2025 captivating Chinese screens

Editor's Note: 2025 has been a remarkable year. Our memories are woven into the fabric of daily life, cherished moments, and, of course, time spent with screens. Over the past year, Chinese entertainment has seen a plethora of highlights across genres such as romance, history, animation, crime thrillers, and more. Based on popularity and ratings from Douban, China’s leading review platform, we are pleased to share with you a selection of films and series — which are listed in no particular order — to showcase the creative achievements of 2025.

1. Ne Zha: Wrath of the Demon Child

Douban Rating: 8.4

An animated fantasy sequel exploring destiny versus free will as Ne Zha and Ao Bing rebuild their forms post-Heavenly Tribulation.

2. Lychees of Chang’an

Douban Rating: 7.5

A film about Li Shande's race to deliver lychees to Chang'an amidst bureaucratic challenges in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

3. Nobody: Little Monsters of Langlang Mountain

Douban Rating: 8.5

An animated tale of little monsters impersonating the Journey to the West crew, battling evil, and exploring heroism.

4. The Shadow’s Edge

Douban Rating: 8.1

A crime thriller that follows a retired surveillance expert and a rookie cop hunting a criminal mastermind — blending classic chases and modern tech.

5. Dead to Rights

Douban Rating: 8.8

In this historical drama, civilians risk their lives smuggling photographic evidence of atrocities while developing film for Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre.

6. This Thriving Land

Douban Rating: 7.2

This Thriving Land is a hit period drama set in rural China a century ago, exploring love, loss, resilience, and the deep bond between characters and their land.

7. Silent Honor

Douban Rating: 8.0

A spy drama depicting covert intelligence operations in 1949-50 Taiwan, highlighting historical precision amid turmoil and sacrifice.

8. The Chessmaster

Douban Rating: 7.5

A crime drama where a Go chess instructor framed for a crime descends into the underworld, testing his bond with detective brother.

9. Endless Protection

Douban Rating: 8.5

A legal drama about prosecutor Lin Zhitao tackling juvenile justice cases while balancing legal rigor with human compassion.