Movies like The Prodigal Son (1981)
The best movies like The Prodigal Son (1981) are Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979), Enter the Fat Dragon (1978) and Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982). If The Prodigal Son hooked you with its action and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedKung Fu Hustle (2004)7.5/10 from 3,401 votes
- NewestLion Fist (2026)Released 2026
Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)
A disgraced former Kung Fu expert makes a living as a merchant with the help of a hot headed friend. When the men are harassed by gangsters, the merchant decided to teach his friend monkey boxing so they can defend their business.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEnter the Fat Dragon (1978)
Ah Lung is a pig farmer and a devoted Bruce Lee fan who is anxious to follow in Lee's footsteps, but only ridiculed for his attempts. He is sent to the city to earn a living working at his uncle's restaurant, but when he arrives, he finds a gang of thugs causing trouble in the restaurant. He takes the chance to prove himself and attacks the thugs, defeating them and saving the restaurant. Soon, he becomes a waiter, and discovers a plot by the same thugs to kidnap a woman he works with. Eventually, he defeats the thugs once again and saves the day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNinja in the Dragon's Den (1982)
A Japanese master of ninjutsu and a Chinese expert in kung fu, put their differences aside after their master is killed by a mortal enemy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLegend of the Red Dragon (1994)
A young father and his infant son are beset by forces of evil and corruption. They wander China, upholding their sense of honor and protecting the weak. When they are forced into combat, spectacular and hilarious fast-motion kung fu sequences follow. In the end, they must call on all of their abilities in a battle royale, to attempt to vanquish a supernatural man-monster or die trying.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Magnificent Butcher (1979)
A plump butcher student of Wong Fei Hung, Lam Sai-Wing gets into trouble with a rival kung-fu school known as Five Dragons. He is accused of raping the Head of that school's goddaughter and killing his son. Now Ko, the Head of Five Dragons, wants revenge.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHouse of Fury (2005)
Teddy Yu is a former secret agent turned chiropractor who thought he left his past behind. He teaches martial arts to his two kids. However, his past catches up to him as a rogue agent demands to know the whereabouts of an agent known as Dragon. Now, father and children must team up to stop the rogue agent and his goons.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKnockabout (1979)
After being cheated out of some money, two small time crooks convince a martial arts expert to take them on as students.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDie Hart (2023)
Kevin Hart - playing a version of himself - is on a death-defying quest to become an action star. And with a little help from John Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Josh Hartnett - he just might pull it off.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisKung Fu Hustle (2004)
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGallants (2010)
Master Law awakes from a 30-year coma without memories, but his martial arts skills are intact. His renowned kung fu academy is now a teahouse, and greedy developers are trying to steamroll it to make way for condos
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAccident Man: Hitman's Holiday (2022)
The Accident Man is back, and this time he must best the top assassins in the world to protect the ungrateful son of a mafia boss, save the life of his only friend and rekindle his relationship with his maniacal father figure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHeroic Trio 2: Executioners (1993)
In a post-nuclear world, three superpowered women fight an evil genius controlling the government and the water supply.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisAny Which Way You Can (1980)
Philo takes part in a bare knuckle fight – as he does – to make more money than he can earn from his car repair business. He decides to retire, but when the Mafia come along and arrange another fight, he's pushed into it. A motorcycle gang and an orangutan called Clyde all add to the 'fun'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisDragon Tiger Gate (2006)
Three young martial arts masters emerge from the back streets of Hong Kong to help the powerless fight injustice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder (1987)
In this sequel, Scott Wylde, an American kickboxer, must go to Cambodia to rescue his Vietnamese girlfriend from Russian and Vietnamese troops.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTwilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)
In 1980s Hong Kong, troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun, a mainland refugee, struggles to survive in the Kowloon Walled City by joining underground fights. Betrayed by crime boss Mr. Big while trying to buy a fake ID, he steals drugs from him and seeks refuge in the Walled City, where he encounters Cyclone, a compassionate yet authoritative crime lord.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFemale Fight Squad (2017)
A former fighter reluctantly returns to the life she abandoned in order to help her sister survive the sadistic world of illegal fighting and the maniac who runs it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnleashed (2005)
Raised as a slave, Danny is used to fighting for his survival. In fact, his "master," Bart, thinks of him as a pet and goes as far as leashing him with a collar so they can make money in fight clubs, where Danny is the main contender. When Bart's crew is in a car accident, Danny escapes and meets a blind, kindhearted piano tuner who takes him in and uses music to free the fighter's long-buried heart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLion Fist (2026)
Martial arts fighter Joe goes to prison for four years and takes his wife's blame for a drug bust. After his release, he learns that his son needs expensive surgery because of a life-threatening tumor. Joe's only chance to save him: a brutal all-styles tournament with a $100,000 prize.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSakra (2023)
Qiao Feng is the respected leader of a roving band of martial artists. After he is wrongfully accused of murder and subsequently exiled, Qiao Feng goes on the run in search of answers about his own mysterious origin story—and the unknown enemies working to destroy him from the shadows.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDrunken Master (1978)
After getting into trouble, a mischievous young man is sent to train under a brutal, but slovenly old beggar, who teaches him the secret of the Drunken Fist.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGet Smart (2008)
When members of the nefarious crime syndicate KAOS attack the U.S. spy agency Control and the identities of secret agents are compromised, the Chief has to promote hapless but eager analyst Maxwell Smart to field agent. He is partnered with veteran and capable Agent 99, the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil world-domination plans of KAOS and its crafty operative?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBulletproof Monk (2003)
A mysterious and immortal Tibetan kung fu master, who has spent the last 60 years traveling around the world protecting the ancient Scroll of the Ultimate, mentors a selfish street kid in the ancient intricacies of kung fu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
SnoozefestMovies 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: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Gold Hunters (1981)
The Gold Hunters is a Hong Kong Martial Arts movie action-directed and produced by Jackie Chan
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & action
The Accidental Spy (2001)
A fun-filled story about an ordinary guy about to kick into an action-packed adventure. Jackie Chan plays a bored and unsuccessful salesman who never thought his life would amount to anything. All that changes one day when he becomes an instant hero by foiling an attempted bank robbery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShaolin Soccer (2001)
A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOne Foot Crane (1979)
As a child, Fong Lin I witnesses the murder of her lawman father at the hand of 4 outlaws. She devotes her life to Martial Arts, with the aim of taking revenge years later.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Revengence Superlady (1986)
A woman seeks vengeance against the man who killed her entire family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Mr. Miyagi decides to take Julie, a troubled teenager, under his wing after he learns that she blames herself for her parents' demise and struggles to adjust with her grandmother and fellow pupils.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
SnoozefestMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Prodigal Son?
The closest matches to The Prodigal Son are Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979), Enter the Fat Dragon (1978) and Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Prodigal Son?
Start with Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979), the closest match to The Prodigal Son.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Prodigal Son?
Kung Fu Hustle (2004), rated 7.5/10 by 3,401 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Prodigal Son?
Lion Fist (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Prodigal Son chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Prodigal Son, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.