Johnnie To
Biography
Johnnie To is a Hong Kong film director and producer born on April 22, 1955. He is known for his work in a variety of genres, particularly action and crime movies, which have earned him critical respect and a cult following. To has collaborated with a consistent group of actors, screenwriters, and cinematographers on many of his films. His movies often explore themes of friendship, fate, and the changing face of Hong Kong society. He has directed at least 128 films, and his work is recognized for its multifaceted and chameleonic nature, with the ability to switch tones and genres between movies. To is a prominent figure in Hong Kong cinema, with a significant following both locally and internationally.
Career overview
Johnnie To is a Hong Kong film director and producer. He has made a significant number of films, with a total of 128 known credits. To's work spans various genres, but he is particularly known for his action and crime movies, which have received critical acclaim and a cult following in the West.
To's films often explore themes of friendship, fate, and the changing face of Hong Kong society. He frequently collaborates with the same group of actors, screenwriters, and cinematographers, which has contributed to the distinctive style and tone of his movies. This consistency has led to his reputation as a multifaceted and chameleonic director, capable of switching between different genres and tones.
As a director, To has established himself as a prominent figure in Hong Kong cinema, with a significant following both locally and internationally. His ability to balance different styles and themes has made him a respected and sought-after filmmaker, with a body of work that continues to be recognized and appreciated by audiences and critics alike.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
187 titles- What If (2025) Producer
- Mad Fate (2023) Producer
- Mad Fate (2023) Executive Producer
- Septet: The Story of Hong Kong (2022) Director
- Septet: The Story of Hong Kong (2022) Producer
- Septet: The Story of Hong Kong (2022) Writer
- Chasing Dream (2019) Producer
- Chasing Dream (2019) Director
- A or B (2018) Producer
- In the Mood for Melville (2017) as Self
- Trivisa (2016) Producer
- Three (2016) as Wong Superintendent (voice)
- Three (2016) Producer
- Three (2016) Director
- The Weaving of a Dream: Johnnie To's Vision and Craft (2016) as Self
- Office (2015) Director
- Office (2015) Producer
- Office (2015) Co-Executive Producer
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 (2014) Director
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 (2014) Producer
- Blind Detective (2013) Director
- Blind Detective (2013) Producer
- Boundless (2013) as Self
- A Complicated Story (2013) Executive Producer
- Drug War (2012) Director
- Drug War (2012) Producer
- Motorway (2012) Producer
- Romancing in Thin Air (2012) Director
- Romancing in Thin Air (2012) Producer
- Life Without Principle (2011) Director
- Life Without Principle (2011) Producer
- Punished (2011) Producer
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011) Producer
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011) Director
- Johnnie Got His Gun! (2010) as Himself
- Code Name: Melville (2010) as Self
- Vengeance (2009) Director
- Vengeance (2009) Producer
- Accident (2009) Producer
- Tactical Unit: Comrades in Arms (2009) Producer
- Tactical Unit - Partners (2009) Producer
- Newsmakers (2009) Original Film Writer
- Linger (2008) Director
- Linger (2008) Producer
- Sparrow (2008) Director
- Sparrow (2008) Producer
- Tactical Unit - No Way Out (2008) Producer
- Tactical Unit - The Code (2008) Producer
- Tactical Unit - Human Nature (2008) Producer
- Eye in the Sky (2007) Producer
- Mad Detective (2007) Director
- Mad Detective (2007) Producer
- Hooked on You (2007) Producer
- Triangle (2007) Executive Producer
- Triangle (2007) Producer
- Triangle (2007) Director
- Election 2 (2006) Director
- Election 2 (2006) Producer
- Exiled (2006) Director
- 2 Become 1 (2006) Producer
- Election (2005) Director
- Election (2005) Producer
- The Open Road (2005) Director
- Breaking News (2004) Director
- Breaking News (2004) Producer
- Throw Down (2004) Director
- Throw Down (2004) Producer
- Yesterday Once More (2004) Director
- Yesterday Once More (2004) Producer
- Katanas, yakuzas y cintas de video (2004) as (archive footage)
- Running on Karma (2003) Director
- Running on Karma (2003) Producer
- PTU (2003) Director
- PTU (2003) Producer
- Memory of the Youth (2003) Producer
- Looking for Mr. Perfect (2003) Producer
- 1:99 Shorts (2003) Director
- Love for All Seasons (2003) Director
- Love for All Seasons (2003) Producer
- Love Under the Sun (2003) Producer
- Turn Left, Turn Right (2003) Director
- Turn Left, Turn Right (2003) Producer
- Fat Choi Spirit (2002) Director
- Fat Choi Spirit (2002) Producer
- Second Time Around (2002) Producer
- My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) Director
- My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) Producer
- Fulltime Killer (2001) Director
- Fulltime Killer (2001) Producer
- Hong Kong Superstars (2001) as Self
- Running Out of Time 2 (2001) Producer
- Running Out of Time 2 (2001) Director
- Wu Yen (2001) Producer
- Wu Yen (2001) Director
- Love on a Diet (2001) Director
- Love on a Diet (2001) Producer
- Gimme Gimme (2001) Producer
- Grit & Polish: Heroines from Hong Kong (2001) as Self
- Needing You... (2000) Director
- Needing You... (2000) Producer
- Spacked Out (2000) Producer
- Help!!! (2000) Director
- Help!!! (2000) Producer
- Comeuppance (2000) Producer
- Running Out of Time (1999) Producer
- Running Out of Time (1999) Director
- The Mission (1999) Director
- The Mission (1999) Producer
- Sealed with a Kiss (1999) Producer
- Where a Good Man Goes (1999) Director
- Where a Good Man Goes (1999) Producer
- A Hero Never Dies (1998) Director
- A Hero Never Dies (1998) Producer
- The Longest Nite (1998) Producer
- Expect the Unexpected (1998)
- Expect the Unexpected (1998) Producer
- Lifeline (1997) Director
- Intruder (1997) Producer
- Final Justice (1997) Producer
- The Odd One Dies (1997) Producer
- Too Many Ways to Be No. 1 (1997) Producer
- A Moment of Romance III (1996) Director
- A Moment of Romance III (1996) Producer
- Beyond Hypothermia (1996) Producer
- Only Fools Fall in Love (1995) Producer
- Loving You (1995) Director
- Fatal Assignment (1995) Producer
- Dead End (1995) Producer
- Dead End (1995) Director
- The Lone Sabre (1994) Producer
- The Mad Monk (1993) Director
- The Heroic Trio (1993) Director
- Heroic Trio 2: Executioners (1993) Producer
- Heroic Trio 2: Executioners (1993) Director
- A Moment of Romance II (1993) Producer
- The Bare-Footed Kid (1993) Director
- Edge of Justice (1993) Producer
- Justice, My Foot! (1992) Director
- Lucky Encounter (1992) Director
- Iron Butterfly III: Tomorrow (1992) Story
- Iron Butterfly III: Tomorrow (1992) Producer
- Iron Butterfly III: Tomorrow (1992) Director
- The Banquet (1991)
- Casino Raiders II (1991) Director
- Sisters of the World Unite (1991)
- The Royal Scoundrel (1991) as Taxi Driver
- The Royal Scoundrel (1991) Director
- A Moment of Romance (1990) Producer
- The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon (1990) Director
- The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon (1990) Production Design
- Behind Bars (1990) Director
- Behind Bars (1990) Producer
- The Story of My Son (1990) Director
- The Story of My Son (1990) Writer
- The Iron Butterfly II (1990)
- The Iron Butterfly II (1990) Screenplay
- The Iron Butterfly II (1990) Director
- The Vampire Strikes Back (1989) Director
- All About Ah-Long (1989) Director
- The Iron Butterfly (1989) Director
- The Iron Butterfly (1989) Producer
- Story of Nam (1989) Producer
- Story of Nam (1989) Director
- The Eighth Happiness (1988) Director
- The Big Heat (1988) Director
- It's No Heaven (1988) as Club Patron
- It's No Heaven (1988) Director
- The Betrayal (1988) Director
- Magnificent Warriors (1987) Second Unit Director
- Seven Years Itch (1987) Director
- New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (1986) Director
- Royal Warriors (1986) Second Unit Director
- Happy Ghost III (1986) Director
- The Yang's Saga (1985) Director
- It's a Drink! It's a Bomb! (1985) Assistant Director
- The Duke of Mount Deer (1984) Director
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983) Director
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983) Writer
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983) Creator
- 萬水千山總是情 (數碼修復版) (1982) Assistant Director
- No One is Innocent (1981) Creator
- The Enigmatic Case (1980) Director
- The Good, the Bad and the Beauties (1978) Assistant Director
- Golden Horse Awards (1962) as Self
- Golden Horse Awards (1962) as Host
- In the Qing Dynasty Producer
- Untitled Johnnie To Gangster Film Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Johnnie To best known for?
Johnnie To is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Drug War (2012), Drug War (2012), The Monroes (1966), The Monroes (1966).
When and where was Johnnie To born?
Johnnie To was born on April 22, 1955 in Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China].
How many credits does Johnnie To have?
Johnnie To has accumulated over 187 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1962 to 2025.
What is Johnnie To's background in cinema and television?
Johnnie To is a Hong Kong film director and producer born on April 22, 1955. He is known for his work in a variety of genres, particularly action and crime movies, which have earned him critical respect and a cult following. To has collaborated with a consistent group of actors, screenwriters, and cinematographers on m...