Movies like The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)
The best movies like The Emperor and the Assassin (1998) are Hero (2002), Mary (2024) and The Banquet (2006). If The Emperor and the Assassin hooked you with its history and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedRaise the Red Lantern (1991)8.0/10 from 888 votes
- NewestLe roi de Shanghai (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseHero (2002)Also in Chinese
Hero (2002)
During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMary (2024)
A miraculous conception. A merciless king. A murderous pursuit. Mary's journey to give birth to Jesus unfolds in this biblical coming-of-age epic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Banquet (2006)
Crown Prince Wu Luan is in love with Little Wan but left heartbroken when she marries his father, the emperor. The emperor's brother, Li, kills him and Wu Luan tries to avenge his father's death.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025)
Under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian army pushes west to destroy the Jin Dynasty, setting its sights on the Song Dynasty next. Amid internal conflicts among martial arts schools, Guo Jing unites the Central Plains' warriors to defend Xiangyang, embodying courage and loyalty in the fight for the nation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMr. Turner (2014)
Eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner lives his last 25 years with gusto and secretly becomes involved with a seaside landlady, while his faithful housekeeper bears an unrequited love for him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Call to Spy (2020)
The story of Vera Atkins, a crafty spy recruiter, and two of the first women she selects for Churchill's "secret army": Virginia Hall, a daring American undaunted by a disability and Noor Inayat Khan, a pacifist. These civilian women form an unlikely sisterhood while entangled in dangerous missions to turn the tide of the war.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin (2024)
As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer joins a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler, risking his faith and fate to save millions of Jews from genocide.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn Empress and the Warriors (2008)
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRaise the Red Lantern (1991)
In 1920s China, 19-year-old Songlian becomes a concubine of a powerful lord and is forced to compete with his three wives for the privileges gained.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRed Cliff II (2009)
The battle of Red Cliff continues and the alliance between Xu and East Wu is fracturing. With Cao Cao's massive forces on their doorstep, will the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu survive?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHouse of Flying Daggers (2004)
In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wasted Times (2016)
Shanghai gangsters grapple with lust and loyalty on the eve of war with Japan as they try to navigate an alliance with the enemy's army.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEye for an Eye (2022)
A highly trained and exceptionally deadly swordsman looks for revenge after being caught in the middle of a power struggle that results in the assassination of an innocent woman's family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)
A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnly the River Flows (2023)
Dedicated police detective Ma Zhe is tasked with solving a series of brutal murders in a rural Chinese town. As pressure mounts from his superiors, a hasty arrest is made, but while his colleagues celebrate, several clues push Ma Zhe deeper into a desperate investigation of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMr. Six (2015)
Many years ago Mr. Six was a notorious gangster. That was back when there was still such a thing as honour among thieves, when criminals earned respect and maintained principles. These days Mr. Six is all but forgotten, a living relic residing in a narrow alley. One day Six's son, Xiaobo, is abducted by some spoiled punks after he scratches their precious Ferrari. Mr. Six realizes that he must do whatever it takes to get his son back — even if that means returning to the life he thought he had left behind.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGod of War (2017)
During the 16th century, pirates rule the Chinese coastline, pillaging the small villages and terrorizing the citizens. When maverick leader Commander Yu enlists the help of a sharp young general, they devise a plan to defeat the pirates. A violent clash of wit and weapons will decide who will rule the land.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)
When barbarian hordes threaten her homeland, the brave and cunning Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to swell the ranks in her aging father's stead. The warrior's remarkable courage drives her through powerful battle scenes and brutal wartime strategy. Mulan loses dear friends to the enemy's blade as she rises to become one of her country's most valuable leaders — but can she win the war before her secret is exposed?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGezhi Town (2025)
A group of Chinese refugees and straggler soldiers, led by a machinist, defend their mountain town, "Gezhi," against a surprise attack by Japanese reconnaissance troops in a desperate fight using civilian ingenuity against a trained military force.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStrings (2004)
The story of Prince Hal who sets out to avenge his dead father against the city's rivals, the Zeriths, little knowing it was his wicked uncle Nezo who is the real killer, with his own designs on the throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Guillotines (2012)
In the time of the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Yongzheng created a secret army known as the Guillotines. It was the job of the Guillotines to protect the Emperor by killing anyone who posed a threat to him or his rule. After 348 successful missions to eliminate their target, the 349th assignment proves to be their last.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Story of Liubao (1957)
Lin Jin, a solider of the New Fourth Army, stayed in Liubao village with his Army. During Lin Jin's stay, he fell in love with a local girl, Ermeizi. However, he had to leave Liubao with his troops for several years. Lin Jin and Ermeizi lost contact during the war after Lin Jin had left Liubao. Years later, Jin returns to Liubao where he finds Ermeizi again.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history & drama
Rudransh (TBA)
Rudransh is a historical drama that follows the legacy, valor, and unseen journey of a great Maratha king. The film blends research-based storytelling with emotion and cinematic vision to bring the spirit of the Maratha Empire to life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history & drama
Nothing left but the horizon (2025)
A young french man discovers a letter written in mandarin in an antique shop in France. After having it translated, he becomes captivated by its content and, on a whim, decides to travel to China to follow in the footsteps of the woman in the letter, to see what she experienced, her thoughts, her doubts, the things that shaped her, and what made her who she is.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ward 16 (1983)
Set in early 1980s, Xishan tuberculosis hospital. Three female patients lives in ward 16. A new one moves in and makes others think about their lives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Erosion (2025)
A bullied high school student in a bleak industrial town, suffocating under family dysfunction and social rejection, steals his abusive cop father’s gun, setting off a tragic spiral of violence and revenge that will shatter everything he knows.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Birds of Passage (2001)
A quest for freedom in the South China Sea. Victims of China’s “One-Child” policy, 100 orphans, all girls, are shepherded by a determined activist, Mrs. Brown (Charlotte De Turckheim) onto a tramp freighter for a harrowing escape from the Chinese authorities.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
The Prisoner of Zenda (1922)
A kingdom's ascending heir, marked for assassination, switches identities with a lookalike, who takes his place at the coronation. When the real king is kidnapped, his followers try to find him, while the stand-in falls in love with the king's intended bride, the beautiful Princess Flavia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
A SHOT IN THE FOOT (2025)
A SHOT IN THE FOOT depects hectic nocturnal routines of a young woman who works as an assassin. She is a quick and innovative killer, efficient at her job. But she grows careless as she parties hard and gives in to the thrill of money, exposing herself to the dangers of LA’s underground. She gets sloppy, but the jobs keep coming, and there is no one except herself to clean up the mess she leaves behind.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Emperor and the Assassin?
The closest matches to The Emperor and the Assassin are Hero (2002), Mary (2024) and The Banquet (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Emperor and the Assassin?
Start with Hero (2002), the closest match to The Emperor and the Assassin.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Emperor and the Assassin?
Raise the Red Lantern (1991), rated 8.0/10 by 888 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Emperor and the Assassin?
Le roi de Shanghai (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like The Emperor and the Assassin?
Yes: Hero (2002), The Banquet (2006) and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025).
How are movies similar to The Emperor and the Assassin chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Emperor and the Assassin, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.