The 7 Best Movies To Watch For Chinese New Year
If you’re lucky enough to have Chinese relatives or loved ones, then you already know that January contains two New Year’s Eves.
The second comes at the end of the month when Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, brings Chinese families together for delicious meals and lively festivities. Homes are decorated with red good luck charms, children receive red envelopes containing money, and firecrackers keep the evil spirits at bay. But there’s an additional way to celebrate the holiday: By watching movies that celebrate Chinese culture. So, grab some spring rolls, jasmine tea, and tangerines, and sit down with one of these classic movies with Chinese themes. It’s the perfect way to ring in the new year … again.
Joy Ride (2023)
This raunchy, jaw-dropping comedy is both a lighthearted Bildungsroman and backdoor tearjerker, all mixed into a tale of identity, friendship, and fate. During the quest to find her Chinese birth parents, Audrey (Ashley Park) and three friends embark upon a journey full of unexpected surprises, wild stunts and emotional revelations. This movie is a fitting choice for New Year celebrations with its fresh and unfiltered look at cultural differences and the meaning of success. If you want to explore the topic of discovering your roots in a modern manner, then consider watching this video – but only after Grandma’s in bed.
The Joy Luck Club (1993)
Based on Amy Tan’s classic novel, which you almost certainly pretended to read in high school, this multi-generational drama explores a series of complex relationships between Chinese American daughters and their immigrant mothers. By weaving cultural insights into its poignant storytelling, it effectively introduces audiences to certain pillars of Chinese culture: family, love, and sacrifice. Each pair of mothers and daughters shares a string of triumphs, hardships, and reconciliations, making this the ideal movie to watch with your favorite people.
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Po the panda, despite his unlikely origins, is this modern animated classic’s unexpected and inspiring hero. Packed with humor, martial arts magic, and jaw-dropping renderings of the Chinese landscape, Kung Fu Panda serves as a gentle reminder that believing in yourself and working hard can unlock your inner dragon warrior. You might need the inspiration while trying to stick to your New Year’s resolutions (the first round).
The Farewell (2019)
Awkwafina can do drama, too! In this stirring movie, her character attends a family gathering designed to pay homage to her dying grandma. The catch is that no one acknowledges that’s the reason they’re there. Ultimately, The Farewell is both humorous and heartbreaking – even while sending up a remarkably personal thesis about Chinese culture and family values. View this with your loved ones and anticipate both tears and laughter, as well as an intense sense of respect for those you would give your life for.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
This Ang Lee-directed martial arts masterpiece combines stunning fight sequences with a tender story of love and honor. Taking place in the legendary world of the Qing Dynasty, the movie stars Michelle Yeoh as a badass swordswoman tasked with recovering a mythic weapon called The Green Destiny. The film’s poetic aesthetics and cultural clarity make it a perfect choice for Chinese New Year celebrations. Just try not to replicate these moves at home.
The Wedding Banquet (1993)
Ang Lee’s second-ever film is a surprisingly touching examination of queerness and cultural norms. In this rom-com, chaos and hilarity ensue when a closeted gay Taiwanese man fakes a marriage to a mainland Chinese woman to please his traditional parents. The ensuing tale of filial piety and familial acceptance will blindside you with its affecting twists and turns. A Bowen Yang-led remake is set to premiere in April 2025.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie is a stunning combination of whiplash-inducing action and Chinese mythology. In this bona fide popcorn flick, Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, must confront the reality of his family’s dark past while – obviously – saving the world. Shang-Chi offers an abundance of time-tested Marvel staples including CGI fights, comic relief, and nerdgasmic world building rooted in Chinese culture … making it a great choice for your Chinese New Year celebration.
