The films utilized practical effects, such as a giant monster made of the tree demon's tongue, and high-flying wire work that set the standard for the genre.
This film established the series' iconic style, loosely based on the classic story "Nie Xiaoqian" from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio .
: Leslie Cheung returns as Ning, still grieving his lost love, Siu Sin. Joey Wong also returns, this time playing a fiery, living doppelgänger of Siu Sin, creating a bittersweet echo of the original romance. New additions include a wonderfully charismatic and hilarious Jacky Cheung as a quirky Taoist priest, whose comedic timing adds a new layer of fun to the series.
: Set 100 years later, this installment acts as a soft "reset" or prequel-style story. A young monk named (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and his master spend the night in the same abandoned temple, where Fong is seduced by a ghost named Lotus (Joey Wong). They team up to destroy the resurrected Tree Demon and the Black Mountain Demon. Legacy and Key Features A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...
It perfectly balances slapstick comedy with high-stakes supernatural horror. 🗡️ A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
"A Chinese Ghost Story" series (the original tetralogy of popular Hong Kong films and related sequels/spin-offs) centers on supernatural romance, Qing-era settings, a mix of horror and comedy, elaborate wire-work action, and recurring motifs of doomed love between humans and spirits. This guide evaluates the three primary films commonly grouped together: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987), A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990), and A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991). It covers context, themes, filmmaking craft, performances, cultural significance, and how to watch and assess each film critically.
A direct sequel with higher production values and more political subtext. The films utilized practical effects, such as a
2. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1980/1990): Political Allegory and Escalated Action
Following the massive success of the original, 1990 saw the release of A Chinese Ghost Story II , a direct sequel that returns Leslie Cheung as Ning and Joey Wong, but as a new character. While it retains the core themes of the first, it shifts focus toward political instability and even more chaotic action.
Ning Choi-san returns to a human world that has become more corrupt and chaotic than the spirit world. He is mistakenly imprisoned but escapes, eventually taking refuge in a deserted villa. There, he meets a group of rebel fighters led by Autumn (Jacky Cheung), a young Taoist wizard. Joey Wong also returns, this time playing a
: The iconic bathtub scene, Wu Ma’s memorable Taoist rap, and the ethereal, award-winning score by James Wong. Availability : A 4K restored version was released in 2025. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
It established the "beautiful female ghost" archetype in modern Asian pop culture, moving away from traditional, haggard horror monsters.
The 1987 film is a masterclass in tonal whiplash. One moment, you are laughing at Leslie Cheung (a man who famously hated action scenes) fumbling with a sword; the next, you are weeping as Joey Wong’s ghost tries to save her lover from a slimy, tentacled root monster.
Produced by the legendary Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, these films redefined "ghostly cinema" by mashing together horror, comedy, and martial arts into something totally unique. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987): The Masterpiece