This study sets out to investigate whether and to what extent the narratives contained in film titles and their translations can differ from each other. Ten dramas selected from the work of two internationally renowned film directors, Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhangke, were analysed using narrative theory. The findings suggest that films targeted at the international market tend to employ selective appropriation, causal emplotment and relationality, and demonstrate variations in title translation. Apart from linguistic and commercial factors, narratives can vary in Chinese film titles and their translations according to cultural and social considerations, including political censorship.