Chan Is Missing

Play trailer

Chan Is Missing

1982

1h 20m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In this understated comedy from director Wayne Wang, Jo (Wood Moy), a cab driver in San Francisco's Chinatown, and his nephew, Steve (Marc Hayashi), have placed their combined savings into the hands of the shady and mysterious Chan. When this unreliable holder of their funds disappears, Jo and Steve become amateur investigators and attempt to track him down, meeting with resistance -- and plenty of humorous characters and situations -- along the way.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

An entertaining mystery that's also rich in setting and character detail, Chan Is Missing suggests thrilling potential from director/co-writer Wayne Wang.

Read Critics Reviews

Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Jun 21, 2022

Wayne Wang’s playfully enigmatic debut was a watershed for Asian American filmmakers.

Go to Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

May 19, 2021

4/4

Wood Moy and Marc Hayashi serve notice that they are actors worthy of more films. But the lion's share of the credit for Chan Is Missing must go to director Wang, who with this one tricky little film serves notice that he is a filmmaker to watch.

Go to Full Review

Michael Maza

Arizona Republic

May 19, 2021

Chan Is Missing is craftily iconoclastic; unlike so many big-budgeted Hollywood genre-splicings and sendups, it sledgehammers old forms, not just for the heck of it, but with an eye toward building something new.

Go to Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Apr 27, 2025

8/10

Style, not story, is the real reason for watching Chan Is Missing. It’s shot with many references to film noir while also ironically salting in some Charlie Chan-like aphorisms.

Go to Full Review

Olivia Popp

Asian Movie Pulse

May 21, 2023

Wang simply chooses to ignore conventional bounds altogether, instead creating a film that acts as geopolitical primer, a delicate portrait of a community, and meditation on identity politics and border anxieties in contemporary America, all in one.

Go to Full Review

Bill Cosford

Miami Herald

May 19, 2021

3/4

It is in black-and-white, it is quite funny, and it is a revelation.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Scott R

@ScottR Dec 9, 2025

NYT 1000 films. I see why it was included for novelty and independent film, but it’s dated, has weak plot, and a bit cheesy. The best part was its focus on Chinese American culture. Saw on YouTube.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 3, 2025

Funny in 1 1/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1982-2025 by New Yorker Films!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on June 04th, 1982, in color!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Mark P

@mpcamb Jan 27, 2023

I saw this long ago, back in the 80s, liked it and would like to see it again. It's unclear to me why major steaming sevices don't carry cult film, little budget wonders, film-school early director work. Warmed over crap gets the nod.

See more

Dec 19, 2016

Very good forgotten/unknown film.

See more

Feb 29, 2016

Independent noir-ish movie from the early 80s made by a Chinese American director with an entirely Chinese American cast, and taking place in San Fransisco's Chinatown, about a taxi driver who begins a search for his friend who has disappeared with his money (which was supposed to be used for his cab license). He ends up on a fruitless amateur investigation learning that his friend may not have been all that he thought he was, and could've possibly been mixed up with a murder and fled back to China. The movie is also notable for giving a lot of insights into Chinese American culture, and the little intricacies within. t is a good little movie, I liked it, despite a few shortcomings from some of the clear amateurs in the cast...but with smaller indie films? That is often pretty forgivable for me, particularly if the movie has heart, a story, and is trying it's best.

See more

Aug 22, 2014

Wayne Wang - The American Chinese Spike Lee. His first movie and a bit rough at the edges because of the low budget, but an insightful look into the lives of Chinese Americans in the 80's

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Wayne Wang

Director

Wood Moy

Jo

Marc Hayashi

Steve

Laureen Chew

Amy

Isaac Cronin

Writer

Wayne Wang

Writer

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

70%

72%

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Watchlist

National Lampoon's Movie Madness

0%

18%

National Lampoon's Movie Madness

Watchlist

Curse of the Pink Panther

29%

22%

Curse of the Pink Panther

Watchlist

The Sting II

13%

28%

The Sting II

Watchlist

The Survivors

13%

46%

The Survivors

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this understated comedy from director Wayne Wang, Jo (Wood Moy), a cab driver in San Francisco's Chinatown, and his nephew, Steve (Marc Hayashi), have placed their combined savings into the hands of the shady and mysterious Chan. When this unreliable holder of their funds disappears, Jo and Steve become amateur investigators and attempt to track him down, meeting with resistance -- and plenty of humorous characters and situations -- along the way.

Director: Wayne Wang
Producer: Wayne Wang
Screenwriter: Isaac Cronin, Wayne Wang
Distributor: New Yorker Films
Production Co: New Yorker Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2016
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Mono

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings