12 Best Movies on Netflix to Learn Chinese [For Beginners]

Learning a new language or enhancing existing language skills can be an exciting journey, and one unconventional yet highly effective method is through the world of cinema.

If you're interested in Learning Chinese or exploring Chinese culture, movies are your gateway.

So, in this guide, we'll present our list of the best movies to learn Chinese, ranging from classic tales of ancient China to contemporary urban life, all brimming with cultural richness and linguistic nuances.

By watching these films, you'll not only be entertained but also immerse yourself in the language, making your learning experience both enjoyable and educational.

Learn Chinese With Lingopie

Learning Mandarin Chinese through movies is an effective and fun way to improve your language skills. Watching movies allows for learning in context, which aids in understanding and retaining new vocabulary. Lingopie is a great platform for this, as it offers a wide range of foreign films with interactive subtitles, combining language learning with netflix. As you watch, you can click on subtitles to get instant translations, helping you to learn new words and phrases in a natural and engaging way.

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Green Snake

• Director: Tsui Hark
• Writer: Lilian Lee
• Cast: Joey Wong, Maggie Cheung, Vincent Zhao
• Topics: Fantasy, Drama, Romance

A fantastical tale of two snake spirits, who are striving to become human to experience love and freedom, but are hunted by a zealous monk.

What you'll learn

This movie is rich in traditional Chinese culture and mythology, you'll pick up vocabulary related to these topics and get an insight into Chinese folklore. Synopsis:

Nezha Reborn

• Director: Zhao Ji Writer: Muchuan
• Cast: Yang Tianxiang, Zhang He, Xuan Xiaoming
• Topics: Animation, Action, Fantasy

Set 3000 years after the boy-god Nezha conquers the Dragon King, the story follows a normal young man who discovers he is Nezha reincarnated and must choose between following his destiny or living a normal life.

What you'll learn

This animated feature is filled with colloquial dialogues, making it a great resource for picking up everyday language and slang.  

Dear Ex

• Director: Mag Hsu, Hsu Chih-yen
• Writer: Lu Shih-yuan, Mag Hsu Cast: Roy Chiu, Hsieh Ying-hsuan, Spark Chen
• Topics: Drama, Romance, Comedy

The story revolves around a teenager who is caught in a feud between his mother and a free-spirited man, who is both the lover and insurance beneficiary of his recently deceased father.

What you'll learn

This film explores family dynamics and relationships, providing vocabulary around these themes and showcasing conversational Mandarin.

Incantation

• Director: Wang Hsu-Kai
• Writer: Wang Hsu-Kai
• Cast: Wang Hsu-Kai, Hsu Feng, Tien Peng
• Topics: Action, Drama

The movie follows the journey of a young martial artist who uncovers secrets about his family's past and must fight to protect those he loves.

What you'll learn

Set in ancient China, this movie provides a look at historical language and terms related to martial arts.  

The Wandering Earth

• Director: Frant Gwo
• Writer: Gong Geer, Yan Dongxu
• Cast: Qu Chuxiao, Li Guangjie, Ng Man-tat
• Topics: Sci-Fi, Action

As the sun dies out, people around the world build giant planet thrusters to move Earth out of its orbit and sail it to a new star system.

What you'll learn

This futuristic film will expose you to scientific and technological terms in Mandarin.

A Sun

• Director: Chung Mong-hong
• Writer: Chung Mong-hong, Chang Yao-sheng
• Cast: Chen Yi-wen, Samantha Ko, Wu Chien-ho
• Topics: Drama, Crime

A family is torn apart when they have to deal with the repercussions of their eldest son's involvement in a criminal act.

What you'll learn

A Sun provides a deep look into family and societal issues, offering language around these topics.  

The Soul

• Director: Cheng Wei-Hao
• Writer: Cheng Wei-Hao, Chou Shih-Lun
• Cast: Chang Chen, Janine Chun-Ning, Christopher Ming-Shun Lee
• Topics: Thriller, Mystery

A detective investigates the death of a businessman and uncovers secrets that have been buried for years.

What you'll learn

This film's suspenseful plot will introduce you to vocabulary related to crime and investigation.

Sky Ladder

• Director: Kevin Macdonald
• Writer: Kevin Macdonald
• Cast: Cai Guo-Qiang
• Topics: Documentary, Art

The film follows the life and work of artist Cai Guo-Qiang, known for his spectacular artworks using gunpowder.

What You'll Learn

This documentary about a renowned artist will give you vocabulary related to art and creativity.

Super Me

• Director: Zhang Chong
• Writer: Zhang Chong, Shu Da
• Cast: Darren Wang, Song Jia, Cao Bingkun
• Topics: Fantasy, Drama

A struggling screenwriter discovers his lucrative ability to bring antiques from his dreams into the real world, but his new life is threatened by an ominous entity.

What you'll learn

This movie's dream-like narrative provides an opportunity to learn language related to dreams and imagination.  

The Yin Yang Master

• Director: Li Weiran
• Writer: Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing, Anni Baobei
• Cast: Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, William Chan
• Topics:Fantasy, Action

A cosmopolitan city's fate hangs in the balance as a Yin-Yang Master and his team embark on a mission to procure a mystical scale from a demoness, which will help them save the world.

What you'll learn

Based on a popular novel, this film will introduce you to vocabulary related to fantasy and mythology.

FAQs: The Best Movies to Learn Chinese

Here, we will address common questions about utilizing Chinese cinema as a language-learning tool. Discover how to make the most of this immersive experience.

What movie should I watch to learn Chinese?

The movie you should watch to learn Chinese depends on your interests and language level. Beginners might start with children's movies, while advanced learners can explore classics like "Crouching Tiger, and Hidden Dragon."

Can you learn Chinese by watching movies?

Yes, you can learn Chinese by watching movies. It's an enjoyable way to improve listening skills, expand vocabulary, and immerse yourself in the language and culture.

Does watching Chinese movies help you learn Chinese?

Watching Chinese movies is a helpful tool to learn Chinese. It exposes you to authentic language usage, cultural nuances, and various accents, contributing to language acquisition and comprehension.

What is the most effective way to learn Chinese?

There are many ways to learn Chinese, including classes, practicing with native speakers, and immersing yourself in media like movies, music, and literature. Consistency and real-world application are key.

Summing Up: The Best Movies to Learn Chinese

In summary, the world of Chinese cinema offers a lot of different opportunities for language learners.

From timeless classics like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to emotionally charged "Farewell My Concubine," each film provides a unique window into Chinese culture (whether it is rural China or urban China) society, and language.

As you explore this selection of movies, you'll encounter various Chinese accents and dialects, gaining a deeper understanding of this incredible, multifaceted language.