The Best TV Shows on CCTV

Every CCTV Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Premiering in 1983 and 1986, CCTV Spring Festival Gala and Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are among CCTV’s most celebrated shows. Boasting a rich catalog, CCTV features more than 20 shows, with broadcasting dates ranging from 1983 to 2020. Check out the most acclaimed shows on CCTV, with a catalog of over 20 series updated for September 2025.

  • Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
    Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (1986)10.0

  • Dong bei yi jia ren
    Dong bei yi jia ren (2002)9.5

  • 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.

  • 人与自然
    人与自然 (1994)9.0

  • 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.

  • AI Football GGO
    AI Football GGO (2010)8.7

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

  • 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)6.3

    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

  • Merry Go Round
    Merry Go Round (2003)N/A

    This drama follow the lives of two young sisters as they grow from children to adults. They each face many twists and turns before achieving true happiness.

  • 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

  • Heart and Greed
    Heart and Greed (2017)N/A

    Ling Lai-Ying and her husband Wong Wing-Ching have worked hard to develop their modest tea restaurant into an entrepreneurial success involving real estate investing and business. Lai-Ying’s younger brother Ling Shing-Fung even tries to help them get the company listed on the stock market. Initially, Wing-Ching does not agree with this. After seeing the century-old family print business run by his benefactor Hui Nga-Lun, who helped him get acquitted of a charge years ago, on the verge of bankruptcy, Wing-Ching agrees to Shing-Fung’s proposal by merging the two families’ businesses for mutual benefit. However, complications arise when other family members oppose the idea, and the social inequality between the two families causes more conflicts. Soon, the two families find themselves on the brink of open hostility and a massive war for revenge brews.

  • 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.

  • 无名卫士
    无名卫士 (2019)N/A

  • Happy Community
    Happy Community (2020)N/A

    The play tells the story of Yu Lao Le's decision to relieve his son's burden. He and his old colleagues Cui Litian and Zhao Xinling decided to "hold a group to support the elderly" and went out to inspect the nursing home. A series of ridiculous stories happened.