‘Bright as the Sun’ and ‘Qiao Chu’ Lose! The Real Top 8 Most Popular Chinese Dramas of 2026 Crowned — This One Took #1: Heart-Wrenching Yet Sweet, Overflowing Couple Chemistry, Impossible to Stop Watching

The 2026 Chinese drama landscape has become increasingly competitive, with period, suspense, romance, and crime genres rotating in prominence. Yet, only a handful of series have maintained consistent buzz from premiere to peak popularity. Recently, a Weibo user poll titled 'The Top 8 Truly Hit Chinese Dramas of 2026' sparked widespread discussion. Chen Weiting’s 'The Nine Gates' secured 5th place, Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai’s 'Bright as the Sun' ranked 2nd, while the top honor went to Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwēi’s 'Chasing Jade.' Notably, 'Chasing Jade' not only dominated conversations but also surged past 3.3 billion online views, becoming the only 2026 Chinese drama to surpass the 3-billion-view milestone. Which other titles made the list? Below is the complete ranking from #8 to #1.

2026 Net-Evaluated Top 8 Truly Hit Chinese Dramas

### #8 'Low IQ Crime' – Wang Xiao, Tian Xiwēi: Adapted from Zijin Chen’s novel, blending comedy and crime investigation

Ranked 8th is 'Low IQ Crime,' starring Wang Xiao and Tian Xiwēi, a critically acclaimed entry on this list. The drama is adapted from the eponymous novel by author Zijin Chen. Fans of suspense dramas will recognize Zijin Chen’s previous works—'The Long Night' and 'The Bad Kids'—which received high praise upon adaptation, so 'Low IQ Crime' naturally attracted significant attention upon release.

The story follows Zhang Yi’ang, a detective who left frontline criminal investigation years ago, sent to Sanjiangkou to investigate a case after the provincial bureau receives an anonymous tip. Zhang quickly focuses on local tycoon Zhou Rong and his criminal gang. What should have been a meticulous criminal investigation takes an unexpected turn when a series of 'stupid criminals' emerge. These bumbling thieves, constantly scheming against each other, create chaotic yet interconnected events that repeatedly provide breakthroughs for Zhang’s police team. The key distinction of 'Low IQ Crime' is its departure from the dark, oppressive, and tightly plotted suspense genre, instead incorporating abundant comedic elements for a refreshingly unique blend.

Wang Xiao, Tian Xiwēi in 'Low IQ Crime' (Image/Weibo)

### #7 'Qiao Chu' – Chen Duling, Zhou Yiran: Reincarnated heroine starts revenge immediately, satisfying but lost momentum later

7th place goes to 'Qiao Chu,' starring Chen Duling and Zhou Yiran. The drama quickly gained high popularity upon release and was one of the most talked-about period dramas of 2026. 'Qiao Chu' emphasizes 'reincarnation + strong female lead + revenge,' with a notably fast pace, even resembling the progression style of short-form dramas.

The first episode swiftly establishes the tragic past life of the female lead, Chu Chao, and by the second episode, she begins strategizing to change her fate—offering immediate satisfaction with minimal setup. The story follows Chu Chao, a general’s daughter, who in her previous life became a pawn in Xiao Xun’s power grab. After reincarnating, she refuses to accept her fate and takes initiative. In her struggle against destiny, she meets Xie Yanlai, the illegitimate son of the Xie family, and supports his journey from a low-ranking imperial guard to a national general. Together, they ultimately aim to stop Xiao Xun’s ambitions. However, 'Qiao Chu' received polarized reviews. The fast pace and revenge-driven satisfaction captivated audiences early on, but some plot logic failed scrutiny, and its popularity gradually declined as the story progressed.

Chen Duling, Zhou Yiran in 'Qiao Chu' (Image/Weibo)

### #6 'The Protagonist' – Zhang Jiayi, Liu Haocun: Not a sweet romance, but broke through on story and reputation

6th place, 'The Protagonist,' stars Zhang Jiayi and Liu Haocun and stands out as a unique entry on this list. Currently, 'The Protagonist' has reached 1.9 billion online views. Unlike the flood of sweet romance and period idol dramas in recent years, 'The Protagonist' takes a heavier literary and period-drama approach, appealing to a more discerning audience. Yet, it achieved dual success in viewership and critical acclaim.

The plot centers on Yi Qin’e, a renowned Qin opera performer, tracing her artistic journey across half a century. Originally a shepherd girl, she endures troupe life and personal upheavals, rising through hard work and perseverance to become the leading star on stage. 'The Protagonist' didn’t rely on conventional idol-drama romance tropes but built its reputation through ensemble character portrayals, historical shifts, and a solid script.

Zhang Jiayi, Liu Haocun in 'The Protagonist' (Image/Weibo)

### #5 'The Nine Gates' – Chen Weiting, Joseph Zeng: Reprising Zhang Dafuye, 'The Lost Tomb' prequel ignites summer buzz

5th place goes to 'The Nine Gates,' starring Chen Weiting and Joseph Zeng. For many viewers, the biggest draw is the familiar 'Old Nine Gates' universe. Chen Weiting and Zhao Liying’s original 'Old Nine Gates' sparked a viewing frenzy, and this new chapter, with Chen returning as Zhang Dafuye, naturally generated buzz. Set as a prequel to 'The Lost Tomb' series, the story continues to explore traps, adventures, and ancient tombs.

The plot unfolds amid renewed chaos in Changsha, as Zhang Qishan and Wu Laogou join forces with Huo Xianggu and the Nine Gates members on a perilous adventure. Amid the crowded 2026 summer lineup of period and romance dramas, 'The Nine Gates' broke through using the 'Old Nine Gates + The Lost Tomb' IP effect, gaining noticeable momentum and securing 5th place in net evaluations.

Chen Weiting reprises Zhang Qishan in 'The Nine Gates' (Image/Weibo)

### #4 'Moon鳞绮纪' – Ju Jingyi, Joseph Zeng: Guo Jingming helms 'Painted Skin' IP, beauty and controversy coexist

4th place is 'Moon鳞绮纪,' starring Ju Jingyi and Joseph Zeng, with Chen Duling and Tian Jiarui also joining the cast. Directed by Guo Jingming, the star power and visual style have been constant talking points. Ju Jingyi and Chen Duling play two nine-tailed fox sisters with contrasting personalities, and their period costumes became major topics during the broadcast.

Adapted from the classic IP 'Painted Skin,' the story revolves around nine-tailed foxes and human factions. Lu Wuyi, the youngest nine-tailed fox in the mysterious organization 'Wuxiang Yue,' is ordered with her sister Wu Wangyan to find the escaped fox demon Xiao Wei and infiltrate the Wei household in Luoan City. Meanwhile, Wu Shiguang, driven by deep vengeance, along with Jiling, a priest of the Shilin Sect, and Li Jie, are drawn into the conflict. The characters, initially suspicious of each other, are forced to cooperate, repeatedly altering each other’s fates in the struggle for the Dragon God’s power. However, Guo Jingming’s works often polarize audiences. Fans praise the lavish visuals and beautiful character designs, finding the viewing experience immersive, while critics find the pacing fragmented and even 'incomprehensible.'

'Moon鳞绮纪' (Image/IMDb)

### #3 'Tang Palace Mystery: The Wind of Qingwu' – Bai Lu, Wang Xingyue: Court mysteries unfold one after another, becoming 2026’s period drama dark horse

Entering the top three, 3rd place is 'Tang Palace Mystery: The Wind of Qingwu,' starring Bai Lu and Wang Xingyue. In a 2026 market flooded with period idol dramas, few truly broke through in popularity, but 'Tang Palace Mystery' was one of them. The drama focuses on historical suspense and detective work, beginning with a mysterious death. During the Lantern Festival, Princess Ningyuan dies suddenly, and County Princess Fu Chang Li Peiyi and Astronomer Xiao Huaijin are tasked with the investigation. As they follow the clues, they gradually uncover a series of mysterious cases within the Tang imperial court. As the investigation deepens, bizarre cases continue to emerge, and court secrets slowly surface. Bai Lu’s reunion with Wang Xingyue, following their collaboration in 'Word of Honor,' added further buzz. Based on current reception, 'Tang Palace Mystery' features a fast-paced plot, high-quality costumes and sets, and a well-crafted suspense atmosphere.

Bai Lu in 'Tang Palace Mystery: The Wind of Qingwu' (Image/Weibo)

### #2 'Bright as the Sun' – Song Weilong, Zhao Jinmai: Gu Man’s sweet romance IP returns, love triangle becomes the highlight

2nd place goes to 'Bright as the Sun,' starring Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai. As a major adaptation of Gu Man’s novel, a big-name sweet romance IP, it attracted significant attention from the moment filming began. While it didn’t surpass previous hits like 'You Are My Glory' or 'Love O2O,' within the context of the 2026 Chinese drama market, 'Bright as the Sun' remains one of the few truly successful romance dramas.

The story begins in Nie Xiguang’s university days. She once had a crush on business school prodigy Zhuang Xu, but the relationship didn’t end well. After graduation, Nie joins her family’s invested photovoltaic company as a junior employee and later meets Lin Yusen, the newly appointed deputy general manager. The early plot centers on Nie’s emotional entanglement with second male lead Zhuang Xu, but as Song Weilong’s character gains more screen time, the romance becomes increasingly compelling. The emotional tug-of-war among the three forms the familiar and beloved 'love triangle drama' that viewers adore.

Song Weilong, Zhao Jinmai in 'Bright as the Sun' (Image/Weibo)

### #1 'Chasing Jade' – Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwēi: Online views surpass 3.3 billion, the only 2026 Chinese drama to break 3 billion

And the #1 title on this 'Top 8 Truly Hit Chinese Dramas of 2026' list goes to 'Chasing Jade,' starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwēi. The drama not only dominated discussions but also surged past 3.3 billion online views, becoming the only 2026 Chinese drama to surpass the 3-billion-view mark. Praised for being 'heart-wrenching yet sweet' with 'explosive couple chemistry,' viewers say once you start watching, you can’t stop.