The Best Asian Movies of the 1990s
by Akira_Chimera | created - 26 Mar 2011 | updated - 5 months ago | PublicAlthough I have already incoporated some of the very best Asian movies cinema has to offer in my best of-lists of a decade there are plenty of films that are more than worthy to be discovered. The reason why I started a new series of listings is simply that many Asian movies are very different of what we came to know of from American or European cinema. To fully appreciate the films on this list you should be open-minded because some of the craziness that asian directors think of goes way beyond that of what Western movie makers churn out every year. But it is exactly that often groundbreaking craziness which makes movies from Asia that much fun.
As ususal, don't hesitate to leave a comment if you feel up to it.
PS: The movies are sorted by year and not necessarily by my preference. This list is by no means complete as I will add new worthwhile films as I stumble across them.
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1. Heaven and Earth (1990)
PG-13 | 125 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In 16th century Japan, two samurai engage in massive battles across the countryside, one attempting to conquer and the other attempting to defend his land while repressing his love for a woman after taking a vow of celibacy.
Director: Haruki Kadokawa | Stars: Takaaki Enoki, Masahiko Tsugawa, Atsuko Asano, Naomi Zaizen
Votes: 1,141 | Gross: $0.31M
"Heaven and Earth"
2. Dreams (1990)
PG | 119 min | Drama, Fantasy
A collection of tales based upon eight of director Akira Kurosawa's recurring dreams.
Directors: Akira Kurosawa, Ishirô Honda | Stars: Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baishô, Toshie Negishi, Mieko Harada
Votes: 29,209 | Gross: $1.96M
"Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"
3. The Swordsman (1990)
TV-14 | 118 min | Action, History
A kung-fu manual known as the sacred scroll is stolen from the Emperor's library. An army detachment is sent to recover it. Meanwhile, a young swordsman and his fellow disciple are accidentally drawn into the chaos.
Directors: Siu-Tung Ching, King Hu, Raymond Lee, Hark Tsui, Ann Hui, Yeung-Wah Kam | Stars: Samuel Hui, Cecilia Yip, Jacky Cheung, Sharla Cheung
Votes: 2,576
"The Swordsman"
4. Ju Dou (1990)
PG-13 | 95 min | Drama, Romance
In rural China, the young bride of a tyrannical owner of a silk-dyeing business finds temporary solace in the arms of her husband's nephew, but problems arise when she becomes pregnant.
Directors: Yimou Zhang, Fengliang Yang | Stars: Gong Li, Wei Li, Baotian Li, Zhang Yi
Votes: 9,024 | Gross: $1.99M
"Ju Dou"
5. Song of the Exile (1990)
100 min | Drama
After the Sino-Japanese War, Kwei Dz, one of the family members of Japanese soldiers accepted a Chinese officer's proposal and remained in China. Later they had a daughter named Ann. The ... See full summary »
Director: Ann Hui | Stars: Maggie Cheung, Siu-Kwong Chung, Tan Lang Jachi Tian, Waise Lee
Votes: 559
"Song of the Exile"
6. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
Unrated | 104 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
A Chinese Ghost Story II Chinese 倩女幽魂 II人間道 is a 1990 Hong Kong romantic comedy-horror film directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark. It is the sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story and is followed by A Chinese Ghost Story III.
Director: Siu-Tung Ching | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang, Michelle Reis, Jacky Cheung
Votes: 3,991
"A Chinese Ghost Story II"
7. 12 Hours of Terror (1990)
Not Rated | 94 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
The Red Army aims to assassinate the Daka Lama in Singapore. Ling May, with a rare blood type, encounters them. Terrorists strike. Authorities seek a donor match as Ling's boyfriend and a conman intervene, racing against time.
Director: Jing Wong | Stars: Alan Tam, Andy Lau, Eric Tsang, Ka-Yan Leung
Votes: 502
"The Last Blood"
8. Curry and Pepper (1990)
101 min | Action, Comedy
Two best friends and cop partners become the subject of a beautiful news reporter's documentary. The two soon find themselves competing for screen time as well as the love of the reporter while after a murderous arms dealer.
Director: Blackie Shou-Liang Ko | Stars: Stephen Chow, Jacky Cheung, Ann Bridgewater, Eric Tsang
Votes: 1,053
"Curry and Pepper"
9. Return Engagement (1990)
108 min | Action, Drama
A well-known gangster is released from prison, and decides look for his daughter with the help of a troubled young woman.
Director: Tung Cho 'Joe' Cheung | Stars: Alan Tang, Elizabeth Lee, May Mei-Mei Lo, Simon Yam
Votes: 173
"Gods, Gangsters and Gamblers"
10. A Moment of Romance (1990)
92 min | Action, Crime, Drama
During a bank heist, the getaway driver Wah took a young woman Jo Jo hostage. After preventing her from getting killed by his accomplices, they began a forbidden relationship causing mayhem and chaos for their friends and family.
Director: Benny Chan | Stars: Andy Lau, Chien-Lien Wu, Man-Tat Ng, Kwong-Leung Wong
Votes: 1,752
"A Moment of Romance"
11. The Unmatchable Match (1990)
98 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Ruthless gangster Guts pulls off a heist of diamonds, then enlists the aid of longtime triad member, Fei, to arrange a buyer for them. But when Guts double crosses the buyer, Fei ends up with the diamonds, wanted by both the cops and Guts.
Director: Parkman Wong | Stars: Stephen Chow, Michael Wai-Man Chan, Vivian Chow, Fui-On Shing
Votes: 396
"The Unmatchable Match"
12. A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991)
Unrated | 104 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Basically a retread of the first movie, in which the evil Tree Spirit is back with yet another ghost played by Joey Wong. The Swordsman Yen and Leslie Cheung characters are replaced by a ... See full summary »
Directors: Siu-Tung Ching, Hark Tsui | Stars: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Joey Wang, Jacky Cheung, Nina Li Chi
Votes: 2,943
"A Chinsese Ghost Story III"
13. Ronin Gai (1990)
117 min | Action, Drama
A group of masterless samurai living in Edo's red light district must fend off a militia bent on wiping out local prostitutes.
Directors: Kazuo Kuroki, Masahiro Makino | Stars: Yoshio Harada, Kanako Higuchi, Renji Ishibashi, Kaoru Sugita
Votes: 579
"Rônin-gai"
14. Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
R | 134 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung fights against foreign forces' plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector.
Director: Hark Tsui | Stars: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Biao Yuen, Jacky Cheung
Votes: 19,904
"Once Upon a Time in China"
15. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
PG | 125 min | Drama, Romance
China in the 1920s. After her father's death, Songlian is forced to marry the wealthy Master Chen. With three wives already, each living in a separate house, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained.
Director: Yimou Zhang | Stars: Gong Li, Jingwu Ma, Saifei He, Cuifen Cao
Votes: 35,371 | Gross: $2.60M
"Raise the Red Lantern"
16. Chizuko's Younger Sister (1991)
120 min | Drama, Fantasy
Follows two sisters, one clumsy and ignored, the other a perfect child. After the latter dies in an accident, she returns as a ghost to guide her little sister.
Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi | Stars: Hikari Ishida, Tomoko Nakajima, Toshinori Omi, Tomoka Shibayama
Votes: 334
"Us Two"
17. Au Revoir Mon Amour (1991)
126 min | Drama, War
Two former lovers are reunited in war-torn Shangai during its occupation by Japanese troops in World War 2.
Director: Tony Au | Stars: Anita Mui, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Hidekazu Akai, Chikako Aoyama
Votes: 134
"Au Revoir Mon Amour"
18. Center Stage (1991)
126 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
Biopic of 1930s Chinese actress Lingyu Ruan.
Director: Stanley Kwan | Stars: Maggie Cheung, Han Chin, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Carina Lau
Votes: 2,725
"Center Stage"
19. Armour of God 2: Operation Condor (1991)
PG-13 | 80 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Jackie is hired to help the UN find Nazi gold hidden in Sahara. He's accompanied from Spain by 2 (later 3) cute women. As there are others wanting the gold, lots of kung fu fighting and comedy follows.
Director: Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Carol 'Do Do' Cheng, Eva Cobo, Shôko Ikeda
Votes: 22,693 | Gross: $10.44M
"Operation Condor"
20. Lee Rock (1991)
128 min | Crime, Drama
The first part of the Lee Rock trilogy which chronicles the rise and fall of the corrupt police force that Lee Rock becomes a part of. Rock enters Hong Kong as an immigrant from the ... See full summary »
Director: Lawrence Ah-Mon | Stars: Andy Lau, Sharla Cheung, Man-Tat Ng, Chingmy Yau
Votes: 867
"Lee Rock"
21. Lee Rock II (1991)
Not Rated | 111 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The second part of the trilogy chronicling the rise and fall of Hong Kong's top corrupt official. During this time period, Lee Rock enjoys his success and has found a new love. But jealousy... See full summary »
Director: Lawrence Ah-Mon | Stars: Andy Lau, Sharla Cheung, Aaron Kwok, Man-Tat Ng
Votes: 565
"Lee Rock II"
22. Touch and Go (1991)
97 min | Action, Drama
A clumsy, easy-going but tough restaurant chef witnesses a murder of a cop. This leads him to a world of trouble, as the killer seeks to silence him. Luckily, the vengeful partner of the dead cop is there to help him.
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Billy Chow, Shui-Wah Fok, Robert Hung, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Votes: 259
"Touch and Go"
23. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Time travelers use Godzilla in their scheme to destroy Japan to prevent the country's future economic reign.
Directors: Kazuki Ômori, Koji Hashimoto | Stars: Kôsuke Toyohara, Anna Nakagawa, Megumi Odaka, Katsuhiko Sasaki
Votes: 7,206
"Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah"
24. Bury Me High (1991)
102 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Directors: Chi Li Tang, Siu-Ming Tsui | Stars: Moon Lee, Kar Lok Chin, Sibelle Hu, Wing Cho
Votes: 170
"Bury Me High"
25. Fight Back to School (1991)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A SWAT team leader is forced by his captain to go undercover as a high school student to retrieve the captain's personal gun which was stolen during a school field trip to the police station.
Director: Gordon Chan | Stars: Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, Man-Tat Ng, Roy Cheung
Votes: 4,755
"Fight Back to School"
26. Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)
R | 91 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Riki-Oh, a young man who has superhuman strength, is incarcerated in a private prison, where inmates are treated like slaves. He is forced to use his unstoppable form of martial arts to destroy the corrupt officials and their lackeys.
Director: Ngai Choi Lam | Stars: Siu-Wong Fan, Mei Sheng Fan, Ka-Kui Ho, Yukari Ôshima
Votes: 15,050
"Story of Ricky"
27. Blue Lightning (1991)
93 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Danny Lee is a retired cop investigating the murder of his wife, witnessed only by his son.
Director: Raymond Lee | Stars: Danny Lee, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Kun-Hsuan Huang, Olivia Cheng
Votes: 62
"Blue Lightning"
28. To Be Number One (1991)
136 min | Action, Biography, Crime
The story of Ho, a Chinese peasant/slave worker who escapes to Hong Kong and becomes one of the most feared crime bosses in Hong Kong.
Director: Man Kit Poon | Stars: Ray Lui, Kent Cheng, Cecilia Yip, Amy Yip
Votes: 706
"To Be Number One"
29. Robotrix (1991)
98 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A man transfers his mind to an android, and kidnaps a middle eastern prince, demanding a ransom. Meanwhile, he goes on a spree of raping and killing prostitutes. The police secret androids, Robotrix, are the only ones that could stop him.
Director: Jamie Luk | Stars: Amy Yip, Chikako Aoyama, David Wu, Billy Chow
Votes: 1,199
"Robotrix"
30. Sex and Zen (1991)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A man marries a beautiful wife, but decides to go out and experience as many sexual conquests as possible, with unusual and often hilarious results. Meanwhile, his wife is forced to enter a brothel and work as a prostitute.
Director: Michael Mak | Stars: Lawrence Ng, Amy Yip, Kent Cheng, Elvis Tsui
Votes: 2,774 | Gross: $0.40M
"Sex and Zen"
31. Rhapsody in August (1991)
PG | 98 min | Drama, War
Three generations' responses to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
Director: Akira Kurosawa | Stars: Sachiko Murase, Richard Gere, Hisashi Igawa, Narumi Kayashima
Votes: 7,557 | Gross: $0.52M
"Rhapsody in August"
32. Prison on Fire II (1991)
TV-MA | 109 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Ching escapes from prison to see his young son, who he has been put in an orphanage. And that puts him in great danger.
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Sung-Young Chen, Elvis Tsui, Kwong-Leung Wong
Votes: 1,391
"Prison on Fire II"
33. A Brighter Summer Day (1991)
Not Rated | 237 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
Based on a true story, primarily on a conflict between two youth gangs, a 14-year-old boy's girlfriend conflicts with the head of one gang for an unclear reason, until finally the conflict comes to a violent climax.
Director: Edward Yang | Stars: Chang Chen, Lisa Yang, Kuo-Chu Chang, Elaine Jin
Votes: 12,799
"A Brighter Summer Day"
34. The Blue Jean Monster (1991)
94 min | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
A cop gets buried under steel rebars while pursuing triad bank robbers through a construction site. He gets reanimated supernaturally and becomes invulnerable, but needs electricity to remain alive, and goes after the gang who killed him.
Director: Kai-Ming Lai | Stars: Fui-On Shing, Siu-Fung Wong, Wai-Kit Tse, Gloria Yip
Votes: 218
"The Blue Jean Monster"
35. Pushing Hands (1991)
Not Rated | 105 min | Comedy, Drama
All the while, Master Chu tries to find his place in the foreign American world.
Director: Ang Lee | Stars: Sihung Lung, Lai Wang, Bozhao Wang, Deb Snyder
Votes: 4,823 | Gross: $0.15M
"Pushing Hands"
36. Shanghai 1920 (1991)
137 min | Crime, Drama
Billy Fong, a Chinese boy working the Shanghai docks, becomes friends with Dawson Cole, the spoiled son of an American shipping tycoon. As adults, the friends become business partners. ... See full summary »
Director: Po-Chih Leong | Stars: John Lone, Adrian Pasdar, Fennie Yuen, Eric Michael Zee
Votes: 93
"Shanghai 1920"
37. Swordsman II (1992)
R | 112 min | Action, Fantasy
Ling Wu Chung decides to hide from the chaotic world. Before leaving, he visits his friends, a tribe of snake-wielding women warriors. However, he finds that the tribe have been attacked, and their leader Yam Ying Ying has been abducted.
Director: Siu-Tung Ching | Stars: Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Reis, Waise Lee
Votes: 4,797
"Swordsman II"
38. Once Upon a Time in China II (1992)
R | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
Arriving by train in Guangzhou, 1895, the trio fight off White Lotus followers, who want to kill all foreigners and the cute, European dressed 13th Aunt. It's not kung fu master Dr. Wong's (Jet Li) last fight.
Director: Hark Tsui | Stars: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Siu Chung Mok, David Chiang
Votes: 10,638
"Once Upon a Time in China II"
39. Supercop (1992)
R | 91 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A Hong Kong detective teams up with his female Red Chinese counterpart to stop a Chinese drug czar.
Director: Stanley Tong | Stars: Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Kenneth Tsang
Votes: 24,293 | Gross: $16.27M
"Police Story III"
40. Tetsuo II: Body Hammer (1992)
R | 83 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
When metal-worshipping fanatics abduct his son, a father unleashes his dormant destructive power, as his naked rage transforms the once-feeble flesh into a grisly symbiosis of metal and tissue. Who dares to defy the ultimate body-hammer?
Director: Shin'ya Tsukamoto | Stars: Tomorô Taguchi, Shin'ya Tsukamoto, Nobu Kanaoka, Sujin Kim
Votes: 5,103 | Gross: $0.00M
"Tetsuo II: Body Hammer"
41. Full Contact (1992)
R | 99 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Two disreputable friends get tied in with a group of criminals who turn out to be excessively violent and deceptive.
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Simon Yam, Ann Bridgewater, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong
Votes: 4,836
"Full Contact"
42. Hard Boiled (1992)
R | 128 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A tough-as-nails cop teams up with an undercover agent to shut down a sinister mobster and his crew.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Teresa Mo, Philip Chan
Votes: 54,058
"Hard Boiled"
43. The Moon Is... The Sun's Dream (1992)
103 min | Crime, Romance, Thriller
A gangster in Busan is caught having an affair with his boss's mistress. The two decide to run off with the organizations money, leading to dire circumstances.
Director: Park Chan-wook | Stars: Seung-hwan Song, Seung-Chul Lee, Bang Eun-hee, Kim Dong-soo
Votes: 492
"Moon is the Sun's Dream"
44. The Moon Warriors (1992)
Not Rated | 87 min | Action, Romance, Thriller
A simple fisherman helps a fugitive King in a fight, and offers him refuge in a hideout near his fishing village. When the King's group is attacked by his usurper brother, the fisherman is ... See full summary »
Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung | Stars: Andy Lau, Kenny Bee, Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung
Votes: 1,057
"Moon Warriors"
45. Our Twisted Hero (1992)
119 min | Drama
A fifth-grade classroom takes on a political structure which reflects Korea's history of coups and dictatorial regimes.
Director: Jong-won Park | Stars: Choi Min-sik, Hong Kyoung-in, Shin Goo, Hyeong-gi Ahn
Votes: 257
"Our Twisted Hero"
46. King of Beggars (1992)
TV-14 | 101 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A rich family's son falls in love with a woman who will only marry him once he becomes a Kung-Fu Master. In this 'Dramedy' He becomes a legendary hero, by attempting to save the emperor, during his true quest of love.
Director: Gordon Chan | Stars: Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, Man-Tat Ng, Norman Chu
Votes: 4,210
"King of the Beggars"
47. Dr. Lamb (1992)
Not Rated | 89 min | Crime, Thriller
An abnormal taxi driver lusts for blood every rainy night, and several young women are killed as a result.
Directors: Danny Lee, Billy Hin-Shing Tang | Stars: Danny Lee, Simon Yam, Kent Cheng, Pik Yu Chung
Votes: 939
"Dr. Lamb"
48. Dragon Inn (1992)
88 min | Action, Thriller
During the Ming Dynasty, Tsao Siu-yan, a power-crazed eunuch who rules his desert region of China as if he were the Emperor, ruthlessly thwarts plots against him and sets a trap for one of this enemies at the Dragon Gate Inn.
Directors: Raymond Lee, Siu-Tung Ching, Hark Tsui | Stars: Tony Ka Fai Leung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Donnie Yen
Votes: 4,840
"Dragon Inn"
49. Tokyo Decadence (1992)
NC-17 | 112 min | Drama
A submissive hooker goes about her trade, suffering abuse at the hands of Japanese salarymen and Yakuza types. She's unhappy about her work, and is apparently trying to find some sort of ... See full summary »
Director: Ryû Murakami | Stars: Miho Nikaido, Yayoi Kusama, Sayoko Amano, Tenmei Kano
Votes: 3,594 | Gross: $0.28M
"Tokyo Decadence"
50. Rebels of the Neon God (1992)
Not Rated | 106 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
Within the urban gloom of Taipei, four youths face alienation, loneliness, and moments of existential crisis amidst a series of minor crimes.
Director: Tsai Ming-liang | Stars: Wang Yu-wen, Chen Chao-jung, Kang-sheng Lee, Jen Chang-bin
Votes: 5,539 | Gross: $0.03M
"Rebels of the Neon God"
51. Talking Head (1992)
105 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
A revered director with an obscure style, Rei Maruwa, has gone missing during the production of his latest animated feature, Talking Head. With the deadline approaching and next to no ... See full summary »
Director: Mamoru Oshii | Stars: Shigeru Chiba, Tomoko Ishimura, Fumihiko Tachiki, Yoshikazu Fujiki
Votes: 467
"Talking Head"
52. With or Without You (1992)
86 min | Action, Romance
A cop falls in love with a karaoke singer, while her violent, and psychotic gangster-boyfriend, known as Prince, is away on business.
Director: Taylor Wong | Stars: Leon Lai, Jacky Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, Tat-Kwong Chan
Votes: 75
"With or Without You"
53. Minbo (1992)
123 min | Comedy
A luxury hotel extorted by yakusa assigns an ordinary accountant to handle the situation. The chaotic results cause the hotel to rethink its plan.
Director: Jûzô Itami | Stars: Nobuko Miyamoto, Yasuo Daichi, Takehiro Murata, Akira Takarada
Votes: 1,146
"Minbo - Or the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion"
54. The Eagle Shooting Heroes (1993)
103 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
A parody of Louis Cha's renowned novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The story begins with the Queen of Golden Wheel Kingdom and having an affair with her cousin West Poison, both of ... See full summary »
Director: Jeffrey Lau | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Votes: 3,243
"Eagle Shooting Heroes"
55. Temptation of a Monk (1993)
118 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Near the beginning of the Tang dynasty, in 7th century China, General Shi Yan-sheng is tricked into leaving the crown prince unguarded. The crown prince is murdered by one of his brothers ... See full summary »
Director: Clara Law | Stars: Joan Chen, Hsing-Kuo Wu, Fengyi Zhang, Ming-Yang Li
Votes: 389
"Temptation of a Monk"
56. The Bride with White Hair (1993)
92 min | Action, Fantasy, Romance
Cho Yat-Hang, the unwilling successor to the Wu-Tang clan throne and the unsure commander of the clan's forces in a war against an evil cult, falls in forbidden love with Lien Ni-Chang, a killer for the evil cult.
Director: Ronny Yu | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Francis Ng, Elaine Lui
Votes: 3,843
"The Bride with White Hair"
57. Iron Monkey (1993)
PG-13 | 85 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A martial artist/doctor steals from the corrupt authorities as a masked thief to give to the poor while another martial artist/doctor is forced to hunt him down. But a major threat unites them as a powerful and traitorous shaolin monk takes over the authorities.
Director: Woo-Ping Yuen | Stars: Rongguang Yu, Donnie Yen, Jean Wang, Sze-Man Tsang
Votes: 17,230 | Gross: $14.68M
"Iron Monkey"
58. The Legend (1993)
R | 100 min | Action, Comedy, History
This Hong Kong martial-arts extravaganza tells of evil emperors and true love. The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. ... See full summary »
Director: Corey Yuen | Stars: Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis, Wenzhuo Zhao
Votes: 8,296
"The Legend"
59. Green Snake (1993)
Not Rated | 99 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Two snake spirits become human and learn about love and suffering. A monk discovers his own weaknesses and finds that morality is not as simple as he had thought.
Director: Hark Tsui | Stars: Joey Wang, Maggie Cheung, Wenzhuo Zhao, Hsing-Kuo Wu
Votes: 3,656
"Green Snake"
60. Run and Kill (1993)
90 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A family man catches his wife cheating, accidentally puts a hit on her, then has to pay a gang's exorbitant fee which he can't afford. He flees to his hometown, meets a local gangster who agrees to help him, but matters go extremely awry.
Director: Billy Hin-Shing Tang | Stars: Kent Cheng, Simon Yam, Danny Lee, Esther Kwan
Votes: 710
"Run and Kill"
61. Tai Chi Master (1993)
R | 96 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
Two friends, ex Shaolin monks, part ways as they brush with the ongoing rebellion against the government. The ambitious one rises up to be a powerful military commander, while his betrayed friend resorts to learn the calm ways of Tai Chi.
Director: Woo-Ping Yuen | Stars: Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Siu-Ho Chin, Fennie Yuen
Votes: 10,844
"Twin Warriors"
62. Kung Fu Cult Master (1993)
107 min | Action, Fantasy, History
A wild, rollicking martial-arts fantasy extravaganza that features prized swords and swordsmen, a crazy monk attached to a rolling boulder (yup!), serious clan and cult rivalries, and lots of magic and flying.
Directors: Jing Wong, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung | Stars: Jet Li, Sharla Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Votes: 4,068
"Lord of the Wu Tang"
63. Crime Story (1993)
R | 103 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A Special Agent is assigned to protect a wealthy business magnate. However, when the businessman is kidnapped in a daring ambush, he teams up with a seasoned detective to crack the case. But soon he discovers the case isn't that simple.
Directors: Kirk Wong, Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Kent Cheng, Christine Ng, Kar-Ying Law
Votes: 7,444 | Gross: $0.19M
"Crime Story"
64. The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story (1993)
Unrated | 96 min | Comedy, Crime, Horror
Macau cops begin to suspect a man running a pork buns restaurant of murder, after tracing the origin of a case full of chopped up human remains that washed ashore, which leads them to him.
Directors: Danny Lee, Herman Yau | Stars: Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Danny Lee, Emily Kwan, Julie Lee
Votes: 4,682
"The Untold Story"
65. Taxi Hunter (1993)
89 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Mild mannered businessman Anthony Wongs life is shattered when his pregnant wife is run over by a busy taxi driver. This and another incident with a sleazy cab driver causes Wong to go on a mission to kill bad taxi drivers.
Director: Herman Yau | Stars: Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Rongguang Yu, Man-Tat Ng, Athena Chu
Votes: 823
"Taxi Hunter"
66. Love to Kill (1993)
87 min | Comedy, Crime, Thriller
A woman looks to a cop for help against her abusive husband, who constantly rapes, beats, and belittles her and her son, but the husband catches wind of the cop's plan.
Directors: Siu-Hung Chung, Kirk Wong | Stars: Danny Lee, Elizabeth Lee, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Eric Kei
Votes: 200
"Love to Kill"
67. Butterfly and Sword (1993)
Not Rated | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Dynamo Michelle Yeoh stars as a loyalist who attempts to keep the King's empire from being overthrown by a revolutionary group.
Director: Michael Mak | Stars: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Michelle Yeoh, Joey Wang, Elvis Tsui
Votes: 1,279
"Butterfly Sword"
68. Flirting Scholar (1993)
102 min | Comedy, Romance
A scholar in search of true love. Disguising himself as a houseboy, he indentures himself to a rich family in order to pursue the ravishing servant girl who has stolen his heart.
Director: Lik-Chi Lee | Stars: Stephen Chow, Gong Li, Pak-Cheung Chan, James Wong
Votes: 6,210
"Flirting Scholar"
69. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
PG | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The United Nations assembles the ultimate weapon to defeat Godzilla, while scientists discover a fresh pteranodon egg on a remote Japanese island.
Directors: Takao Okawara, Kazuki Ômori | Stars: Masahiro Takashima, Ryoko Sano, Megumi Odaka, Yûsuke Kawazu
Votes: 5,842
"Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II"
70. Sonatine (1993)
R | 94 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Several yakuza from Tokyo are sent to Okinawa to help end a gang war. The war then escalates and the Tokyo drifters decide to lay low at the beach.
Director: Takeshi Kitano | Stars: Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kokumai, Tetsu Watanabe, Masanobu Katsumura
Votes: 23,299
"Sonatine"
71. The Blue Kite (1993)
140 min | Drama, History
The lives of a Beijing family throughout the 1950s and 1960s, as they experience the impact of the Hundred Flowers Campaign, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.
Director: Zhuangzhuang Tian | Stars: Tian Yi, Wenyao Zhang, Xiaoman Chen, Liping Lü
Votes: 3,262 | Gross: $0.36M
"The Blue Kite"
72. Nûdo no yoru (1993)
Not Rated | 110 min | Crime, Thriller
A private investigator takes on an odd job to retrieve a lost Rolex, only to find himself lured into a case filled with violence and sex by his mysterious employer.
Director: Takashi Ishii | Stars: Naoto Takenaka, Kimiko Yo, Jinpachi Nezu, Kippei Shîna
Votes: 359
"A Night in Nude"
73. The Puppetmaster (1993)
142 min | Biography, Drama, War
Puppeteer Li Tian-lu tells his life story, and through it, the story of Taiwan in the first half of the 20th century.
Director: Hsiao-Hsien Hou | Stars: Tien-Lu Li, Giong Lim, Kuei-Chung Cheng, Chien-ru Huang
Votes: 2,073
"The Puppetmaster"
74. Farewell My Concubine (1993)
R | 171 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Two boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.
Director: Kaige Chen | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Fengyi Zhang, Gong Li, You Ge
Votes: 33,191 | Gross: $5.22M
"Farewell, My Concubine"
75. Madadayo (1993)
134 min | Drama
Following World War II, a retired professor approaching his autumn years finds his quality of life drastically reduced in war-torn Tokyo. Denying despair, he pursues writing and celebrates his birthday with his adoring students.
Directors: Akira Kurosawa, Ishirô Honda | Stars: Tatsuo Matsumura, Hisashi Igawa, George Tokoro, Masayuki Yui
Votes: 6,161 | Gross: $0.05M
76. The Wedding Banquet (1993)
R | 106 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
To satisfy his nagging parents, a gay landlord and a female tenant agree to a marriage of convenience, but his parents arrive to visit and things get out of hand.
Director: Ang Lee | Stars: Winston Chao, May Chin, Ah-Lei Gua, Sihung Lung
Votes: 17,159 | Gross: $6.93M
"The Wedding Banquet"
77. C'est la vie, mon chéri (1993)
Not Rated | 105 min | Drama, Romance
A jazz musician (Lau Ching-Wan) who has problems in both his life and career breaks up with his girlfriend, and moves into a poor neighborhood. There, he meets a girl (Anita Yuen), who ... See full summary »
Director: Tung-Shing Yee | Stars: Ching Wan Lau, Anita Yuen, Carina Lau, Bo-Bo Fung
Votes: 946
"Endless Love - C'est la Vie, Cherie"
78. Holy Weapon (1993)
R | 98 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
The story of Seven Maidens who are recruited to challenge the threat posed by a Japanese swordsman of supernatural power.
Directors: Jing Wong, Dennis Chan | Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Carol 'Do Do' Cheng, Maggie Cheung, Sandra Kwan Yue Ng
Votes: 304
"Holy Weapon"
79. The Bride with White Hair II (1993)
80 min | Action, Fantasy, Romance
On Kit and Lyre's wedding night, Lien Ni-Chang, the bride with white hair kidnaps Lyre and takes her to her harem of fighting women to indoctrinate her against Kit. Kit tries to lead a rescue party and go up against the formidable enemies.
Director: David Wu | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Christy Chung, Sunny Chan
Votes: 1,169
"The Bride with White Hair II"
80. Tom, Dick and Hairy (1993)
99 min | Comedy
Different personalities of three bachelors provide them with three different stories to tell. Tom is torn between a material girl and a prostitute. Dick is a womanizer and eventually gets ... See full summary »
Directors: Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Chi-Ngai Lee | Stars: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Lawrence Cheng, Ann Bridgewater
Votes: 270
"Tom, Dick and Hairy"
81. The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1993)
92 min | Drama, Thriller
Maiku Hama is a private detective working in Yokohama. Hama comes to the aid of a Taiwanese waiter named Yang and agrees to track down his missing brother. Through a series of ... See full summary »
Director: Kaizô Hayashi | Stars: Masatoshi Nagase, Shirô Sano, Kiyotaka Nanbara, Hai-Ping Yang
Votes: 436
"The Most Terrible Time in My Life"
82. Drunken Master II (1994)
R | 102 min | Action, Comedy
A young martial artist is caught between respecting his pacifist father's wishes or stopping a group of disrespectful foreigners from stealing precious artifacts.
Directors: Chia-Liang Liu, Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Ho-Sung Pak, Lung Ti, Anita Mui
Votes: 48,947 | Gross: $11.55M
"Legend of the Drunken Master"
83. Deadly Melody (1994)
91 min | Action, Thriller
A young security man must prove himself worthy by defending the one object wanted by all the masters of the Martials Arts world - the Magic Lyre!
Director: Min Kan Ng | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Biao Yuen, Carina Lau, Wai Lam
Votes: 537
"Deadly Melody"
84. Wing Chun (1994)
TV-14 | 96 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
Wing Chun's village is yet again being plundered by bandits. This time she uses kung fu to defeat them. The fighting doesn't end here.
Director: Woo-Ping Yuen | Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, King-Tan Yuen, Catherine Yan Hung
Votes: 3,504
"Wing Chun"
85. First Shot (1993)
100 min | Action, Thriller
During a period of widespread police corruption, Ti Lung is a stubborn cop who takes on both the mob and the political establishment.
Director: David Lam | Stars: Lung Ti, Maggie Cheung, Simon Yam, Waise Lee
Votes: 134
"First Shot - The Great Kowloon Criminal Investigation"
86. Fist of Legend (1994)
R | 103 min | Action, Drama
In 1937, a Chinese martial artist returns to Shanghai to find his teacher dead and his school harassed by the Japanese.
Director: Gordon Chan | Stars: Jet Li, Shinobu Nakayama, Siu-Ho Chin, Billy Chow
Votes: 24,938
"Fist of Legend"
87. Return to a Better Tomorrow (1994)
103 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
An adventure that delves into the dark caverns of the underworld and tells the tale of three chivalrous gangsters who attempt to escape the powerful clutch of their gang leader.
Director: Jing Wong | Stars: Ekin Cheng, Ching Wan Lau, Michael Wong, Chingmy Yau
Votes: 339
"Return to a Better Tomorrow"
88. The Great Conqueror's Concubine (1994)
165 min | Action, Drama, History
Insurrection deposes the tyrannical first emperor of China during the evil Qin Dynasty. Warrior/general Xiang Yu and the cunning peasant Liu Pang join forces to win through civil war. Xiang... See full summary »
Director: Stephen Shin | Stars: Ray Lui, Rosamund Kwan, Gong Li, Fengyi Zhang
Votes: 299
"The Great Conqueror's Concubine"
89. To Live and Die in Tsimshatsui (1994)
100 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
An undercover cop Ah Kit and his best friend Ah Bong are sent in to get evidence on a crime boss known as Coffin Tung. After a raid goes wrong and Tung is killed, his gang splits into two factions.
Directors: Andrew Lau, Jing Wong | Stars: Jacky Cheung, Chien-Lien Wu, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Gigi Lai
Votes: 142
"To Live and Die in Tsim Sha Tsui"
90. Ashes of Time (1994)
R | 100 min | Action, Drama
A broken-hearted hit man moves to the desert where he finds skilled swordsmen to carry out his contract killings.
Director: Kar-Wai Wong | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Votes: 16,983 | Gross: $0.17M
"Ashes of Time Redux"
91. 1941 Hong Kong on Fire (1994)
91 min | Comedy, Drama, War
A family suffers at the hands of the Japanese during the occupation of Hong Kong.
Director: Man-Kei Chin | Stars: Chingmy Yau, Veronica Yip, Chung-Hua Tou, Kar-Ying Law
Votes: 79
"1941 Hong Kong on Fire"
92. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
Not Rated | 124 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A senior chef lives with his three grown daughters; the middle one finds her future plans affected by unexpected events and the life changes of the other household members.
Director: Ang Lee | Stars: Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Wang Yu-wen, Chien-Lien Wu
Votes: 23,214 | Gross: $7.29M
"Eat Drinki Man Woman"
93. To Live (1994)
Not Rated | 133 min | Drama, War
After Fugui and Jiazhen lose their personal fortunes, they raise a family and survive difficult cultural changes during 1940s to 1970s China.
Director: Yimou Zhang | Stars: You Ge, Gong Li, Ben Niu, Wu Jiang
Votes: 20,464 | Gross: $2.33M
"To Live"
94. The Day the Sun Turned Cold (1994)
99 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Guan Jian wants to report the murder of his father who died 10 years ago. The alleged murderer whom Guan Jian accuses of the crime is his own mother.
Director: Ho Yim | Stars: Siqin Gaowa, Chung-Hua Tou, Jingwu Ma, Zi Wei
Votes: 260
"The Day the Sun Turned Cold"
95. Organized Crime & Triad Bureau (1994)
Unrated | 90 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
The head of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Inspector San Lee, will do anything to put triad boss Tung in jail, but he'll have to fight both sides of the law to do it.
Director: Kirk Wong | Stars: Danny Lee, Cecilia Yip, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Tak-Kwong Chan
Votes: 278
"Organized Crime & Triad Bureau"
96. The Return of the God of Gamblers (1994)
126 min | Action, Drama
Ko Chun vows to keep his identity hidden while looking for the gangsters who murdered his pregnant wife, in Wong Jing's sequel to his action/comedy classic.
Director: Jing Wong | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Chien-Lien Wu, Charles Heung
Votes: 2,882
"God of Gamblers 2"
97. Alone in the Night (1994)
108 min | Crime, Drama
Nami, the widow of a disgraced narcotics officer seeks to clear his name by going undercover.
Director: Takashi Ishii | Stars: Yui Natsukawa, Jinpachi Nezu, Toshiyuki Nagashima, Noriko Hayami
Votes: 154
"Alone in the Night"
98. Rock N'Roll Cop (1994)
92 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A Hong Kong cop is sent to mainland China to find a group of killers. Meanwhile, a cop discovers that his former love is aiding the gang of crooks.
Director: Kirk Wong | Stars: Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Hsing-Kuo Wu, Rongguang Yu, Carrie Ng
Votes: 167
"Rock N' Roll Cop"
99. Chungking Express (1994)
PG-13 | 102 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Two melancholic Hong Kong policemen fall in love: one with a mysterious female underworld figure, the other with a beautiful and ethereal waitress at a late-night restaurant he frequents.
Director: Kar-Wai Wong | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Faye Wong
Votes: 95,931 | Gross: $0.60M
"Chungking Express"
100. Burning Paradise (1994)
104 min | Adventure, Action, Fantasy
An exotic, legendary battle between the forces of good and evil comes to life as the celebrated disciples of the Shaolin Temple -- monks who practice a lethal and spiritual form of martial ... See full summary »
Director: Ringo Lam | Stars: Willie Chi, John Ching, Yamson Domingo, Chun Lam
Votes: 932
"Burning Paradise in Hell"
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