Here is a list of the 45 Best Taiwan Movies To Watch. If you are curious about a nation’s history and are interested in learning about civilization’s past, you must explore movies from the Taiwan cinema.
Often we do not find people watching movies from this cinema, but you will be amazed to know that there are some fantastic movies that this industry has produced. Taiwanese film began to be made in 1901, and to date, thousands of films have been made in Taiwan.
Taiwan has a rich history, and most of the movies produced by this industry are based on the same theme. As we have already told you, to date, multiple movies have been under this banner, but to get you started and help you select among the best, here is our compilation of the 45 Best Taiwan Movies To Watch.
1. A Brighter Summer Day
The first movie on our list is A Brighter Summer Day. It was released in 1991. Edward Yang is the director of this epic teen crime theater. The movie’s title is based on the lyrics of the song Are You Lonesome Tonight. This film is a part of the “New Taiwanese Cinema.” It is one of the most celebrated Taiwan movies of all time, and it was sent the Best Foreign Language Film in the Taiwan category in the 64th Academy Award.
The plot of the movie involves a fight between two gangs. The conflict arises when a teenage 14-year-old struggles with one of the gang’s heads. The girl’s boyfriend takes on the war on her behalf, and the fight then enlarges at the movie’s end.
The director of the movie said in one of the interviews that the film’s plot is inspired by a set of real-life events back from college. The film is set in the political environment of Taiwan at that time.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: Yu Wei-yen, Chan Hung-tze, Edward Yang
- Star Cast: Chang Chen, Lisa Yang, Chang Kuo-Chu, Elaine Jin, Wang Chuan, Chang Han
- Release Date: 27 July 1991
- Running Time: 237 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 8.3
2. Yi Yi: A One and a Two
Yi Yi: A One and a Two is a drama-romance genre movie released in 2000. The film director is Edward Yang, who won the award for the best director of this film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000. Since then, this Taiwanese movie has been listed as one of the exemplary movies of the 21st century.
The movie’s plot is based on the lives of the Jian family, who live in Taiwan. The film tries to bring to the screen the story of the Jian family from the perspective of three prominent family members. The father, the daughter, and the young son.
While the children are trying to deal with the problem of youth and N.J., their father is worried about his job and is trying to hear a positive response from a video game company. Besides, they are all immersed in the care of N.J.’s mother-in-law. She has been in a coma for a long.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: Shinya Kawai
- Star Cast: Wu Nien-Jen, Jonathan Chang, Hsi-Sheng Chen, Issey Ogata, Elaine Jin, Su-Yun Ko, and Lawrence Ko
- Release Date: 14 May 2000
- Running Time: 173 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 8.1
3. You are the Apple of my Eye
The next movie on our list is You Are the Apple of My Eye. It derives its inspiration from a semi-autobiographical novel by Giddens Ko. The name of the movie is the same as the novel. The movie’s director has tried to keep it as accurate as possible.
He even filmed the movie in the original high school where he studied. One of the movie’s songs was nominated for golden horse awards in the best original film song category. It also won an award at Hong Kong Film Festival.
The movie premiered at Taipei Film Festival in 2011. The movie received a positive response Among fans and critics. It also had a good box office collection, and one of the cast members- Ko Chen-tung, won the award for the best new performer.
The movie’s plot involves the main character Giddens and his school life. He recalls his good old days and also that he liked Shen Chia-Yi. She was a star performer, and all the boys in the school were after her.
- Director: Giddens Ko
- Producer: Angie Chai, Adam Tsuei
- Star Cast: Kai Ko, Michelle Chen
- Release Date: 25 June 2011
- Running Time: 110 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is our next movie, making it on the best Taiwanese movie list. It was released in 2000 and was directed by Ang Lee. The film drew its inspiration from a Chinese novel.
This movie has had several awards at the Academy Awards. The few categories include the best foreign language film and the best picture. It was the first foreign language movie that managed to reach a collection of $100 million at the U.S. box office.
The movie made a huge box office collection of 15 times more than its budget. The movie’s story and the extraordinary direction And martial arts sequences make it a must-watch.
The storied movie is about the Qing dynasty, which ruled China in the 19 century. It explores the life of a warrior named Chow Yun-Fat and tells how he gave his sword to his lover. He tells her to keep it safe, but a misfortune happens, and she loses it. The entire movie then develops a search plot for the stolen sword and un-reveals further.
- Director: Ang Lee
- Producer: Bill Kong, Hsu Li-kong and Ang Le
- Star Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen
- Release Date: 18 May 2000
- Running Time: 120 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
5. Lust, Caution
With an IMDB rating of 7.5, the movie on our list is Lust, Caution. The movie’s theme is history, romance, and drama- a complete entertainment package for you. This movie was released in 2017, and Ang Lee is the director of this movie. He won an award as well for this movie at Venice Film Festival.
This film made a considerable box-office collection and received a positive response from critics. Lust, Caution remains one of Taiwanese cinema’s most celebrated mystery-romance dramas.
Lust Caution is a movie about a secret agent who has, at his end, the task of killing an official working in the Japanese government in Shanghai. The story film is set in the time of World War II.
However, as the movie progresses, the agent, Tang Wei, finds it challenging to complete the task that she was assigned because she eventually falls in love with the man whom she had to kill.
- Director: Ang Lee
- Producer: Ang Lee, William Kong, and James Schamus
- Star Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Joan Chen, Tang Wei, Anupam Kher, Wang Leehom and Shyam Pathak
- Release Date: 30 August 2007
- Running Time: 158 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
6. The Terrorizers
The Terrorizers is a crime drama-based movie that was released in 1986. The movie’s director is Edward Yang, who stars some of the best Taiwanese actors, including Cora Miao and Li-Chun Lee. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.7 and has won the 1 Golden Horse Award for the best feature film.
The movie is about the lives of three couples that live in Taipei. Over time lives of these three couples get interlinked, And they continuously meet each other. In no time, we realize that the not-so-simple plot turns into a metaphysical mystery.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: Hsu Kuo -liang
- Star Cast: Ma Shao-chun, Cora Miao, Wang An, Lee Li-chun, Gu Bao-ming, Jin Shih-jye
- Release Date: 19 December 1986
- Running Time: 110 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
7. Rebels of the Neon God
Rebels of the Neon God was released in 1992 and was the first movie directed by Tsai Ming-Liang. The film genre is crime drama and romance, and It has a good IMDb rating. The high rating speaks for its popularity. The movie has also won an award at the golden horse award show.
The movie’s plot is about a young man named Hsiao-Kang and Tze and Ping. While the former is a student, the other two are thieves. The opening scene of the movie presents the scene of a tropical storm that has hit the city.
In the next half an hour of the film, nothing specific happens that sets the plot of the movie. once you start watching the movie, you realize that the story of the two characters is loosely connected.
- Director: Tsai Ming–Liang
- Producer: Hsu Li-kong
- Star Cast: Lee Kang-sheng, Chen Chao-jung, Jen Chang-bi
- Release Date: 1992
- Running Time: 106 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
8. Dragon Inn
Dragon Inn is our next choice for you. Way back in 1967, it remains one of the best Taiwanese movies of all time. It is rated 7.4 on IMDb and has won several awards as well. Dragon Inn has won one golden horse award, and it was also nominated for the best feature film. The movie is an action and adventure-filled story set in the past, particularly in 1457 in China.
It was about the dark history of China when Tsao ruled it. The emperor plans to kill the children in the Chinese empire who have been exiled from China. However, as the story opens, we see how a swordsman comes to rescue the son and daughter of a condemned army commander.
- Director: King Hu
- Producer: LS Chang
- Star Cast: Lingfeng Shangguan,Chun Shih, Ying Bai, Chien Tsao
- Release Date: 1967
- Running Time: 111 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
9. A Touch of Zen
A Touch of Zen is one of the best movies by King Hu, who is the movie writer, director, and co-editor of this movie. The film Is based on a book by Pu Songling. It took almost three years to film this movie, and it was released in two parts. The first was released in 1970, and the other in 1971. The complete version of the movie was released in November 1971.
It is an action drama and adventure-based movie with another rating of 7.5 on IMDb. It has won various awards, including one golden horse award and a technical grand prize award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1975.
A Touch of Zen is a movie that tries to show the dark reality behind the rule of eunuchs in China during the Ming dynasty. There is not just one but various themes covered in the movie, including feminism, ghost stories, and Zen Buddhism.
- Director: King Hu
- Producer: Hsia Wu Ling-fung
- Star Cast: Shih Chun, Pai Ying, Roy Chiao, Hsu Feng
- Release Date: 18 November 1971
- Running Time: 180 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
10. Mahjong
Mahjong is a comedy-drama movie about the son of a businessman who loses $100 million in Taipei. The father has gone missing, and the search operation for him has already begun. His son, the Red Fish, is caught throughout the investigation and becomes a street gang leader.
Mahjong was released in 1996 and had an IMDb rating of 7.5. It was written and directed by Edward Yang. The film has a vast fan base, and it has received positive responses all across the globe. It also received a mention at the Berlin Film Festival on its 46th anniversary.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: Wei-yen Yu
- Star Cast: Tang Congsheng, Chang Chen, Nick Erickson
- Release Date: February 1996
- Running Time: 121 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
11. The Puppetmaster
The Puppetmaster is a movie based on the biography of Li Tian-lu. It was released in 1993 and was directed by Hsiao-Hsien Hou. Critics often opine that this is one of the best movies from this director and one of the most excellent films he has ever made.
This drama war-based biography has won several awards, including the best feature film nominee at the golden horse award and three golden horse awards. It covers the life of Li from his birth in 1909 and concludes in 1945. This is the time that marks the end of Japan’s occupation of Taiwan. It is indeed a masterpiece.
The movie’s plot is that Lee, a master puppeteer, is forced to give up his skills during World War II. He has to channel his energy to meet the propaganda of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan during the war.
The movie also has his actual interviews, where he tells about his childhood and experience during the war. It is a masterpiece that talks about Taiwan’s historical, social, and economic conditions that swept through the 20th century.
- Director: Hsiao-Hsien Hou
- Producer: Chiu Fu-sheng
- Star Cast: Li Tian-lu, Lim Giong, Tsai Chen-nan
- Release Date: 1993
- Running Time: 142 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.1
12. A City of Sadness
A City of Sadness, as the name suggests, is a story of a family that has to face several hardships during the reign of the Kuomintang government. This historical drama intends to show the reality of Taiwan’s history between the years 1945 to 1949.
This was a time when colonial rule ended in Japan after 50 years of long span, and there was no government in Taiwan. Taiwan was then ruled by a nationalist force once the communist army in China.
The movie mentions the massacre. In 1947, thousands of Taiwanese people were killed by the troop’s nationalist force. Martial law was declared in Taiwan, and families were in great trouble. This period in Taiwan’s history was nothing less than a white terror for the people.
The film does complete justice to the hardships faced by the people at that time. It depicts it in the most natural way that it can. City of sadness has won two golden horse awards as the best feature film nominee.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: Chiu Fu-sheng
- Star Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Jack Kao, Sung Young Chen, Li Tian-lu
- Release Date: October 1989
- Running Time: 157 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.8
13. A Time To Live, A Time To Die
A time to live, a time to die was released in 1985 and is a drama biography. It has a rating of 7.6 on IMDb and remains one of the most loved movies produced in the history of Taiwanese cinema.
It was directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien and is inspired by his own story that he wrote while pursuing his career in writing. He wrote his stories, and this movie is based on the 2nd story in the series.
The movie covers the timeline of 1947-1965 and is about a family who has to leave their homeland and migrate to some other place. The entire movie shows how each family member has carried different memories from the same place and how each of them desperately wants to go back.
The new country is alien to all of them, and circumstances put them in different situations. Ah-ha, the son, falls into the wrong company of a street gang, and now his future is at risk.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: Central Motion Pictures
- Star Cast: Yu An-shun, Tien Feng, Xin Shufen
- Release Date: 1985
- Running Time: 138 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
14. The Weeding Banquet
The Weeding Banquet is a drama romantic comedy directed by one of the most successful Taiwanese directors Ang Lee. He was also the producer and the Co-writer of the movie. It was released in 1993 and has won 5 golden horse awards. The film received a good response from the audience and critics and was a box-office success.
The Weeding Banquet was the most profitable movie in 1993, with the highest box office collection. The film was nominated at the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards in the best foreign language film category and had other nominations. Some people even say that it is one of the best movies of Lung Sihung.
The plot of the movie involves a gay couple who lives in New York. Wai-Tung and his boyfriend struggled to make a place for themselves in a society that was not tolerant of such couples then. They two have a hard time convincing their parents the same.
- Director: Ang Lee
- Producer: Ang Lee,Ted Hope, James Schamus
- Star Cast: Winston Chao, May Chin, Gua Ah-leh, Mitchell Lichtenstei, Lung Sihung,
- Release Date: 1993
- Running Time: 106 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
15. Eat Drink Man Woman
Eat Drink Man Woman is the next movie on our list of the most loved Taiwanese movie. The movie’s director is Ang Lee, one of the most prominent directors in Taiwanese cinema in the 1900s. This is the only movie that he has shot in his homeland. All the scenes in the movie were filmed in his native Taiwan.
The movie starred some of the best actors in Taiwanese cinema and was praised for its storyline and screenplay. The movie did good at the box office and has won various awards, including a nomination at the Academy Awards. BBC culture listed it as one of the best non-English language movies.
The movie’s plot is about a master chef who has retired and lives at home. He has three unmarried daughters. They are currently pursuing their careers. The movie is all about the everyday chores of the house and special emphasis on having a lavish dinner on Sunday. This all gets disturbed when the daughters get into relationships and deal with disappointments. The movie later explores how they all gather and continue their lives.
- Director: Ang Lee
- Producer: Hsu Li-kong, Hsu Kong
- Star Cast: Sihung Lung, Kuei-mei Yang, Ah-Leh Gua, Chien-lien Wu, Yu-wen Wang, Winston Chao, Sylvia Chang
- Release Date: 2 July, 1994
- Running Time: 123 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.8
16. The Dull Ice Flower
The next that we have on our list for you is The Dull Ice Flower. The movie depicts the story of Taiwan during the 1950s and 1960s. It reflects upon the social problem that was prevalent during those times. This film derives its inspiration from a novel by Chung Chao-cheng. It was released in 1989 and has won various awards at 26th Golden Horse Awards.
The movie is the story of a kid, Ku A-ming, who studies in 4th standard and needs to improve. He needs help understanding other subjects, but art is something that he enjoys doing. Even his teachers fail to recognize his talent.
One day, when Mr. Kuo announces in the assembly about the art club, Ku A-ming shows interest in it and says he wants to join it. However, he was not chosen to represent his school because the mayor’s child got all the votes.
Mr. Kuo, however, comes to his support and leaves the school. Ming dies of liver failure. The story ends when a drawing by A-ming wins the competition. The teachers acknowledge ming talent, but now it is pretty late.
- Director: Yang Li Kuo
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Huang Kun Hsuan, Lee Shu Chen, Chen Wei sin, Yu Han, Lee Yi Hsiung, Chen Sung-young
- Release Date: 1989
- Running Time: 93 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 8.3
17. A Confucian Confusion
A Confucian Confusion is the next movie that we recommend to you. It is a satire-comedy-based movie that delves into the life of a businessman, Molly. He is an unhappy person both at work and in his relationship.
Molly’s fiance Akeem is also a business, but their relationship aint smooth. Akeem, however, truly loves Molly. This comedy movie was directed by Edward Yang and was released in 1994. With an IMDb rating of 7.5, this movie has been everyone’s favorite and was recommended at the Cannes Film Festival. It also has three golden horse awards.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: Edward Yang
- Star Cast: Shiang–chyi Chen
- Release Date: May 1994
- Running Time: 125 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
18. Stray Dogs
Stray Dogs was released in 2013 and directed by a famous director in the Taiwan industry, Ming-Liang Tsai. This drama movie received a mixed response from the audience and the critics.
The movie’s plot is about a homeless family living in Taipei. The head of the family, the father, has no such job and works in advertising real estate. Because they have no place to live, the children often roam around in the city. One day they take up the job cleaning washrooms and then sleep in the abandoned building. The movie takes a turn when they meet a clerk at the grocery store.
- Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
- Producer: Vincent Wang
- Star Cast: Lee Kang-sheng
- Release Date: 4 September, 2013
- Running Time: 138 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
19. A Summer at Grandpa’s
A Summer at grandpas is a movie about the transformation of a young boy who goes to his grandparent’s home during vacation, and when it gets over, he finds himself an adult. His realization of his responsibility happens after he goes to his grandpa’s house when his mother gets old.
The director of the movie, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, was also the writer of the movie’s story. It was released in 1984 and had a positive response from critics. It also won awards at the Locarno Film Festival and Nantes Three Continents Film Festival.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: NA
- Release Date: 1984
- Running Time: 94 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
20. Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land
Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land is a 1992 movie that was directed by Stan Lai. He was also the writer of the film. The genre of the movie is comedy, and it is based on the play of a similar name. The film was considered for an entry at the Academy Awards but was not nominated.
The movie’s plot is based on similar lines as the play. The film is about a theatre group in Taiwan performing a play based on a political drama. A man in the political drama is shown to be worried about his lost love.
The former performing group is later asked to share their stage with another group doing a comic play. They both eventually envy each other and look down upon each other. However, later in the movie, they realize they have much more in common than they had thought.
- Director: Stan Lai
- Producer: Stan Lai
- Star Cast: Brigitte Lin
- Release Date: 1992
- Running Time: 107 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
21. What Time is it There?
What Time is it? There was released in 2001 and is directed by Tsai Ming-Liang? The story of this movie is about a street vendor, Hsiao-Kang. He does odd work, including selling briefcases. Another character in the movie, Shiang-chyi, wants to buy a watch but ends up liking Hsiao’s watch. His father has recently passed away.
Though he refuses to sell the watch to her, she convinces him. Hsiao’s mother is also sad about her father’s death and hopes he will return in another form. The movie then shifts to Shiang, who is on vacation in Paris. She is alone and wanders the city on her own. Hsiao is trying to divert his mind and watches a movie, The 400 Blows.
Shiang coincidently meets the lead actor from the movie that Hsiao was watching. He falls into the trap of a prostitute who robs him and runs away. In the other place, Shiang is asleep when Hsiao’s father appears and takes the suitcase out of the water.
- Director: Tsai Ming-Liang.
- Producer: Bruno Pesery
- Star Cast: Lee Kang-sheng, Chen Shiang-chyi, Lu Yi-Ching
- Release Date: 17 May 2001
- Running Time: 116 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
22. Dust in the Wind
The next movie we have for you is Dust in the Wind. This romantic drama was released in 1986 and is an all-time favorite among Taiwan fans. It has an IMDb rating of 7.6 And was well-received by the critics. The movie is set in the North East town of Taiwan and depicts the story of Taiwan in the 1980s.
Dust in the Wind is a love story of a couple in Taiwan who strives to keep their relationship going. After graduating, Wan decided to go to work because he needed money to send back home. Huen also goes to the same place where he is. But her motive is to collect money so that she can marry him.
However, the two cannot have a successful love story because Huen gets married to someone else while Wan is working in the Chinese Army. They both regret what happened, but there is no blames to be put on.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: Central Motion Picture
- Star Cast: Wang Chien-wen, Xin Shufen, Li Tian-lu
- Release Date: 1986
- Running Time: 109 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
23. Three Times
Three times is a romantic drama that was released in 2005 and had an IMDb rating of 6.9. The movie’s director is Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and he has also played some roles in the movie’s screenplay.
Three Times is one of the most celebrated Taiwanese romantic movies of all time and has won various awards. It won the Golden Apricot at Yerevan International Film Festival. The movie explores the lives of three couples who live in Taiwan, and interestingly all of their lives are linked unusually.
There are three separate stories in the movie, namely- “A Time for love,” “A Time for Freedom,” and “A Time for youth.” It depicts the story of a soldier who falls in love with a hostess, a story of a courtesan who loves a freedom fighter in Taiwan when Japan occupies it, and a singer who has an affair with a photographer, respectively.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: Hou Hsiao-Hsien,
- Star Cast: Shu Qi and Chang Chen
- Release Date: 20 May, 2005
- Running Time: 130 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
24. I Don’t Want To Sleep Alone
The next movie we have for you, I Don’t Want To Sleep Alone, is not a pure Taiwanese movie but a Malaysian-Taiwanes film released in 2006. Tsai Ming-Liang, the writer of this movie, directed it. Most of the movie fans remember it for the controversy that is attached to this movie.
It was banned in Malaysia for a short time and was allowed to release only after the makers removed some of the parts of the movie as per the demands of the official government in Malaysia. The plot of the film involves two similar stories. The first is about a brain-dead guy who his mother maltreats. However, his family maid comes forward to help him.
The second story is about a lost day laborer harshly beaten by a mob. Later a bunch of men, including Rawang, a Bangladeshi migrant worker, come to help him and takes him home.
- Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
- Producer: Bruno Pésery, Vincent Wang
- Star Cast: Lee Kang-sheng, Norman Atun, Pearlly Chua, Chen Shiang-chyi
- Release Date: 04 December 2006
- Running Time: 115 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
25. That Day, On the Beach
That Day, On the Beach, is a 1983 Taiwanese movie directed by Edward Yang that was his first feature film. The ratings of this movie are as good as 7.6, and it has won 3 golden horse awards as well. This drama movie is about the life of two friends who value their friendship more than anything else.
However, as time elapses, they both grow up and are busy in their lives, so much so that they haven’t met for 13 years. They are well established in their lives; one is a pianist, and the other has business enterprises. They meet in the latter half of the movie, and the story continues.
- Director: Edward Yang
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: NA
- Release Date: 1983
- Running Time: 166 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
26. Tropical Fish
Tropical Fish is a comedy-drama Taiwanese movie that was released in 1995. It is an all-time favorite movie by the director Yu-Hsun Chen, and he was also awarded for this movie at the Golden Horse Awards Festival in 1995.
The movie won two other awards at the ceremony- Wen-Ying for Best Supporting Actress and Yu-Hsun Chen for Best Original Screenplay. It was also nominated in the Best Feature Film category, Best Director, and best supporting actor categories.
This drama-comedy is about a student at school who goes to rescue another boy who has been kidnapped. Unfortunately, he falls into trouble, and the story untangles later when he commences his adventure away from his home.
- Director: Yu-Hsun Chen
- Producer: Chung Hu-pin
- Star Cast: : Akio Chen, Yi-fan Chen, Pi-tung Lien, Hsiao-fan Fan,
- Release Date: 1995
- Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
27. Millenium Mambo
Millenium Mambo is a 2001 romantic movie that was directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien. This romantic movie is the story of Vicky, who moves to Taipei in Taiwan. She has a boyfriend; however, their relationship is not going smoothly.
Her boyfriend Is least interested in his career, and even Vicky is not happy with her job at the nightclub where she is a Hostess. Her boyfriend starts to build a bond with Jack. He is a caring person but has a criminal background. Even though she finds a new lover, things remain the same. Her life is as hopeless as it was
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: Wen-Ying Huang, Chu T’ien-wen, Gilles Ciment, Eric Heumann
- Star Cast: Shu Qi, Yi-Hsuan Chen, Jack Kao, Chun-hao Tuan
- Release Date: 19 May 2001
- Running Time: 119 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7
28. Raining in the Mountain
Raining in the Mountain is an action-drama Taiwanese movie released in 1979. King Hu directed and wrote the story for this movie. It has an IMDb rating of 7.4 and is among the top 42 Taiwanese movies. It was also sent as an entry at the Academy awards but couldn’t make it to the nominations.
Raining in the Mountain covers the story of the Ming dynasty. The story is about an abandoned monastery on the Mountain in Taiwan where a handwritten scroll of Tripitaka is hidden. However, a corrupt general comes to know about it and plans to steal it.
Meanwhile, the monastery’s abbot is searching for a successor when he finds a man who has just been released from prison. A Series of murders and betrayals then follow for the Tripitaka.
- Director: King Hu
- Producer: Lo & Hu Company Productions
- Star Cast: Hsu Feng, Sun Yueh, Tien Feng, Tung Lin, Wu Chia-hsiang
- Release Date: 1979
- Running Time: 170 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
29. The Boys from Fengkuei
The Boys from Fengkuei was directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien and narrated the story of a boy named Ah-ching and his friends.
They have done their schooling but are engaged in wrong activities like drinking and indulging themselves in fights.
However, three of them, Ah-Rong, Ah-ching, and Kuo-Tzu, change their minds and get serious about their lives. They go out to search for a job. Things take a turn when Ah-ching gets tempted by the girlfriend of Huang Chin-ho. The city brings them unforeseen challenges, and they realize the realities of living in a town.
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Doze Niu, Hsiu-Ling Lin, Chao Peng-chue, Tou Chung-hua, Chang Shih
- Release Date: 1983
- Running Time: 102
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
30. Pushing Hands
This comedy-drama movie was released in 1991 and is our next suggestion. Taiwanese director Ang Lee directed it; this movie was his feature directorial debut. It is a part of the trilogy; Father knows Best and is a 7.2-rated film by IMDb.
The movie’s plot is similar to the other two films in the trilogy, where the director has tried to show the contrast between classical Confucian Chinese values and western culture. It shows how the older generation is still holding on to their traditions while the coming age is keen on westernizing themselves. They both find it difficult to resolve this rift between young and old.
- Director: Ang Lee
- Producer: Emily Yi-ming Liu, Feng Chyt Jiang
- Star Cast: Sihung Lung, Deb Snyder, Lai Wang, Bo Z. Wang, and Haan Lee
- Release Date: 07 December 1991
- Running Time: 105 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.2
31. Growing Up
This movie was released in 1983 and is a Taiwanese film Chen Kunhou directed. The genre of the film is drama, and it has an IMDb rating of 7.3. The movie’s plot concerns a young guy who witnesses a series of transformations in his life. He transforms from an intelligently conscious child to a teenager and then to a tough adult.
- Director: Chen Kunhou
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Doze Niu
- Release Date: December 1983
- Running Time: 100 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
32. The Hole
Released in 2001, The Hole is a psychological thriller movie—it is one of our favorite suggestions on the list of best Taiwanese films. Nick Hamm is the director of this movie, and it had some of the best actors in the Taiwan film industry.
The movie began in 2001 and took a year to film—a box office collection of $7.8 million.
The thriller mystery follows some bizarre murders, and only one person knows the reason for these deaths. Liz Dunn is a schoolgirl and assists Philippa Horwood in the murder investigation.
Her friend, Martyn, later joins the study and reveals that Liz was only behind all those murders. But what is the truth? Who killed all those people? Watch the movie to get all your answers.
- Director: Nick Hamm
- Producer: Pippa Cross, Lisa Bryer, Jeremy Bolt
- Star Cast: Keira Knightley, Thora Birch, Embeth Davidtz, Daniel Brocklebank, Desmond Harrington, Laurence Fox
- Release Date: 20 April 2001
- Running Time: 102 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
33. Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale I
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale I was released in 2011 and was directed by Wei Te-sheng. It is based on the Musha happening in main Taiwan during the 1930s. The movie was released in two parts, both of which were major hits. It has an IMDb rating of 7.5 and has won 5 awards at the Golden Horse Awards.
This action, history, and drama film revolve around indigenous clan-based individuals living by nature. Their peace is, however, interrupted when some intruders enter their area and try to capture their land.
They have different cultures and wish to take all the natural resources from the former. The way of life is now challenged and is at risk. The former clan is at risk of becoming slaves to the intruders and has to save themselves at any cost.
- Director: Wei Te-sheng
- Producer: John Woo, Jimmy Huang, Terence Chang
- Star Cast: Nolay Piho, Irene Luo, Yuichi Kimura, Masanobu Andō, Kawahara, Sabu, Yuki Daki, Vivian Hsu, Landy Wen, Chie Tanaka, Umin Boya
- Release Date: 09 September 2011
- Running Time: 144 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
34. Kano
Kano movie was released in 2014 and is set in times of 1928. The late 1920s was the period in Taiwan’s history when the Kagi Agriculture and Forestry Public School was founded in Taiwan. The movie was directed by Umin Boya and is actually based on real events from history.
The movie reflects the importance of this school and how it transformed the socio-economic conditions of Taiwan at that time. The main aim of this school was to assist the growth of local agricultural possibilities. It also tells the story of the KANO baseball team. Though it started as a sports club to enhance the students’ shape, the club grew to evolve as legendary in Taiwan’s history.
- Director: Umin Boya
- Producer: Wei Te-sheng, Jimmy Huang
- Star Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Maki Sakai, Hsing-Chen Yeh, Tenma Shibuya, Aoki Ken, Rose Yu, Togo Igawa, Yu-Ning Tsao, Takao Osawa
- Release Date: 27 February 2014
- Running Time: 180 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
35. The Sandwich Man
The Sandwich Man was released in 1983 and is based on actual life events from the history of Taiwan during the cold war. The movie has three directors who have worked jointly on this film. They were Tseng Chuang-Hsiang, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and Wan Jen. This movie is seen as one of the best movies in Taiwan’s New Cinema.
The Sandwich Man is based on a story of a similar name. The movie has three different stories. Each director has directed one level based on the lives of three ordinary people who lived during the cold war period in Taiwan.
- Director: Tseng Chuang-Hsiang, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and Wan Jen
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Bor-Jeng Chen, Li-Yin Yang, Te-Nan Lai, Kuo-Feng Tseng
- Release Date: 02 September 1983
- Running Time: 105 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.2
36. Secret
The Secret is a romantic drama released in 2007 and rated 7.5 on IMDb, which is thought to be a good rating for any movie. The movie revolves around a boy named Ye Xiang Lun, a brilliant piano player. He joins a new school, Tamkang, which is quite a famous school.
Here he gets to meet a girl, Lu Xiao Yu, who he falls in love with. She is also into music, and Ye Xiang Lun is attracted to the piece she is playing. The Secret is available to watch on Netflix. You can watch it there if you have a subscription for the same.
- Director: Jay Chou
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Jay Chou, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Gwei Lun-Mei, Ming-Ming Su
- Release Date: 2007
- Running Time: 101 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
37. The Assassin
The Assassin was released in 2015 and directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, for which he also won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. Sight and Sound, an International magazine, mentioned it as the best movie in 2015. The movie is available to watch on Netflix.
As the name of the movie suggests, it is a movie that narrates the story of the assassination. There is a general’s child who gets kidnapped and later becomes an excellent assassin. The story is set in ninth-century Taiwan.
In the next half of the movie, we see an unexpected plot that makes the movie more thrilling. The daughter fails to accomplish a mission and is bound to pick between love, home, and the assassins.
- Director: Hsiao-Hsien Hou
- Producer: Wen-Ying Huang, Liao Ching-Sung
- Star Cast: Shu Qi, Yun Zhou, Chang Chen, Satoshi Tsumabuki
- Release Date: 2015
- Running Time: 105 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.3
38. All the King’s Man
All the King’s Man was released in 1983 and was directed by King Hu. It is an action-drama based on the life of an emperor who lived in the 10th century BC. The emperor needs to keep up with his health, and the medicines must improve. It is only later in the movie that he realizes that his prescriptions are not helping him recover. His doctor is not a specialist but a con artist, “Immortal Li.”
- Director: King Hu
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Fu-Chuang Chang, Chiu-Ming Chen, Jen-Chieh Chang, Hui-Lou Chen
- Release Date: 1983
- Running Time: 100
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
39. Four Moods
Four Moods is the next movie on our list of best Taiwan movies you should watch. This film was released in 1970 and is rated 7.3 on IMDb. The genre of the movie is drama, fantasy, and romance.
This movie is not a single story but a compilation of four different levels. All these stories are directed by four other directors- Cheng Chang, Mei-Yao Chang, Peng Chang, and Fu-Kan Chang. The common link in all these stories is that they are all horror stories. The themes in the movie explore various other domains like death, jail, and alcoholism.
- Director: Ching-Jui Pai, King Hu, Hsing Lee, Han Hsiang Li
- Producer: NA
- Star Cast: Cheng Chang, Mei-Yao Chang, Peng Chang, Fu-Kan Chang
- Release Date: 1970
- Running Time: 140 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
40. Our Times
Our Times is a 2015 Taiwanese romantic comedy-drama movie directed by Frankie Chen. This was also the first movie that he directed. In the opening scene of the movie, we see Lin Truly. She is working in an office and is not happy with her job. She is quite stressed with her job. Though she is very honest in her work, she never gets any recognition from her colleagues.
She recalls an incident from her school days and remembers Lau. She also thinks about her crush Ouyang Fei-Fan. The story is not as simple as it seems at the movie’s beginning. Things begin to change when she finds a letter that lends her trouble. In the climax scene, Lin Truly leaves her sad job and relationship upon enclosing and rediscovering herself.
- Director: Frankie Chen
- Producer: Yeh Ju-fen
- Star Cast: Vivian Sung, Dino Lee, Dewi Chien, Darren Wang
- Release Date: 14 August 2015
- Running Time: 134 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
41. The Personals
The Personals was released in 1982, and Peter Markle directed it. The movie has won one golden horse award in the best feature film category and had a good box office collection making it a hit. It has an IMDb rating of 7.2 and remains the best drama-romantic movie of the 90s in Taiwan cinema.
The movie’s plot revolves around a Doctor searching for someone to marry. She gives an ad in the newspaper in the matrimonial section and finds Mr. Right. However, her search seems like it could be more challenging at the beginning. She meets men who are quite dangerous, some who are lonely, and some desperate.
- Director: Peter Markle
- Producer: Patrick Wells
- Star Cast: Rene Liu, Wu Bai, Chao-jung Chen, Pao-Ming Ku
- Release Date: 1998
- Running Time: 104 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.2
42. Come Drink With Me
Come Drink With Me was broadcast in 1966. King Hu directed it. The movie is set in the Ming Dynasty and depicts the story of Bandits who take control of a governor’s son. He demands that their imprisoned leader be assigned free in exchange. After this, the governor’s daughter, a professional military artist, is sent to rescue him. However, she soon realizes that she is incapable of completing the task and needs help.
In the movie’s later scenes, she gets injured in a fight sequel. She flees and is saved in the woods by Fan, who helps her back to health. While healing, Golden Swallow understands that Fan is the master of a soldierly skill.
- Director: King Hu
- Producer: Run Run Shaw
- Star Cast: Chan Hung-lit, Cheng Pei-pei, Yueh Hua
- Release Date: 7 April 1966
- Running Time: 91 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
43. The River
The River was released in 1997 and is a romantic drama focusing on the family theme. It explores the importance of family in one’s life and how a person has none but family in a time of need. Tsai Ming-Liang directed this movie, and he received a mixed response for his direction of this film.
Some call it his most miserable film. However, the movie gathered positive reviews from viewers and is rated 7.2 on IMDb.
The plot of movie is about a guy, Hsiao-Kang, aged 20. He meets his ex at the beginning of the film and gets a chance to act in a movie. He meets an accident later in the film but ignores it. It then gets worse, and he has acute pain in his neck.
The complete story of the movie is then based on how the family gets together and does everything to relieve the neck pain. Parallelly the family is engaged in their work, and it is only when Hsiao-Kang’s father takes him to a specialist that Hsiao cannot be cured.
- Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
- Producer: Hsu Li-kong, Shiu Shun-ching, Chung Hu-ping
- Star Cast: Miao Tien, Lu Yi-ching, Lee Kang-sheng
- Release Date: 1997
- Running Time: 115 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.2
44. Godspeed
Godspeed is a comedy-drama that was released in 2016 and is based on the theme of crime. This movie is a blend of three extensive genres, which makes it exciting to watch. It has won two awards- one golden horse award and the other at Hong Kong Film Festival.
The movie is about a drug addict, Nadow, who is addicted to stealing and doing scams. He makes up his mind one fine day that he should get a decent job and earn his living but ends up doing even wrong things. He becomes a drug trafficker. Madow meets a cab driver, and the movie takes a new turn.
- Director: Chung Mong-hong
- Producer: Yeh Ju-Feng, Tseng Shao-Chie
- Star Cast: Michael Hui, Chen Yi Wen, Nadow, Leon Dai,Tou Chung-Hwa, Matt Wu, Vincent Liang, Vithaya Pansringarm
- Release Date: 18 November 2016
- Running Time: 111 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.7
45. Cape No. 7
Cape No. 7 is a romantic drama released in 2008 and is the debut full-length movie of Wei Te-sheng, for which critics highly praised him. It was a massive success at the Taiwan box office and has done well commercially. The film has also won 15 awards in various categories, six of which have been at the golden horse award.
Cape No. 7 story is set during the 1940s era in Taiwan when Japan had control of this region. The movie explores the story of a teacher who, after the seizure of power in Taiwan, has to leave everything behind. He has to return to his Hometown. He feels miserable at having to leave his love behind.
On his way, he writes a letter in her name and tells her how sorry he is. Sixty years have passed, and a singer from Taipei decided to return to his Hometown. He finds those letters and delivers them to the address that reads Cape No. 70.
- Director: Wei Te-sheng
- Producer: Jimmy Huang, Wei Te-sheng
- Star Cast: Van Fan, Ying Wei-Min, Chie Tanaka, Ma Nien-hsien, Hsiao-Lan Pei, Rachel Liang, Johnny C.J. Lin, Kousuke Atari,Chang Kuei, Ming Hsiung, Joanne Yang, Shino Lin, Bjanav Zenror, Chang Hsin-yan, Ma Ju-lung, Pei-Chen Lee
- Release Date: 20 June 2008
- Running Time: 129 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7
