Top 19 Hong Kong Crime Detective Movies You Must Watch

Release Year: 2011

Duration: 30 episodes

Director: Trang Vỹ Kiện

Release Year: 1998

Duration: 20 episodes

Director: Quảng Nghiệp Sinh

Sixth Sense is an action-packed series about a special task force, featuring gripping plot twists surrounding justice and human emotions. The female lead, An Ni, is a brilliant and intelligent leader with an extraordinary sixth sense.

Thanks to her sharp intuition, An Ni successfully solves many major cases. However, when the suspects in her investigation turn out to be her close friends and even family members, she becomes conflicted and unsure whether to continue her work or abandon the investigation.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 30 episodes

Directors: Huỳnh Lai Phát, Ngô Thăng Nghê

The story revolves around a group of CDI officers working at the Hong Kong Police Station. The team is led by Captain Tử Sơn, and among the members is Từ Phi, a cold yet highly intelligent psychologist.

Alongside thrilling crime-solving adventures, the series also delves into the complex love triangle between Từ Phi, Tiếu Quân, and Thiên Thiên.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 1999

Duration: 50 episodes

Director: Phan Gia Đức

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 31 episodes

Director: Văn Vỹ Hồng

Release Year: 2012

Duration: 30 episodes

Director: Lâm Chi Hoa

Release Year: 1998

Duration: 20 episodes

A drug trafficking case leads to a complex relationship between police officer Giang Dương (played by Mã Đức Chung) and the notorious gangster Cao Triết (played by Lưu Tùng Nhân). Dương is well aware that Triết is the leader of a major criminal gang, using his restaurant business as a cover. However, he struggles to gather solid evidence against him.

The two engage in a battle of wits, with no clear winner. But driven by his strong belief that “evil cannot triumph over good,” officer Giang Dương is determined to see this “Battle of Wits” through and bring Triết to justice.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2008

Duration: 20 episodes

Director: Lưu Thể Vân

Republic Detective marks a transformation for rising star Hồ Nhất Thiên. Set during the Republican era, the story follows Lộ Nghiêu (played by Hồ Nhất Thiên), a talented young man who has just returned from studying in the UK. With his sharp intelligence, keen observation skills, and deduction abilities, he catches the eye of Inspector Sở Kiều Sinh (played by Trương Vân Long), who recruits him as a consultant for his cases.

Although initially reluctant, Lộ Nghiêu is soon forced into joining the police force, where he helps solve complex mysteries.

DETAILS:

Director: Trương Vĩ Khắc

Cast: Hồ Nhất Thiên, Trương Vân Long, Tiêu Yến

Release Date: 24/3/2020

The City of Chaos, although it didn't gain much attention from Vietnamese audiences, stands out as a meticulously produced crime and action drama with a strong cast. Set in China, the story revolves around the escalating drug trade and the dangerous measures taken to curb it. The story follows an elite narcotics team, including officer Lạc Gia, who embarks on an undercover mission after one of his colleagues goes missing during an investigation.

To crack the case, Lạc Gia infiltrates the criminal gang known as 'The Seven Stars' in Lankupa, setting the stage for intense investigations and dangerous confrontations.

DETAILS:

Director: Lưu Thù Xảo

Cast: Lý Quang Hạo, Lương Văn Khang, Lý Thành Mẫn, Triệu Dương, Cao Chí Đình…

Release Date: 4/3/2020

This crime-action thriller follows detective Trương Mạnh as he investigates and dismantles a human trafficking ring. After months of preparation, the police successfully surround the criminals in just 7 minutes and capture the leader, Hứa Chí Hải. However, the police chief remains anxious, suspecting that Hứa Chí Hải is merely a part of a much larger network. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Trương Mạnh volunteers to go undercover as a convict in prison to gain Hứa Chí Hải's trust.

After gaining the criminal's trust, Trương Mạnh helps him escape from prison, but during the escape, Hứa Chí Hải is killed. Trương Mạnh narrowly survives. Now, with only one lead left—the clue left by Hứa Chí Hải pointing him to the leader's brother, Hứa Chí Cường—Trương Mạnh continues his dangerous pursuit.

DETAILS:

Director: Lan Thiếu Dần

Cast: Lý Nan Nam, Tô Hà, Cam Lộ, Phó Thiên Kiêu, Anastasia Berestova Lilia

Release Date: 26/12/2019

Forensic Detective – The Listener is a Chinese crime drama that focuses on forensic science and autopsy investigations to solve complex criminal cases. The story follows young, brilliant forensic pathologist Ming Xuan, who is highly regarded in the city of Bang Hai. However, during an investigation into a series of brutal murders, Ming Xuan unexpectedly becomes a suspect himself. To delve into the truth, Chief Detective La Bu Tan is sent to Bang Hai to investigate Ming Xuan's possible involvement in the case.

As the investigation progresses, both La Bu Tan and Ming Xuan work together to unravel multiple other mysteries. In the end, all clues point to a person connected to a long-forgotten serial killer case from years ago, someone whose identity is deeply tied to Ming Xuan’s own hidden past.

DETAILS:

Director: Cung Chiu Hui

Cast: Xie Yuan, Tong Yi, Luo Feng Sheng, Li Cheng Feng, Ding Fei Huang, Wang Zi Shen…

Release Date: November 18, 2019

Detective Kha Shen, formerly known as Tianjin 1928, is set in the turbulent period of the Republic of China in Tianjin. The city, home to nine foreign concessions, was a hotbed of chaos with warlords battling for power and local tyrants oppressing the people. Kha Shen, the chief of the Tianjin police, uses his sharp investigative skills to solve hundreds of cases, ensuring peace and order for the citizens.

While investigating a number of different cases, Kha Shen uncovers clues leading back to a tragic event that cost him his parents’ lives. To his shock, all evidence points to his superior, the seemingly righteous Police Commissioner Sun Man Tang (played by Wu Guang), as the prime suspect.

DETAILS:

Director: Huang Zhi Zhong

Cast: Huang Zhi Zhong, Wu Guang, Li Qing, Zuo Xiao Qing, Wu Yi, Li Xian…

Release Date: 2019

The story of Never Say Never revolves around the fight against drug trafficking. It follows Han Dong (played by Qin Junjie), a police officer whose girlfriend, La Fei, also a fellow cop, tragically dies during an investigation into a drug cartel.

At the urging of his police chief, Han Dong adopts a new identity as Fang Ma, and goes undercover in the very drug syndicate his late girlfriend was trying to infiltrate. His mission: to continue La Fei’s work and uncover the person responsible for her death.

DETAILS:

Director: Song Kai

Cast: Qin Junjie, Sun Yi, Xie Haowen, Zhou Dunming, Li Xiaoding

Release Date: December 7, 2019

During a flight, police officer Tan Ta Man notices a man with an incredible talent for unlocking doors. Later, while investigating a murder inside a secret, locked room, Tan Ta Man discovers that this man is none other than Mo Xia, a security expert invited by the Police Academy.

Thus begins a series of mysterious murders tied to the locked room, leading Tan Ta Man and Mo Xia to work together in solving the case and uncovering the truth behind this chain of killings.

DETAILS:

Director: Gan Lu

Cast: Jin Shi Jia, Xue Ni, Chen Yilong, Zhao Yuan Yuan, Xiao Shun Yao…

Release Date: September 26, 2019

Regarded as one of TVB’s all-time favorite series, Criminal Investigation Files was the first Hong Kong drama to delve into criminal cases, paving the way for the action-packed cop dramas that followed. This show offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of the work of Hong Kong police officers, highlighting thrilling and sometimes chilling murder investigations. Each case presents mysterious deaths that are meticulously investigated with precision and professionalism.

Moreover, the series catapulted the “golden couple” of TVB, David Dao (playing Cheung Dai Yung) and Jessica Koo (as Ko Jie), into stardom. After a fateful meeting between the sharp, handsome police officer Cheung and the brilliant, beautiful reporter Ko Jie, the pair quickly form a seamless partnership, working together to uncover the truth behind the crimes and bring the culprits to light.

DETAILS:

Release Date: 1995

The film follows the investigations and case resolutions of the Special Homicide Unit of Western Cuu Long. The main character, Cao Ngan Bac, is a senior forensic doctor who gathers evidence at crime scenes to support the team's investigations. Alongside him is the fearless and intelligent policewoman, Luong Tieu Nhu. With thrilling plot twists and an impressive cast featuring stars like Au Duong Chan Hoa, Mong Gia Tue, Chung Gia Han, and Xa Thi Man, this series promises an unforgettable viewing experience.

The series includes 3 seasons:

• Season 1 aired in 2006 with 25 episodes
• Season 2 aired in 2008 with 30 episodes
• Season 3 aired in 2011 with 30 episodes

DETAILS:

Season 1

Number of episodes: 25

Final episode: July 16, 2006

Broadcast channel: TVB

Language: Cantonese

Theme song: "Tian Wang" by Lam Wen Long

Air dates: June 13, 2006 – July 16, 2006

The plot centers around Chung Lap Van, a young police officer portrayed by Ngo Trac Hy. Chung is determined to dismantle the most notorious criminal gang of the time, led by Diep Thien and later succeeded by Giang The Hieu. Risking his life, he goes undercover to infiltrate the gang, searching for evidence. However, complications arise when he falls in love with the daughter of Giang The Hieu, making the situation far more complex, dangerous, and precarious.

DETAILS:

Year Released: 2009

Duration: 30 episodes

Director: Huynh Vy Thanh

This is arguably one of the most humorous crime dramas, with much of the focus on the main character, Detective Vu Tu Lang (played by Quach Tan An). With his extraordinary ability, simply touching an object related to a case gives him a sense of intuition that leads to unexpected actions.

Alongside Vu Tu Lang is the beautiful but somewhat impulsive female investigator, Hinh Tinh Tinh, and the honorable and righteous detective, Truong Chinh Nghia. The show also weaves in romantic subplots, including a developing relationship between Vu Tu Lang and Hinh Tinh Tinh, as well as between Truong Chinh Nghia and Hinh Boi Boi.

DETAILS:

The series includes 2 seasons:

• Season 1 premiered in 2008 with 25 episodes
• Season 2 aired in 2009 with 24 episodes

Director: Tran Tan Hiep

Producer: Truong Canh Van

Country: Hong Kong