Ni Yan

Actor · Born March 10, 1971 (55) · Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Yan Ni (Chinese: 闫妮), born Yan Kaiyan, is a Chinese film and television actress. Most well known for her role as Tong Xiangyu in the hit sitcom My Own Swordsman. She works for the Television Art center of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Description above from the Wikipedia article Yan Ni,licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: March 10, 1971 (55)
From: Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Works as: Actor
Titles: 18 on MovieCove · 111 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 21% in 30 days

What are Ni Yan's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy5 titles38^th

Drama4 titles52^nd

Crime3 titles65^th

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

Bonds

28%

Self

21%

Morality

21%

Society

14%

Survival

10%

Power

Purpose3 Romantic love3 Family bonds3 Betrayal2 Friendship3 Redemption2 Prejudice2 Deception2

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 2 · Wry 0 · Earnest 11

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 3 · Dark 5

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 3

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Engaged

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 5 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 5

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 7 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 5

Open-ended

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Shapeshifteras Wang's Wife in A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop (2009)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic

Tense

Joyful

Warm

Absurd

Other

How their films linger

Feel-good5 Hopeful6 Thought-provoking3 Fun3 Bittersweet3 Wistful3

How their films end · 5 with a twist

Happy4
Bittersweet6
Ambiguous2
Other1

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 Ni Yan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 18 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Cineverse3 titles, show their 3 titles on Cineverse
Hi-YAH!1 title, show their title on Hi-YAH!
Shout! TV1 title, show their title on Shout! TV

Subscription and free streaming for Ni Yan'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

111 credits, 18 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

Waiting for Myself (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Actor
Vanished Name (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Show 31 episodes · as Ren Meiyan
Every Dog Has Its Day(2025)
as Yang Zhuoning (Notary Officer)
Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
The Miracles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Show 2 episodes · as Sister Fan
Family at Large(2025)
as Granny
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
The Volunteers: Peace at Last(2025)
as Doctor Yan
Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
“湾区升明月”2025大湾区电影音乐晚会 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Actor
The Escaping Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
as 孙心如
Genuine Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Show 5 episodes · as Si Jing
Romance in the Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)
Show 40 episodes · as Huang Ling
So Long for Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
as Pan Yanqiu
Across the Furious Sea(2023)
as Gu Hong
Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
Heart's Motive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
as Jin Ximei
Papa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
as Liu Zhenzhen
Grandma's New World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Show 18 episodes · as Sun Yuping / Sun Yulan
Become a Farmer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Show 2 episodes · Actor
Healing Food, Healing Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 23 episodes · as Zhuang Yan
Our Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 4 episodes · as Tan Jing
Homes in Beautiful China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Three Youths (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 2 episodes · Actor
Hello Saturday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 2 episodes · Actor
People's Property (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
Show 45 episodes · as Shi Hongxin
Dear Parents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
Show 43 episodes · as Liu Biyun
A Fangirl's Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
as Gao Bei
Minning Town(2021)
Show 23 episodes · as Magistrate Yang
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
The Stage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Show 33 episodes · as 蔡素芬
My People, My Homeland(2020)
as Yan Feiyan
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
At Last (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Actor
Two Tigers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Sister Caixia
China in the Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
Show 1 episode · as 刘慧芳
Growing Pain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
Show 82 episodes · as Wang Shengnan
Push and Shove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Liang Liang
Good Luck Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as 梁冬梅
I Am Your Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as Qin Meili
Top Secret 543 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 36 episodes · as 赵盈秋
Our Shining Days(2017)
as Mrs. Chen
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Healing Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 46 episodes · Actor
Wished (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
as Shangguan Furong
Special Encounter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
as Li Tangzhen
What A Wonderful Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Actor
Some Like It Hot(2016)
as Ma Lilian
Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films
The Wasted Times(2016)
as Mama Wang
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
Vive Les Femmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Show 42 episodes · as 饰叶舒心
鲁豫有约一日行 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Show 1 episode · Actor
爱的追踪 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Show 36 episodes · as Wen Hao
The New Year's Eve of Old Lee(2016)
as Li Yangduo
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Trump Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Show 11 episodes · Actor
青春集结号 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Monster Hunt(2015)
as Luo Ying
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
前夫求爱记 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Show 1 episode · as 鲍小蕾
Wang Dahua Revolutionary Career (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Show 40 episodes · as Wang Da Hua
Marriage Cuisine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 31 episodes · as Ma Aqin
Night of Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Actor
Life Revelation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 35 episodes · as Yu Xiaoqiang
Coming Home(2014)
as Director Li
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
A Servant of Two Masters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 43 episodes · as Tang Hong
My Dear People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 30 episodes · as Li Bao Li / 饰李宝莉
亲爱的 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
Show 30 episodes · as 李宝莉
11 Flowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
as Mama
Inseparable(2011)
as Miss Yang
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Mu Guiying Takes Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
Show 39 episodes · as 菜花
The Great Magician(2011)
as Lei's Wife
Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films
Magic to Win (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
as Volleyball Team Coach
Mural (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
Actor
All's Well, Ends Well 2011(2011)
as Dream Chim
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
Story of College Student Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
Show 26 episodes · Actor
My Own Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
as 佟湘玉
Never Look Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Show 27 episodes · as 何丽萍
My Own Swordsman Animated Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Show 100 episodes · as 配音
H List for Sprint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Show 1 episode · Actor
True Legend(2010)
as Bar Owner
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop(2009)
as Wang's wife
Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films
Cow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
as Jiu'er
Three Sevens hits Twenty One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 30 episodes · as 邓佑真
The North Wind Blows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 36 episodes · Actor
无敌三脚猫 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 50 episodes · Actor
卫生队的故事 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 25 episodes · as 闫护士长
派出所的故事 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 25 episodes · as Yan Yu
下辈子做你的女人 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Show 26 episodes · as Liu Hanxiang
Kung Fu Dunk(2008)
as Master Ni
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
Crossed Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Actor
The Gold Convoyers: Security Guards Office (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as 柳湘云
Behind The House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Show 51 episodes · as 唐玉秀
Falling in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Actor
A Big Potato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as Han Yuehua
Ming Dynasty in 1566 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Show 46 episodes · as 李妃
My Own Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Show 81 episodes · as Tong Xiangyu
Stolen Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Sichuan woman
History of the Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 32 episodes · as 姜雨欣
Health Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 20 episodes · as 严文秀
Detective Gu Liang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 26 episodes · as Zheng Qiuju
干部 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 20 episodes · Actor
Story of The Cooking Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 83 episodes · as 闫护士长
Searching For The Archives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 20 episodes · Actor
海洋馆的约会 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 1 episode · as 辛琪
朱德元帅 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 1 episode · as 康克清
The Bronze Teeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 7 episodes · as 葛松儿
六月男孩 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as 王小妮
警察李“酒瓶” (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 1 episode · as 小佩
禧娃 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Actor
Idler: Sister Ma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 2 episodes · as 牛海棠
公鸡打鸣，母鸡下蛋 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
as 马巧巧
复仇的女人 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Actor
CCTV Spring Festival Gala: Crosstalk and Sketch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Show 3 episodes · Actor
5 Missing Teenagers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show 1 episode · as Chen Xi
Faith & Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show 1 episode · as Wu Juan
Raiders of the New Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show 1 episode · as Shen Bao Yan
Sunshine Thief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
as 赛欢
The Elephant Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
as 叶香
The Forbidden Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor
一路灿烂 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show 1 episode · as Liu Jingli

Career shape

Star power in the 96^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 111 titles, 104 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Monster Hunt (2015)

$387M worldwide

Highest rated

Coming Home (2014)

Midcredits 89^th

Film career

19832026

Peak 2010 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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.

2006Screen debut· My Own Swordsman
2008First film· Kung Fu Dunk
2011First top-billed film· My Own Swordsman

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting111 of 111 · 54^th

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s31 · acting2010s43 · acting2020s28 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 7% of 15 roles

11%

0813

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 Ni Yan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53^rd percentile, the median of all 17; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

42^ndpercentile

Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

64^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 18 titles, by percentile

75^th and up4
50^th to 74^th6
25^th to 49^th4
Below 25^th4

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 18 titles are Mixed.

Universally Loved1
Universally Panned1
Cult Classic1
Crowd Pleaser6
Broadly Agreed1
Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

The Volunteers: Peace at Last (2025)

85^th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Minning Town (2021)

Midcredits 98^th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 50. 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 Ni Yan work with?

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

Ni Yan

What are Ni Yan's films like?

Genres

Themes

What they feel like to watch

Roles they play

Moods and endings

Where can I watch Ni Yan's films?

Filmography

Career shape

Film career

By role

By decade

Billing

How do Ni Yan's films land?

Shape of the crowd

Who does Ni Yan work with?

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers