Best movies like Temptation of a Monk
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Near the beginning of the Tang dynasty, in 7th century China, General Shi Yan-sheng is tricked into leaving the crown prince unguarded. The crown prince is murdered by one of his brothers who then becomes emperor. Shi retreats to a monastery, perhaps to hide, perhaps to plan a coup. When his loyal troops as well as the princess he desires are slain, he seeks refuge in a remote, abandoned monastery where an aged abbot schools him with practical, earthy teachings. The emperor's forces pursue Shi: first a woman, then a general seek to overpower him with lust and might. Over the course of the film, the reds of battle give way to blues of meditation.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 386
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: sexy, atmospheric, serious, period piece
Best tv shows and movies like Temptation of a Monk (1993):
Similar in 86%
A Touch of Zen (1971)
Plot Summary:
Ming dynasty noblewoman Yang must escape from the evil eunuch Hsu. She seeks refuge at a decrepit town where she gets assistance from a naive scholar & a group of mysterious yet powerful monks.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Country: Taiwan, Hong Kong
Duration: 200 min
Plot tags: art house, psychedelic, captivating, cult classic, mind blowing, exciting, serious, contemplative, stylized, epic
Similar in 89%
Butterfly Lovers (2008)
Plot Summary:
This movie is based on the Butterfly Lovers, or Liang Zhu, a Chinese legend about the tragic romance between two lovers, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Retelling the Wuxia version of the story, it was filmed in Shanghai in 2008. The story features Taiwanese popstar Wu Chun as Liang Shanbo and Hong Kong Twins popstar Charlene Choi as Zhu Yingtai.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 437
Genere: Action, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, suspense, atmospheric, epic, serious, stylized
Similar in 88%
The Adventurers (1970)
Plot Summary:
The wealthy playboy son of an assassinated South American diplomat discovers that his father was really murdered on orders of the corrupt president of the country--a man who was his father's friend and who, in fact, his father had helped put into power. He returns from living a jet-set life in Europe to lead a revolution against the government, only to find out that things aren't quite as black and white as he had assumed.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 885
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 171 min
Plot tags: exciting, sexy, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 84%
Tai-Pan (1986)
Plot Summary:
The film begins following the British victory of the first Opium War and the seizure of Hong Kong. Although the island is largely uninhabited and the terrain unfriendly, it has a large port that both the British government and various trading companies believe will be useful for the import of merchandise to be traded on mainland China, a highly lucrative market.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: independent film, epic, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Killer Clans (1976)
Plot Summary:
As two rival clans vie for dominance in a martial world where loyalty and honor can be bought and friends become enemies, a peerless swordsman (Chung Wa) discovers that the only thing truly worth fighting for is love.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 688
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
The Heroic Ones (1970)
Plot Summary:
A Mogul king decides to take stealthy action to help overpower his greatest rivals. He chooses nine out thirteen of his loyal generals (who he treats as sons) to embark on the mission. However, jealously amongst them sparks a treacherous family feud that could lead to catastrophic consequences for all involved.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 844
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, epic, serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Bandit vs. Samurai Squad (1978)
Plot Summary:
Kumokiri Nizaemon, a former samurai warrior, has abandoned his class to become the leader of a gang of thieves. He leads his outlaws in an attempt to rob the castle of his former clan.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 421
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 163 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, jidai geki
Similar in 80%
Shogun (1980)
Plot Summary:
In the 16th Century, a Dutch ship sails the Pacific from the Americas in order to escape the Spanish. Blackthorn is the pilot of the ship and the first to realize the possibilities of Japan. Japan is a feudal society which has a strong presence of the Portugese. A struggle is in the final stages for who will be the Shogun, the leader who, under the emperor, governs the land. Toranaga sees in Blackthorn things he can use to at least survive the struggle to come, and if both play their hands correctly, become Shogun.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 159 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, exciting, serious, saga
Similar in 76%
The Rebel (2007)
Plot Summary:
1920s. Vietnam under colonial French ruling. Anti-French rebellions emerge all over the country to disrupt the foreign occupiers. In respond, the colonialist employed units of Vietnamese agents to track and destroy these rebels. The film follows the journey of LE VAN CUONG, a French cultured undercover elite. Although branded with a perfect track record, Cuong's inner conscience is troubled by the sea of Vietnamese blood he had spilled to uphold a French washed ideal. Following an assassination of a high ranking French, Cuong is assigned to seek and kill the notorious leader of the resistance. Cuong encounters VO THANH THUY, a relentless revolutionary fighter and the daughter of the rebel leader. Cuong's superior intends for him to use Thuy as a mean to get to her father but Cuong soon has feelings for her. Thuy's patriotism ignites conflicts between Cuong's consciousness and his cultured faith. Will Cuong discover his inner-self and find love or will he continue his mission?.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: Vietnam
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, touching, suspenseful
Similar in 89%
Legend of Eight Samurai (1983)
Plot Summary:
The evil Hikita clan rises from the dead to fulfill a curse on the Satomi clan by restoring the face of their warlord by using the skin of Princess Shizu. In the process of trying to capture her, the clan murders her entire family, but Princess Shizu escapes their clutches. She enlists the aid of eight samurai warriors, possessors of powerful magic crystal, led by Dosetsu (Sonny Chiba!) to help rescue the remaining members of her court and revenge her family. Along the way, they must fight undead warriors, evil spirits, poisonous beauties and a giant centipede.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: serious, dark fantasy, cult film
Similar in 75%
Sword in the Moon (2003)
Plot Summary:
A series of high-ranking officials are being systematically eliminated by a sleek assassin and his female assistant, and arrogant master swordsman General Choi (Jo Jae-Hyeon) is charged with putting an end to the carnage. During a previous time of political upheaval, the Clear Wind, Shining Moon martial arts school was caught in the middle and its members ruthlessly slaughtered. Top student Choi swore allegiance to the usurpers and was spared; now, his former friend, Yun (Choi Min-Soo) is exacting vengeance on behalf of the victims.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Adventure
Country: South Korea
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, bleak, realistic
Similar in 87%
Patrol Horse (1982)
Plot Summary:
Four heroes embark on a secret mission for Dr Sun Yat Sen's Nationalist Guard. Relentlessly pursued by the warriors of notorious Warlord Yue Sai Hoi, they have seven days to reach the Lo Yang Pass with their secret cargo.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 656
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, realistic
Similar in 87%
Death Duel of Kung Fu (1979)
Plot Summary:
Ming General Cheng (Wang Dao) and his band of soldiers escape to Taiwan after Ching forces topple the Ming Dynasty. Still fearing the deposed general's deadly potential, however, the Ching prince Ta orders his own band of ruthless mercenaries to finish off Cheng and his warriors. The rivals prove to be equally skilled, and soon everybody is kung fu-fighting in this action-heavy martial arts spectacular.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 201
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Taiwan, Hong Kong
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 87%
Shogun's Ninja (1980)
Plot Summary:
In the middle of the 16th century, Hideyoshi, a power hungry warlord sets out to destroy the Momochi clan. He sends his war commander in search of the clan's hidden gold only to find that two daggers are the key to the hiding place of the treasured gold. Spanning decades, the quest for the missing daggers takes Shiranui through war and ancient tradition.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 759
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: jidai geki, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 88%
The Banquet (2006)
Plot Summary:
907 AD, the Tang Dynasty in China. The movie is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, captivating, stylized, costume drama, serious, surprise ending, epic
Similar in 87%
Shaolin (2011)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: serious, stylized, exciting, bleak, captivating, realistic, epic, heroic, cult classic, action thriller
Similar in 76%
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Plot Summary:
The anti-Ching patriots, under the guidance of Ho Kuang-han, have secretly set up their base in Canton, disguised as school masters. During a brutal Manchu attack, Lui manages to escape, and devotes himself to learning the martial arts in order to seek revenge.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, stylized, inspirational, fast paced, exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, tense, light
Similar in 80%
Veer (2010)
Plot Summary:
Circa 1920 British India, Pindari leader, Prithvi Singh, narrates his story to a Report from London Times about betrayal and deceit at the hands of the British and Madhavgarh's Raja Gyanendra Singh which led to the massacre of 4500 Pindaris. Although Prithvi sliced off Gyanendra's right arm, he has sworn to avenge and behead him and two-faced Britishers - who on one hand preach about Justice, Fraternity and Equality, but conquer and rule vulnerable natives - fueling hate and division on lines of religion, and caste. He sends his sons, Veer Pratap and Poonam, to Britain to learn about their devious ways, so that he can conquer Madhavgarh. The duo, despite of Lord Macaulay's malicious policy to convert foreign nationals to his way of thinking, not only pick up the relevant skills but also slay Yuvraj Sujan Singh, the only son of Gyanendra, much to the joy of the Pindaris.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Country: India
Duration: 169 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, stylized, romantic drama, realistic, saga, epic
Similar in 75%
An Empress and the Warriors (2008)
Plot Summary:
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: captivating, stylized, tense, serious, epic
Similar in 79%
Samurai Banners (1969)
Plot Summary:
Feudal Japan, 1543 to 1562. Kansuke Yamamoto is a samurai who dreams of a country united, peaceful from sea to sea. He enters the service of Takeda, the lord of Kai domain. He convinces Takeda to kill the lord of neighboring Suwa and take his wife as a concubine. He then convinces the widow, Princess Yu, to accept this arrangement and to bear Takeda a son. He pledges them his life. He then spends years using treachery, poetic sensibility, military and political strategy to expand Takeda's realm, advance the claim of Yu's son as the heir, and prepare for an ultimate battle with the forces of Echigo. Has Kansuke overreached? Are his dreams, blinded by love, too big? Written by [email protected].
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 798
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, jidai geki
Similar in 77%
Samsara (2001)
Plot Summary:
A love story situated in the Himalayas. A Buddhist monk can't choose between life and the way of the Buddha.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: India, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland
Duration: 145 min
Plot tags: philosophical, atmospheric, thought provoking, serious, captivating, spiritual, sentimental, sexy, sincere, realistic
Similar in 81%
The Warlords (2007)
Plot Summary:
A heroic tale of three blood brothers and their struggle in the midst of war and political upheaval. It is based on "The Assassination of Ma," a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) story about the killing of general Ma Xinyi.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: sincere, suspenseful, epic, rough, serious, cult classic, exciting, realistic
Similar in 79%
Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
Plot Summary:
During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: costume drama, visual, colorful, absurd, serious, captivating, visually stunning, stylized, action adventure, sexy
Similar in 81%
Red Cliff II (2009)
Plot Summary:
The battle of Red Cliff continues and the alliance between Xu and East Wu is fracturing. With Cao Cao's massive forces on their doorstep, will the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu survive?.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, USA
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: epic, saga, stylized, scenic, visual, tense, brutal, enigmatic, suspense, exciting
Similar in 81%
47 Samurai (1962)
Plot Summary:
The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was KĊzuke no suke. The ronin avenged their master's honor after patiently waiting and planning for over a year to kill Kira. In turn, the ronin were themselves forced to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 207 min
Plot tags: epic, bleak, harsh, atmospheric, serious, intense, emotional, jidai geki, historical drama, realistic
Similar in 82%
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 279000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA, China
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, epic, colorful, visually stunning, stylized, visual, breathtaking, scenic, intense, lyrical
Similar in 87%
Sun Valley (1995)
Plot Summary:
The Avenger, a brooding swordsman armed with a blade marked "Slayer of 1000 Armies" claims he's waiting for a long-missing friend, at an outpost in Northwest China's Sun Valley. The Avenger suffers an intense fear of blood, from being the only survivor of his clan's massacre. The sight of blood propels him into a killing fury. Winter is setting in, so the local horse trader Black Bull, and most of the valley's men, prepare to drive a herd to market, leaving behind Black Bull's girlfriend, a feisty innkeeper.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 63
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Western
Country: China
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 85%
Hero (2002)
Plot Summary:
One man defeated three assassins who sought to murder the most powerful warlord in pre-unified China.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 186000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: breathtaking, atmospheric, visually stunning, philosophical, epic, serious, visual, stylized, exciting, colorful
Similar in 89%
House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 115000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: visually stunning, stylized, visual, exciting, epic, sexy, breathtaking, emotional, enigmatic, scenic
Similar in 79%
Red Cliff (2008)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, USA
Duration: 145 min
Plot tags: epic, realistic, breathtaking, brutal, visual, intense, exciting, serious, action packed, saga