Once Upon a Time in China poster

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Once Upon a Time in China

1991 · Movie · 133 min
B

MEANRANK

78/100

Averaged across 7 ratings · 70.3K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 30 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

72–90 out of 100

Mostly agreed

Lowest is Kinopoisk on 72, highest is Rotten Tomatoes critics on 90. Critics average 90, everyone else 75.

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In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

Details

Director
Tsui Hark
Released
15 August 1991
Country
Hong Kong
Language
Cantonese
Runtime
133 min
Rated
R
Box office
$3.8M
Awards
4 wins, 4 nominations

This title elsewhere

Jet Li

Jet Li

Wong Fei Hung

Yuen Biao

Yuen Biao

Leung Foon

Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau

Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau

Buck Teeth So

Kent Cheng Jak-Si

Kent Cheng Jak-Si

Porky Wing

Yuen Gam-Fai

Yuen Gam-Fai

Ling Wan Kai

Yen Shi-Kwan

Yen Shi-Kwan

Iron Robe Yim Chun Tung

Lau Shun

Lau Shun

Naval Commander Lau

Awards & nominations

See all 8 →

4 wins from 8 nominations across 1 ceremony

11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Film Nominee
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Director Winner
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Supporting Actor Nominee
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Film Editing Winner
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Cinematographer Nominee
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Art Direction Nominee
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Action Choreography Winner
11th Hong Kong Film Awards 1991 Best Original Film Score Winner

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.