A Look at Chinese Cinema Today
The legacy of pioneers such as Bruce Lee, whose martial arts films introduced Hong Kong to the whole world, still resonates today. This legendary Hong Kong actor, who became a global star, paved the way for an entire generation.
Nearly half a century later, between spectacular blockbusters, intimate dramas and hit series, Chinese artists now embody the cultural vitality of a changing audiovisual landscape.
In China more than anywhere else, big-screen stars are also major personalities on Chinese social media. Each of the 20 celebrities we present here has more than 20 million followers, an influence that goes far beyond film and extends to fashion, lifestyle trends and even the digital economy.
The year 2025 marks a turning point: familiar faces rub shoulders with unexpected revelations, pop idols reinvent themselves as accomplished actors, and big-screen veterans explore new artistic territory. Their careers, as diverse as they are fascinating, tell the story of a constantly evolving cinema, where commercial success and digital presence go hand in hand.
In this article, discover the 20 actors and actresses who currently dominate Chinese screens. From internationally recognized stars to emerging talents with a bright future, each contributes to an industry that is more flourishing than ever. Ready to meet the people shaping the face of Chinese cinema in 2025?
Top 5 Most Popular Chinese Actors
1. 吴京 (Wú Jīng) – Wu Jing
Born on April 3, 1974 in Beijing, Wu Jing is a leading figure of Chinese action cinema, as well as a director and producer. Discovered through his role in Tai Chi Boxer (1996), he became an international star thanks to the Wolf Warrior saga and confirmed his status as an action hero in The Wandering Earth, propelling Chinese science fiction onto the world stage.
Major works: Wolf Warrior 2 (2017), The Wandering Earth (2019), The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
2. 沈腾 (Shěn Téng) – Shen Teng
Born on October 23, 1979 in Qiqihar (Heilongjiang), Shen Teng is the king of comedy in contemporary Chinese film. Discovered in theater, he won over the general public with Goodbye Mr. Loser (2015) and became the king of the comedy box office with Hello Mr. Billionaire, making him the most bankable actor in the country.
Major works: Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018), My People, My Country (2019), Moon Man (2022)
3. 易烊千玺 (Yì Yáng Qiān Xǐ) – Jackson Yee
Born on November 28, 2000 in Huaihua (Hunan), Jackson Yee is one of the best actors of his generation. A pop idol (member of TFBoys) turned acclaimed actor, he was revealed by Better Days (an award winner in Berlin). He shines in dramatic roles and embodies the new generation of Chinese cinema, combining commercial success and critical recognition.
Major works: Better Days (2019), The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021), Nice View (2022)
4. 周冬雨 (Zhōu Dōng Yǔ) – Zhou Dongyu
Born on January 31, 1992 in Shijiazhuang (Hebei), this Chinese actress is one of the most awarded of her generation and is considered its best. Discovered by Zhang Yimou in Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010), she won a Golden Horse for Soul Mate and takes on bold roles, becoming a major figure of Asian auteur cinema.
Major works: Soul Mate (2016), Better Days (2019), One Second (2020)
5. 张译 (Zhāng Yì) – Zhang Yi
Born on February 17, 1978 in Harbin (Heilongjiang), Zhang Yi is a versatile actor, equally at ease in dramas and war films. He has given remarkable performances on screen. Discovered in Soldiers Sortie (2007), he established himself as an indispensable supporting actor before becoming a star thanks to The Captain and The Battle at Lake Changjin.
Major works: Operation Red Sea (2018), The Captain (2019), The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
Top 10 Most Popular Chinese Actors
6. 黄渤 (Huáng Bó) – Huang Bo
Born on August 26, 1974 in Qingdao (Shandong), Huang Bo is a film actor and director, the king of social comedy. Discovered in Crazy Stone (2006), he blends humor and humanism in films such as Dying to Survive, while also trying his hand at directing.
Major works: Lost in Thailand (2012), Dying to Survive (2018), The Sacrifice (2020)
7. 贾玲 (Jiǎ Líng) – Jia Ling
Born on April 29, 1982 in Xiangyang (Hubei), Jia Ling is a comedian, versatile actress and adored director. Discovered on television, she conquered cinema with Hi, Mom (2021), becoming the highest-grossing female director in Chinese history.
Major works: Hi, Mom (2021), YOLO (2024), The Wandering Earth 2 (2023)
8. 王宝强 (Wáng Bǎoqiáng) – Wang Baoqiang
Born on May 29, 1984 in Xingtai (Hebei), Wang Baoqiang is a renowned actor and director from a modest background. Discovered in Blind Shaft (2003), he specialized in touching "little man" roles, as in A World Without Thieves, before becoming a box-office star with Detective Chinatown.
Major works: A World Without Thieves (2004), Lost in Thailand (2012), Detective Chinatown saga (2015-2024)
9. 刘昊然 (Liú Hàorán) – Liu Haoran
Born on October 10, 1997 in Pingdingshan (Henan), Liu Haoran is the most promising young leading man of his generation. Discovered at age 17 in Beijing Love Story (2014), he became a star thanks to the Detective Chinatown saga and embodies ambitious youth in The Founding of an Army.
Major works: Detective Chinatown (2015-2024), The Founding of an Army (2017), My People, My Country (2019)
10. 马丽 (Mǎ Lì) – Ma Li
Born on June 28, 1982 in Dandong (Liaoning), Ma Li, a talented actress, is considered the queen of contemporary comedy. Trained in theater, she broke through in Goodbye Mr. Loser (2015) alongside Shen Teng, and became the highest-paid actress in the genre with Moon Man (2022).
Major works: Goodbye Mr. Loser (2015), Hello Mr. Billionaire (2018), Moon Man (2022)
Top 20 Most Popular Chinese Actors
11. 雷佳音 (Léi Jiāyīn) – Lei Jiayin
Born on August 29, 1983 in Anshan (Liaoning), Lei Jiayin is among the most charismatic Chinese actors. Discovered on television in The First Half of My Life (2017), he conquered cinema with The Assassin and The Wandering Earth 2, establishing himself as a leading supporting actor.
Major works: The Assassin (2019), My People, My Homeland (2020), The Wandering Earth 2 (2023)
12. 杨幂 (Yáng Mì) – Yang Mi
Born on September 12, 1986 in Beijing, Yang Mi is a leading actress and producer, the queen of historical dramas. A child star who appeared in The Legend of Condor Heroes (2006), she became a pop icon with Eternal Love (2017) and now runs her own studio, while shooting blockbusters such as The Wandering Earth 2.
Major works: Eternal Love (2017), The Witness (2015), The Wandering Earth 2 (2023)
13. 肖战 (Xiāo Zhàn) – Xiao Zhan
Born on October 5, 1991 in Chongqing, Xiao Zhan is a pop idol and actor, a social media phenomenon. Discovered in The Untamed (2019), he captivates 90 million fans on Weibo and now takes on ambitious roles, as in The Longest Promise, while acting as an ambassador for dozens of brands.
Major works: The Untamed (2019), Douluo Continent (2021), The Longest Promise (2023)
14. 赵丽颖 (Zhào Lìyǐng) – Zhao Liying
Born on October 16, 1987 in Langfang (Hebei), Zhao Liying went from promising actress to the "queen of TV ratings". Self-taught, she broke through in The Story of Ming Lan (2018) and revolutionized historical dramas with A Dream of Splendor, while also trying her hand at film in The Monkey King 3.
Major works: The Story of Ming Lan (2018), A Dream of Splendor (2022), The Monkey King 3 (2018)
15. 朱一龙 (Zhū Yīlóng) – Zhu Yilong
Born on April 16, 1988 in Wuhan (Hubei), Zhu Yilong is a Chinese actor known for his intense performances. Discovered late in Guardian (2018), he broke through in Lighting Up The Stars (2022), winning the Golden Rooster, and now takes on complex roles, as in Lost in the Stars.
Major works: Guardian (2018), Lighting Up The Stars (2022), Lost in the Stars (2023)
16. 迪丽热巴 (Dìlì Rèbā) – Dilraba Dilmurat
Born on June 3, 1992 in Ürümqi (Xinjiang), Dilraba is a Uyghur actress turned superstar. Discovered in Pretty Li Hui Zhen (2017), she shines in The Long Ballad (2021) and You Are My Glory, with 80 million fans on Weibo and partnerships with Dior and L'Oréal.
Major works: Pretty Li Hui Zhen (2017), The Long Ballad (2021), You Are My Glory (2021)
17. 王一博 (Wáng Yībó) – Wang Yibo
Born on August 5, 1997 in Luoyang (Henan), Wang Yibo is a versatile idol (actor, dancer, motorcycle racer). Discovered in The Untamed (2019), he showed his intensity in Hidden Blade (2023) and became a face of Chanel, while continuing his music career.
Major works: The Untamed (2019), Legend of Fei (2020), Hidden Blade (2023)
18. 白敬亭 (Bái Jìngtíng) – Bai Jingting
Born on October 15, 1993 in Beijing, Bai Jingting is a discreet but powerful actor. Discovered in With You (2016), he made his mark in Reset (2022) and Only For Love, playing intellectual, charismatic characters.
Major works: With You (2016), Reset (2022), Only For Love (2023)
19. 龚俊 (Gōng Jùn) – Gong Jun
Born on November 29, 1992 in Chengdu (Sichuan), Gong Jun was the male breakthrough of 2021 thanks to Word of Honor. His charisma and humor make him one of the most sought-after actors, as in The Legend of Anle (2023).
Major works: Word of Honor (2021), Begin Again (2021), The Legend of Anle (2023)
20. 杨洋 (Yáng Yáng) – Yang Yang
Born on September 9, 1991 in Shanghai, Yang Yang is the archetypal talented heartthrob. Discovered in The Lost Tomb (2015), he won China over in You Are My Glory (2021) and now takes on action roles, as in Fireworks of My Heart.
Major works: The Lost Tomb (2015), You Are My Glory (2021), Fireworks of My Heart (2023)
The Golden Age of Chinese Cinema on the World Stage
From The Wandering Earth to Wolf Warrior, and big-budget historical dramas, Chinese cinema has definitively won its place among the world's most influential cultural industries. The 20 Chinese stars we have presented embody this spectacular rise, flying the flag for a cinema now able to compete with the biggest Hollywood productions.
These Chinese actors and actresses are not only the faces of blockbusters with huge budgets: they also represent the creative diversity of a changing industry. Between ambitious science fiction films, popular comedies and very high-budget series, Chinese cinema has found the perfect balance between mainstream entertainment and artistic ambition.
Today, as Chinese films are released simultaneously around the world and break international box-office records, we can see how far it has come. These 20 stars are the ambassadors of a new era: one in which China no longer merely imports cultural models, but exports its own stories and technical know-how worldwide.
The future looks even more exciting, with ever bolder projects and growing cultural influence. One thing is certain: the world has not heard the last of Chinese cinema and its exceptional talents.
OUR EXPERTISEDigital marketing and advertising agency in China
Thibault has been living in Beijing since 2014 and has quickly established himself as one of the leading international digital experts in China. With his extensive expertise, he assists large corporations, institutions, and high-end brands in their digital development by offering strategic solutions tailored to the Chinese market.
