The best Zhang Yimou films
The top 3 according to 1 vote: Article 20 (2024) · To Live (1994) · Red Sorghum (1987). (Updated Jun 14, 2025.)
From Red Sorghum to To Live: Zhang Yimou's classics as chosen by fans and the press (Sohu, Sina, Zhihu).
Automatically translated (original in 简体中文). See the original
Top 12
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1
Article 20 (2024)
A legal drama that grossed over 2.4 billion yuan.
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2
To Live (1994)
Ge You and Gong Li, a family's fate over decades; Grand Prix at Cannes.
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3
Red Sorghum (1987)
His directing debut, the first Chinese film to win the Golden Bear.
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4
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Gong Li's fate inside a wealthy household.
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5
Hero (2002)
A colour-drenched wuxia epic, Oscar-nominated for foreign film.
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6
The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)
Gong Li seeks justice for her husband; Golden Lion at Venice.
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7
Not One Less (1999)
A village substitute teacher searches for a missing pupil; Golden Lion at Venice.
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8
The Road Home (1999)
Zhang Ziyi's screen debut, an innocent love story.
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9
Ju Dou (1990)
A forbidden love in a dye mill; Oscar-nominated.
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10
Shanghai Triad (1995)
Shanghai gangsters and a nightclub singer.
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11
The Flowers of War (2011)
A church during the Nanjing Massacre.
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12
Shadow (2018)
An ink-wash style wuxia of court intrigue.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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