As January is coming to a close, it is also an exciting time as Lunar New Year is this Wednesday, Jan. 29.
According to National Geographic, Lunar New Year is “the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world.” It is a two-week celebration with various festivities and parties.
So are you wondering how you can celebrate the Lunar New Year? Here are 12 movies that you can watch and where to find them.
Take this opportunity to learn more about the holiday and watch movies featuring Asian cultures, casts and/or stories — like “Crazy Rich Asians,” which involved an all-asian cast, and “The Farewell,” which examines the importance of family in Chinese culture.
Best Lunar New Year movies to watch
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)
Rating: PG-13
Streaming: Max
In Singapore, the Young family are like royalty and New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) isn’t. So when her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) asks her to come home with him for his best friend’s wedding, Rachel finds herself in a world where she feels like an outcast.
“‘Crazy Rich Asians’ doesn’t reinvent the romantic comedy or stretch it in any new directions,” one critic said on Rotten Tomatoes. “The ‘fish out of water’, ‘meet the parents’, and ‘rags meets riches’ story elements have been done many times before. This film simply does them better.”
‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Peacock
Being chosen to be the dragon warrior in the Valley of Peace is an honor. But — a panda?
Po (Jack Black) seems to make a mess anywhere he goes, so when he is chosen to be the dragon warrior, everyone is shocked.
But with the help of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po becomes far more than he — or anyone else — thought he could become.
‘Mulan’ (1998)
Rating: G
Streaming: Disney+
If you haven’t watched the original animated “Mulan,” now is a great time to watch it!
Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) only wants to bring honor to her family. With her dragon sidekick, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), she disguises herself as a man and takes her father’s place as a soldier in the army to protect the rest of China from the Huns.
‘The Farewell’ (2019)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Max
“Awkwafina’s performance transcends culture and dares you not to cry,” said one critic on Rotten Tomatoes.
Billi Wang (Awkwafina) and her family learn that their grandmother (Shuzhen Zhao) is dying but have decided not to tell her.
Instead, the family stages a fake wedding in China in order for the family to say goodbye to their Nai Nai.
‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)
Rating: PG-13
Streaming: Disney+
Are you looking for a little bit of excitement to ring in the New Year?
In this action-packed Marvel film, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) has been running from his past, but is now forced to face it.
He now must understand his father’s (Xu Wenwu) intentions — and the mystery behind the Ten Rings organization.
‘The Karate Kid’ (1984)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Netflix
It’s time for a classic.
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) is the new kid on the block when him and his mom, Lucille (Randee Heller), move to Los Angeles.
Before he can even get settled, Daniel gets bullied by karate students at school. But he happens to meet Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who teaches him karate to help him fight back.
‘Over the Moon’ (2020)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Netflix
It’s not rocket science — everyone is guaranteed to love this animated film.
Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) was told stories of the moon goddess by her late mother, Chang’e (Phillipa Soo).
When her father seems to stop believing in her, Fei Fei puts her knowledge to the test and builds a rocket to the moon to prove the goddess is real.
‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Disney+
A big part of Lunar New Year is food. In “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Raya’s (Kelly Marie Tran) father believes a meal can bring people together. But can it?
The world of Kumandra is taken over by monsters called Druun and only a dragon’s power can stop them.
In order to save the world, Raya must learn to trust those that are left — and quickly — before it’s too late.
‘Wish Dragon’ (2021)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Netflix
Do you have a wish you want to have happen in the coming year? Well then, you might need to find a dragon.
The only thing teenage Din Song (Ian Chen) wants is his best friend back. However, he never expects that a dragon would come out of a teapot, ready to grant his wish.
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Rating: PG
Streaming: Max
“Spirited Away” follows 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino (Rumi Hiiragi) as she works to free her parents and herself from a witch. Chihiro meets new friends and creatures that help her learn valuable life lessons.
According to CBR, “Spirited Away” is a great movie that “teaches lessons in friendship, love, and bravery.”
‘Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior’ (2006)
Rating: TV-PG
Streaming: Disney+
Hopefully you don’t have to fight evil in the coming year. But if you do, “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior” might have some good pointers.
Wendy Wu (Brenda Song) is just a normal teenager, living her best life.
However, everything changes when a monk, Shen (Shin Koyamada), reveals to her that she is a reincarnated Yin Warrior, and must learn to fight in order to destroy evil.
‘Born in China’ (2016)
Rating: G
Streaming: Disney+
Are you wanting to travel and explore China? Well, Disney’s “Born in China” let’s you do just that — but from your living room.
Go on an adventure and see the various terrain and wildlife that are found throughout China. “Born in China” gives an up-close view of the beauty found in the far corners of China.