Movies like Shadow
The best movies like Shadow (2018) are The Assassin (2015), House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Hero (2002). If Shadow hooked you with its action and war, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBlades of the Guardians (2026)8.2/10 from 262 votes
- NewestBlades of the Guardians (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseThe Assassin (2015)Also in Chinese
The Assassin (2015)
9th century China. Ten year old general’s daughter Nie Yinniang is abducted by a nun who initiates her into the martial arts, transforming her into an exceptional assassin charged with eliminating cruel and corrupt local governors. One day, having failed in a task, she is sent back by her mistress to the land of her birth, with orders to kill the man to whom she was promised – a cousin who now leads the largest military region in North China. After 13 years of exile, the young woman must confront her parents, her memories and her long-repressed feelings.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHero (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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBlade of Fury (2024)
Pei Xing, known as the Jackal, once traded lives for money without emotion. After witnessing the powerful crush those fighting for justice, his sense of righteousness awakens. Now, he seeks revenge, punishing the wicked while facing off against other skilled swordsmans.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Reign of Assassins (2010)
Set in ancient China, Zeng Jing is a skilled assassin who finds herself in possession of a mystical Buddhist monk's remains. She begins a quest to return the remains to its rightful resting place, and thus places herself in mortal danger because a team of assassins is in a deadly pursuit to possess the remains which holds an ancient power-wielding secret.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNew Dragon Gate Inn (1992)
During the Ming Dynasty, power-crazed eunuch Tso Siu Yan rules his desert region of China as if he were Emperor, ruthlessly thwarts plots against him and sets a trap for one of his enemies at the Dragon Gate Inn.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCurse of the Golden Flower (2006)
During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as his wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRed Cliff (2008)
In 208 A.D., in the final days of the Han Dynasty, shrewd Prime Minster Cao convinced the fickle Emperor Han the only way to unite all of China was to declare war on the kingdoms of Xu in the west and East Wu in the south. Thus began a military campaign of unprecedented scale. Left with no other hope for survival, the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu formed an unlikely alliance.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both war & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKingdom (2019)
Set in Qin Dynasty during the warring states period in ancient China. Shin was a war orphan. He has a dream of becoming a great general Shin has a fateful encounter with young King Eisei. King Eisei aims to unify all of China.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & war
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Emperor and the Assassin (1998)
In pre-unified China, the King of Qin sends his concubine to a rival kingdom to produce an assassin for a political plot, but as the king's cruelty mounts she finds her loyalty faltering.
Why it matches: Fans watch both
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Fatal Encounter (2014)
Late 18th-century Joseon dynasty. The King is beleaguered and surrounded by traitors of the ruling elite. They plan to assassinate and replace him with a puppet. But the King has some aces up his sleeve that may help him defeat them all.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Warlords (2007)
The civil war in China has ruined many lives including General Pang's. A wounded General Pang is saved by a beautiful young woman along with two other men. Together they vow to eradicate the rebels.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
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: Fans watch both · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisMulan the Heroine (2020)
During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Mulan joined the army for his father and returned with honor. Ten years later, Rouran broke the border again, and Mulan resolutely returned to the battlefield. To save Tuoba, Mulan fell into the enemy. In prison, Mulan saw through Kunpeng's tricks. Kunpeng killed Khan and blamed Mulan. Mulan battled Kunpeng to protect innocent people. The princess pointed out that the real murderer was Kunpeng. Kunpeng was killed in the melee. The chaos subsided. This film celebrates peace and national harmony, and shows that Mulan, as a woman, does not abandon her compatriots, does not abandon her country, and constantly strives for the outstanding quality and family feelings.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & war
Blades of the Guardians (2026)
Dao Ma, the "second most wanted fugitive," is entrusted by his benefactor, the chief of Mo family clan, to take on a mysterious escort mission-escorting the "most wanted fugitive" to Chang'an.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKingdom 2: Far and Away (2022)
It follows a young man who dreams of becoming a general and Ying Zheng, whose goal is unification.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & war
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDetective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010)
When the future empress Wu Zetian's two courtiers die in a mysterious fire, she gets Di Renjie, a former detective and rebel, released from prison to solve the mystery of the fire.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKingdom III: The Flame of Destiny (2023)
To defend their kingdom against a sudden invasion, a mighty general returns to the battlefield alongside a war orphan, now grown up, who dreams of glory.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & war
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Grandmaster (2013)
The fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war, is the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Legendary kung fu master Ip Man, who will eventually train Bruce Lee, finds his peaceful life interrupted by vengeance.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action & war
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLegendary Amazons (2011)
In 11th century China, the Emperor Renzong reigns his country poorly, neglecting state affairs while the government sinks into corruption and war rages at his borders, whose only protection left is the famous Yang clan. However, when the last man of the family falls, leaving the country open to its invaders, the clan’s formidable women take up arms to lead the army to victory and seek vengeance against corrupt officials.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both war & action
Dragon Blade (2015)
Huo An, the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions, was framed by evil forces and becomes enslaved. On the other hand, a Roman general escapes to China after rescuing the Prince. The heroic duo meet in the Western Desert and a thrilling story unfolds.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattle of the Warriors (2006)
In 370 B.C, China was separated as seven nations and several other small tribes, one of these being the city state of Liang. The nation of Zhao is led by the terrifying Xiang Yangzhong who orders his troops to conquer the small city. Leaping to the defense of the people of Liang is 'Ge Li' from the Mo-Tsu tribe, their last hope from the terrors of Yangzhong's troops.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & war
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: Fans watch both · both action & war
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Final Master (2015)
Determined to pass down his art, the Final Master of Wing Chun is caught in a power struggle with malicious local officials and ultimately must choose between personal honor and his master’s dying wish.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Four (2012)
An undercover agent is assigned by his corrupt chief to infiltrate a rival department and sabotage their investigation of counterfeit currency. What he discovers is the counterfeiter's real plan. To overthrow the capital. Not by flooding it with funny money, but with an army of undead.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Shadow?
The closest matches to Shadow are The Assassin (2015), House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Hero (2002). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Shadow?
People who watched Shadow most often go on to The Assassin (2015), House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Hero (2002).
What is the highest-rated movie like Shadow?
Blades of the Guardians (2026), rated 8.2/10 by 262 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Shadow?
Blades of the Guardians (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like Shadow?
Yes: The Assassin (2015), House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Hero (2002).
How are movies similar to Shadow chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Shadow, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.