CNY movies to watch this 2015

Writer: Florey DM

Look out for these CNY movies!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

If you don't know what to do with your 'angpau' money as you usher in the Year of the Goat this 19 February, why not spend it on a movie day at the cinema with your friends and family?

Take your pick from these eight movies that are just perfect for a Chinese New Year movie outing:

This is expected to be the big CNY movie of this year. It does star Jackie Chan after all, whose 2012 film "CZ12" collected over USD5.5 million in Malaysia alone. Directed by Daniel Lee, it features a stellar lineup of cast, which includes Hollywood stars John Cusack and Adrien Brody, as well as Korean star Choi Si-won. Produced with a record-breaking budget (for a Chinese production) of USD65 million, the movie tells the story of an enslaved commander named Huo An, who later meets a Roman general on the run, and together embark on a thrilling journey. "Dragon Blade" is set for release on 19 February 2015.

If romance is your cup of tea, this film adaptation of the famous Hong Kong TV series of the same name is a must watch. Directed by Wilson Yip and Matt Chow, the movie revolves around the glamorous lives and romantic escapades of the pilots and flight attendants in the fictional Skylette Airways. The star-studded cast consists of Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Charmaine Sheh, Louis Koo and more. "Triumphs In The Skies" lands in cinemas on 19 February 2015.

Last year's "From Vegas to Macau" was GSC Movies' highest-grossing CNY movie with its USD3 million collection. This year, director Wong Jing and main actor Chow Yun-Fat return in "From Vegas to Macau 2" to possibly break the record. Chow this time around leads a cast which includes Nick Cheung, Carina Lau, Shawn Yue and Kimmy Tong. The movie is the fifth instalment in the "God of Gamblers" movie series. "From Vegas to Macau 2" takes a gamble in cinemas on 19 February 2015.

Hong Kong actor Chapman To and Singapore's very own Mark Lee get paired up as mahjong buddies in this Singaporean CNY movie. Chapman plays a yong tau fu seller named Ah Fatt, who is forced to return to the world of mahjong by Mark Lee's Ah Shun, who has been a World Series Championship winner for the past ten years. Directed by Malaysian director Adrian Teh, the movie also features a star-studded cast including Eric Tsang, Lo Hoi Pang, Super Girl's Cheronna Ng, Venus Wong, Mimi Chu, Adrian Tan, Michelle Ye and Lenna Lim. "King of Mahjong" starts dealing on the big screen from 26 February 2015.

If last year Sandra Ng tickles the audience's funny bones with "Golden Chickensss", this year she brings them "12 Golden Ducks". Sandra even takes it one step further by turning herself into the opposite sex! With make-up, no surgery (you can breathe calmly now). The comedy star, who also produces the Matt Chow-directed movie, turns into a washboard abs-baring male because the story revolves around a group of gigolos struggling to survive the economic downturn. "12 Golden Ducks" struts into cinemas on 26 February 2015.

If you have ever been so broke you could not afford to celebrate CNY, then you would know exactly how it feels like to be in Yang's shoes. This film tells the story of a widower named Yang who upon realising he has no means of celebrating the coming New Year, takes up a rich friend's offer and becomes a millionaire for a month. This is another movie by Ryon Lee and again the director works with Teddy Chin as well as Mindee Ong, who both appeared in last year's "The Transcend" and "Seventh". "My Papa Rich" opens in cinemas on 19 February 2015.

Here's another film for moviegoers who are looking for a big laugh this festive season. The comedy film follows a Wong Cho-lam look-alike who is invited to perform at a birthday party of a local tycoon. As they say, the more, the merrier; the film features an ensemble cast made up of the likes of Eric Tsang, Wong Cho-lam, Ella Chen, Dada Chan Ching and Yuen King-Tan. Keep your eyes open and see if you can spot cameo appearances by other stars such as Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Chow Yun Fat, Julian Cheung and more. "Lucky Star 2015" shines in cinemas on 19 February 2015.

Louis Koo stars as the titular inspector who investigates the death of a suicide victim by searching for clues through observation. This Cantonese movie adaptation of a British play of the same name is directed by Herman Yau and Raymond Wong, the latter who also is part of the movie's cast. Other stars that round up the cast are Teresa Mo Sun Kwan, Gordon Lam and Eric Tsang. This movie is perfect for those who like a little mystery during the festivities. "An Inspector Calls" starts investigating on 19 February 2015.