A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii 198719901991 Full May 2026
The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991), produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, is a foundational pillar of Hong Kong's "Golden Age" of cinema. It famously blended gothic romance, wuxia action, slapstick comedy, and folklore horror into a unique genre hybrid that inspired countless successors. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)
The first film is a romantic horror masterpiece loosely based on a short story by Pu Songling.
Plot: Ning Caichen (Leslie Cheung), a timid debt collector, takes shelter in the haunted Lanruo Temple. He falls in love with Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wang), a beautiful ghost enslaved by a terrifying Tree Demoness who uses her to lure men and suck their life essence.
Conflict: With the help of the eccentric Taoist swordsman Yan Chixia (Wu Ma), Ning must battle the Tree Demoness and a giant tongue-demon to free Xiaoqian’s soul from the Underworld so she can be reincarnated. a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full
Significance: It redefined the "ghost film" with inventive special effects—like the famous mile-long tongue—and gravity-defying wirework. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
Set shortly after the first film, this sequel shifts toward political satire and high-fantasy action.
Plot: After parting ways with Yan Chixia, Ning is wrongfully imprisoned in a corrupt town. He escapes and meets two rebel sisters, Windy (Joey Wang) and Moon (Michelle Reis), who are trying to rescue their framed father. The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991), produced
Conflict: Ning is drawn to Windy because of her uncanny resemblance to his lost love, Xiaoqian. Alongside a young, mischievous Taoist named Autumn (Jacky Cheung), they face a giant centipede demon posing as a high-ranking Imperial Wizard.
Tone: The film features a more frantic pace and "outrageous" special effects, reflecting the chaotic era it depicts.
The saga begins with Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung), a timid, debt-ridden accountant who travels to a remote village to collect money. During a storm, he seeks refuge at the eerie Lan Ro Temple. There, he meets Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong), a mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful woman. The saga begins with Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung),
Ning falls deeply in love, unaware that Xiaoqian is a ghost. She is a tragic spirit forced by the hideous tree demoness Lao Lao (the Tree Devil) to seduce men so the demon can absorb their life force. When Ning discovers the truth, he refuses to abandon her. With the help of the eccentric, sword-fighting Taoist priest Yin Chek-ha (Wu Ma), Ning descends into the underworld itself to rescue Xiaoqian’s soul.
Note: As of 2025, no single streaming service holds all three films in their original 1987-1991 glory simultaneously, so physical media or digital purchases are recommended.
The 1987 cut is notable for its horror elements (the corpse resurrection scene) which were slightly toned down in later international releases. For the full experience, look for the Hong Kong theatrical version.
In the late 1980s, Hong Kong cinema was experiencing a golden age defined by high-octane action, slapstick comedy, and a unique brand of romantic fantasy. Standing tall among the classics is the seminal trilogy: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987), A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990), and A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991).
Produced by the legendary Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, these films redefined the "ghost story" genre, blending breathtaking martial arts choreography, surreal visuals, and a poignant love story that transcends the boundary between life and death.