Best movies to watch in Hong Kong cinemas this month

When it comes to the best movies to watch, Hongkongers are spoiled for choice. No wonder it’s a city of cinephiles. Hong Kong has a reputation for producing some of the best films. For instance, Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love is often listed as one of the greatest films of all time and one of the best examples of Asian and Hong Kong movies by critics. In addition, Hong Kong’s action cinema has also developed a strong cult following.

Despite the number of streaming platforms, nothing beats watching a movie on the big screen. With Hong Kong slowly returning to normal, many films are screened in cinemas. So, are you looking for what to watch next? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a fan of action bangers, arthouse indies, or blockbusters, these are the best films to watch in Hong Kong cinemas.

Best movies to catch in Hong Kong cinemas – April 2023

Soul Mate

Based on the Chinese film of the same name, Soul Mate is about two friends Mi-soo (Kim Da-mi) and Ha-eun (Jeon So-nee). Everything seems to be going well until Ha-eun falls in love with her classmate, Jin-woo (Byeon Woo-seok). The two friends start to grow apart when Mi-soo leaves the city to pursue a life of adventure while Ha-eun stays behind to live a stable life.

Now showing

Super Mario Bros

A movie version of the popular game, Super Mario Bros follows Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt), Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy) and other beloved characters as they assemble to stop the all-powerful Bowser (voiced by Jack Black) from conquering the world.

Showing on April 5

AIR

AIR is a sports biopic based on the true events of the origin of Air Jordan. Nike shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) approaches then-basketball rookie Michael Jordan for a partnership that would change the sports and fashion world.

Showing on April 5

A Light Never Goes Out

This Hong Kong drama marks Anastasia Tsang’s directorial debut and stars Sylvia Chang as Mei-heung. Mei-heung loses her husband Biu (Simon Yam), a neon-sign maker who wanted to recreate a famous demolished neon sign before his passing. To fulfil his unfinished dream, Mei-heung seeks out the help of Biu’s young apprentice, Leo (Henrick Chou).

Showing on April 13

What’s love got to do with it?

How do you find lasting love in today’s world? For documentary maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), swiping right has only delivered a stream of wrongs. Meanwhile, for her childhood friend and neighbour Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is an arranged marriage. As Zoe films Kaz’s journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, she begins to wonder if she needs a new approach to finding love.

Showing on April 13

Renfield

Renfield is a horror comedy film based on an original idea by Robert Kirkman with characters from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula. The film revolves around Count Dracula’s (Nicolas Cage) lackey, R.M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) as he adapts to living in modern-day New Orleans. When he falls in love with a traffic cop (Awkwafina), he realises that he needs to stand up to his creator to live freely.

Showing on April 20

Mad Fate

Mad Fate is directed by Soi Cheang and produced by Johnnie To, marking their second collaboration since 2009. It tells the story of a fortune teller (Gordon Lam) who meets the owner of a tea restaurant (Mirror’s Lok Man). He foreshadows that the young man will be sentenced to prison for murder. Knowing this, he tries to change the man’s fate.

Now showing on April 20

Best movies to catch in Hong Kong cinemas – March 2023

Suzume

Famed Japanese director Makoto Shinkai returns with his latest animated feature, Suzume this month. It follows 17-year-old Suzume, who lives in a quiet town in Kyushu, as she meets the mysterious Souta. Later, she finds an old door in the mountains and discovers that it will wreak havoc on Earth. Together with Souta, they travel around to lock the door and prevent the impending disaster from happening.

Now showing

Lost Love

This heartwarming drama centres around Chan Tin Mei (Sammi Cheng). Still reeling from the pain of suddenly losing their son, Mei is reluctant to have another child. She finds out that they can become a foster family instead, allowing her to feel like a mother again. Mei starts to take in different kids, each with their own scars but the experience changes her and her idea of motherhood.

Now showing

Scream 6

Scream is back for its sixth instalment! The sequel takes place after the latest Ghostface killings as the four survivors leave Woodsboro to start afresh. Characters such as Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown), Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) are returning to their roles, alongside new characters.

Now showing

Cyber Heist

Flying the flag for Hong Kong movies this month is this action-thriller. It stars Aaron Kwok as a cybersecurity engineer who develops an AI programme that has the potential to disable all of Hong Kong’s networks. But because the programme holds such power, he also has to prevent it from landing into the wrong hands. Other Hong Kong stars such as Gordon Lam, Simon Yam, and Megan Lai are also part of the cast.

Now showing

Broken Keys

Broken Keys is Lebanon’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards. Set in 2013, the film centres around Karim (Tarek Yaacoub), a pianist who lives in a war-torn village in Syria. He dreams of escaping to Europe to continue his music career. However, for him to achieve that, he has to sell his beloved possession—the piano he inherited from his mother. Just before he could do that, his piano is damaged from the conflict, so he embarks on a mission to repair the broken keys.

Now showing

The Sunny Side of the Street

The Sunny Side of the Street marks the directorial debut of Malaysia-born Hong Kong director, Lau Kok-rui. It tells the story of a young Hong Kong-born Pakistani refugee (Sahal Zaman) who forms a pseudo-father-son relationship with a local taxi driver (Anthony Wong). Unbeknownst to him, the driver is the murderer of his father.

Now showing

John Wick

Keanu Reeves returns for the fourth instalment in the John Wick film. John Wick finally uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, he must go against a new enemy who has powerful alliances across the globe. For John, this means his old friends turn into foes. The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rina Sawayama, and more.

Based on the same short story by Liu Cixin, The Wandering Earth II boasts a stellar lineup including Hong Kong actor Andy Lau. It serves as a prequel to the 2019 mega-hit, The Wandering Earth. Set in the future when the sun continues to expand, the Earth’s destruction looms on the horizon. In order to find a new home, humankind must start building giant engines that could help the planet travel outside of the solar system in search of another habitable galaxy. But the road to finding a new home is difficult and dangerous.

Now showing

Tár

The Oscar-nominated film Tár tells the story of fictional world-class conductor Lydia Tár, played by award-winning actress Cate Blanchett. Being the Berlin Philharmonic’s first female chief conductor, Tár takes pride in being one of the best conductors in the world. At the height of her career, she starts preparing for her upcoming book launch and live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. But leading up to the big day, her life begins to unravel in the most unexpected ways.

Now showing

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Superhero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp for this film. Joining the duo are Hope’s parents, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) as well as Scott’s daughter, Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton). Together, they explore the Quantum Realm where they encounter strange new creatures and embark on a journey that will push them to their limits.

Now showing

Return to Seoul

Cambodian-French director Davy Chou returns with his second feature, Return to Seoul which was recently shortlisted for Best International Film at the 95th Academy Awards. The film follows 25-year-old Freddie (Park Ji-min), a Korean adoptee from France. By chance, she visits her birth country for the first time and begins an unexpected journey to look for her biological parents. Along the way, she starts learning about her native language and culture.

Now showing

Where the Wind Blows

Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Aaron Kwok team up in this new crime thriller from director Philip Yung. The two play corrupt police officers during the 1960s, during the foundation of the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (HKICAC). Ambitious and power-hungry, they want to change the status quo and start building their own corrupt empire. With this, they control both organised crimes and the police force. But a power struggle soon ensues. Meanwhile, Lui Lok (Kwok) and Nam Kong (Leung)’s positions hang in the balance.

Now showing

Cocaine Bear

It may seem bizarre, but Cocaine Bear is inspired by the real-life story of an American black bear who ingested a bag of cocaine in 1985 and dies. The film adaptation deviates a little and follows the drugged bear on a killing rampage in a rural Georgia town. Both locals and tourists join hands to fend it off and survive the attack.

Now showing

Best movies to catch in Hong Kong cinemas – January 2023

A Guilty Conscience

A Guilty Conscience follows sharp-tongued barrister Adrian Lam (Dayo Wong) who mishandles a child abuse case. Due to his negligence, an innocent Jolene Tsang (Louise Wong) receives a 17-year prison sentence. Feeling guilty, Lam decides to become a public defender—until an opportunity arises to right his wrong. He assembles a team for Tsang’s appeal but sees himself in a David and Goliath courtroom battle against tycoons, Victoria (Fish Liew) and Desmond Chung (Adam Pak). Under pressure, will he get to serve justice?

Now showing

The Banshees of Inisherin

Directed by Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin is set on a remote island on the west coast of Ireland. Lauded by critics, this black comedy received nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. It centres around two friends (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at crossroads when one decides to abruptly end their friendship.

Now showing

Have you added any of these to your to-watch list yet?

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