Movies like Painted Skin (2008)
The best movies like Painted Skin (2008) are A Writer's Odyssey (2021), Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience (2015) and Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976). If Painted Skin hooked you with its fantasy and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedA Touch of Zen (1970)7.6/10 from 240 votes
- NewestMexicali (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseA Writer's Odyssey (2021)Also in Chinese
A Writer's Odyssey (2021)
Lu Kongwen is the author of a fantasy novel series following a heroic teenager, also named Kongwen, on a quest to end the tyrannical rule of Lord Redmane, under the guidance of a Black Armor. But through a strange twist of fate, the fantasy world of the novel begins to impact life in the real world, leading Guan Ning to accept a mission from Tu Ling to kill the author.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGame of Thrones The IMAX Experience (2015)
The first episode of this IMAX screening takes place entirely at The Wall with the Night’s Watch (S4 EP9) hopelessly outnumbered as they attempt to defend Castle Black from the Wildings and features one the fiercest and most intense battle scenes ever filmed for television. The second episode (S4 EP10), features Dany coming to grips with the realities of ruling a kingdom, Bran learning the startling reality of his destiny and Tyrion facing the truth of his unfortunate situation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMaster of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
A one-armed martial arts master is being stalked by an Imperial assassin, the master of two fighters killed in the previous film. When the One-Armed Boxer is invited to attend a martial arts tournament, his efforts to lay low are unsuccessful, and the assassin soon tracks him down with the help of his three subordinates: a Thai boxer, a yoga master, and a kobojutsu user.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011)
The Sorcerer and the White Snake is an ancient Chinese fable about a woman demon who falls in love with a mortal is brought to life through the latest advances in CGI and action techniques.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJourney to the West: The Demons Strike Back (2017)
Tang Monk brings three disciples on a journey to the West. On the outside, everything seems harmonious. However, tension is present beneath the surface, and their hearts and minds are not in agreement. After a series of demon-capturing events, the monk and his disciples gain mutual understanding of each others' hardships and unease. Finally, they resolve their inner conflict and work together to become an all-conquering, demon-exorcising team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMythica: A Quest for Heroes (2014)
Stuck in a life of indentured servitude, Marek dreams of becoming a wizard. When she meets the beautiful priestess Teela in need of help, she offers her assistance and provides a motley troupe. Together they go in search of Teela's sister, who was kidnapped by a wild ogre.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisCreation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms (2023)
Based on the most well-known classical fantasy novel of China, Fengshenyanyi, the trilogy is a magnificent eastern high fantasy epic that recreates the prolonged mythical wars between humans, immortals and monsters, which happened more than three thousand years ago.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFlying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)
Three years after the infamous Dragon Inn was burnt down in the desert when its innkeeper Jade vanished. A new gang of marauders had taken over - innkeepers by day and treasure hunters by night. The inn is the rumoured location of a lost city buried under the desert, and its hidden treasure would only be revealed by a gigantic storm every 60 years. The gang used the inn as a front to locate the lost treasure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDouble World (2020)
Keen to bring honor to his clan, young villager Dong Yilong embarks on a perilous journey to compete in a tournament that selects warriors for battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEye for an Eye 2 (2024)
The blind swordsman, skilled in martial arts, named Cheng Xiazi (Xie Miao), accidentally saves Zhang Xiaoyu (Yang Enyou), who has suffered from the destruction of his family. Under the persuasion of the orphan Xiaoyu, Cheng reluctantly keeps him by his side and teaches him skills. Xiaoyu also waits for the opportunity to seek revenge.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like this14 Blades (2010)
Commander Qinglong is the loyal leader of the assassin group that serves the emperor. But when his allies plan a rebellion against the ruler, he finds himself in danger.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like this10000 Years Later (2015)
Hundreds of thousands of years after the collapse of civilization, the world is a post-tech wasteland, and is inhabited by humanoid tribes. The Peace held between them is threatened by the return of Wushen, an evil shape-shifting ghost of modern technology. Wushen threatens to enslave the world population. Zhuma, a ten-year-old girl is the heroine of the story, accompanied by Zhanggong, her lion-like Tibetan Mastiff dog. Chosen, and helped by a ethereal goddess she must assemble a band of allies from the surviving tribes to fight Wushen, and stop him from gaining control over an ancient power.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNine Days (2021)
A bureaucrat interviews five souls to decide which of them will be given a life on Earth. But he soon faces an existential challenge of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)
Escaping from poverty to become a witcher, Vesemir slays monsters for coin and glory, but when a new menace rises, he must face the demons of his past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThor: God of Thunder (2022)
Thor’s villainous brother Loki has escaped Asgard to search for Yggdrasil — The Tree of the Nine Realms. The tree holds the power of the Universe, and is secreted away on Earth. With the help of giant wolf god Fenrir, Loki plans to destroy the tree and replant it in his image, giving him dominion over all. Now Thor must follow Loki to Earth to wage an epic battle that will hold the two worlds in its balance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisDynasty Warriors (2021)
In the turbulent late Eastern Han Dynasty, ambitious Dong Zhuo controls the court and the commonalty, and heroes from all over the country begin to rise.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisClan of the White Lotus (1980)
The Qing emperor releases all detained Shaolin disciples, but the vindictive White Lotus clan decides to exterminate all the disciples. One martial artist survives the onslaught, and constantly trains while in hiding for revenge.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhite Vengeance (2011)
White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, which ruled Imperial China from 221 to 206 BC. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, became leaders of the rebellious army, and also became sworn brothers in battle.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are close friends who both serve King Huai of Chu. King Huai uses a plot, saying that whoever can subvert the Qin kingdom in Guanzhong would be the Lord Qin, in order to benefit from the competition between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu is over-confident. He fights against the main force of Qin army, and entrusts Liu Bang with Yu Ji, the woman he loves.Liu Bang expresses his love to Yu Ji and takes the chance to invade Guanzhong first when most of Qin army is outside fighting against Xiang Yu’s army.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMexicali (2026)
A former special forces contractor is forced out of retirement as an avocado farmer in Mexico when local gangsters try to force him and his family off their farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInvincible Shaolin (1978)
Three North Shaolin teachers are called on by the Manchus to teach their soldiers and are urged to challenge the current South Shaolin teachers. They defeat the South Shaolin teachers and, that night, the head general kills the South Shaolin teachers and blames their death on the North Shaolin teachers. The South Shaolin master sends more of his pupils, who are killed accidentally by the North Shaolin teachers. He finally sends two more of his students to train with old masters and trains one student himself with the goal of finally defeating the North Shaolin experts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDetective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018)
Dee, the detective serving Chinese empress Wu Zetian, is called upon to investigate a series of strange events in Loyang, including the appearance of mysterious warriors wearing Chiyou ghost masks, foxes that speak human language and the pillar sculptures in the palace coming alive.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Legend of Condor Hero: What is Love (2025)
Yang Guo, orphaned and wandering since childhood, became a disciple of Guo Jing but faced bullying in the Quanzhen Sect due to his mysterious background. He eventually left to study martial arts under Xiao Longnv. Meanwhile, King Jinlun and rogue disciple Li Mochou sought to seize martial arts secrets and strategic maps. Caught in the conflicts of the martial world, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv faced numerous challenges, and their bond deepened into a bittersweet love.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & fantasy
Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983)
5th century western China: As constant civil wars scars the nation, to evade death, Ti, a young scout, jumps through a crevice in the Zu mountains where he becomes entangled in a great battle against the Blood Demon, a supernatural entity seeking to wreak havoc upon the world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Touch of Zen (1970)
Yang Hui-zhen, a mysterious princess on the run from corrupt government officials, is joined in her endeavors by skilled Buddhist monks and an unambitious painter named Gu Sheng-zhai.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe One-Armed Swordsman (1967)
A noble swordsman, whose arm had been chopped off, returns to his former teacher to defend him from a villainous gang of rival swordsmen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAshes of Time (1994)
Ouyang Feng is a heartbroken and cynical man who spends his days in the desert, connecting expert swordsmen with those seeking revenge and willing to pay for it. Throughout five seasons in exile, Ouyang spins tales of his clients' unrequited loves and unusual acts of bravery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDuel with Samurai (1971)
During the Ming dynasty in China, the coastal areas were rampant. A Wokou who refers himself as the Nippon Ronin (Chan Hung-lit), colludes with the coastal local tyrants of Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces, along with cult religious groups. They occupy Baiyunzhuang and plundered everywhere. Young warrior Fan Chen-tung (Kong Ban) leads a resistance group to retaliate which prompts the Chinese martial world to share the same hatred against the Japanese and tyrants.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & drama
The White-Bone Sword (Part 1) (1962)
The Thousand-Year-Old Wood Spirit has appeared again, and powerful martial artists both good and evil have gathered to defeat it, because its bones become the magical White-Bone Yin-Yang Swords. But the creature can only be defeated by black gold. Who will get the black gold dagger and win the swords?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & fantasy
The Blade (1995)
Adopted by a renowned swordsmith, a young man discovers that his biological father was killed by a powerful bandit called Lung. Leaving to seek revenge, he runs afoul of vicious desert scum, losing his right arm in the process. After being nursed back to health, he learns to compensate for his loss and returns to confront Lung.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Bloody Devil, Part One (1965)
Kwok Sau-yuk fails to ward off the advances of Scholar Four Poisons while mourning the murder of her husband. Master Chung comes to help and asks Kwok's son Chan Lam to look for his daughter Siu-chui before dying. Hurled into the Blood Pool, Chan chances on Ng Yau-nin, a victim of the intrigue hatched by his wife Ho Yim-wah and her lover Oh Yu-kan. Ng bequeaths to Chan a sword, and the Book of Blood Devil Moves unearthed from the cave and entrusts his daughter Yu-ying to his care. Having mastered the art, Chan emerges from the abyssal waters and becomes the 'Little God of Hades.' He is soon kept under lock and key by Oh who wants the Book of the Yellow Emperor. Treating Chan with a antidote, Yu-ying escapes with Chan after learning his father’s intrigue, only to be hit by a pang of loss and agony upon Chan's reunion with senior master Lee Kei and Siu-chui, his betrothed fiancee. Instigated by Oh, Chan finds himself confronting members of the seven leading martial sects…
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Painted Skin?
The closest matches to Painted Skin are A Writer's Odyssey (2021), Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience (2015) and Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Painted Skin?
Start with A Writer's Odyssey (2021), the closest match to Painted Skin.
What is the highest-rated movie like Painted Skin?
A Touch of Zen (1970), rated 7.6/10 by 240 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Painted Skin?
Mexicali (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like Painted Skin?
Yes: A Writer's Odyssey (2021), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) and The Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011).
How are movies similar to Painted Skin chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Painted Skin, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.