Top 10 Most Classic Chinese Animated Films

Black Cat Detective is a classic animated film produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. The story follows a detective, Black Cat, who rides his motorcycle around the city helping the innocent, punishing criminals, and protecting the forest alongside the citizens.

Originally released as a series of five episodes, it first aired on television in 1984 and was warmly received by children, achieving great success. The show was re-released by CCTV in 1993 and later by Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 2010.

However, as tastes and trends evolve, both foreign animations and young audiences changed over time. When a sequel was produced, Black Cat Detective did not receive the same level of enthusiasm as its predecessor.

The film, released in 1983, is based on the classic literary work 'Suppression of the Demons.' The story follows a priest who opens temple doors and interacts with sacred texts. He carves the book's contents onto the stone walls of a cave in the mountains, only to be punished for revealing the lives of emperors. To prove his holiness before the Jade Emperor, he must face off against a fox.

The Legend of the Sealed Book features quintessential Chinese elements, including gracefully drawn characters, ancient architecture, charming marketplaces, gently flowing rivers, and the unique beauty of natural landscapes.

Secrets of the Heavenly Book (The Legend of the Sealed Seal) is a Chinese animated film produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. It is also known as 'The Book from the Sky,' 'The Stories of the Heavenly Book,' and 'The Secrets of the Heavenly Book.'

Released in 1983 and based on the classic literary work 'Suppression of the Demons,' the film tells the story of a priest who opens the temple doors and interacts with sacred scriptures. He inscribes the content of the book onto the stone walls of a cave in the mountains, but he is punished for revealing the secrets of the emperors. To prove his holiness before the Jade Emperor, he must confront a fox.

The film embodies classic Chinese aesthetics, with charming character designs, ancient architecture, market scenes, rippling streams, and the unique beauty of natural landscapes.

Nezha: The Demon Boy is one of China's beloved animated films, centered around the legendary figure Nezha. From its debut on HTV3, the film received rave reviews and achieved a record-breaking box office success within just ten days of release. This film proved its widespread appeal to animation fans and inspired filmmakers within the industry.

The story follows Nezha's heroic journey from his miraculous birth to his extraordinary growth in an unusual environment. The evil demon, Thạch Cơ, has been hiding for thousands of years, waiting for the right moment to fight against justice. She helps the tyrant King Zhou to oppress the world. The forces of justice, however, are hoping for the birth of a hero. Thạch Cơ's plan involves sending her minion, Thân Công Báo, to eliminate Nezha. Even before his birth, Nezha faces countless dangers, but after he is born, he grows rapidly and joyfully in a loving family with his parents and brothers.

Princess Ori is one of China's most popular animated films, with a high viewership rate in 2012. Both parts of the film were acquired by TVM Corp. for broadcast in Vietnam on HTV3 starting in late 2013.

The story revolves around Ori, a princess born from the love between her father, who later becomes the emperor, and her mother. However, war breaks out, and bandits attack their village, separating them. Ori grows up without her father in a rural village. After the war, her father ascends the throne and returns to find her, bringing her to the capital. But because Ori was not raised properly, she picks up bad habits from the outside world. Her father is heartbroken and is determined to teach her to be a proper princess. Meanwhile, the prime minister, Phách Lối, despises Ori and constantly tries to cause trouble for her and her friends. Despite this, Ori and her group always emerge victorious in these conflicts.

The Happy Sheep and the Grey Wolf is a popular children's animated series that has won the hearts of young viewers both in China and internationally. The show captivates audiences with its adorable and clever characters, who are also quite mischievous. Each episode features a humorous and intense battle of wits between the Grey Wolf couple and the young sheep of Sheep Village, which include: Happy Sheep, Pretty Sheep, Lazy Sheep, Fat Sheep, and Energetic Sheep, all under the 'guidance' of the slightly eccentric Village Chief.

The story of The Happy Sheep and the Grey Wolf is set in the year 3513 (Year of the Sheep) when the sheep live happily in the Green Plains. At this time, the Grey Wolf and his wife, Red Wolf, move into the area and attempt to eat the sheep. However, the sheep are intelligent and well-equipped with advanced technology. Whenever Grey Wolf shows up at Sheep Village, he comes up with sneaky plans to kidnap the sheep. But with the help of his clever and crafty friend, Happy Sheep, the wolves' plans are always foiled. At the end of every episode, Grey Wolf angrily declares, 'I hate Happy Sheep! I will definitely be back!'

Nezha Conquers the Dragon King is a 1979 fantasy film produced by the Shanghai Film Studio. The film was warmly received by audiences and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, later being released in the United Kingdom where it was also well-received.

The film is based on the legendary Chinese novel *Investiture of the Gods*. The story centers around Nezha, a boy born from a lotus flower. Known for his mischievous and unruly nature, Nezha was impossible to control. At the age of seven, while playing near the beach, Nezha accidentally kills Ao Bing, the son of the Dragon King. As a result, the Dragon King harbors a deep grudge and unleashes a series of natural disasters upon the local people. Throughout the film, Nezha faces numerous challenges in order to protect his people. Despite the many trials he faces, Nezha ultimately infiltrates the Dragon Palace and defeats the Dragon King, saving his people and his family.

The classic animated film "Havoc in Heaven" is one of the most famous films in Asia, loved by many for its captivating story and its meticulous filmmaking. The film has earned numerous international awards and recognition in China.

The plot is based on the early chapters of the classic novel *Journey to the West* by Wu Cheng'en. The protagonist is the clever and mischievous Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who rises up against the Jade Emperor. The film praises the courage and extraordinary abilities of Sun Wukong, while also criticizing the autocracy of the Jade Emperor. The film is rich with traditional Beijing cultural tones and remains a staple of Chinese animation history.

This is a classic animated series created by Zheng Yuanjie, known as the "King of Chinese Fairy Tales." The series consists of 13 episodes, each one short yet captivating.

Shuke and Beita are two mice who refuse to steal food like their fellow rodents. Shuke becomes a pilot, while Beita works as a tank driver. The two meet by chance and become best friends. They later befriend a boy named Pipilu, and together, they form Shuke Beita Airlines to assist animals in need.

Brothers of the Gourd is not only a classic animated film but also one of the most beloved in China. It remains one of the country's most successful and impactful animated series.

Released in 1986, this 13-episode series was dubbed into seven languages and became a favorite among children worldwide. The story revolves around two demons trapped inside a gourd and buried deep within a cave. By chance, a pangolin comes across the gourd and carries it away, freeing the two spirits and causing chaos in the local village. The only way to trap them again is with a magical seven-colored gourd. Nearby, an old man grows seven gourds in rainbow colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Once ripe, the gourds fall to the ground and transform into seven brothers, each tasked with defeating the evil spirits.

The film earned numerous awards both domestically and internationally, leading filmmakers to create a sequel.