Best movies like Burning Ambition
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
This is director/martial arts star Frankie Chan's unofficial remake of the Kinji Fukasaku film SHOGUN'S SAMURAI (1978). Instead of Japanese samurai in a period setting, we get modern day Chinese gangsters battling each other for the position left vacant after the mysterious death of their head honcho.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 110
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: weird
Best tv shows and movies like Burning Ambition (1989):
Similar in 88%
Bloody Brotherhood (1989)
Plot Summary:
Bloody Brotherhood didn't make much of a splash at the HK box office (just reaching that "magic" two-week theatrical run where most HK movies reach the break-even point) and it's gone largely ignored by fans, even though it stars Andy Lau, arguably the biggest star in HK right now. To some point, this is justified. Bloody Brotherhood doesn't really offer up anything new or do it in any sort of spectacular fashion. In fact, many parts of the film are merely adequate, or even sub-par. However, after watching a spate of recent half-ass over-CGIed movies, Bloody Brotherhood brought back memories of a time when even the most average HK crime/action flick was better than anything Hollywood could (or would) churn out.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 78
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: heroic, poliziottesco
Similar in 77%
Hong Kong Godfather (1991)
Plot Summary:
When the boss of a highly profitable Triad family is forced to flee from Hong Kong, rival gangs swoop in to steal any piece of the action they can. York Koo (Andy Lau) becomes the family's acting boss, and must do what he can to handle the difficult situation, with mounting pressure from both the Hong Kong police, and rival families.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 92
Genere: Crime
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, poliziottesco
Similar in 89%
Organized Crime & Triad Bureau (1994)
Plot Summary:
The head of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Inspector San Lee, will do anything to put triad boss Tung in jail.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 276
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: crime drama, detective
Similar in 82%
Killer's Romance (1990)
Plot Summary:
A triad assassin is sent to kill a female witness to a murder only to fall in love with her instead.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 170
Genere: Action, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: bloody, heroic
Similar in 87%
A Day Without Policemen (1993)
Plot Summary:
Simon Yam plays a former big city cop who had a very bad experince with an AK-47. So he's been assigned duty on one of the Hong Kong Islands as a police chief of a small village. He spends most of his time drinking beer and smoking hash while daydreaming. But when a group of thugs armed with AK-47's and .45's invade his terrain, he must over come his fear of that weapon to save his ex-wife and his fellow officers only armed with a .38 and a baton. Can Yam save the day?.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 132
Genere: Crime
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
Hong Kong Godfather (1985)
Plot Summary:
After receiving a life imprisonment sentence for a NY Chinatown massacre, Jia Shi Lan, alias Hei Lan, obtains a pardon through the Mafia's influence. Returning to Hong Kong, Hei Lan attempts to use the stature and fortitude of Brother Han, an elder, but good-natured underworld boss, to gain power and spread the Mafia's influence throughout Southeast Asia. After a deadly double cross leaves many of Han's society dead, two former members, one a cop, the other a florist, and the sole remaining loyalist join forces to bring down the criminal empire of Hei Lan.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 189
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: heroic, bloody
Similar in 78%
Fighting Madam (1987)
Plot Summary:
Yeung’s poppy fields are torched by a law enforcement task force, she retaliates by ordering police officials assassinated. The Angels break into Yeung’s corporate offices, eventually tracing her headquarters. After Alex Fong’s character is captured and held by Yeung, the Angels mount an assault to rescue him. A complex sub-plot involving an armored car bullion robbery eventually leads the Angels to a final showdown with Yeung and her men.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 593
Genere: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 78%
Her Vengeance (1988)
Plot Summary:
Wong plays an unassuming nightclub employee in Macao who alienates a gang of drunken men (led by Shing Fui-on). They tail her after her shift, and mount a gang assault. She attempts to enlist the aid of her former brother-in-law (Lam) - an ex-triad now confined to a wheelchair.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 284
Genere: Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 77%
The Dragon Family (1988)
Plot Summary:
Rival Triad gangs go to war.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 144
Genere: Action, Crime
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama
Similar in 77%
Long Arm of the Law III (1989)
Plot Summary:
Michal Mak's second sequel to his brother's action classic finds an ex-soldier/escaped death row prisoner fleeing to Hong Kong and forced to work for a gang of criminals when they kidnap the woman he loves.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 190
Genere: Action, Crime, Romance, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, poliziottesco
Similar in 85%
Long Arm of the Law IV: Underground Express (1990)
Plot Summary:
The final entry in Michael and Johnny Mak's Long Arm of the Law series, Underground Express once again tells a story of gangsters versus police, focusing on the difference between how both factions act depending if they're coming from Hong Kong or Mainland China. There's some decent action that delivers a high body count, but the rushed production and editing that was obviously and clumsily done to avoid a Category III rating regulates this to being just another average Hong Kong cops and robbers flick.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 185
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: suspense, heroic, crime drama, poliziottesco, banned
Similar in 79%
Rock N' Roll Cop (1994)
Plot Summary:
A Hong Kong cop is sent to mainland China to find a group of killers. Meanwhile, a cop discovers that his former love is aiding the gang of crooks.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 164
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: heroic
Similar in 86%
Tiger Cage 3 (1991)
Plot Summary:
Earnest cop James (Cheung Kwok-leung) works for the Commercial Crime Bureau and is keeping a sharp eye on slick business man Lee Siu-pong (Wong Kam-kong). When his business endeavours garner the attention of an enterprising extortionist, Lee has the blackmailer killed. Fearing that the incriminating document has fallen into the hands of James, Lee does the only thing that a red-blooded criminal might -- he kidnaps the cop's girlfriend Suki (Sharla Cheung Man). When James gives chase, he finds himself horribly burned in an explosion detonated by Lee. After months of painful recovery, James dons a silver mask and sets out for bloody, gut-wrenching vengeance. Meanwhile, Suki, who has become Lee's unwilling mistress, plots for the thug's gory demise as well.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 337
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Man Wanted (1995)
Plot Summary:
Undercover cop Lok Hwa takes two years to become the trusted lieutenant of rising Hong Kong drug lord, Feng. The night of the big bust, Feng's flaming car crashes spectacularly into the sea; Feng is presumed dead. Hwa returns to the force and to June, his patient girl friend. Also, to save Feng's lover Yung from a life of crime, Hwa gives her his pager number and promises to be there for her. A year later, Feng reappears, asking Hwa's aid with one last task before he returns to the mainland forever. Feeling sentimental, Hwa agrees to help and finds himself set up to take the fall in a drug war. June is in danger, too, and death awaits as Yung realizes it's Hwa she loves.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 115
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, poliziottesco
Similar in 86%
Bullet for Hire (1990)
Plot Summary:
Two hitmen, both good friends who work for the Triad, get a new partner, a nervous young rookie who starts off badly by blowing an assignment, but soon becomes proficient at his bloody work. When one of them is blackmailed into helping the police, a Triad boss grows suspicious.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 114
Genere: Action, Crime
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: heroic, bloody, black comedy, dark comedy
Similar in 84%
Long Arm of the Law: Part 2 (1987)
Plot Summary:
This sequel to the critically-acclaimed box-office winner Long Arm of the Law maintains the same stark realism of the original. In Saga Two, the Royal Hong Kong Police put into operation a new plan to counteract the problem of increasing violent crimes committed by new arrivals from across the border in China. In agreement with Chinese authorities, three Hong Kong detectives go undercover as illegal immigrants in order to infiltrate the powerful gang that is organizing the crime wave. The action is tough and graphic, reminiscent of The French Connection, Hong Kong style.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 284
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, exciting, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, poliziottesco
Similar in 86%
On the Run (1988)
Plot Summary:
When Hsiang Ming's wife is murdered, he takes up the hunt for her killer. The killer turns out to not be at all like he imagined, and suddenly he has unsuspected enemies who are after him.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 589
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: neo noir, heroic, psychological, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, cult film
Similar in 83%
Nightfall (2012)
Plot Summary:
Inspector Lam investigates the brutal murder of Tsui, a famous musician. Wong, the designated suspect, just spent 20 years in jail for the murder of Tsui's daughter but has always claimed his innocence.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: tense, suspense, serious, suspenseful, detective, crime drama, crying
Similar in 88%
Dragon Fight (1989)
Plot Summary:
Jimmy and Tiger are members of the Chinese national wushu team. The two are in Los Angeles to perform exhibitions. However, for Tiger, he plans to defect to L.A. to make a name for himself. When Jimmy learns of Tigers plan to defect, an attempt to stop him fails and Jimmy ends up missing his flight to China. Now a fish out of water, Jimmy's only hope is Andy, a wisecracking youngster in L.A. Meanwhile, Tiger works for a mafia boss. When Tiger loses a fortune in cocaine in a detergent box that Andy accidentally took, Andy and Jimmy soon have no choice but to face the wrath of Tiger and his men. Their only ally is Penny, the girlfriend of Tiger's boss. Two men who were once best friends have now become bitter enemies.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
SPL: Kill Zone (2005)
Plot Summary:
Chan, an articulate senior detective nearing the end of his career, is taking care of the daughter of a witness killed by ruthless crime lord Po. Martial arts expert Ma is set to take over as head of the crime unit, replacing Chan who wants an early retirement.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, Macao
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, rough, inspirational, neo noir, crime drama, cult classic, action thriller
Similar in 85%
Tiger Cage 2 (1990)
Plot Summary:
Donnie Yen Chi-Tan, a hair-trigger cop, goes on the lam with Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lum, a prim lawyer, after they witness a botched robbery attempt. The police think they're the perpetrators, while the real crooks (including Mortal Kombat star Robin Shou) think they actually got the loot.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 80%
Hitman (1998)
Plot Summary:
Financially troubled, a newbie hitman reluctantly takes the job of finding the plotted killer of a Japanese tycoon.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: crime drama, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, fast
Similar in 80%
Point of No Return (1990)
Plot Summary:
Woefully underrated HK action drama concerning hitmen and gangsters. Circa 1990, were there any other characters befitting of a HK film? Nope! Jacky Cheung dresses the part as a hitman who falls for the lovely Joey Wong. Wong is reduced to the part of a flower vase but the juice of the film is the loving early 90's HK action. Some crazy characters in this one. Look out for the colorful hitman duo of Ken Lo as 'Puma' and Ling Gwai-yuet as Lily. Are there better action films from this era? Sure. But this one doesn't disappoint.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 51
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: tragic ending
Similar in 86%
Triad Wars (2008)
Plot Summary:
In the midst of a violent gang war, a series of misfortunes threaten the fate of a gang boss and his mob.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, realistic, bloody, heroic, crime drama, slasher, fast
Similar in 75%
City War (1988)
Plot Summary:
Two cops--both partners and best friends--find their friendship and their lives at stake when they try to take down a ruthless drug dealer.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 482
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: heroic, cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
Full Contact (1992)
Plot Summary:
In an effort to get his buddy out of a gambling debt, Jeff agrees to join forces with Judge in a weapons heist. The job goes bad and Judge betrays Jeff. Jeff plots the ultimate revenge on Judge and his followers and it is a question of whether he can follow through with his plan.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, Thailand
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: neo noir, heroic, stylized, bloody, suspense, cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 86%
Tiger Cage (1988)
Plot Summary:
Something fishy is going on in the anti-Drug Trafficking Unit of the HK Police, and only a few honest cops know that the corruption goes all the way to the top. However, they must prove their case quickly, and by unconventional means, after they are framed for murder and drug-trafficking themselves. Dodging bullets from cops and criminals alike, the race is on to clear their names, protect their loved ones, and bring their corrupt colleagues to justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: bloody, heroic, cult classic, exciting, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 84%
Vengeance (2009)
Plot Summary:
A French chef swears revenge after a violent attack on his daughter's family in Hong Kong, during which her husband and her two children are murdered. To help him find the killers, he hires three local hit-men working for the mafia.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, France
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: neo noir, realistic, stylized, serious, heroic, tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing, bloody
Similar in 89%
The Defender (1994)
Plot Summary:
A corrupt businessman commits a murder and the only witness is the girlfriend of another businessman with close connections to the Chinese government, so a bodyguard from Beijing is dispatched to help two Hong Kong cops protect the witness.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: romantic, scenic, cult classic, exciting, serious, suspenseful, fast, surprise ending, neo noir, detective
Similar in 87%
The Raid 2 (2014)
Plot Summary:
After fighting his way through an apartment building populated by an army of dangerous criminals and escaping with his life, SWAT team member Rama goes undercover, joining a powerful Indonesian crime syndicate to protect his family and uncover corrupt members of his own force.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 130000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Indonesia, USA
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: brutal, stylized, bloody, suspense, grindhouse, rough, exciting, serious, suspenseful, breathtaking