Hong Kong is truly a city of cinephiles, where creative minds churn out some of the world’s most imaginative and energetic films. Despite the city’s size, Hong Kong has become a powerhouse of cinema that has given birth to bonafide Hollywood icons like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan as well as Asian trailblazers like Jet Lee and Chow Yun-fat. Let’s familiarise you with the best of Hong Kong cinema, giving you the lowdown on films that have secured the box-office stamp of success. Here are the 10 highest-grossing Hong Kong movies of all time that you must add to your watchlist.
The next time you visit Hong Kong, the frenzy of films and filmmaking will startle you! COVID-19 might’ve halted the city’s love affair with the big screen, the film industry bounced back at the first signs of post-pandemic recovery. According to Statista, Hong Kong’s box office revenue increased by 30% year-on-year to HKD 1.4 billion in 2023. While the figure is still below the pre-pandemic levels, this gap is also narrowing steadily given the box-office numbers recent films have made. Do you know that A Guilty Conscience, which was released right around the time Hong Kong lifted all pandemic-related restrictions, is the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie of all time? The January 2023 release broke the record in less than a month of its release, reinstating Hongkongers’ faith in local cinema. So Hong Kong folks, let’s find out which movies you’ve loved over the years on our list below.
Top 10 highest-grossing Hong Kong movies of all time
1. A Guilty Conscience
Box Office collection: HKD 115,060,394+
Directed by: Jack Ng
Cast: Dayo Wong, Tse Kwan-ho, Louise Wong
Release year: 2023
Synopsis: In his directorial debut, Jack Ng pulled together exciting twists and intensity to create an edge-of-the-seat drama. This hyper-local courtroom drama showcases a gripping trial of a single mother, who’s being wrongly prosecuted for the murder of her daughter. The disgraced barrister who puts the woman behind bars soon realises his mistake and spirals into guilt. Later, in a turn of events, as an opportunity for an appeal lands at his feet, he quickly grabs it to clear her name. But, will he emerge victorious from his own wrongdoings?
Fun fact: Named the best film at the Hong Kong Film Awards, A Guilty Conscience was filmed at the historic North Kowloon Magistracy. Moreover, the film was partly bankrolled by the Hong Kong government’s film development fund
Watch A Guilty Conscience here.
2. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Box Office collection: HKD 92,000,00+
Directed by: Soi Cheang
Cast: Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen
Release year: 2024
Synopsis: Fresh off its release, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In transports you to the 1980s Kowloon Walled City, a dreaded place where British Law didn’t apply while the gangs and mafia thrived. Chan Lok-kwun is a troubled youth, who, in order to flee from the Triads’ boss Mr Big, mistakenly enters Kowloon City. He’s taken into protection by Cyclone, leader of the Citadel. Just as Chan is mingling with other outcasts in the city, and learning important life lessons, Mr Big returns and sets the stage for a series of fierce battles where Cyclone and his clan must protect their safe haven: Kowloon Walled City.
Fun fact: The movie was chosen for the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. It’s one of the most popular Hong Kong movies which got massive critical acclaim for being wildly entertaining and an eye-popping martial arts action spectacle.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is currently showing in Hong Kong cinemas.
3. Warriors of Future
Box Office collection: HKD 81,821,966+
Directed by: Ng Yuen-fai
Cast: Louis Koo, Sean Lau, and Carina Lau
Release year: 2022
Synopsis: Ng Yuen-fai takes you on a thrilling sci-fi ride in his directorial debut. When a meteorite carrying a deadly alien plant strikes the Earth, Commander Sing Lee and his suicide squad forces must stick together to save humanity within hours. However, this deadly extraterrestrial entity wipes out almost the entire force. In this crumbling post-apocalyptic city, surviving soldier Tai Loi must take the baton to save humanity from totally collapsing and break down a higher conspiracy.
Fun fact: Once Hong Kong’s highest-grossing movie, Warriors of Future is the recipient of multiple Hong Kong awards. The film’s visual effects were applauded as a groundbreaking and milestone moment for Hong Kong movies.
Watch Warriors of the Future here.
4. Table for Six
Box Office collection: HKD 77,347,791+
Directed by: Sunny Chan
Cast: Dayo Wong, Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung
Release year: 2022
Synopsis: This fun family flick perfectly blends slapstick comedy as well as sentimental drama in a very unique Cantonese style. In a dysfunctional family, three brothers Steve, Bernard and Lung stay together in a home passed down by their late parents. Viewers are taken inside a reunion dinner, that turns haywire from the get-go when Bernard arrives with his girlfriend who happens to be Steve’s old flame. This unexpected visit, coupled with the presence of Steve’s ex-girlfriend results in a rollicking sibling conflict and the plot goes hilariously bezerk.
Fun fact: With its sun slice-of-life feel, the movie became a crowdpleaser at global festivals like the 21st New York Asian Film Festival as well as the Far East Film Festival. It also spawned a sequel, which recently dropped on 9 February 2024 during Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Watch Table For Six here.
5. Cold War 2
Box Office collection: HKD 66,244,171+
Directed by: Sunny Luk, Longman Leung
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung, Charlie Young, Eddie Peng
Release year: 2016
Synopsis: A gripping watch that’s honestly 10/10 for us, Cold War 2 is a dramatised account of the conspiracy brewing between Hong Kong’s police force and the ruling elite. The movie picks up from the events of the Cold War mission, as a new mayhem strikes the city. Cops are on the lookout for a heinous killer, who’s nowhere to be found. What happens when the esteemed organisation and its people turn towards each other and the whole system comes crashing down?
Fun fact: The movie comes as the sequel to the 2012 box office hit, Cold War. The New York Times called it “a summer sequel worth its salt, a brisk exercise in suspense and high-gloss mayhem”.
Watch Cold War 2 here.
6. Anita
Box Office collection: HKD 62,068,723+
Directed by: Longman Leung
Cast: Louise Wong, Fish Liew, Gordon Lam and Louis Koo
Release year: 2021
Synopsis: Late Cantopop queen Anita Mui changed the face of Hong Kong movies and music industry, leaving a lasting legacy that probably no other star can surpass. Louise Wong shines bright in the biographical musical drama, chronicling Anita Mui’s journey from being a childhood performer to becoming a trailblazer musical icon before finally passing away due to cancer in 2003. It also showcases bits from her romantic relationships with Leslie Cheung, and Eddie Lau as well as her charitable endeavours among other things. An ode to Mui and her legion of fans, Anita is a must-watch.
Fun fact: Did you know director Longman Leung took inspiration from The Crown for the film’s subject matter? The hit Netflix series found a fan in Leung, who was left gushing about the series’ ensemble cast and their ability to evoke a historical figure’s personality.
Watch Anita here.
7. Kung Fu Hustle
Box Office collection: HKD 61,278,697+
Directed by: Stephen Chow
Cast: Stephen Chow, Huang Shengyi, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu
Release year: 2004
Synopsis: Set in 1940s Shanghai, Kung Fu Hustle will give you jolts of action-packed adventure and comedic relief. It follows a wannabe gangster, who, with his dim-witted pal tries to scam the residents of Pig Sty Alley into believing that they’re the dreaded members of the Axe Gang. However, the plot takes an interesting twist when the actual Axe Gang members tread back to this Shanghai slum to get their dominance back. They’re on a serious mission to get their turf back and don’t take kindly to imposters. What happens in this showdown ensues great hilarity as well as some immaculate kung-fu moves you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.
Fun fact: The movie exploded Hong Kong cinema to new heights and won six Hong Kong Film Awards as well as five Golden Horse Awards. Moreover, the movie stems from the film’s actor and director Chow’s childhood obsession with martial arts.
Watch Kung Fu Hustle here.
8. Shaolin Soccer
Box Office collection: HKD 60,739,847+
Directed by: Stephen Chow
Cast: Stephen Chow, Zhao Wei, Ng Man-tat, Patrick Tse
Release year: 2001
Synopsis: Have you seen those ridiculously fun movies, the logic-defying entertainers that you just watch for the hilarity of it? Shaolin Soccer is the epitome of that. A laughter riot which seamlessly blends kung fu and soccer, it’s probably one of the funniest (and dumbest) Hong Kong movies to be ever made. Stephen Chow headlines his directorial venture, which revolves around a former Shaolin monk who believes that all world problems can be solved with kung fu. He teams up with five other misfits who are also kung fu masters to form a soccer team which they believe is capable of winning a USD 1 million grand prize. Their quest to bring Shaolin kung fu to the masses is a story you don’t want to miss.
Fun fact: With its massive box office collections, Shaolin Soccer bagged the top spot on the highest-grossing Hong Kong movies list at that time. Stephen Chow broke his own record with the release of his second venture, Kung Fu Hustle, which later topped the popularity charts.
Watch Shaolin Soccer here.
9. Ip Man 3
Box Office collection: HKD 60,422,830
Directed by: Wilson Yip
Cast: Donnie Yen, Zhang Jin, Patrick Tam, Karena Ng
Release year: 2015
10. Police Story 4: First Strike
Box Office collection: HKD 57,518,795
Directed by: Stanley Tong
Cast: Jackie Chan, Jackson Lou, Annie Wu, Bill Tung
Release year: 1996
Synopsis: The fourth instalment in Jackie Chan’s acclaimed police series showcases a thrilling showdown between the CIA and a wanted illegal weapons dealer. Chan reprises his role as a Hong Kong police officer who’s on the lookout for a woman named Natasha and terrorist Jackson Tsui, who are minting a deal to get a nuclear warhead from the Russian mob. Travelling across Hong Kong, Australia, Ukraine as well as to catch the culprits, Chan takes you on an adrenaline-filled ride. Climbing balcony to balcony, jumping from a helicopter into a frozen lake, doing battles on mountain tops and underwater – Chan’s action stunts are to die for.
Fun fact: Did you know that the original Hong Kong version was shot in not one, but four languages? These include Cantonese, English, Russian, as well as Ukrainian.
Watch Police Story 4: First Strike here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why are Hong Kong movies famous?
Despite its small geographical size, Hong Kong’s film industry continues to remain one of the largest exporters of films in the world. Did you know that at one point, Hong Kong was the third biggest film industry? It fell only behind the USA and India.
- What is the oldest movie in Hong Kong?
The 1913 feature film Zhuangzi Tests His Wife is believed to be the first-ever Hong Kong film.
- Which is the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie?
As of June 2024, A Guilty Conscience stands atop the list of highest-grossing Hong Kong movies.
- What is the Hong Kong film industry called?
The Hong Kong film industry is known as Cantowood.
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Written by
Kriti Nayyar
Senior Digital Writer, Wellness, Culture, Astrology, Tech
Kriti is a stay-at-home dog mama, whose knack for telling interesting stories keeps her erstwhile monotonous life sane. A literature & journalism degree holder, you'll find her binging on Agatha Christie novels while critiquing the everyday state of affairs. On Kriti's seldom social outings, she's seen devouring coffee sangria with appetizing bread on the side.
