Why Netflix Didn’t Choose to Do Hong Kong Series
According to latest figures from Hong Kong Box Office, top performing local film for the first half of the year, The Way We Talk <看我今天怎麼說> raked in 13.55 million, paling in comparison to international films Ne Zha 2 <哪吒之魔童鬧海> which took 63.91 million, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s <職業特工隊︰最終清算> 52.2 million and Lilo and Stitch‘s <史迪仔> 29.12 million.
Known for playing Stephen Chow‘s (周星馳) wacky sidekick onscreen, veteran film producer Tin Kai-man (田啟文) recently discussed the development of Hong Kong cinema.
Netflix’s Quota for Asian Content Investment
When asked whether streaming giants like Netflix, known for splashing out big budgets in recent years, might invest in Hong Kong productions, Tin replied, “It’s not like we haven’t tried talking to them… but they find us annoying. Annoying, you know? So many concerns, so many people giving their opinions – people who aren’t filmmakers or even audience members, yet still feel entitled to speak up…So the platforms go, ‘Sigh, forget it.’ Look at that Nicole Kidman series filmed in Hong Kong; it didn’t even release here. Why bother? It’s that simple,”
Tin further revealed that Netflix allocates 10 slots each year for investing in Asian content, with six going to South Korea, and the remaining four divided among Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and others.
However, he acknowledged that investment from streaming platforms can significantly elevate the quality of a region’s film and television output. “When you have capital and a market, of course the quality will improve. In Hong Kong, if we made more productions, even someone who usually doesn’t get lead roles could become a lead. Everything can be honed through practice.”
Out of a total of 140 films premiered in Hong Kong and Macau cinemas in the first half of 2025, only 21 were Hong Kong productions. The combined box office revenue from both local and international films also declined about 16.26%, compared to the same period last year.
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Can’t blame Netflix. HK movies are just bad. Ive not bothered to watch any in decades.
It’s not even about the acting or the production. It’s the HK scripts that are lacklustre. No creativity, no inspiration and no heart. Even the “best” of today can only be described as “watchable” in comparison to other countries.
Hong Kong doesnt have the same quality and imagination as Korea or even China dramas and films. Its sad, issue is Tin Kai and other do not listen to what others actually want to see or do. HK film makers and definitely dramas are repeat of the same old BS storylines with no substance and they keep using the same old actors and actresses that were once popular to bring in the audience instead of creating really good content. Other issue is these has been actors / actresses are like old with average age of 50 still playing the main parts like Andy Lau , Tony Leung and even Louis Koo …sorry but these guys are like old as F , bring out some new young blood and talent . You can guess when a film comes out of hk …main lead gonna be Louis Koo, Tony Leung , Andy Lau , Sean Lau..come on HK are these the only actors left , no younger people . As for the content , lets repeat the monkey king again or cops and triads , lets redo another rendition of the condor heroes again..like zero imagination , zero characters . Come on HK ..do better . Bring out new young blood , get with integrating with the rest of global cinema instead of using organized money to fund poor quality content with the same old faces over and over ..and i mean old faces.
OMG….You are 1000% on point. haha Exactly what most ppl are thinking and you said it all! Same old faces and plotlines over and over again. I often wonder why they do not cast young actors like other countries but using the the older actors for decades…hahaha Even my mom was like damn these ppl are my age and still main leads. hahah lol ….Netflix? I mean come on, they can’t even fully broadcast their old old series on youtube without blocking the sound? Venturing out to NETFLIX? hahahha Laughable and doubt it even cross their mind or even if did, how with their repetitive faces and same old crappy plots?
Hm movie and drama is dead