The list of the best Chinese dramas on Netflix has some outstanding titles across genres that will keep you hooked. From murder mysteries to swoon-worthy romances, every Chinese drama here is also backed by high IMDb ratings implying they are not only audience favourites but are critically applauded as well.
The acclaimed Chinese drama The Untamed (2019) is a classic example. The series, available on Netflix, focses on long-lost friends who come together for a series of murder cases. Another example is Hidden Love (2023), which explores the relationship of a girl and her brother’s best friend.
If you are into the fantasy mystery genre, Huang Pei-jia-starrer The Ghost Bride (2020) is the one for you. It revolves around a young girl who accidentally crosses over to the afterlife. Although it has an IMDb rating of 6.4, it is one of the most popular Chinese shows on Netflix. Similarly, for those who prefer historical dramas, Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures (2019) will be an engaging watch. It is based on the rule of the Qing dynasty, where a determined princess navigates palace intrigue and conspiracy against her family.
So, if you are new to the realm of Chinese TV shows or simply looking for the highest-rated Chinese drama on Netflix, we have you covered. While the titles I mentioned may appear to be on the lower rungs of the rating scale, our list has more names that guarantee wholesome entertainment on the OTT platform. From Meteor Garden to The Eternal Love and Word of Honor, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The best Chinese dramas on Netflix with high IMDb ratings
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- Light the Night (2021-2022)
- The Eternal Love (2017)
- Goodbye My Princess (2019)
- The Princess Weiyoung (2016)
- Meteor Garden (2018)
- Handsome Siblings (2020)
- A Love So Beautiful (2017)
- Falling into Your Smile (2021)
- The King’s Avatar (2019)
- Till the End of the Moon (2023)
- The Double (2024)
- Word of Honor (2021)
- Love Between Fairy and Devil (2022)
- Hidden Love (2023)
- The Untamed (2019)
IMDb rating: 7.4
Directed by: Lian Yi-qi
Cast: Ruby Lin, Yo Yang, Cheryl Yang
Episodes: 24
Duration of each episode: 45 minutes
Synopsis: This Taiwanese drama centres around Taipei’s busy red-light area in the 1980s. The place, dotted with Japanese nightclubs and frequented by elite businessmen has retained its Japanese charm even after World War II. The story focuses on two long-term servers at Light, a posh nightclub, who are drawn to the same man. But when a murder takes place, things take a drastic turn as any of the ladies here could be the culprit.
Why you should watch this: Unlike any other murder mystery, this Chinese drama upholds themes of love, friendship, jealousy and betrayal while the whodunnit remains an overarching theme.
The Eternal Love (2017)
IMDb rating: 7.4
Directed by: Lam Yuk Fan, Yu Cuihua and Ren Haitao
Cast: Mark Chao, Yang Mi, Dilraba Dilmurat, Alan Yu
Episodes: 58
Duration of each episode: 45 minutes
Synopsis: Two deities, Bai Qian (Yang) and Ye Hua (Chao), fall in love but are unable to stay together in either the mortal or immortal realms. What follows is an epic tale of romance where the devotions of the star-crossed lovers are put to the test for three lifetimes.
Goodbye My Princess (2019)
IMDb rating: 7.6
Directed by: Li Mu Ge
Cast: Chen Xing Xu, Peng Xiao Ran, Shawn Wei, Kingone Wang
Episodes: 52
Duration of each episode: 45-47 minutes
Synopsis: Xiao Feng (Peng) is the beloved princess of the Western Liang Kingdom. But her kingdom is on the brink of grave danger as the neighbouring Li dynasty wages a war. Meanwhile, the youngest Li prince, Li Cheng Yin (Chen) is sent on a mission to end Xioa’s family and conquer her. Unaware of this, he falls in love with the charming prince. However, when his true motives are revealed and her family is killed, she dives into the magical River of Forgetfulness in a bid to escape her emotions. With their memories erased, Xiao Feng must travel to the Li court and marry the new crown prince, Li Chen Yin. But will she be safe?
About the series: Goodbye My Princess is based on the novel Eastern Palace by best-selling author Fei Wo Si Cun.
Read more: 7 best Chinese romance novels in English for the romantic in you
IMDb rating: 7.8
Directed by: Li Hui Zhu
Cast: Tiffany Tang, Luo Jin, Vanness Wu, Mao Xiao Tong, Lee Hsin Ai
Episodes: 54
Duration of each episode: 44 minutes
Synopsis: After the Northern Wei Dynasty was obliterated by the power-hungry marshall of the Northern Wei clan, Princess Feng Xin’er (Tang) manages to escape. However, a young girl named Li Weiyoung takes her place and gives up her life. Now, the real princess seizes this opportunity to start afresh and steps in as Li, the prime minister’s daughter, and decides to avenge her family’s death. Although she is put in unforeseen situations and faces court politics, Li remains unwavering in her main goal.
Meteor Garden (2018)
IMDb rating: 7.8
Directed by: Lin He Long
Cast: Shen Yue, Dylan Wang, Darren Chen, Caesar Wu, Connor Leong
Episodes: 49
Duration of each episode: 45-50 minutes
Synopsis: Dong Shan Cai (Yue) is enrolled in the most prestigious school in China. Here, she comes across the exclusive F4 group comprising four of the wealthiest boys in the school. As destiny would have it, their tsundere leader Daoming Si (Wang), starts dating Dong. The former’s powerful family opposes their relationship, but Daoming vows to be with Dong forever and proves his true love for her.
About the series: One of the best Chinese romantic dramas, Meteor Garden is a remake of the 2001 Taiwanese series of the same name and the K-drama Boys Over Flowers (2009).
Read more: Chinese erotic dramas to watch with your bae
Handsome Siblings (2020)
IMDb rating: 7.8
Directed by: Zou Ji Cheng, Bai Yun Mo
Cast: Chen Zhe Yuan, Hu Yi Tian, Vicky Liang, Liang Jie
Episodes: 44
Duration of each episode: 45 minutes
Synopsis: Jiang Xiao Yu (Chen) of Yihua Palace and Hua Wu Que (Hu), who’s raised by the villainous Ten Villains sect, are two outstanding martial artists. Brought up as arch rivals, they are actually twin brothers separated at birth. Both search for their true identities, and as their fate becomes intertwined, the brothers find themselves entangled in a web of conspiracy.
Why you should watch this: This Chinese period drama tackles some very interesting and poignant aspects — the meaning of family, brotherhood and nature versus nurture. The power-packed action scenes are a bonus.
IMDb rating: 8
Directed by: Yang Long
Cast: Hu Yi Tian, Shen Yue, Gao Zhi Ting, Wang Zi Wei, Sun Ning
Episodes: 24
Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes
Synopsis: Chen Xiao Xi (Shen) and Jiang Chen (Hu) have grown up as neighbours and are good friends in high school as well. While Xiao Xi is a happy-go-lucky girl who doesn’t like to study much but has a penchant for drawing, Jiang Chen is popular for his good looks and high grades. Together with their group of best friends, they navigate high school, adulthood and budding romance.
About the series: This Chinese drama is based on the novel To Our Pure Little Beauty by Zhao Gang An.
IMDb rating: 8.1
Directed by: Qiu Zhong Wei
Cast: Xu Kai, Cheng Xiao, Zhai Xiao Wen, Yao Chi
Episodes: 31
Duration of each episode: 45-47 minutes
Synopsis: There is no place for any emotion in the competitive world of e-sports where the all-male ZGDX team is unbeatable. When one of the team’s star players suffers a hand injury, the tall, handsome and notoriously hard-to-please ZGDX captain Lu Si Cheng (Xu) will not choose a replacement hastily. Meanwhile, the petite and fun Tong Yao (Cheng) is an amateur gamer who is eager to grab this opportunity. Lu Si Cheng is initially dismissive of her skills but agrees to keep her as a trainee. Will she be able to impress him with her skills? Will there be a change of heart?
Why you should watch this: One of the best Chinese dramas on Netflix, Falling into Your Smile has a refreshingly modern theme with relatable characters who deliver a stunning performance. In fact, female lead Cheng received great public appreciation for her strong portrayal of gamer Tong Yao in the show. It is inspired by the web book You’re Beautiful When You Smile by Qing Mei.
Read more: Best sports romance novels to read
The King’s Avatar (2019)
IMDb rating: 8.1
Directed by: Shiyiyue, Zhang Xiao An
Cast: Yang Yang, Jiang Shu Ying, Lai Yu Meng
Episodes: 40
Duration of each episode: 37-40 minutes
Synopsis: In the realm of the multiplayer online game Glory, Ye Xiu (Yang) is a well-known textbook-level expert and top-tier player Ye Qiu. When a series of unforeseen events leads to him getting expelled from his team, he leaves e-gaming and works as a manager in an internet cafe. When the online game launches a new server, Ye returns to the scene, but this time with a motley crew of players, resolute to regain the top spot.
Why you should watch this: One of the finest Chinese shows on Netflix, this drama doesn’t have a prominent romantic angle but ensures a thrilling action-packed binge-watch marathon.
Till the End of the Moon (2023)
IMDb rating: 8.2
Directed by: Kuk Kok Leung, Wang Hai Qi
Cast: Luo Yun Xi, Bai Lu, Chen Du Ling
Episodes: 40
Duration of each episode: 50-55 minutes
Synopsis: The fantasy show is set in a time when the devils ruled over cultivators and humans. The cultivators thought it was imperative to send someone back in time, to find out about the origin of the demon lord (Luo) and prevent his resurrection. This is when an immortal, Li Susu (Bai), takes on the human identity of Ye Xi Wu, the second daughter of General Ye, and time travels to prevent the rise of the future demon king by becoming his wife. But when they meet, they fall in love. Can she protect the world and stop the demonic revival of Tan Tai Jin?
The Double (2024)
IMDb rating: 8.2
Directed by: Bai Yun Mo, Lu Hao Ji Ji, Ma Shi Ge
Cast: Wu Jin Yan, Yang Chao Yue, Wang Xing Yue
Episodes: 40
Duration of each episode: 45 minutes
Synopsis: After a country magistrate is unjustly imprisoned, his daughter Xue Fang Fei (Wu) narrowly escapes the political turmoil along with Jiang Li (Yang), the Secretariat Director’s daughter. Resolved to free her father, Fang Fei disguises herself as Jiang Li when she returns to the capital. She gets the help of Duke Xiao Heng (Wang) and executes her plan. Amid all this, will love find a place in her heart?
About the series: This 2024 Chinese drama series was based on a novel by Qian Shan Cha Ke.
Word of Honor (2021)
IMDb rating: 8.4
Directed by: Gary Sing, Jones Ma
Cast: Zhou Ye, Gong Jun, Zhang Zhe Han
Episodes: 37
Duration of each episode: 44 minutes
Synopsis: The formidable Zhou Zi Shu (Zhang) is tasked to protect the family. Despite being a respected person in society, this is not the life that Zi Shu envisioned. Unsettled within himself, Zi Shu leaves his position to pursue his dreams. However, he is soon embroiled in a conspiracy that rocks the martial arts world. He comes across Wen Ke Xing (Gong), a mysterious martial artist from the Ghost Valley, on a quest to avenge his parents’ death. They become good friends as they head out on a world of adventure.
About the series: The show is adapted from the novel Faraway Wanders by Priest.
IMDb rating: 8.4
Directed by: Yi Zheng
Cast: Esther Yu, Dylan Wang
Episodes: 36
Duration of each episode: 42-46 minutes
Synopsis: The Lord Devil of the Moon Tribe, Dongfang Qingcang (Wang) is a monster with no heart who once wreaked havoc in the realm of gods, leading his demon army to victory. Centuries later, Orchid (Yu), a fairy, accidentally frees the cursed and imprisoned devil lord. As he plans to kill her, a magical faux pas causes them to swap bodies: the formidable devil is now trapped in Orchid’s delicate form, while she inherits his super strength. Will this chaos ever end?
Hidden Love (2023)
IMDb rating: 8.6
Directed by: Lee Ching Jung
Cast: Zhao Lu Si, Chen Zhe Yuan, Victor Ma
Episodes: 25
Duration of each episode: 42-46 minutes
Synopsis: Since her high school days, Sang Zhi (Zhao) has crushed hard on her elder brother’s friend Duan Jiaxu (Chen). But circumstances have led them apart, and they lost touch. Years later, she is enrolled at the same university as him, and Duan is back in her life. While sparks fly, will it end up in a happy relationship?
About the series: The romance drama series is adapted from the Chinese web novel Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It by Zhu Yi.
The Untamed (2019)
IMDb rating: 8.7
Directed by: Zheng Weiwen and Chen Jialin
Cast: Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo
Episodes: 50
Duration of each episode: 45 minutes
Synopsis: Under the dictatorial rule of the Wen clan, Wei Wu Xian (Xiao) and Lan Wang Ji (Wang) meet during cultivation training and instantly become friends. As they discover evidence that shows the clan’s chief plans to bring mayhem to the land, they decide to step in. However, a series of misadventures causes Wu Xian to disappear. He mysteriously reappears 16 years later and together try to resolve present-day tragic events.
About the series: The Untamed is adapted from the novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by BL author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.
(Hero and Feature image: Courtesy The Untamed/ IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
'The Untamed', 'Hidden Love', 'Meteor Garden' and 'Word of Honor' are some of the best Chinese dramas to watch on Netflix.
'Nirvana in Fire' (9.1), 'The Untamed' (8.7), 'Hidden Love' (8.6), 'Word of Honor' (8.4) and 'Story of Kunning Palace' (8.2) are some of the highest-rated Chinese dramas, according to IMDb.
'Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty' and 'Nirvana in Fire' are among the most-searched Chinese dramas.
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
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