging the limits of the sky and themselves. If the plot has a familiar ring you are not alone in your thinking - but in this Top Gun knock off pilots are recognized more for their selfless support of China's frontline troops than individual prowess. Born to Fly may lack the humor of its US counterparts but flyboy Lei Yu, chosen to extract 'limit data' from new stealth planes, is still fun to watch. (Apple TV)
Cliff Walkers (2021)
Box office blockbuster Cliff Walkersdirected by Zhang Yimou is set in the Imperial Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s before WWII erupts. Four special agents trained in the Soviet Union find themselves in danger after a traitor sells them out. The movie was China’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. (Chinese with English subtitles, Prime Video, Google Play)
Hero (2002)
If you liked Cliff Walkers, check out Yimou’s Hero, the highest-grossing movie in China at the time of its 2002 release. Quentin Tarantino convinced Miramax to release the martial arts epic in the US in 2004 and it was a box office success. The movie is set in ancient China where an unnamed fighter is honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies but the king begins to suspect all is not what it seems. (Chinese with English subtitles, Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV)
The Taking of Tiger Mountain (2014)
Based on the popular Chinese novel Tracks in the Snowy Forest, The Taking of Tiger Mountain is a Chinese-Hong Kong epic action film based around a conflict between the People's Liberation Army of China and a bandit gang. It follows soldiers on a mission to stop thieves from obtaining a valuable artifact. (Chinese with English subtitles, (Apple TV, YouTube, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu)
Shadow (2019)
To achieve victory over a rival kingdom, a General devises a plan involving the king's body double who goes on a mission to uncover the truth behind a coup. Shadow is set in ancient China. Shadow and offers a top wuxia action thriller. (Chinese with English subtitles, Prime Video, Tubi, Apple TV)
More adventure than espionage, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonis a worthwhile introduction to ‘wuxia’. The disappearance of a magical jade sword triggers a treasure hunt but the tale - part adventure, part romance - is complicated by a mysterious assassin as the story unfolds across Western China's breathtaking landscape. (Chinese with English subtitles, Apple TV, YouTube, Prime Video, Google Play)
The House of Flying Daggers (2004)
The Tang Dynasty is fighting to keep control of China but they are losing to a rebel group - The House of Flying Daggers - who steals from the wealthy and gives to the poor. Two government police detectives are ordered to investigate suspected dancer Mei (Zhang Ziyi) but fall under her charms and try to help her escape. (Chinese with English subtitles, Apple TV, YouTube, Prime Video, Google Play)
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
Whether you like The Battle at Lake Changjin or not, the film is a masterclass in propaganda. The movie celebrates a historic Chinese victory against America in the Korean War during the 1950 battle at Lake Changjin (aka the Battle of Chosin Reservoir) during extreme weather conditions. Panned by US critics, the movie became the second highest-grossing film of 2021 worldwide. (Chinese with English subtitles, Roku, Prime Video, Netflix in some countries)
The Fate of Lee Khan (1973)
In this Hong Kong wuxia film, directed by King Hu, Mongol General Lee Khan travels to Shaanxi province to obtain a map of the tactical plans of rebel forces. The Fate of Lee Khan is essentially a Hong Kong martial arts film with elements of espionage and is considered a classic of the genre. (Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft, Roku, Chinese with English subtitles,)
The Killer (1989)
Actor Chow Yun-fat plays an assassin who accidentally damages the eyes of the singer Jennie (Sally Yeh) during a shootout in this Hong Kong action/spy thriller. He discovers Jennie will go blind without a costly operation and decides to perform one last hit to help her. (Chinese with English subtitles.)
SPY SERIES TO STREAM
Autumn Cicada (2020 - Series)
Set in 1941, Ye Chong (codename Qiu Chan and Autumn Cicada) heads to Hong Kong to help Sato Dazang set up the intelligence agencies and secret police. Imperial Japan still occupies Hong Kong, however, and Ye has previously supplied the Communist Party in China with intelligence on the Japanese Army. Ye soon finds his past catching up with him. (Chinese with English subtitles, Apple TV)
Spy Hunter (2018 - Series)
Set in the early 1930s, the Communist Party has set up spy stations in Shanghai, Guangdong, and Harbin. Two agents codenamed Yan Gang and Qing Ci are tasked with establishing a new supply route to a secret safe house. They are betrayed, however, and an agent dies. The operatives’ half-brother, a former operative, turns Spy Hunter and plans an elaborate cat-and-mouse game to lure out the traitor. (IQIYI, Myasiantv, Chinese with English subtitles)
The King's Woman (2017 - Series)
A legendary female spy rises to power and influences the politics of the state of Qi during the Warring States period in ancient China. Gong Sun Li - grand-daughter and disciple of military commander Gong Sun Yu - attracts the interest of the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng, and she is captured and sent to his palace to become The King’s Woman.(Viki, Chinese with English subtitles)
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