The Best TV Shows on CCTV

Every CCTV Show Ranked From Best To Worst

CCTV has delivered an expansive roster of over 20 shows, dating from 1983 all the way to 2019. Icons of CCTV, CCTV Spring Festival Gala and Plain Clothes Police made their debut in 1983 and 1987, setting industry standards. Explore our list of the top rated shows up to date from July 2025 that includes over 20 unique series.

  • A Son Of The Good Earth
    A Son Of The Good Earth (1995)10.0

  • AI Football GGO
    AI Football GGO (2010)10.0

    Artificial Intelligent Football GGO is made by Puzzle Animation studio Ltd. It's an animation series about football and future technology.

  • For the Sake of the Republic
    For the Sake of the Republic (2003)9.2

    Towards the Republic, also known as For the Sake of the Republic and Zou Xiang Gong He, is a Chinese historical television series first broadcast on CCTV in China from April to May 2003. The series is based on events that occurred in China between the late 19th century and early 20th century that led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China. Owing to its portrayal of historical issues deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government, the series has been subject to censorship in mainland China.

  • Romance of the Three Kingdoms
    Romance of the Three Kingdoms (2009)9.0

    Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a 2009 animated television series joint produced by the Beijing Huihuang Animation Company of China and Future Planet of Japan. It was broadcast in Japan starting April 2010.

  • A Sentimental Story
    A Sentimental Story (1994)8.6

    Fang Yan and Du Mei experience a profound and unforgettable love, just like any other couple, through a series of quarrels, breakups, and reconciliations. Initially, their relationship is rocky. First, Du Mei misunderstands that Fang Yan already has a girlfriend, and later, she subtly hints that she is attending a dance, indirectly inviting Fang Yan to be her partner. However, more misunderstandings follow, leading to a stalemate in their relationship.

  • Journey to the West – Legends of the Monkey King
    Journey to the West – Legends of the Monkey King (1999)8.4

    Sun Wukong, who was born from a magic stone, has been imprisoned underneath a mountain for five centuries for his mischief in the heavens. One day, the Guanyin told Monkey that the Monk Tang Sanzang will set him free and Monkey will join him on a pilgrimage from China to India. The next day, Tripitaka came and set Monkey free, and the two started their Journey to the West. Along the way, they meet two new friends, Zhu Bajie and the Hermit Sha Wujing, who join them on the journey; together, they face many dangers and evil creatures and sorcerers and learn to get along.

  • Hongmao and Lantu: Martial Arts Series
    Hongmao and Lantu: Martial Arts Series (2006)8.2

    An animation series produced by Hongmeng Cartoon Communication Co., Ltd. There are two branches: martial arts series and preschool education series. And the martial arts series is China's first animation series on the theme of traditional Chinese martial arts.

  • The Return of the Condor Heroes
    The Return of the Condor Heroes (2006)6.2

    The Return of the Condor Heroes is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It is the second installment of a trilogy produced by Zhang Jizhong, preceded by The Legend of the Condor Heroes and followed by The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. It was first broadcast on 17 March 2006 in China and subsequently broadcast in other Asian countries such as South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.

  • A Soul Haunted by Painting
    A Soul Haunted by Painting (2003)6.0

    Pan Yuliang struggles as a courtesan to a concubine as she navigates her path to success in the art world as a painter.

  • CCTV Spring Festival Gala
    CCTV Spring Festival Gala (1983)5.8

  • Plain Clothes Police
    Plain Clothes Police (1987)N/A

  • Beakman's World(Chinese-dubbed version)
    Beakman's World(Chinese-dubbed version) (1998)N/A

    Beakman's World is an educational children's television show. The Chinese-dubbed version has three episodes less than the original version, and they are: S1E24 ∙ Bees, Beakmania and Earthquakes, S2E5 ∙ Bats, Beakmania & Energy, S4E26 ∙ Fingerprints, Beakmania and Flatulence. On September 18, 1993 it moved from national syndication to CBS Saturday morning children’s lineup. At the peak of its popularity, it was seen in nearly 90 countries around the world. The series was canceled in 1998. Reruns returned to national syndication in September 2006, after which it was transferred to local stations such as KICU. The show debuted a year prior to Bill Nye the Science Guy, which covered similar topics. The show's host, Paul Zaloom, still performs as Beakman in live appearances around the globe.

  • How Much Sorrow Do You Have
    How Much Sorrow Do You Have (2007)N/A

    Set in the 10th century, the story revolves around two monarchs: Zhao Kuang Yin, conqueror extraordinaire and the first ruler of the Song dynasty, and Li Yu, literary giant and the last ruler of the Southern Tang dynasty. It is a TV series focusing on the complex friend-foe relationship between these two historical characters and their love story with one woman by the name of Zhou E Huang.

  • Dragon and Tiger Mountain
    Dragon and Tiger Mountain (2011)N/A

  • 劫中劫
    劫中劫 (2014)N/A

  • Carrying Grandma Into Town
    Carrying Grandma Into Town (2015)N/A

  • Executive Judge
    Executive Judge (2018)N/A

    A female judge encounters an old teacher who uses the letter of the law to his own advantage while she wields it as a weapon to protect those in need. Zuo Lin (Lv Jiarong) is a judge serving at the people's court in Mingzhou. While dealing with a real estate case in Yongjia, she butts heads with an unexpected opponent. He is Zheng Huaishan (Tan Kai), an old university teacher and a dear friend whom she hasn't seen in a long time. However, investigations lead them further astray and Zuo Lin has to make the choice of overcoming her personal feelings to uphold justice.

  • That Flower, That Sea
    That Flower, That Sea (2019)N/A

  • The Land of Hope
    The Land of Hope (2019)N/A

    The drama follows the stories of several hard-working and life-loving people, who with courage and a strong will try to face the rapidly changing times. Facing turning points in Chinese history, they embark on a road to find a way to live a life full of dignity and happiness, achieving their goals through several reforms.

  • The Passionate Years
    The Passionate Years (2019)N/A

    A group of Chinese scientists return from overseas to contribute to their country’s future. Led by physicist Wang Huaimin, they join China’s first nuclear research institute and overcome immense challenges to develop the nation’s first atomic and hydrogen bombs.