PG-13

Shanghai Surprise

A romantic adventure for the dangerous at heart.

1986 • 97 min • Romance · Adventure · Crime · Comedy

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Synopsis

Glendon Wasey is a fortune hunter looking for a fast track out of China. Gloria Tatlock is a missionary nurse seeking the curing powers of opium for her patients. Fate sets them on a hectic, exotic, and even romantic quest for stolen drugs. But they are up against every thug and smuggler in Shangai.

Our family guide

Best from age 13

Movie Knight Score

105 reviews

43 Audience · 105 · 100%

An American fortune hunter and a missionary nurse team up in 1930s Shanghai to find stolen opium for her patients. Their quest leads them into a dangerous but comedic adventure against local criminals.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 2/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 6/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Opium use and trade are central to the plot
Characters are in peril from criminals

What it models well

Cooperation and teamwork
Helping others

Talk about it after

The historical use of opium in medicine
The complexities of cultural differences
How different people define "treasure"

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Shanghai Surprise. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.