Movies like Hot War (1998)
The best movies like Hot War (1998) are Born to Defence (1988), The 355 (2022) and New Dragon Gate Inn (1992). If Hot War hooked you with its action and thriller, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedExiled (2006)7.2/10 from 268 votes
- NewestMidnight Crave (2026)Released 2026
Born to Defence (1988)
Jet, a young soldier at the end of the Second World War must overcome some abusive Americans who are bullying him as well as the Chinese people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 355 (2022)
A group of top female agents from American, British, Chinese, Colombian, and German government agencies are drawn together to try and stop an organization from acquiring a deadly weapon to send the world into chaos.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFull Alert (1997)
A police inspector becomes obsessed with apprehending a criminal planning a major heist at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the weeks leading up to Hong Kong's return to China.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGotcha! (1985)
A student on a trip to France is tricked into smuggling secrets across the Iron Curtain by a sexy spy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThunderbolt (1995)
In order to release his kidnapped sisters, sports car mechanic, Chan Foh To, has to defeat a super-criminal street racer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisExiled (2006)
A friendship is formed between an ex-gangster, and two groups of hitmen - those who want to protect him and those who were sent to kill him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFist of Fury 1991 (1991)
Lau Ching, a Mainlander with an incredibly powerful right arm, arrives in Hong Kong to find his cousin. He befriends with a drifter named Handsome, and a martial artist girl named Mandy. In order to woo her, Ching participates in a fighting competition in hopes of winning a $10 million prize, and must defeat his love rival, Wai, in the ring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like this6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain (2017)
An adrenaline seeking snowboarder gets lost in a massive winter storm in the back country of the High Sierras where he is pushed to the limits of human endurance and forced to battle his own personal demons as he fights for survival....
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Legend II (1993)
The hero Fong Sai Yuk becomes involved in the secret brotherhood "The Red Flower", who are trying to overthrow the Manchurian emperor and re-establishing the Ming dynasty. The social upheaval is combined with Sai Yuk's personal moral conflict about how to conform to the rigid regime of the brotherhood and on top of that sort out his difficult love life, saddled with two presumptive wives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Paper Tigers (2020)
Three middle aged men polish their martial arts skills to avenge their fallen master.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHalo: Nightfall (2014)
Set between the events of Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians… Halo: Nightfall tells the dramatic story of legendary man hunter and Naval Intelligence Officer Jameson Locke and his team as they are caught in a horrific biological attack while investigating terrorist activity on the distant colony world of Sedra. As they unravel a plot that draws them to an ancient, hellish artifact, they will be forced to fight for their survival, question everything and ultimately choose between their loyalty and their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Moment of Romance (1990)
After a young Triad member takes an upper-class girl hostage during his escape from a jewelry heist, the two find themselves falling in love, in spite of the repercussions caused by their forbidden relationship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKing of Beggars (1992)
The heir to a noble and influential family finds the love of his life, but she will only accept him if he becomes a kung-fu master. He becomes a legendary folk hero who tries to save the emperor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Legend (1993)
The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. One of his Governors is sent on a mission to retrieve a list of members of that secret society. Meanwhile, Canton kung fu practitioner Fong Sai-Yuk falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEradication (2022)
When an unknown disease wipes out most of the world’s population, a man with unique blood is isolated for study. Fearing for his wife’s safety, he breaks his quarantine – into a world overrun by monstrous Infected and a shadowy agency hunting them down.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZ Storm (2014)
ICAC principal investigator William Luk takes his job seriously, and he needs every last scintilla of support from his team to take on the powerful and cunning Supt Wong, who is corrupt to the core. Wong is an enthusiastic tool of the monstrous Malcolm Wu, a cowboy big-time share trader who will stop at nothing to secure a large slice of the upcoming float of the HK government pension fund, worth billions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGladiator Underground (2025)
Two brothers compete in the world's deadliest underground fighting tournament, where they must decide whether to play by the rules or to cast their honor aside and team up to bring down the dark syndicate running the tournament.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLove on Delivery (1994)
After being humiliated in front of a love interest, delivery boy Ho Kam-An seeks help from a retired martial arts master for self-improvement, unaware that he might actually be a fraud.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEnter the Fat Dragon (2020)
After being dumped by his fiancé, heartbroken Hong Kong police officer Fallon Zhu gains 200+ pounds. His superiors demote him to the job of escorting convicts to Japan. When a convict in his custody mysteriously dies, he must team up with citizen Thor to solve the mystery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Medallion (2003)
A Hong Kong detective suffers a fatal accident involving a mysterious medallion and is transformed into an immortal warrior with superhuman powers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both thriller & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisGodzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
In an alternate timeline the original Godzilla is never defeated and repeatedly reemerges to feed on Japan's energy sources. A new inter-dimensional weapon called the Dimension Tide is created with the intent of eliminating Godzilla. However, the new weapon might also serve as a gateway to something far more sinister.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEnter the Ninja (1981)
A newly trained ninja warrior journeys to the Philippines, where he must defend his former war comrade's property against a determined adversary.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisDistrict B13 (2004)
Set in the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and ex-thug try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Hard Corps (2005)
An Army veteran assembles a team of bodyguards to protect a former boxer. Complications arise when the boxer suspects his sister may be romantically involved with the bodyguard.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 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 & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
Six young ninjas are tasked with defending their island home of Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors using their skill and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy....high school.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
In order to wish for immortality and avenge his father, Garlic Jr. collects the dragon balls, kidnapping Goku's son Gohan in the process. Goku, Kami, Piccolo, and Krillin unite to rescue Gohan and save the world from being sucked into a dead zone.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirl's Blood (2014)
Four girls take part in illegal underground fighting event "Girl's Blood" held at an abandoned school building in Roppongi every night. The girls have their own stories and quirks from their private lives. Satsuki (Yuria Haga) suffers from a gender identity disorder, Chinatsu (Asami Tada) ran away from an abusive husband, Miko (Ayame Misaki) is a S&M queen and Mayu (Rina Koike) has a Lolita face.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Like Hot War and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Hot War?
The closest matches to Hot War are Born to Defence (1988), The 355 (2022) and New Dragon Gate Inn (1992). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Hot War?
Start with Born to Defence (1988), the closest match to Hot War.
What is the highest-rated movie like Hot War?
Exiled (2006), rated 7.2/10 by 268 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Hot War?
Midnight Crave (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Hot War chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Hot War, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.