Abstract: With the increase of cross-cultural communication，the differences in geography environment，values and cultural formation lead to the difference between Chinese and Western culture. Movie as the cultural carrier reflects all aspects of culture. Different nations own their unique cultural traditions which make movie themes have strong regional culture characteristic. Chinese and American movies are deeply influenced by their traditional culture. This article analyses differences between Chinese and American movies and cultural reasons for the differences from different perspectives. It has some referential significance of further improving the film appreciation, understanding and promoting the differences between Chinese and Western culture.

Key words: Chinese movies; American movies; cultural difference

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. The Origin and Development of Chinese and American Movies 1

  1.1 The Origin of Chinese and American Movies

     1.1.1 The Origin of Chinese Movies

     1.1.2 The Origin of American Movies

  1.2 The Development of Chinese and American Movies

     1.2.1The Development of Chinese Movies

（i）The first wave

（ii）The second wave

（iii）The third wave

    1.2.2 The Development of American movies

2. Literature Review.2

3. Contrast between Chinese and American Movies3

3.1 Contrasts between Cartons

3.2 Contrasts between Horrors

3.3 Contrasts between Actions

4. The Reasons for the Differences. 5

  4.1 Geographical Environment Differences

  4.2 Differences in Values

  4.3 Cultural Formation Differences

4.3.1 Philosophy

4.3.2 Consciousness

5. The Interaction between Chinese Movies and American Ones.6

6. Conclusion.6

Bibliography.8

Acknowledgements9