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Chao Deng

Chao Deng

Actor, also director · Born February 8, 1979 (47) · Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

Deng Chao (simplified Chinese: 邓超; traditional Chinese: 鄧超; pinyin: Dèng Chāo, born 8 February 1979) is a Chinese actor, comedian, director and singer. His recent films, The Breakup Guru (2014), The Mermaid (2016) and Duckweed (2017) are among the highest-grossing Chinese films of all time in China. In 2017, Deng was crowned Best Actor at the Golden Rooster Awards for his performance in The Dead End (2015).[1] He was a cast member and leader of the popular variety program, Keep Running.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 8, 1979 (47)
From
Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
Works as
Actor, also director
Titles
24 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 2% in 30 days

What are Chao Deng's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
39%
Self
22%
Bonds
22%
Power
7%
Ideas
5%
Society
4%
Survival
2%
Redemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 9

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 5

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 12 of 16 analyzed roles.

Hero
12 of 16
Ally
2 of 16
Shadow
1 of 16
Mentor
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
9
Thrilling
4
Warm
5
Hopeful
6
Other
19

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet13
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Chao Deng's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 24 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chao Deng's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 24 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Strive On, Performers! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 21 episodes · Actor

  • A Writer's Odyssey 2(2025)

    as 赤发

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Always Have Always Will (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Thanks · as Chen Mo (voice)

  • To Gather Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Bai Sheng/白胜

  • Mystery in the Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as [Callee]

  • Become a Farmer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Ping-Pong: The Triumph (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director · as Dai Minjia

  • New Five Golden Flowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Hello Saturday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dear Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 61 episodes · Actor

  • HaHaHaHaHa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 219 episodes · Actor

  • The Sacrifice(2020)

    as 高福来

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • My People, My Homeland(2020)

    Director · as Qiao Shulin

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Midnight Diner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Ashin

  • Looking Up(2019)

    Director · as Ma Haowen

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Shadow(2018)

    as Commander Zi Yu / Jing Zhou

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • CHUANG (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 14 episodes · as Produce 101 Initiator (Producer)

  • The Liquidator(2017)

    as Fang Mu

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Sky Hunter(2017)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Healing Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 46 episodes · Actor

  • Duckweed(2017)

    as Xu Tailang

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Some Like It Hot(2016)

    as Wang Kun

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • I Belonged to You(2016)

    as Chen Mo

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • 鲁豫有约一日行 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Beloved Bodyguard(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Hey, Are You Luhan? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Mermaid(2016)

    as Liu Xuan

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Trump Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Devil and Angel(2015)

    Director · Screenplay · as Mo Feili

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Hundred Regiments Offensive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as 张自忠

  • The Dead End(2015)

    as Xin Xiaofeng

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Jian Bing Man(2015)

    as Deng Chao

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Keep Running (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 75 episodes · as MC

  • The Four 3(2014)

    as Cold Blooded

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Breakup Guru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · as Yuangui Mei

  • Ten Years of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 35 episodes · as Xiao Ran

  • The Four 2(2013)

    as Cold Blooded

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • American Dreams in China(2013)

    as 孟晓骏

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Big Shot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 178 episodes · Actor

  • Wonder Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Voice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Four(2012)

    as Leng Lingqi (Coldblood)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Mural (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Zhu Xiaolian

  • Beginning of the Great Revival(2011)

    as Chen Yi

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 36 episodes · as Ma Xuejun

  • 延安爱情 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 38 episodes · as 彭登科

  • Detective Dee: Mystery of the Phantom Flame(2010)

    as Pei Donglai

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Showtime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber(2009)

    Show 40 episodes · as 張無忌

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Founding of a Republic(2009)

    as Xu Beihong

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • 军医 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • 人间情缘 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 32 episodes · as 黎小军

  • Fit Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Yuan Jia

  • The Equation of Love and Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Ma Bing

  • 钻石王老五的艰难爱情 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 22 episodes · as 孟皓

  • Tian Mimi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 26 episodes · as 雷雷

  • Assembly(2007)

    as Col. Zhao Erdou

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • 爱了散了 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 33 episodes · Actor

  • Silent Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 34 episodes · as 赵剑

  • Happiness as Flowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 32 episodes · as 白杨

  • Misty Love In The Palace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • 少年康熙 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as 爱新觉罗·玄烨

  • The Royal Swordsmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 35 episodes · as 正德皇帝

  • 谍战之特殊较量 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 20 episodes · as 赵志强

  • Shao Nian Tian Zi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 40 episodes · as 福临

  • 北京假日 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • When Love Lost Memory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • The Young Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 45 episodes · as 包拯

  • CMG Spring Festival Gala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Article 17 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Folding Beijing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Mondays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Presenter

  • The Sand Murmurs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Zhang San

  • 屌丝男士2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as 屌丝男神-逗逼男神

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles, 69 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 2017.

Biggest box office

The Mermaid (2016)

$554M worldwide

Highest rated

The Dead End (2015)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2009)

Film career

19832026

Peak 2017 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2007Screen debut· Assembly
  • 2011First top-billed film· Mural
  • 2018Career best· Shadow

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting73 of 74: 67 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score40thDirecting5 of 74: 0 only directing, 5 with another roleWriting1 of 74: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 74: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

74 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting2000s20 · acting2010s35 · 35 acting · 3 crew2020s13 · 13 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 48% of 23 roles
071217

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Chao Deng's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 24 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 24 titles are Mixed.

  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

The Founding of a Republic (2009)

86th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Dead End (2015)

Midcredits 89th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Chao Deng work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chao Deng's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Yan Liu shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles