This is probably one of the nicest ways to start your Friday night: Crawling into your soft bed with a comfortable blanket, watching some of the best Chinese movies on Netflix, and maybe indulge in some pizza or a scoop of ice cream? Right. Who doesn’t want this while still not falling behind on other priorities? After all, watching shows can be time-consuming.
Well, did you know that as a language-learner, you can have both? With a little more focus and effort, you can definitely turn your show-watching time into valuable learning time. If you really want to learn Chinese, Netflix can actually be a very valuable learning tool!
From the classic ancient battle scenes that flood your vision with vivid imagery to a bittersweet romantic love story that evokes your nostalgia for youth, here we have a list of the best Chinese shows on Netflix (and a couple of the best Chinese movies on Netflix) that will guide you straight to success in your Chinese learning. At least one of these best Chinese Netflix series or films will be your cup of tea.
Can’t wait to start another obsession and begin the binge-watching? Ready to learn Chinese on Netflix?
We’ve prepared a short guide to our favorite Netflix Chinese titles. Let’s jump right into our list of the best Chinese movies on Netflix and other great shows to help you enrich your Chinese skills!
Table of Contents
- 致我们单纯的小美好 – A Love So Beautiful
- 画皮 2 – Painted Skin: The Resurrection
- 喜欢你 – This is Not What I Expected
- 西游记之孙悟空三打白骨精 – The Monkey King 2
- 香蜜沉沉烬如霜 – Ashes of Love
- 流星花园 – Meteor Garden
- 甄嬛传 – Empresses in the Palace
- 白夜追凶 – Day and Night
- 温暖的弦 – Here to Heart
- 天盛长歌 – The Rise of Phoenixes
- Conclusion
1. 致我们单纯的小美好 – A Love So Beautiful
A Love So Beautiful is a show based on Zhao Ganqian’s novel of the same name. This Netflix Chinese drama tells the story of Chen Jiang’s and Xiaoxi Chen’s journey of growing up together over the past nineteen years. Although it always seemed to be unrequited love, Xiaoxi never gives up on this love-pursuing journey with great perseverance and hope. Starting from an innocent childhood, the love story ends beautifully after all the ups and downs of life.
If you’re curious about how a school romance is in China, this Popular Chinese Netflix show is the perfect pick for you. Relive the golden years of youth along with the main characters in this lighthearted and relaxing show.
In this Chinese Netflix drama, you’ll learn some popular phrases that young Chinese people like to use; they’re casual and useful for daily life. Remember to take some notes!
- In Chinese: 一辈子那么长，我才不会只喜欢你一个人；一辈子那么长，没想到我真的只喜欢你一个人。
Pinyin: Yí bèi zi nà me cháng, wǒ cái bú huì zhǐ xǐ huān nǐ yí gè rén; yí bèi zi nà me cháng, méi xiǎng dào wǒ zhēn de zhǐ xǐ huān nǐ yí gè rén.
In English: A lifetime is so long, I won’t only like you. A lifetime is so long, I can’t believe I really did only like you. - In Chinese: 感谢
Pinyin: gǎn xiè
In English: appreciate - In Chinese: 勇气
Pinyin: yǒng qì
In English: courage - In Chinese: 吵架
Pinyin: chǎo jià
In English: argue
2. 画皮 2 – Painted Skin: The Resurrection
Xiaowei is a yokai who is on a quest to receive a heart to become human, while Princess Jing is desperate to recover her ruined appearance to keep her lover, Huo Xin. When they’re all on the edge of death, the power of love awakens. Will a miracle happen to give the characters a happy ending?
This unique Chinese fantasy on Netflix depicts the concept of yokai in Asian culture. If you’re interested in such a mythical creature, be sure to check this one out!
- In Chinese: 没有了心，我会怎样？
Pinyin: Méi yǒu le xīn, wǒ huì zěn yàng?
In English: What would I become without a heart? - In Chinese: 心
Pinyin: xīn
In English: heart - In Chinese: 相信
Pinyin: xiàng xìn
In English: believe - In Chinese: 换
Pinyin: huàn
In English: exchange
3. 喜欢你 – This is Not What I Expected
Gu Shengnan is an amazing chef who secretly has a relationship with the manager of the hotel. After being dumped, she becomes desperate and encounters a sophisticated and sharp guy named Lu Jin, who was on his way to buy the hotel. Although they have completely different personalities, the two of them eventually find their unique bond and happily hold hands together. If you want to enrich your expectation for relationships, this Netflix Chinese drama is a must-watch.
This show is also great if you’re a foodie. You can learn some food phrases in Chinese so that you’ll be a master while ordering food in a restaurant in China!
- In Chinese: 爱情是不期而遇的，你不能计划这件事，碰到之后就自己说了算。
Pinyin: Ài qíng shì bù qī ér yù de, nǐ bù néng jì huá zhè jiàn shì, pèng dào zhī hòu jiù zì jǐ shuō le suàn.
In English: Love is always out of expectations, you cannot plan it, but you are your own boss once you encounter it. - In Chinese: 职位
Pinyin: zhí wèi
In English: position (for work) - In Chinese: 普通
Pinyin: pǔ tōng
In English: ordinary - In Chinese: 讨厌
Pinyin: tǎo yàn
In English: hate
4. 西游记之孙悟空三打白骨精 – The Monkey King 2
Have you ever heard of the classic literary work Journey to the West? The answer is probably yes, and this Chinese fantasy on Netflix is ready for you to watch now! In this movie, the original plot retains its character. The Monkey King’s priority is to protect the traveling monk from the evil White Bone Spirit, who seeks immortality through killing the monk and eating his flesh.
This is one of the best Chinese Netflix movies and is an interesting version of the classic. Watch this lovely piece to experience the gist of one of the most classic literary works in Chinese history. You won’t be disappointed!
- In Chinese: 不要用你心中的对与错去衡量别人的对与错。
Pinyin: Bú yào yòng nǐ xīn zhōng de duì yǔ cuò qù héng liàng bié rén de duì yǔ cuò.
In English: Do not judge other people’s right or wrong based on your own standards. - In Chinese: 一世
Pinyin: yī shì
In English: a lifetime - In Chinese: 对
Pinyin: duì
In English: the right - In Chinese: 错
Pinyin: cuò
In English: fault
5. 香蜜沉沉烬如霜 – Ashes of Love
This is another great Chinese fantasy on Netflix that you definitely can’t miss! The Flower Goddess predicts that her daughter, Jin Mi will be tortured a great deal as she experiences love in the future, just like her own bitter experience. Determined to stop this tragedy, she gives Mi the Loveless Pill to prevent her from falling in love. And that’s how everything starts. This is a bittersweet love tale that depicts the struggles and love between Mi and Xufeng for three lifetimes in reincarnations.
The cultural aspect of this show is fascinating. You’ll be amazed by the concept of Xian (仙), which is an immortal being who lives above the sky in Chinese culture. This show reveals a glimpse of these interesting figures, as well as some poetic phrases about love to impress your other half with! Here’s some vocabulary for one of the best Chinese dramas on Netflix!
- In Chinese: 遇我，在你懂爱之前。爱我，在你伤我之后。
Pinyin: Yù wǒ, zài nǐ dǒng ài zhī qián. Ài wǒ, zài nǐ shāng wǒ zhī hòu.
In English: You met me before you know love. You love me after you hurt me. - In Chinese: 爱
Pinyin: ài
In English: love - In Chinese: 伤害
Pinyin: shāng hài
In English: hurt - In Chinese: 曾经
Pinyin: céng jīng
In English: the past
6. 流星花园 – Meteor Garden
This is one of the most classic Netflix Chinese dramas of all time. Shancai is an ordinary girl, but with great perseverance to achieve something at her dream university. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy at the very beginning. She was excluded by other rich students who looked down on her. Due to some misunderstandings, Shancai has made a terrible impression on four of the most popular guys at school. But later, as she shows her true character, one of the guys (Dao Mingsi), falls for her and starts to create an incredible bond with her.
Always fancying your own romantic relationship? Feeling nostalgic for your first love? Then you’re on the right track! This show will not only let you relive your youth, but also includes a variety of helpful daily phrases in Chinese for you to learn!
- In Chinese: 如果道歉有用的话，还要警察干嘛啊？
Pinyin: Rú guǒ dào qiàn yǒu yòng de huà, hái yào jǐng chá gàn ma ā?
In English: If an apology is helpful, why would we need police officers? - In Chinese: 学校
Pinyin: xué xiào
In English: school - In Chinese: 上课
Pinyin: shàng kè
In English: go to class - In Chinese: 喜欢
Pinyin: xǐ huān
In English: like
7. 甄嬛传 – Empresses in the Palace
When it comes to Chinese history, Netflix has some great stuff, like this fascinating Netflix Chinese historical drama.
This is a story that highlights feminism. It successfully portrays the Royal Concubines in the Qing Dynasty, who have dedicated their entire youth and beauty inside the Forbidden City, and are in a constant struggle regarding battles of love, power, and wealth. One such woman is the main character Zhenhuan, who grows from an innocent young girl to a sophisticated woman in the pursuit of the queen of the kingdom.
If you’re obsessed with history, this will be a fabulous opportunity for you to understand how history played its role in feminism during the Qing dynasty, as well as the complexity of Chinese empires. You may hear some ancient phrases throughout the show, but most of the dialogue will be in modern language. Watch this show to learn how to speak with elegance and professionalism.
- In Chinese: 人是活给自己看的，不是他人的一句话就能左右自己，让自己活出潇洒自我。
Pinyin: Rén shì huó gěi zì jǐ kàn de, bú shì tā rén de yī jù huà jiù néng zuǒ yòu zì jǐ, ràng zì jǐ huó chū xiāo sǎ zì wǒ.
In English: We live for ourselves, not for being manipulated by something that other people say, let yourself live like a free soul. - In Chinese: 少女
Pinyin: shǎo nǚ
In English: girl - In Chinese: 皇帝
Pinyin: huáng dì
In English: emperor - In Chinese: 结局
Pinyin: jié jú
In English: the end
8. 白夜追凶 – Day and Night
Guan Hongfeng, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department, solves a variety of complex cases to help his twin brother who has been accused of murder. If you’re a big fan of suspense and criminal shows, you’ll definitely fall in love with this show and always wonder what’s gonna happen next.
The intense and eye-catching scenes will give your eyes a feast! Don’t miss this show if you love Sherlock Holmes and other detective stories. Enjoy learning the most native Chinese while immersing yourself in the suspenseful atmosphere!
- In Chinese: 人都是习惯的奴隶。
Pinyin: Rén dōu shì xí guàn de nú lì.
In English: Humans are the slave of habits. - In Chinese: 哥哥
Pinyin: gē ge
In English: older brother - In Chinese: 弟弟
Pinyin: dì di
In English: younger brother - In Chinese: 孪生
Pinyin: luán shēng
In English: twin
9. 温暖的弦 – Here to Heart
In the mood for a Netflix Chinese romance drama? Check this one out!
Wennuan, an accomplished professional woman, without hesitance quits her high-paying job in England to work as an assistant under CEO Zhan Nanxian Zhan, who was once her lover, in the determination to rekindle the love once shared. After going through all the struggles in the current dynamic market, they not only end up together with more connection and understanding in their relationship, but also improve the whole high-tech industry to thrive under a healthier environment.
The business background is a plus for this show if you’re interested in the field. Don’t hesitate to watch it and learn some professional phrases. Take advantage of this free lesson, and you’ll improve your career in both Chinese language and business fields!
- In Chinese: 人遇到挫折，其实有的时候，是一件好事情，只有当你遇到挫折的时候，才会知道，谁对你不离不弃，一直陪在你身边。
Pinyin: Rén yù dào cuò zhé, qí shí yǒu de shí hòu, shì yī jiàn hǎo shì qíng, zhǐ yǒu dāng nǐ yù dào cuò zhé de shí hòu, cái huì zhī dào, shuí duì nǐ bú lí bú qì, yī zhí péi zài nǐ shēn biān.
In English: It’s actually a good thing to encounter setbacks because only when that happens, you will be able to know who will always stand by your side and never leave you alone. - In Chinese: 温暖
Pinyin: wēn nuǎn
In English: warm - In Chinese: 离开
Pinyin: lí kāi
In English: leave - In Chinese: 公司
Pinyin: gōng sī
In English: company
10. 天盛长歌 – The Rise of Phoenixes
Ning Yi, the ambitious sixth prince of the ruling kingdom, is used to putting his inner struggles and sadness behind a mask. Feng Zhiwei has tasted the bitterness of life and aspired to thrive in the empire. The two have battled against each other through love and hatred. Will Zhiwei eventually take revenge against her enemies—including her lover, Ning Yi—or will she decide to embrace the precious love she finally encounters?
This is an exciting and well-plotted Chinese action Netflix show based on the novel Huang Quan. Once you’ve started, you won’t stop wondering what twist the show will prepare for you. Of course, while enjoying the show, don’t forget to take notes on the well-crafted lines! It’ll boost your eloquence in speech to another level.
- In Chinese: 向前看和放弃，是有区别的。
Pinyin: Xiàng qián kàn hé fàng qì, shì yǒu qū bié de.
In English: There is a difference between moving on and giving up. - In Chinese: 权利
Pinyin: quán lì
In English: power - In Chinese: 改变
Pinyin: gǎi biàn
In English: change - In Chinese: 国
Pinyin: guó
In English: country
11. Conclusion
By now, you must’ve found a show or movie you’re excited to watch! You should also have a better idea of what to expect from Netflix Chinese content, and how to use it for your benefit. Remember to take advantage of all these valuable Chinese shows on Netflix, and with some effort, you’ll find yourself absorbing the language at an incredibly fast pace. How better to master the language than to learn Chinese with Netflix?
What? You’ll finish them in an instant? Don’t worry. Stay hungry and visit us at ChineseClass101.com to acquire more fun resources and lessons for a thrilling journey of studying Chinese! This will be your paradise!
Until next time, let us know which of these Chinese language Netflix shows or movies do you want to see first, and why? We’re curious. 😉
