Movies like The Way to Hell (1980)
The best movies like The Way to Hell (1980) are Hard Boiled (1992), Year of the Dragon (1985) and Ironheart (1992). If The Way to Hell hooked you with its crime and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedInfernal Affairs (2002)7.8/10 from 1,974 votes
- NewestEvery Breath We Take (2026)Released 2026
Hard Boiled (1992)
A cop who loses his partner in a shoot-out with gun smugglers goes on a mission to catch them. In order to get closer to the leaders of the ring he joins forces with an undercover cop who's working as a gangster hitman. They use all means of excessive force to find them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisYear of the Dragon (1985)
In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai, an up-and-coming young gangster as ambitious as he is ruthless. While pursuing an unauthorized investigation, White grows increasingly willing to violate police protocol, resorting to progressively violent measures -- even as his concerned wife, Connie, and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIronheart (1992)
An L.A. cop goes after a gang of murderous drug dealers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Protector (1985)
Billy Wong is a New York City cop whose partner is gunned down during a robbery. Billy and his new partner, Danny Garoni, are working security at a fashion show when a wealthy man's daughter, Laura Shapiro, is kidnapped. The Federal authorities suspect that Laura's father is involved with Mr. Ko, a Hong Kong drug kingpin, so the NYC police commissioner sends the two cops to Hong Kong to investigate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
SnoozefestMovies like thisNew Police Story (2004)
Sent into a drunken tailspin when his entire unit is killed by a gang of thrill-seeking punks, disgraced Hong Kong police inspector Wing needs help from his new rookie partner, with a troubled past of his own, to climb out of the bottle and track down the gang and its ruthless leader.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTiger on the Beat (1988)
A seasoned cop and his rookie partner try to solve the murder of a heroin trafficker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLong Arm of the Law (1984)
A group of desperate Chinese criminals hope to make a quick, effortless score in Hong Kong. Things go afoul, and the gang must hide out until the heat dies down, besmirched with the blood of an undercover cop.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrouble Man (1972)
It seems that masked men are knocking over the floating crap games of Chalky and Pete. Chalky and Pete hire the cool, loose, elegant Mr. T to fix things. Then, the masked manipulators set up the death of a collector for a rival gang lord. It looks like it's up to T to hold a gang war from breaking out, keep the police off his back, and earn his fee from Chalky and Pete.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFull Alert (1997)
A police inspector becomes obsessed with apprehending a criminal planning a major heist at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the weeks leading up to Hong Kong's return to China.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHavoc (2025)
When a drug heist swerves lethally out of control, a jaded cop fights his way through a corrupt city's criminal underworld to save a politician's son.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTiger Cage (1988)
Something fishy is going on in the anti-Drug Trafficking Unit of the HK Police, and only a few honest cops know that the corruption goes all the way to the top. However, they must prove their case quickly, and by unconventional means, after they are framed for murder and drug-trafficking themselves. Dodging bullets from cops and criminals alike, the race is on to clear their names, protect their loved ones, and bring their corrupt colleagues to justice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIn the Line of Duty 4 (1989)
Two detectives who are up to their necks in trouble and in each other's face, as they try to shut down a drug-trafficking scheme that could be connected with international ties to organized crime. But in the midst of their investigation, innocent immigrant dock worker Luk Wan-Ting gets caught up in the mix when he witnesses the murder of an intelligence operative and is framed for the crime.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeast Stalker (2008)
Sergeant Tong is wracked with guilt after he unwittingly kills a young girl whilst capuring a criminal named Cheung. When the girl's sister is later kidnapped in a ploy to get Cheung released, Sergeant Tong vows to find and rescue her before she comes to harm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChasing the Dragon (2017)
An illegal immigrant from Mainland China sneaks into the corrupt British-colonized Hong Kong in 1963, transforming himself into a ruthless drug lord.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPTU (2003)
Follows a police tactical unit during one dangerous night on the streets of Hong Kong as they try to recover a cop's stolen gun. Things turn deadly when they run into a web of gangland crimes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGod of Gamblers II (1990)
Sing finds Michael "Dagger" Chan in order to become Ko Chun's next disciple, but the two must put aside their differences when they discover that a gang boss is bent on ruining the God of Gamblers' name.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInfernal Affairs (2002)
Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCold War (2012)
After five specially trained officers and a van full of firearms fall off the grid, the Hong Kong police start receiving calls from the hijackers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisProject A (1983)
In late 19th century Hong Kong, the British may rule the land, but the pirates rule the waters. Coast Guard officer Dragon Ma is determined that his beloved Coast Guard will not be made a fool of.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe White Storm (2013)
An operation in Thailand against a notorious drug lord changes the destiny of a Hong Kong Police Department narcotic team. Five years later, a drug dealing brings them together again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Axel Foley returns to the land of sunshine and palm trees to investigate the near-fatal shooting of police Captain Andrew Bogomil. With the help of Sgt. Taggart and Det. Rosewood, they soon uncover that the shooting is associated with a series of "alphabet" robberies masterminded by a heartless weapons kingpin—and the chase is on.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn Eye for an Eye (1981)
Sean Kane is forced to resign from the San Francisco Police Department's Narcotics Division when he goes berserk after his partner is murdered. He decides to fight alone and follows a trail of drug traffickers into unexpected high places.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
SnoozefestMovies like thisMortal World (2018)
Mermer family, who has been managing a restaurant called “Anatolian flavors” in Haydarpasa train station for generations, consist of 8 members. Even though this family leads a quiet simple life, they will end up finding themselves in complicated situations. Moreover, this family has been keeping a secret for a long time and it just can’t come out at any cost..
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSpirit (2027)
A disgraced, middle-class police officer adopts a ruthless approach to dismantle an international crime syndicate in order to reclaim his position and prove his worth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Coming SoonMovies like thisSuperFly (2018)
Career criminal Youngblood Priest wants out of the Atlanta drug scene, but as he ramps up sales, one little slip up threatens to bring the whole operation down before he can make his exit.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLogorama (2009)
Two cops portrayed by Michelin Men chase an armed Ronald McDonald through the streets of a fictionalized, stylized city.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRunning Wild (2006)
A homicide detective joins forces with a prosecutor to avenged the murder of his half-brother. The aggressive detective and the by-the-book prosecutor must put aside their differences in order to find the killer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPublic Enemy (2002)
A notorious dirty cop makes an honest attempt to catch a serial killer who even murdered his own parents.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wrong Arm of the Law (1963)
The crooks in London know how it works. No one carries guns and no one resists the police. Then a new gang appears that go one better. They dress as police and steal from the crooks. This upsets the natural order of the police/criminal relationship and the police and the crooks join forces to catch the IPOs (Impersonating Police Officers), including an armoured car robbery in which the police must help the gangs to set a trap.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEvery Breath We Take (2026)
A murder investigation in a small rural town, marked by silences and loyalties, uncovers old secrets. Adoniran, a respected investigator, sees his life collapse when he goes from agent to prime suspect. While trying to prove his innocence, Saulo, Special Agent of Internal Affairs, returns to his hometown and must confront memories he would rather forget. Inner conflicts, fragile alliances, and unresolved recollections make the search for truth increasingly dangerous.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Like The Way to Hell and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Way to Hell?
The closest matches to The Way to Hell are Hard Boiled (1992), Year of the Dragon (1985) and Ironheart (1992). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Way to Hell?
Start with Hard Boiled (1992), the closest match to The Way to Hell.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Way to Hell?
Infernal Affairs (2002), rated 7.8/10 by 1,974 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Way to Hell?
Every Breath We Take (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Way to Hell chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Way to Hell, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.