Abstract: Minority theme films in Yunnan from 1977 to 1999 not only has succeeded the same kind of films in 17 years of new China, but has had some breakthrough and transformation than before. If we make a general survey of minority theme films in this period, we can find it developed in three directions, including the mainstream speech of new times appearing consciously, artistic examination and innovate, as well as the practice of commercialization and entertainment. Though minority theme films in this period was not glorious, it revived after minority theme films undergoing the strike of cultural revolution, and it was also the new stage of multiaspect exploratory. These explorations provide important experience for subsequent films of the same kind, therefore, this period is important for the development of minority theme films.