Movies like Kung Fu: The Movie (1986)
The best movies like Kung Fu: The Movie (1986) are Birth of the Dragon (2017), The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009) and Shaolin Wooden Men (1976). If Kung Fu: The Movie hooked you with its drama and western, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedIp Man (2008)7.8/10 from 4,327 votes
- NewestThe Smoke Master (2023)Released 2023
Birth of the Dragon (2017)
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown, this cross-cultural biopic chronicles Bruce Lee’s emergence as a martial-arts superstar after his legendary secret showdown with fellow martial artist Wong Jack Man.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Legend of Bruce Lee (2009)
The story of the legendary martial arts icon Bruce Lee following him from Hong Kong to America and back again. Movie edit made from the 50 episode Chinese television series with the same title.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Shaolin Wooden Men (1976)
Little Mute is an orphan traumatized into silence by the death of his father at the hands of a vicious fighting master. Living at the Shaolin monastery, he befriends a dangerous prisoner who teaches him a secret form of deadly kung fu. Seeing his intense determination, other masters share the wisdom of the Gliding Snake and Drunken Master techniques. In one of the most exciting fight scenes ever filmed, Little Mute must run the gauntlet of the famous 108 wooden men in an extreme test of skill and endurance. But if he becomes a master, will he use his unmatched force for redemption or revenge?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisExit the Dragon, Enter the Tiger (1976)
This martial arts movie tries to explain the strange death of the international movie star and kung fu master Bruce Lee. Most of the story centers on a former disciple of Lee who launches a private investigation and ends up avenging the brutal death of his own girlfriend.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Fist of Legend (1994)
Chen returns to his school when he finds out that his martial arts teacher has died. When he learns that his school students are harassed by some hooligans, he gears himself up to save them.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
During the Qing Dynasty, a fishmonger is killed by the reigning Manchu government for supporting the anti-government movement; his son manages to escape to Shaolin Temple, where he plans to learn its secretive brand of martial arts to seek revenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFive Element Ninjas (1982)
A young martial artist vows to take revenge against the ninja who murdered his martial arts master and brothers. He finds a new teacher and faces, together with his new brothers, the Five Element Ninja challenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWing Chun (1994)
Martial arts expert Wing Chun battles bandits in this magical film that provides as many laughs as it does wallops. Besides horse thieves, Wing Chun must deal with the men around her who simply can't handle a strong, independent woman. Ultimately, she must dish out "lessons" again and again and again until the respect for her remarkable skills is finally won.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
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: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTen Tigers of Kwangtung (1979)
Ming partisan Chu who is on the run from Manchu forces. Local merchant and kung fu enthusiast Li Chen-chau gives the fugitive shelter in his pawnshop and quietly recruits some of his fellow martial master associates to help protect the lad. When Li's professional rival rats him out, Manchu official Liang not only orchestras his army but fools a couple other kung fu masters including Beggar Su into helping his cause. After a heated battle, Li manages to convince Su to joining his cause, thus forming the Ten Tigers.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin (1978)
Jackie Chan stars as the young warrior Hsu Yiu Fong. Hsu has been entrusted with the book of the "Art of the Snake and Crane," after the mysterious disappearance of the eight Shaolin Masters who had written it. He must fight off numerous clans who are all attempting to steal the book from him, to find out the true reason for the disappearance of the Shaolin Masters.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisExecutioners from Shaolin (1977)
After the destruction of the Temple, a Shaolin disciple devotes years to mastering the Tiger style in order to defeat the martial arts master who killed his teacher. His wife, a Crane style specialist, has a feeling one style won't be enough.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Killer (2008)
China is in unrest, as the Republic falls prey to Warlords like Kahn Xin, who holds an entire province hostage to the opium trade—and destroys all who oppose him. Only the revered Wudang monks dare stand in Kahn’s way in order to protect the very soul of China. Among them is the Westerner, White Crane, a spiritual master of the martial arts and protector of the innocent. Revenge is not in Crane’s heart—until a mercenary army storms the temple and slaughters the beloved female Grandmaster Myling. Out of the ashes of the temple ruins, Crane rises—with vengeance in his heart. Crane comes upon Jane Marshall, a New York lounge singer and her gangster boss Bingo Quo. But it’s Bingo’s dangerous professional ties to Kahn that draw both Crane and Jane deep into the Warlord’s lair. Now torn between the spiritual Wudang teaching and the cold-blooded life of an assassin, Crane is about the cross the fine line between justice and revenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Iron Monkey (1993)
In this Hong Kong variation of Robin Hood, corrupt officials of a Chinese village are robbed by a masked bandit known as "Iron Monkey", named after a benevolent deity. When all else fails, the Governor forces a traveling physician into finding the bandit.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
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: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFearless (2006)
After going through a series of tragic events in his life, martial arts master Huo Yuanjia returns to Tianjin and must fight four international soldiers, in order to safeguard his nation's pride.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShaolin (2011)
China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, young and arrogant Hao Jie sneers at Shaolin's masters when he beats one of them in a duel. But the pride comes before a fall. When his own family is wiped out by a rival warlord, Hao is forced to take refuge with the monks. As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hao and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the evil warlords. They launch a daring plan or rescue and escape.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMartial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
In ancient China, Zhi Ming trains at the legendary Northern Shaolin temple to avenge the death of his father at the hands of a nefarious magistrate.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnce Upon a Time in China and America (1997)
So goes to the U.S. to open a martial arts school. Around this time, many Chinese people were sold off to U.S. railroad companies, and were brutally treated by the Americans under the harsh working conditions. Thus, the American workers' hatred towards the Chinese immigrants is high. As a result, So gets into trouble with the Americans and the mob, and calls Master Wong for help.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & western
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Prodigal Son (1981)
A rich man's son believes himself to be the best kung fu fighter in Canton. Unfortunately, his father, anxious for his son's safety, bribes all his opponents to lose. After a humiliating defeat at the hands of an actor in a traveling theatre company, the son resolves to find a better teacher.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIp Man (2008)
A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan between the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Wilson Yip, the film stars Donnie Yen in the lead role, and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHeroes Two (1974)
A band of fighting Ming Dynasty loyalists branded as enemies of the state are driven underground following the burning of the Shaolin Temple by Qing Dynasty officials. Due to a misunderstanding, Shaolin kung fu prodigy Fong Sai-yuk is duped into helping Qing agents to capture leading Shaolin rebel Hung Hei-gun. Upon discovering his mistake, Sai-yuk teams up with the remaining rebels to free Hei-gun before his planned execution. Plotting to stop them is General Che Kang, a formidable Tibetan kung fu master who commands an army of fighters including four deadly Tibetan llamas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
The Last Dragon (1985)
A young man searches for the "master" to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the glow. Along the way he must fight an evil martial arts expert and rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed music promoter.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Smoke Master (2023)
The journey of Gabriel and Daniel, two brothers cursed by the Chinese mafia with its feared Three Generations Revenge, who have already reaped the life of their grandfather and their father. To survive, one of the brothers must learn the Smoke Style secrets, a little known Cannabis martial art, taught by a single master, high up in the mountains.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNo Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990)
Two feuding brothers of differing political views, one a policeman, the other a martial artist, join forces to avenge the death of their father, a retired agent who was brutally murdered by the mafia.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStreet Fighter: Assassin's Fist The Movie (2014)
If one man changes his path, will he be able to change his destiny...or will he only delay the inevitable? Ryu and Ken are two traditional warriors who find themselves isolated in some corner of Japan to carry out their training as fighters, trying to master an ancient style of fighting, known as "Ansatsuken" (The Killing Fist). There they will begin to learn about the mysterious past of their trainer, Goken, and the tragic and dark legacy that the Ansatsuken style hides. Will they be able to choose their destiny or will history repeat itself once again?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Quick and the Dead (1987)
In 1876 Wyoming, the gun is the only law. And for Duncan and Suzanna McKaskel, newly arrived settlers beset by outlaws, rugged frontiersman Con Vallian is the only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Kung Fu: The Movie?
The closest matches to Kung Fu: The Movie are Birth of the Dragon (2017), The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009) and Shaolin Wooden Men (1976). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Kung Fu: The Movie?
People who watched Kung Fu: The Movie most often go on to Birth of the Dragon (2017), The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009) and Shaolin Wooden Men (1976).
What is the highest-rated movie like Kung Fu: The Movie?
Ip Man (2008), rated 7.8/10 by 4,327 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Kung Fu: The Movie?
The Smoke Master (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Kung Fu: The Movie?
Yes: Birth of the Dragon (2017), The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009) and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993).
How are movies similar to Kung Fu: The Movie chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Kung Fu: The Movie, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.