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A Chinese Ghost Story

1987Movie1 h 35 minNR

73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.3Letterboxd3.8/5Rotten Tomatoes70%85%

A deeply romantic, wondrous fantasy movie about fantasy and history, with standout score and visual style.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

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Story

Old Evil is coming to collect the bride.

A naïve young tax collector for the imperial government winds up spending the night in a haunted temple. There he falls in love with a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, is dead. With the aid of a powerful Daoist Swordsman, he must defeat undead hordes, overcome a sinister Tree Demoness, and descend to the pits of hell, to fight for the spirit he loves.

Feels like

  • Romantic Fantasy Classic
  • Hong Kong Wuxia Aesthetics
  • Haunting Ghost Love Story
  • Supernatural Action
  • Atmospheric Gothic Lore
  • Iconic Score & Songs
  • Whimsical Horror Comedy
  • Visual Elegance

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Tony Ching Siu-tung
Written by
Yuen Kai-chi
Produced by
Tsui Hark
Music by
David Wu, James Wong Jim, Romeo Díaz

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 18, 1987 · 1 h 35 min · NR

Released
July 18, 1987
Runtime
1 h 35 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Fantasy, Action
Original language
cn
Also spoken
Sanskrit
Made in
Hong Kong SAR China
Budget
$1 million
Available in
134 countries

Tropes

Can Only Move the Eyes, Epic Flail, Boy Meets Ghoul +9

  • Can Only Move the Eyes
  • Epic Flail
  • Boy Meets Ghoul
  • When Trees Attack
  • Retcon
  • Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever
  • Humongous Mecha
  • Anachronistic Soundtrack
  • Overly Long Tongue
  • Ghostly Goals
  • Covered in Gunge
  • Battle Cry

12 of 40 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream A Chinese Ghost Story?"

Questions about A Chinese Ghost Story

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Chinese Ghost Story?

PrimePhiloAMC+CriterionShudderShout! Factory TVPlexAmazon Prime Video Free with Ads

In the United States, A Chinese Ghost Story streams on Prime, Philo, AMC+, Criterion, and Shudder, and it is free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, and Amazon MX Player. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 133 other countries.

Is A Chinese Ghost Story worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 7.3, Letterboxd 3.8 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes 70%).

Is A Chinese Ghost Story good for date night?

and 2 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 9 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is A Chinese Ghost Story in English?

cnSanskrit

No, it was made in cn, with some Sanskrit.

What tropes does A Chinese Ghost Story use?

Can Only Move the EyesEpic FlailBoy Meets GhoulWhen Trees AttackRetconAttack of the 50-Foot WhateverHumongous MechaAnachronistic SoundtrackOverly Long TongueGhostly GoalsCovered in GungeBattle Cryand 28 more

TV Tropes lists 40 tropes for it, including Can Only Move the Eyes, Epic Flail, and Boy Meets Ghoul.