Movies like Duel to the Death (1983)
The best movies like Duel to the Death (1983) are Bastard Swordsman (1983), Legendary Weapons of China (1982) and Buddha's Palm (1982). If Duel to the Death hooked you with its action and drama, 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
- Newest40 Acres (2025)Released 2025
Bastard Swordsman (1983)
Yun Fei Yang is the viciously bullied orphan who takes on the unpleasant tasks at a formidable kung-fu school. Constantly mocked by the other students of the school, Yen counts as his only friend the daughter of the resident master. Any internal wrangling between the various members is put to one side when a swordsman from a rival clan reminds the master of the duel he must take part in once a decade. Unfortunately the defending clan chief is well aware that his rival is more powerful than himself. The expected defeat is further complicated when a wandering swordsman arrives on the scene and joins himself to the injured party, immediately adding to Yen's woes.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
Legendary Weapons of China is a martial arts fantasy film taking place during the late Qing Dynasty when Empress Dowager Cixi dispatches her agents to various factions of the Boxer Rebellion in order find supernatural martial artists that are invulnerable to western bullets. When one of the leaders of these groups disbands his forces, assassins from the remaining factions are sent out to kill him.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBuddha's Palm (1982)
An old blind martial master living in a cave teaches a young swordsman the secret of the Buddha's Palm, a legendary martial arts technique, which propels him into a whole new world of evil knights, hidden temples, dragon dogs, and magical objects.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
The Web of Death (1976)
Lo Lieh is the ringleader of the Snake Sect, intent on reviving a deadly faction known as the "Five Poison Web." In order to do so, he has an affair with the sexy ringleader of the Scorpion Sect, Angela Yu Chien. However, there is also the Centipede Sect to contend with, as well as other assorted martial artists, among them played by Shaw Brothers talents Yueh Hua, Ching Li, and Lily Li.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
The Magic Blade (1976)
Two rival swordsmen in imperial China, poncho-clad Fu Hung-Hsueh and Yen nan-Fei vie with a power-hungry villain for the deadly Peacock Dart and fend off waves of expert killers during their journey.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
House 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 drama & action
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: Fans watch both · 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: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCome Drink with Me (1966)
Golden Sparrow is a fighter-for-hire who has been contracted by the local government to retrieve the governor's kidnapped son. Holding him is a group of rebels who are demanding that their leader be released from prison in return for the captured son. After a brief encounter with the gang at a local restaurant, Golden Sparrow is joined by an inebriated wanderer Drunken Cat who aids her in her mission.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both 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: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
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 romance & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHoly Weapon (1993)
During the Ming dynasty, Mo Kake takes an invincibility drink to defeat the best Japanese warrior, Super Sword. Three years later, the samurai returns, determined to take the power of 7 Maidens to defeat Mo Kake.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
The Yangs are betrayed by a government official conspiring with the Mongols. All of the Yang family males except the 5th and 6th brother are killed. Fu Sheng loses his mind after the death of his family, while the other brother takes refuge in a Buddhist temple.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSeven Swords (2005)
In the middle of the 17th century, the Manchus conquered China and founded the Ching dynasty. Due to widespread uprisings against the new rulers, the study and practice of traditional martial arts is forbidden and punishable by death. The unscrupulous leader of a troop of mercenaries takes advantage of this situation to make a fortune with the bounty on his head.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisKiller Clans (1976)
The Longmen and Roc clans kill each other to gain power in their territory. However, things take a turn when a warrior falls for the daughter of the rival clan's leader.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
The Sword (1980)
Swordsman Li Mak-Jan is on a quest to duel the powerful and reclusive Hua Qian Shu. But will a cursed sword and the intrigues of the martial world bring him fame or tragedy?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Return of Bastard Swordsman (1984)
Wudang is in trouble again, with both Dugu Wu Di planning to attack the Wudang temple and an interloping group of martial artists from Japan waiting in the background.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
The Bride with White Hair (1993)
The sensitive swordsman Cho Yi-Hang is tired of his life. He is the unwilling successor to the Wu-Tang clan throne and the unsure commander of the clan's forces in a war against foreign tribes and an evil cult. One day, he meets the beautiful Lien, a killer for the evil cult who is equally unsatisfied with her situation, but their love angers both the Wu-Tang clan and the evil cult.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & 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 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 & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 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: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisHave Sword, Will Travel (1969)
Ying Ke-Feng, head of Peerless Manor, is an expert swordsman whose escort business transports 200,000 taels of silver to the capital each year. This year, however, he is afflicted with an infirmity that renders him unable to use his sword.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & romance
Game 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 this40 Acres (2025)
Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they now struggle to safeguard their farm, as they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMaster Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018)
Following his defeat by Master Ip, Cheung Tin Chi tries to make a life with his young son in Hong Kong, waiting tables at a bar that caters to expats. But it's not long before the mix of foreigners, money, and triad leaders draw him once again to the fight.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mission (1999)
Triad boss Lung, who has just escaped being killed in an assassination attempt hires the killers Curtis, James, Mike, Roy and Shin for his protection.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Perfect Weapon (1991)
Jeff, a young delinquent, is enrolled by his father in a kenpo school, in the hopes of teaching the boy some self-discipline. Years later, Jeff's mentor, Kim, is being threatened by one of the Korean mafia families. Jeff tries to help his old friend, but is too late to prevent Kim's death at the hands of an unknown hitman. Vowing revenge, Jeff takes on all of the families, using his martial arts skills to find the man who killed his friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Duel to the Death?
The closest matches to Duel to the Death are Bastard Swordsman (1983), Legendary Weapons of China (1982) and Buddha's Palm (1982). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Duel to the Death?
People who watched Duel to the Death most often go on to Bastard Swordsman (1983), Legendary Weapons of China (1982) and Buddha's Palm (1982).
What is the highest-rated movie like Duel to the Death?
A Touch of Zen (1970), rated 7.6/10 by 240 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Duel to the Death?
40 Acres (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Duel to the Death chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Duel to the Death, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.