Top 5 Chinese Animated Movies for Mandarin Learners of All Ages

Looking for something entertaining to watch while keeping up with your Mandarin this summer?

Chinese animation has developed rapidly in recent years, producing films with spectacular artwork, memorable characters, and imaginative interpretations of traditional Chinese stories. The five films below have all attracted large audiences and achieved impressive box-office results in China or internationally.

They combine exciting storytelling with Chinese history, mythology, poetry, literature, and culture. This makes them excellent choices for Mandarin learners, families, and anyone interested in discovering more about China through film.

1. 《长安三万里》Cháng’ān Sān Wàn Lǐ

Chang’an, also known as 30,000 Miles from Chang’an

Set during the Tang Dynasty, this beautifully animated historical film follows the lifelong friendship between two celebrated Chinese poets, 高适 Gāo Shì and 李白 Lǐ Bái.

As the elderly Gao Shi looks back on his life, viewers are taken through periods of friendship, separation, ambition, disappointment, and political unrest. The film introduces several famous Tang poets and features 48 classical Chinese poems, making it an especially interesting choice for learners who enjoy Chinese history, literature, and poetry.

Although the movie is nearly three hours long, its beautiful scenery and emotional storytelling take viewers on a memorable journey through one of the most celebrated periods in Chinese history. The film earned approximately RMB 1.823 billion at the Chinese box office, making it one of China’s most successful animated films.

Li Bai’s life and his renowned poem 《静夜思》 Quiet Night Thoughts are also featured in my book Chinese Stories for Language Learners: Elementary Volume 2.

Readers familiar with Li Bai and his poetry may recognise some of the film’s language and cultural references. His story also helps explain why he remains such a beloved figure in Chinese culture.

2. 《新神榜：杨戬》Xīn Shén Bǎng: Yáng Jiǎn

New Gods: Yang Jian

杨戬 Yáng Jiǎn, also known as 二郎神 Èrláng Shén, is one of the best-known figures in Chinese mythology.

In this modern reimagining, Yang Jian has lost much of his divine power and now works as a bounty hunter. His latest mission leads him to his nephew, 沉香 Chénxiāng, who is searching for the magical lotus lantern that could free his imprisoned mother.

The story combines traditional mythology with a futuristic fantasy world filled with flying ships, magical battles, celestial cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Beneath the action, it is also a story about family, responsibility, regret, and questioning decisions made in the past.

The film earned approximately US$82.5 million worldwide and became another successful production from Light Chaser Animation.

Yang Jian’s original story is also featured in my latest full-color illustrated storybook, Chinese Myths and Legends for Young Readers. Reading his story will give you a better understanding of his character and the background to the film.

3.《哪吒之魔童闹海》Nézhā Zhī Mótóng Nào Hǎi

Ne Zha 2

Ne Zha 2 became a global animation phenomenon and one of the most commercially successful films ever made.

The story continues directly from the first movie, 《哪吒之魔童降世》 Ne Zha (2019). After surviving the heavenly lightning in spirit form, 哪吒 Nézhā and 敖丙 Áo Bǐng need new physical bodies.

Their teacher, 太乙真人 Tàiyǐ Zhēnrén, attempts to rebuild their bodies using a magical lotus. However, the process leads to new dangers, difficult trials, family conflicts, and an enormous battle involving dragons, immortals, demons, and the people of Chentang Pass.

The movie is energetic, funny, emotional, and visually spectacular. At the centre of the story is a powerful message about identity. Ne Zha refuses to allow his birth, reputation, or other people’s expectations to determine who he will become.

The film earned approximately US$2 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing animated film and highest-grossing non-English-language film at the worldwide box office.

Adult learners with stronger Mandarin skills can read a fuller version of Ne Zha’s original story in my book Chinese Stories for Language Learners: Intermediate Volume 2.

Beginner learners and younger readers may prefer the shorter, fully illustrated retelling in Chinese Myths and Legends for Young Readers.

The films significantly reimagines Ne Zha’s character and story, so it can be fascinating to compare them with the original legend.

4. 《白蛇：缘起》Báishé: Yuánqǐ

White Snake

Inspired by the famous Chinese folktale 《白蛇传》 The Legend of the White Snake, this film tells the story of a young snake spirit named 小白 Xiǎobái.

After losing her memory during a dangerous mission, Xiaobai is rescued by a kind snake catcher named 阿宣 Ā Xuān. As they travel together to uncover her identity, they gradually fall in love. However, the conflict between humans and snake spirits threatens to separate them.

The film combines romance, fantasy, action, and beautiful traditional Chinese scenery. Its elegant animation and emotional story helped it earn approximately US$64.6 million worldwide.

The related movies are:

《白蛇：缘起》 White Snake (2019)

《白蛇2：青蛇劫起》 Green Snake (2021)

《白蛇：浮生》 White Snake: Afloat (2024)

Each film explores a different part of the relationship between 小白 Xiǎobái, 小青 Xiǎoqīng, and the human world.

The traditional story 《白蛇传》 The Legend of the White Snake is featured in my book Chinese Stories for Language Learners: Elementary Volume 1.

If you have already read it, you will recognise important characters, relationships, and themes across the film series. Of the three movies, White Snake: Afloat will probably feel the most familiar to readers of the traditional tale.

5. 《浪浪山小妖怪》Lànglàng Shān Xiǎo Yāoguài

Nobody

What happens when four ordinary little monsters decide to form their own version of the famous Journey to the West team?

A small pig monster leaves 浪浪山 Lànglàng Mountain and joins a toad monster, a weasel monster, and a gorilla monster. Although they have no great powers, impressive titles, or famous names, they dress up as 唐僧 Táng Sēng, 孙悟空 Sūn Wùkōng (Monkey King), 猪八戒 Zhū Bājiè, and 沙悟净 Shā Wùjì before beginning their own journey west.

Their adventure is funny and charming, but it also carries a meaningful message. You do not need to be famous, powerful, or naturally gifted to make a difference.

The English title, Nobody, reflects the fact that the main characters are not legendary heroes. They are ordinary, overlooked individuals trying to find their own path.

The film earned more than US$218 million worldwide and became a major box-office success for Chinese 2D animation.

《西游记》 Journey to the West is one of China’s best-known classical stories, and its leading character, the Monkey King 孙悟空, remains one of the most recognisable figures in Chinese literature, mythology, and popular culture.

You can discover the story of the Monkey King in my Chinese Stories for Language Learners series. Younger readers and beginners can also enjoy a shorter, fully illustrated version in Chinese Myths and Legends for Young Readers.

Where to Watch

Due to licensing restrictions, viewers outside China may only find these films on official platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Netflix, Rakuten TV, or Sky Store. Availability may vary by country.

In China, they may be available on platforms including Tencent Video, iQIYI, Youku, and Bilibili.

Turn Your Summer Movie Night into Mandarin Listening Practice

You do not need to understand every sentence to learn from a Chinese movie.

Try watching with the original Mandarin audio and English subtitles. Even better, use both Chinese and English subtitles when available. Subtitles are often used even by native Chinese speakers, as Chinese can be highly contextual and some dialogue may be fast or difficult to follow.

Most importantly, enjoy the story. Watching Chinese movies should not feel like completing another textbook exercise. When you become interested in the characters and their world, the language becomes much easier to remember.

Enjoy the films, and happy learning!

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