← Cinema Atlas
Discover great cinema and the connections that made it possible.
Cinema of

Hong Kong

East Asia

Hong Kong Cinema: A Brief History Hong Kong's film industry emerged as a global powerhouse by blending Chinese storytelling with Hollywood techniques, creating a distinctly energetic aesthetic. The 1980s-90s "Hong Kong New Wave"—led by directors like John Woo and Wong Kar-wai—revolutionized action cinema and visual style, influencing filmmakers worldwide. Its influence on contemporary blockbusters, from *The Matrix* to Marvel films, demonstrates Hong Kong's outsized impact on modern cinema's visual language and narrative innovation.

Directors From Hong Kong
Anselm Chan Mau-Yin
John Woo
Hong Kong New Wave
Kenji Tanigaki
Leung Lok-Man
Mark Dindal
Tam Wai-Ching
Tony Leung Hung-Wah
Wong Kar-wai
Hong Kong New Wave
Andrew Lau / Alan Mak
Hong Kong action cinema contemporary thriller
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Cheng Chang Ho
Jackie Chan
Wilson Yip
Peter Berg
Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Hong Kong Action Cinema
Corey Yuen
Hong Kong action cinema
Gordon Chan
Lo Wei
Park Jung-hoon
Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai
Yuen Woo-Ping
Hong Kong action cinema
Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Hong Kong New Wave Contemporary Crime Cinema
Amen Au Cheuk-Man
Brandon Christensen
Cash Chin Man-Kei
Fernando Di Leo
Italian Crime Cinema Poliziesco
Herman Yau
Hong Kong New Wave
Ho Fan
Hong Kong New Wave
Ho Meng-Hua
Hong Kong action cinema
Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Featured Films
823 Hostage Crisis
tense
2026 · Tony Leung Hung-Wah
Cold War 1994
intense
2026 · Leung Lok-Man
Once a Thief
intense
2026 · John Woo
Someone Like Me
eye-opening
2026 · Tam Wai-Ching
The Furious
intense
2026 · Kenji Tanigaki
The Last Dance
humorous
2026 · Anselm Chan Mau-Yin
The Garfield Movie
humorous
2024 · Mark Dindal
In the Mood for Love
melancholic
2000 · Wong Kar-wai
Infernal Affairs
tense
2002 · Andrew Lau / Alan Mak
Chungking Express
melancholic
1994 · Wong Kar-wai
The Killer
tense
2024 · John Woo
Hard Boiled
exhilarating
1992 · John Woo
Days of Being Wild
melancholic
1991 · Wong Kar-wai
Days of Being Wild
romantic
1990 · Wong Kar-wai
The Killer
melancholic
1989 · John Woo
A Better Tomorrow II
epic
1987 · John Woo
A Better Tomorrow
epic
1986 · John Woo
Ip Man
inspiring
2008 · Wilson Yip
Kung Fu Hustle
humorous
2004 · —
City on Fire
intense
1987 · —
Police Story
exhilarating
1985 · Jackie Chan
Five Fingers of Death
intense
1972 · Cheng Chang Ho
Silent Night
tense
2023 · John Woo
Manhunt
tense
2017 · John Woo
More Films from Hong Kong (259)
2020s
Back to the Past 2025 · Jack Lai Jan-Lung
In the Mood for Love 2001 2025 · Wong Kar-Wai
Crisis Negotiators 2024 · Herman Yau
One-Tenth of a Millimeter Apart 2021 · Wong Kar-Wai
2010s
The Crossing II 2015 · John Woo
The Crossing I 2014 · John Woo
The Grandmaster 2013 · Wong Kar-wai
Reign of Assassins 2010 · John Woo
Patriots Day 2016 · Peter Berg
Master Z: Ip Man Legacy 2018 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion 2018 · Park Jung-hoon
A Home with a View 2019 · Herman Yau
Integrity 2019 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Z 2019 · Brandon Christensen
Illang: The Wolf Brigade 2018 · Kim Jee-woon
77 Heartbreaks 2017 · Herman Yau
Always Be with You 2017 · Herman Yau
The Sleep Curse 2017 · Herman Yau
Nessun Dorma 2016 · Herman Yau
The Mobfathers 2016 · Herman Yau
No No Sleep 2015 · Tsai Ming-liang
The Gigolo 2015 · Amen Au Cheuk-Man
Overheard 3 2014 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Sara 2014 · Herman Yau
Ip Man: The Final Fight 2013 · Herman Yau
Saving General Yang 2013 · Ronny Yu
Tales from the Dark 2 2013 · Gordon Chan
The Silent War 2012 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Walker 2012 · Tsai Ming-liang
East Meets West 2011 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
The 33D Invader 2011 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
Treasure Inn 2011 · Corey Yuen
Turning Point 2 2011 · Herman Yau
All's Well End's Well Too 2010 2010 · Herman Yau
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen 2010 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
2000s
Red Cliff II 2009 · John Woo
Red Cliff 2008 · John Woo
My Blueberry Nights 2007 · Wong Kar-wai
All the Invisible Children 2006 · John Woo
The Robinsons: Lost in Space 2004 · John Woo
Paycheck 2003 · John Woo
Hostage 2002 · John Woo
Windtalkers 2002 · John Woo
Mission: Impossible II 2000 · John Woo
Infernal Affairs 2002 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
The Medallion 2003 · Gordon Chan
Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg 2009 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Rebellion 2009 · Herman Yau
The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks 2 2009 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
Turning Point 2009 · Herman Yau
Lady Cop & Papa Crook 2008 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
The Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks 2008 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
Gong Tau 2007 · Herman Yau
The Flock 2007 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Daisy 2006 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
On the Edge 2006 · Herman Yau
A Chinese Tall Story 2005 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Initial D 2005 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Initial D 2005 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
A-1 Headline 2004 · Gordon Chan
Brothers 2004 · Susanne Bier
The Hand 2004 · Wong Kar-Wai
The Twins Effect II 2004 · Corey Yuen
Three... Extremes 2004 · Takashi Miike
Cat and Mouse 2003 · Gordon Chan
The Park 2003 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Chinese Odyssey 2002 2002 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Second Time Around 2002 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
So Close 2002 · Corey Yuen
The Wesley's Mysterious File 2002 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Three 2002 · Kim Jee-woon
@ in the mood for love 2001 · Wong Kar-Wai
Nightmares in Precinct 7 2001 · Herman Yau
The Avenging Fist 2001 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
The Avenging Fist 2001 · Corey Yuen
2000 AD 2000 · Gordon Chan
A War Named Desire 2000 · Alan Mak Siu-Fai
Born to Be King 2000 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Naked Poison 2000 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
Okinawa Rendez-vous 2000 · Gordon Chan
Sausalito 2000 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
The Duel 2000 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
1990s
Blackjack 1998 · John Woo
Face/Off 1997 · John Woo
Happy Together 1997 · Wong Kar-wai
Broken Arrow 1996 · John Woo
Once a Thief 1996 · John Woo
Fallen Angels 1995 · Wong Kar-wai
Ashes of Time 1994 · Wong Kar-wai
Hard Target 1993 · John Woo
Once a Thief 1991 · John Woo
Bullet in the Head 1990 · John Woo
Police Story 4: First Strike 1996 · Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai
Rumble in the Bronx 1995 · Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai
Police Story 3: Super Cop 1992 · Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai
A Man Called Hero 1999 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
The Legend of Speed 1999 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Beast Cops 1998 · Gordon Chan
The Storm Riders 1998 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Troublesome Night 4 1998 · Herman Yau
Young and Dangerous 5 1998 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Young and Dangerous: The Prequel 1998 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Armageddon 1997 · Gordon Chan
Hero 1997 · Corey Yuen
The Fruit Is Swelling 1997 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
The Peeping Tom 1997 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Troublesome Night 1997 · Herman Yau
Young and Dangerous 4 1997 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
All of a Sudden 1996 · Herman Yau
Ebola Syndrome 1996 · Herman Yau
Sex and Zen II 1996 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
Tai Chi II 1996 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Imp 1996 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Young and Dangerous 1996 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Young and Dangerous 2 1996 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Young and Dangerous 3 1996 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box 1995 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella 1995 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Lover of the Last Empress 1995 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Out of the Dark 1995 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
The Enforcer 1995 · Corey Yuen
The Eternal Evil of Asia 1995 · Cash Chin Man-Kei
The Phantom Lover 1995 · Ronny Yu
The Red Wolf 1995 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Thunderbolt 1995 · Gordon Chan
Ancient Chinese Whorehouse 1994 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Daughter of Darkness 2 1994 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Fire Dragon 1994 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Bodyguard from Beijing 1994 · Corey Yuen
Treasure Hunt 1994 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Wing Chun 1994 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Crazy Love 1993 · Roman Cheung Shiu-Lun
Daughter of Darkness 1993 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Ghost Lantern 1993 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Heroes Among Heroes 1993 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Iron Monkey 1993 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Raped by an Angel 1993 · Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Supercop 2 1993 · Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai
Tai-Chi Master 1993 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Taxi Hunter 1993 · Herman Yau
The Bride with White Hair 1993 · Ronny Yu
The Eagle Shooting Heroes 1993 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
The Legend 1993 · Corey Yuen
The Legend II 1993 · Corey Yuen
The Untold Story 1993 · Herman Yau
Women on the Run 1993 · Corey Yuen
Erotic Ghost Story III 1992 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
Fight Back to School 2 1992 · Gordon Chan
Ghost Punting 1992 · Corey Yuen
Ghost Punting 1992 · Ricky Lau
King of Beggars 1992 · Gordon Chan
Mr Vampire 1992 1992 · Ricky Lau
Saviour Of The Soul II 1992 · Corey Yuen
The Cat 1992 · Lam Nai-Choi
The Legendary La Rose Noire 1992 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Fight Back to School 1991 · Gordon Chan
Hidden Desire 1991 · Ho Fan
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky 1991 · Lam Nai-Choi
Saviour of the Soul 1991 · Corey Yuen
Saviour of the Soul 1991 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
The Blue Jean Monster 1991 · Ivan Lai Kai-Ming
The Great Pretenders 1991 · Ronny Yu
The Top Bet 1991 · Corey Yuen
The Top Bet 1991 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Tiger Cage III 1991 · Yuen Woo-Ping
All for the Winner 1990 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
All for the Winner 1990 · Corey Yuen
China O'Brien 1990 · Robert Clouse
China O'Brien II 1990 · Robert Clouse
Encounters of the Spooky Kind II 1990 · Ricky Lau
Erotic Ghost Story 1990 · Lam Nai-Choi
Mortuary Blues 1990 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
She Shoots Straight 1990 · Corey Yuen
Tiger Cage II 1990 · Yuen Woo-Ping
1980s
Just Heroes 1989 · John Woo
As Tears Go By 1988 · Wong Kar-wai
Run Tiger Run 1985 · John Woo
Heroes Shed No Tears 1984 · John Woo
The Time You Need a Friend 1984 · John Woo
Plain Jane to the Rescue 1982 · John Woo
To Hell with the Devil 1982 · John Woo
From Riches to Rags 1980 · John Woo
Laughing Times 1980 · John Woo
No Retreat, No Surrender 1986 · Corey Yuen
China White 1989 · Ronny Yu
In the Line of Duty 4 1989 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Her Vengeance 1988 · Lam Nai-Choi
Mr Vampire Saga 4 1988 · Ricky Lau
The Haunted Cop Shop II 1988 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
The Peacock King 1988 · Lam Nai-Choi
Tiger Cage 1988 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Mr. Vampire III 1987 · Ricky Lau
No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder 1987 · Corey Yuen
The Haunted Cop Shop 1987 · Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Yu Pui Tsuen II 1987 · Ho Fan
Legacy of Rage 1986 · Ronny Yu
Mr. Vampire II 1986 · Ricky Lau
Righting Wrongs 1986 · Corey Yuen
The Carnal Sutra Mat 1986 · Ho Fan
The Seventh Curse 1986 · Lam Nai-Choi
Where's Officer Tuba? 1986 · Ricky Lau
Mismatched Couples 1985 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Mr. Vampire 1985 · Ricky Lau
Yes, Madam! 1985 · Corey Yuen
Drunken Tai Chi 1984 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Men from the Gutter 1983 · Lam Nai-Choi
Shaolin Drunkard 1983 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Legend of a Fighter 1982 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Miracle Fighters 1982 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Postman Strikes Back 1982 · Ronny Yu
Dreadnaught 1981 · Yuen Woo-Ping
The Big Brawl 1980 · Robert Clouse
The Buddhist Fist 1980 · Yuen Woo-Ping
1970s
Last Hurrah for Chivalry 1979 · John Woo
Follow the Star 1978 · John Woo
Hello, Late Homecomers 1978 · John Woo
Money Crazy 1977 · John Woo
Hand of Death 1976 · John Woo
Princess Chang-Ping 1976 · John Woo
The Dragon Tamers 1975 · John Woo
The Young Dragons 1974 · John Woo
Fist of Fury 1972 · Lo Wei
The Big Boss 1971 · Lo Wei
Dance of the Drunk Mantis 1979 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Dragon Fist 1979 · Lo Wei
Shaolin Abbot 1979 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Magnificent Butcher 1979 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Magnificent Bodyguards 1978 · Lo Wei
Shaolin Hand Lock 1978 · Ho Meng-Hua
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow 1978 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Spiritual Kung Fu 1978 · Lo Wei
The Vengeful Beauty 1978 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Amsterdam Kill 1977 · Robert Clouse
The Mighty Peking Man 1977 · Ho Meng-Hua
To Kill with Intrigue 1977 · Lo Wei
Black Magic 2 1976 · Ho Meng-Hua
Killer Meteors 1976 · Lo Wei
New Fist of Fury 1976 · Lo Wei
The Dragon Missile 1976 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Oily Maniac 1976 · Ho Meng-Hua
Black Magic 1975 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Bedevilled 1975 · Lo Wei
The Flying Guillotine 1975 · Ho Meng-Hua
Slaughter in San Francisco 1974 · Lo Wei
The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires 1974 · Roy Ward Baker
The Boss 1973 · Fernando Di Leo
The Kiss of Death 1973 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Master of Kung Fu 1973 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Lady Hermit 1971 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Shadow Whip 1971 · Lo Wei
Vengeance of a Snowgirl 1971 · Lo Wei
Brothers Five 1970 · Lo Wei
Lady of Steel 1970 · Ho Meng-Hua
1960s
Dead Knot 1969 · John Woo
Accidentally 1968 · John Woo
The Golden Sword 1969 · Lo Wei
Vengeance Is a Golden Blade 1969 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Jade Raksha 1968 · Ho Meng-Hua
The Cave of the Silken Web 1967 · Ho Meng-Hua