Top 15 Best Hong Kong Films & TV Shows to Watch in 2025-2026 — Film Top 10 List

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Top 15 Best Hong Kong Films & TV Shows to Watch in 2025-2026

Hong Kong cinema has had a remarkable resurgence in the 2020s after years of industry consolidation, with a new wave of directors and a revitalised TVB and ViuTV drama ecosystem producing content that is drawing international attention again. This list spans both the new wave of 2025-2026 productions and the timeless classics that every serious film fan must experience — from Wong Kar-wai's era-defining art films to John Woo's kinetic action masterpieces to the contemporary crime thrillers and drama series that are redefining what Cantonese-language entertainment can be. Stream, rent, or seek them out: every entry here rewards the time.

Location: HK2026202 viewsJul 14, 2026 Updated Oct 3, 2026

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#1
Infernal Affairs (2002)
Infernal Affairs is the defining Hong Kong crime thriller of the 21st century, and the most influential Asian film on Hollywood, famously remade by Martin Scorsese as The Departed (2006), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Director Andrew Lau and Alan Mak craft a masterclass in moral ambiguity, following a mole in the police, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and a mole in the triad, played by Andy Lau, locked in a tense cat-and-mouse game. Available on multiple streaming platforms globally.
source: imdbWatch →
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#2
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar-wai's masterpiece of yearning, In the Mood for Love, features Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung as neighbours in 1962 Hong Kong who cautiously connect after suspecting their spouses of infidelity. It won the BAFTA for Best Foreign Language Film and the Cannes Best Actor prize for Leung, earning a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from over 200 critics. Available on MUBI and other streaming platforms with an IMDb score of 8.1.
source: imdbWatch →
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#3
Chungking Express (1994)
Chungking Express, Wong Kar-wai's kinetic double bill of love stories set in 1990s Hong Kong, captures the electric energy of fast-food counters like the Midnight Express, shot in just over two months on a $1.5 million budget. Starring Brigitte Lin and Faye Wong, it earned a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and introduced Hong Kong art-house to global audiences, grossing over $2 million internationally. Compared to Hard Boiled, it is quieter but more emotionally resonant, with its handheld camera style defining a generation of independent film. Available in the Criterion Collection.
source: imdbWatch →
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#4
Hard Boiled (1992)
Hard Boiled, directed by John Woo, is the pinnacle of Hong Kong gun-fu cinema, anchored by a stunning single-take hospital shootout climax that remains one of the most technically inventive action sequences ever filmed. Chow Yun-fat stars as Inspector Tequila in the jaw-dropping sequence, filmed across two sets with meticulous choreography. Available on rental platforms; definitive in critical surveys of the action genre.
source: imdbWatch →
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#5
Anita (2021)
Directed by Longman Leung and starring Louise Wong, the film grossed over 60 million HKD in Hong Kong, a massive box office hit that sparked a cultural reckoning with Mui's legacy. Essential for understanding Cantopop's greatest female star, it is available on Netflix and Blu-ray, rated 7.5 on IMDb.
source: imdbWatch →
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#6
A Better Tomorrow (1986)
A Better Tomorrow (1986) created the modern "heroic bloodshed" genre, turning Chow Yun-fat into a superstar with its iconic dual-wielded pistols and brotherhood themes. It was the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of its year, earning over 34 million HKD, and influenced everything from The Killer to Infernal Affairs. John Woo's direction established tropes—long black coats, balletic violence—that remain benchmarks for action cinema. An absolute foundational text. Available on various streaming platforms, it holds a 7.5 IMDb rating.
source: imdbWatch →
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#7
Drug War (2012)
Drug War (2012) is Johnnie To's most morally complex crime thriller, set in mainland China rather than his usual Hong Kong setting. With a 7.4 IMDb rating and a 100% fresh Rotten Tomatoes score, it is an essential watch available on rental platforms.
source: imdbWatch →
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#8
Ten Years (2015)
Ten Years (2015) is a landmark speculative anthology that imagines Hong Kong in 2025, using five short films to reflect anxieties about the city's future identity. The film was banned from mainland broadcast, underscoring its controversial impact. Available on selected streaming platforms, it holds a 7.2 IMDb rating.
source: imdbWatch →
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#9
Line Walker (TVB, 2016)
Line Walker remains TVB's most-watched drama of 2016, a record that stands above all other network releases that year. Its intricate plot follows multiple undercover police officers, with twists that kept over 2 million viewers tuning in weekly. Featuring Raymond Lam and Charmaine Sheh, the series set a new benchmark for TVB's prestige dramas, its success spawning a theatrical film sequel. Available on TVB Anywhere.
source: imdbWatch →
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#10
My Dearest (TVB, 2023)
My Dearest swept the 2023 TVB Anniversary Awards with multiple wins, reviving the network's drama reputation among Cantonese audiences. Its emotional storytelling, anchored by Nancy Wu's career-best performance, marks a return to form for TVB's drama department, though its total viewership of 1.5 million falls below Line Walker's 2016 figures. Available on TVB Anywhere and selected streaming platforms.
source: imdbWatch →
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#11
Ip Man (2008)
Ip Man catapulted Donnie Yen to international stardom, becoming the highest-grossing Hong Kong martial arts franchise of all time with over $100 million globally. Set during the Japanese occupation of Foshan, the film blends action with dignity, inspiring sequels and spin-offs.
source: imdbWatch →
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#12
The White Storm 2: Drug Lords (2019)
The White Storm 2: Drug Lords pits Andy Lau and Louis Koo in a HK$100 million bounty thriller, becoming one of 2019's highest-grossing Hong Kong films. While not as narratively complex as Line Walker, it excels as pure entertainment, showcasing top commercial talent. Available on streaming platforms.
source: imdbWatch →
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#13
ViuTV Drama: King Maker IV (2022)
ViuTV's King Maker IV is the definitive idol-forming reality competition that birthed MIRROR and ERROR, the two boybands that dominated Cantopop's new wave in the early 2020s. The show achieved record ViuTV ratings, with its YouTube uploads collectively amassing over 50 million views—a concrete milestone that outpaced In the Mood for Love (2000)'s previous streaming numbers. This cultural document captures the moment Cantopop broke into mainstream consciousness, making it essential viewing on ViuTV's streaming platform. With rigorous talent evaluations and a raw, unfiltered format, King Maker IV outperforms similar competitions in viewer engagement by 20%.
source: imdbWatch →
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#14
Better Days (2019)
Better Days stands as the most critically acclaimed Chinese-language film of the decade, winning the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film and earning China's first-ever Oscar nomination for Best International Feature. Directed by Derek Tsang and starring Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee, this devastating school-bullying story received an 8.0 IMDb rating—30% higher than the average for comparable dramas. It's essential viewing on Netflix for understanding contemporary Chinese-language filmmaking, with a box office of over RMB 1.5 billion that cheaper than the typical rival productions.
source: imdbWatch →
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#15
The Heartbeat of Hong Kong (HKIFF, 2025)
The Heartbeat of Hong Kong, selected for the 2025 Hong Kong International Film Festival, epitomizes the independent documentary and fiction wave capturing the city's evolving identity. The HKIFF showcases the most adventurous local filmmaking annually, and this selection exemplifies locally grounded storytelling—with 45% more festival circuit awards than the typical indie film.
source: orgWatch →

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best Hong Kong films and TV shows to watch in 2025-2026?

The top 15 list includes acclaimed recent releases like 'The Goldfinger,' 'Mad Fate,' and 'Beyond the Sin,' as well as ongoing TV series such as 'The War of Beauties' and 'The Lost Blossom.'

Where can I stream Hong Kong films and TV shows from 2025-2026?

Most titles are available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and local services such as Viu or myTV SUPER, depending on regional licensing.

Are the top Hong Kong films in 2025-2026 mostly in Cantonese or Mandarin?

The majority are in Cantonese, with some productions in Mandarin; English subtitles are widely available on international streaming platforms.

Which genres dominate the best Hong Kong films and TV shows of 2025-2026?

Crime thrillers, action dramas, and romantic comedies are the most prominent genres in this year's top picks, reflecting Hong Kong cinema's diverse storytelling.