Article: Top 10 Successful Chinese Remakes Of International Films

Remakes of national or international films are rather popular these days. However, unexpected twists, incisive commentary, the skills of up-and-coming performers and storytellers, and other factors can make these recreations or remakes more promising than the originals. While some have been utterly ludicrous and forgotten, a select handful has provided a breath of fresh air to new audiences. Remakes can be highly successful and entertaining in virtually any genre, as long as they can create a new love for an old story. So, listed below are the top 10 successful Chinese remakes of international films.

1. 12 Citizens (2015)

The Chinese adaptation of Reginald Rose's classic drama Twelve Angry Men from 1954 is titled Twelve Citizens. When 12 people from various areas of life are chosen as jurors in a pretend murder trial, long-standing prejudices are exposed. May 15, 2015, marked the release of 12 Citizens.

 

2. My Best Friend’s Wedding (2016)

Chen Feihong directed My Best Friend's Wedding, a 2016 Chinese romantic comedy film. It is a remake of the same-named American movie from 1997. The movie is about Lin Ran and Gu Jia becoming best friends as they grow up. Gu Jia realizes she is in love with Lin Ran when he announces his engagement, and she vows to gain his adoration for herself. Gu Jia goes to great lengths to win him back, but she is unsuccessful because he now loves his fiancée. August 5, 2016, marked the release of My Best Friend's Wedding.

 

3. What Women Want (2011)

What Women Want is a 2011 Chinese-Hong Kong romantic action-comedy film, a remake of the same-named 2000 American film. The story takes place in a Beijing advertising agency, where the creative director obtains the power to hear women's thoughts after a rare accident. February 3, 2011, marked the release of What Women Want.

 

4. Sheep Without A Shepherd (2019)

Sheep Without a Shepherd is a Chinese drama thriller film released in 2019. It's a remake of the Indian movie Drishyam from 2013. The plot revolves around a man's desperate attempts to save his family from the dark side of the law when they commit an unintentional crime. December 13, 2019, marked the release of Sheep Without a Shepherd. It grossed USD 199 million, making it the ninth highest-grossing Chinese picture of 2019.

 

5. A Simple Noodle Story (2009)

Zhang Yimou directed A Simple Noodle Story in 2009. A Simple Noodle Story is a remake of the 1984 Blood Simple. The story is about a visit from a Persian gun salesman, who sparks off a series of fatal double-crosses involving a cop, a Chinese restaurant, his unfaithful wife, and two unskilled employees. It is a blend of suspense and screwball comedy. December 11, 2009, marked the release of A Simple Noodle Story.

 

6. Endgame (2021)

Endgame is a 2021 Chinese-Hong Kong action black comedy film that Rao Xiaozhi co-wrote and directed. The film is a remake of the Japanese film Key of Life, premiered in 2012. The plot centres around a cold-blooded assassin who swaps identities with a down-and-out want to be actor, leading to a series of bizarre scenarios. February 12, 2021, marked the release of Endgame.

 

7. The Witness (2015)

The Witness is a suspense criminal drama film from China released in 2015. A Korean thriller based on the 2011 film THE BLIND, THE WITNESS follows a blind woman (Yang Mi) and a delivery boy (Lu Han) witnessing a hit-and-run case. Their memories of the event are contradictory. Due to the lack of leads from the police, the pair attempt to solve the problem themselves. Ahn Sang-hoon, who directed the original Korean film, returns to direct the remake. October 30, 2015, marked the release of The Witness. At the Chinese box office, the film took in CN¥214 million (US$35.6 million).

 

8. Everybody’s Fine (2016)

Zhang Meng directed the 2016 film Everyone's Fine, a Chinese family comedy. It is the second remake of the same-named Italian film from 1990. Based on Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso, the movie revolves around Guan Zhi Guo, a recently widowed geologist who awaits his four children's yearly visit every summer, but they all cancel. In Beijing, he goes outside the yard to watch over his children. January 1, 2016, marked the release of Everybody's Fine. Everybody's Fine is a delightful and satisfying film that successfully blends family drama, social commentary, and a tour guide into a visually stunning product.

 

9. My Love (2021)

Han Tian directed and co-wrote My Love, a Chinese romantic comedy film released in 2021. It's a remake of the South Korean movie On Your Wedding Day, 2018. The movie tells the story of Zhou Xiaoqi and You Yongci, who had been in love for 15 years. Their narrative starts in high school when a swimming student Zhou Xiaoqi falls in love with You Yongci at first sight, whose Mandarin name means swimming pool. April 30, 2021, marked the release of My Love. It garnered mixed reviews from viewers but was a box office triumph, becoming China's highest-grossing romantic comedy film of 2021. The picture has a worldwide gross of over $114 million.

 

10. Only You (2015)

Zhang Hao directed a Chinese romantic comedy entitled Only You, released in 2015. The movie is a remake of the 1994 film Only You. The story revolves around Fang Yuan, a lady enticed by fate, who travels to Italy seeking Feng Dali, the former classmate of her fiancé. July 24, 2015, marked the release of Only You. The film grossed RMB47.5 million (US$7.64 million) in its opening weekend.