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| Top 10 Most Anticipated Chinese Historical Dramas of 2026 Ranked by Netizens (Photo: Weibo/Sina/Sohu) |
Chinese historical dramas are already heating up long before 2026 even arrives. From big-name stars to buzzworthy pairings and novel adaptations, netizens on Weibo have voted on which costume dramas feel “popular before airing”. The result?
A list stacked with visual-heavy leads, trusted directors, and stories fans can’t stop arguing about. Here’s the full ranking, counted down properly from number one to ten.
1. Zhu Yu/Chasing Jade (逐玉)
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| Tencent Video |
Taking the crown with zero debate is Zhu Yu. The pairing of Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei is widely labelled a “visual paradise”, and netizens clearly aren’t pretending otherwise. Coming from the same director behind Blossom, expectations for styling, cinematography, and romantic tension are sky-high. Rumoured for Q1 or February - March 2026.
The story follows a butcher’s daughter determined to head her own household and a fallen nobleman driven by revenge. Fans love the grounded premise mixed with ambition, while some viewers are already calling it “the safest hit of 2026”. The general mood? High trust, high visuals, and very little doubt.
2. Fate Chooses You (佳偶天成)
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Fresh off Love and Crown, Allen Ren Jialun returns with a xianxia project that has quietly built strong momentum. Paired with Wang Herun, known for her sharp villain roles, this drama leans into fate, spiritual seals, and tragic trials.
Netizens are split in a good way. Some are drawn to the six-life calamity plot, while others are curious whether Wang Herun can flip her usual image. Still, most agree the casting feels risky in an interesting way, not a reckless one.
3. Tigers Sniff the Rose (尚公主)
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| WeTV |
Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui reunite after the surprise success of their CP in Blossom, and fans were quick to approve. The princess-versus-scholar setup hits familiar territory, but Li Yunrui’s calm, resilient scholar image continues to win praise.
Online reactions are loud and enthusiastic, especially among CP fans who see this as a “reward drama”. Some sceptics worry about repetition, but the majority seem happy to relive the chemistry in a new setting.
4. Chasing Dreams (梦花廷)
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| Tencent Video |
As a prequel tied to the Novoland universe, this drama carries built-in curiosity. Focusing on Tilan’s story, the pairing of Chen Zheyuan and Zhang Jingyi has been described as elegant rather than explosive.
Netizens are cautiously optimistic. Fans of the original world are intrigued, while others are watching closely to see whether the prequel can stand on its own without leaning too hard on nostalgia.
5. Love Beyond the Grave (白日提灯)
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| Tencent Video |
Dilraba’s decision to take on the Ghost King role immediately pushed this drama into the spotlight. Her pairing with Chen Feiyu adds another layer of discussion, especially given the strong visual styling released so far.
Fans are praising the bold character shift and the director’s proven track record. Some are hoping the story goes beyond surface-level romance, while others are simply here for the aesthetics. Either way, expectations are firmly set high.
6. Transfer Gold Hairpin (嫁金钗)
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| Sohu |
This one stands out for its character arc. Tian Xiwei steps away from her usual sweet image to play an ambitious girl climbing from humble beginnings. Many viewers feel this role fits her better than expected.
Yan An’s inclusion has also sparked interest, with netizens calling the pairing “unexpected but promising”. Reactions suggest this could become a sleeper hit if the storytelling holds up.
7. Mo Li (莫离)
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| Sina |
Bai Lu appears twice on this list, and Mo Li proves why. Paired with Cheng Lei, the drama leans into family dynamics and restrained emotion rather than flashy romance.
Fans are especially confident thanks to the director’s past successes.
The pairing is described as calm but intense, with many viewers predicting strong long-term appeal rather than instant viral moments.
8. Blossoms of Power (百花杀)
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| Tencent Video |
Meng Ziyi teams up with He Yu in a rebirth-themed domestic intrigue story. Their previous collaboration left a decent impression, and fans are keen to see whether the chemistry improves with more dramatic weight.
Netizen reactions are mixed but curious. Some love the reborn plus inner-house conflict combo, while others are waiting to see if the pacing can keep things fresh.
9. How Dare You!? (成何体统)
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| iQIYI |
With its novel-transmigration concept and comedic tone, this drama brings something lighter to the list. Wang Churan and Cheng Lei play exaggerated roles that oddly fit their public images.
Fans seem entertained already, praising the role alignment and playful setup. The main question floating online is whether the humour can stay sharp across the whole series.
10. Wish You All the Best (表妹万福)
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| WeTV |
Rounding out the list is a drama that’s sparked the most debate. Song Zuer’s casting has been widely praised, but Chen Xinhai’s scholar role has divided opinions.
Netizens are watching closely, with many saying this drama has the biggest “prove it” energy. If the performance clicks, expectations could flip completely once it airs.
From visual-first pairings to risky casting choices, the 2026 historical drama lineup already feels competitive before a single episode drops. Now it’s your turn. Which drama do you think deserves the top spot, and which one do you believe is being underestimated? Let’s hear it.