Movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)
The best movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997) are Once Upon a Time in China III (1993), Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) and Once Upon a Time in China (1991). If Once Upon a Time in China and America hooked you with its action and western, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedIp Man 2 (2010)7.5/10 from 2,610 votes
- NewestKarate Kid: Legends (2025)Released 2025
Once Upon a Time in China III (1993)
Master Wong and his disciples enroll in the 'Dancing Lion Competition' to stop an assassination plot and to battle an arrogant, deceitful opponent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnce Upon a Time in China II (1992)
Wong Fei-Hung faces the White Lotus Society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat Sen from the military.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOnce Upon a Time in China (1991)
In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)
It is the story of an average, popular American teenager named Wendy Wu who discovers that in order to win the coveted crown she must first learn the way of the warrior. Wendy Wu has a one track mind, and that track leads directly to the title of homecoming queen -- no unscheduled stops, and no unnecessary detours. When a mysterious Chinese monk named Shen arrives to mold Wendy into a fearless kung fu warrior, however, her royal aspirations suddenly jump the track as she desperately attempts to juggle her boyfriend, her homework, and of course, the fierce competition to become homecoming queen. Now, as Wendy begins to train her mind, body, and spirit in the ancient tradition of the martial arts and her inner warrior gradually begins to emerge, the girl who once obsessed over popularity finally begins to put that popularity into perspective as she gradually realizes what truly matters in life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Master (1992)
When old martial arts master Master Tak disappears, his best student, Jet, steps in to find him. However, when he learns that Tak's life is in danger, he decides to protect him at all costs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFearless Hyena (1979)
Lung is a talented fighter but prefers to spend his time loafing around and picking fights, despite orders from his grandfather not to fight. Unknown to him, a brutal general has been slaughtering all the people from his grandfather’s clan. When the general recognizes Lung’s style of kung fu during one of his street fights, he hunts down Lung’s grandfather and kills him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Panda (2008)
Chosen by prophecy but doubted by all, Po is an unlikely choice for the mystical title of the Dragon Warrior—a clumsy panda thrust into the world of kung fu as a deadly enemy threatens the Valley of Peace. Under reluctant guidance by Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must embrace who he is to unlock the power that no scroll can teach.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
This film is a glimpse into the life, love and the unconquerable spirit of the legendary Bruce Lee. From a childhood of rigorous martial arts training, Lee realizes his dream of opening his own kung-fu school in America. Before long, he is discovered by a Hollywood producer and begins a meteoric rise to fame and an all too short reign as one the most charismatic action heroes in cinema history.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIp Man 2 (2010)
Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong. Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIp Man 3 (2015)
When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKarate Kid: Legends (2025)
After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren't enough. Li's kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Returning home with his father after a shopping expedition, Wong Fei-hung is unwittingly caught up in the battle between foreigners who wish to export ancient Chinese artifacts and loyalists who don't want the pieces to leave the country. Fei-hung must fight against the foreigners using his Drunken Boxing style, and overcome his father's antagonism as well.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFist of Fury 1991 (1991)
Lau Ching, a Mainlander with an incredibly powerful right arm, arrives in Hong Kong to find his cousin. He befriends with a drifter named Handsome, and a martial artist girl named Mandy. In order to woo her, Ching participates in a fighting competition in hopes of winning a $10 million prize, and must defeat his love rival, Wai, in the ring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Young Master (1980)
Youthful martial arts master Lung is searching for his missing brother, when he is mistaken for a criminal on the run. He must prove his innocence by solving the case himself, while local lawmen and merciless mercenaries are hot on his trail.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOnce Upon a Time in China IV (1993)
Wong Fei Hung must win another Lion Dance contest in order to defeat the eight foreign concessions in Shanghai.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisLegend of the Dragon (1991)
Chow Siu-lung leaves his hometown in order to study kung fu in the city but ends up getting conned by his own uncle instead.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFearless Hyena 2 (1983)
A pair of evil kung-fu artists, Heaven and Earth, are slaughtering the entire Yin-Yang brotherhood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisKing of Beggars (1992)
The heir to a noble and influential family finds the love of his life, but she will only accept him if he becomes a kung-fu master. He becomes a legendary folk hero who tries to save the emperor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTai Chi Hero (2012)
Chinese steampunk martial arts blockbuster about the early years of Tai chi master Yang Luchan, the man who founded in the 19th century what has now become the most popular Tai Chi style in the world. The second instalment of the "Tai Chi" trilogy continues the journey of Yang Luchan, a gifted child with a fleshy growth on his forehead who helped save a village from a frightening army of steampunk soldiers bearing strange machines with the knowledge of Tai Chi that they entrusted him with.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Legend (1993)
The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. One of his Governors is sent on a mission to retrieve a list of members of that secret society. Meanwhile, Canton kung fu practitioner Fong Sai-Yuk falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 5-Man Army (1969)
At the behest of local revolutionaries, a mercenary enlists four specialists in various combat styles to help him rob a Mexican Army train carrying $500,000 in gold.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMen of War (1994)
Nick Gunar is a burnt-out, jaded and hard-up former mercenary who is having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. At the end of his rope, he is hired by the Nitro Mine Corporation to strong-arm the natives of a South China Sea island into giving up their rights to its valuable mineral resources. Nick loathes the thought of another mission, but this seemingly easy job will earn him enough money to get back with his estranged family. He recruits some of his former mercenary buddies to help him with the job. The island people refuse to give up their land and Nick decides to help them fight the greedy corporation that hired him. As greed and treachery begin to unravel, Nick's band of mercenaries choose sides.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisKickboxer 3: The Art of War (1992)
Kick-box champion David Sloan arrives in Rio de Janeiro for an exhibition fight. He and mentor Xian take pity on Brazilian rascal Marcos Coasta, an urchin who offers guide services but routinely steals from tourists for himself and his older sister Isabella. David is shocked when he sees how his Argentinian opponent Marcelo needlessly abuses a courteous local sparing partner. That's the doing of his evil US manager, Lane. He has nasty plans to force David to cheat and runs a white slavery racket.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest (1990)
The evil Dr. Kochin uses the dragon balls to resurrect his mentor, Dr. Wheelo, in an effort to take over the world. Dr. Wheelo, his body having been destroyed by the avalanche that killed him fifty years before, desires the body of the strongest fighter in the world as his new vessel. Believing Roshi to be the world's strongest warrior, Dr. Kochin abducts Bulma and forces Roshi to surrender himself to save her. When Goku hears of their abduction, he goes to their rescue.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
Goku and friends must stop a band of space pirates from consuming fruit from the Tree of Might before it's destructive powers drain Earth's energy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
A Super Namekian named Slug comes to invade Earth. But the Z Warriors do their best to stop Slug and his gang.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
Cooler has resurrected himself as a robot and is enslaving the people of New Namek. Goku and the gang must help.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBruce Lee: The Man, The Myth (1976)
A highly fictionalized biography of the famous Bruce Lee, this movie traces his college life, his marriage to Linda Lee, his relationship with his master, and his untimely death.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Fantasy Mission Force (1983)
A force of loners and fighters is put together to try and rescue the generals and save the war effort with the promise of gold and pardons of past crimes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisNinja vs. Bruce Lee (1982)
When the insidious Japanese Ninja is corrupting the police force, only one man can take on the cunning enemy from the land of the rising sun! With powerful clashes of Ninjitsu and Chinese kung fu, Ninja vs. Bruce Lee is kick-butt Bruce Le action galore! Cut 'n' paste job courtesy of Joseph Valesco with footage from Return of Bruce, My Name Called Bruce, and Enter the Game of Death.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America?
The closest matches to Once Upon a Time in China and America are Once Upon a Time in China III (1993), Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) and Once Upon a Time in China (1991). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Once Upon a Time in China and America?
Start with Once Upon a Time in China III (1993), the closest match to Once Upon a Time in China and America.
What is the highest-rated movie like Once Upon a Time in China and America?
Ip Man 2 (2010), rated 7.5/10 by 2,610 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Once Upon a Time in China and America?
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Once Upon a Time in China and America chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Once Upon a Time in China and America, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.