Best movies like Hero
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to Hero? Use your knowledge to guide others towards films and tv series you've watched that they may enjoy too. Help expand the group of people recommending videos to one another. We value your input!
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
Best tv shows and movies like Hero (2002):
Similar in 80%
Dragon Inn (1992)
Plot Summary:
During the Ming Dynasty, Tsao Sui Yan, the power-hungry and ruthless eunuch leader of East Chamber, craves his own kingdom. He intends on destroying the rebelling clans by using a traitorous secretary's children as bait. Ultimately, the two warring factions - the rebels led by Chow Wai-on and Mo-yan Yau, the East Chamber led by Tsao - end up in the rundown Dragon Inn right in the middle of the desert. Jade King, the beautiful owner and proprietor of Dragon Inn, hopes to cash in on the incident. But problems arise when Wai-on, desperate for the quickest route of escape, attempts to marry Jade in hopes of prying her for information; and the two clans go head-to-head in a no-holds barred finale battle.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, stylized, epic, cult classic
Similar in 80%
The New Legend of Shaolin (1994)
Plot Summary:
A young father and his infant son are beset by forces of evil and corruption. They wander China, upholding their sense of honor and protecting the weak. When they are forced into combat, spectacular and hilarious fast-motion kung fu sequences follow. In the end, they must call on all of their abilities in a battle royale, to attempt to vanquish a supernatural man-monster or die trying.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, stylized, tense, suspense, suspenseful, cult classic, fast, cult film
Similar in 75%
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)
Plot Summary:
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate picks up three years after the infamous Dragon Inn was burnt down in the desert when its innkeeper Jade vanished. A new gang of marauders had taken over - innkeepers by day and treasure hunters by night. The inn is the rumoured location of a lost city buried under the desert, and its hidden treasure would only be revealed by a gigantic storm every 60 years. The gang used the inn as a front to locate the lost treasure.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Adventure
Country: China
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: exciting, stylized, captivating, tense, suspense, epic, serious, fast
Similar in 80%
The Legend II (1993)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: cult classic, humorous, stylized, semi serious, cult film
Similar in 89%
Shadow (2018)
Plot Summary:
About a king who attempts to lead his displaced people out of exile, and those who play a role in his mysterious plans.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, History, War
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, costume drama, visual, visually stunning
Similar in 81%
The Shaolin Temple (1982)
Plot Summary:
The Tang emperor is betrayed by one of his generals, who installs himself as emperor in the East Capital. The son of one of his slave workers escapes to the Shaolin Temple, learns kung fu, and sets out to kill the traitor who killed his father. Based on a true story from Shaolin folklore, but highly fictionalized.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, stylized, captivating, tense, touching, cult classic, cult film
Similar in 87%
Fist of Legend (1994)
Plot Summary:
Chen Zhen, a Chinese engineering student in Kyoto, who braves the insults and abuse of his Japanse fellow students for his local love Mitsuko Yamada, daughter of the director, returns in 1937 to his native Shangai, under Japanse protectorate -in fact military occupation- after reading about the death of his kung-fu master Hou Ting-An in a fight against the Japanese champion Ryuichi Akutagawa.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: harsh, intense, tense, rough, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, serious, cult classic, brutal
Similar in 81%
Reign of Assassins (2010)
Plot Summary:
Set in ancient China, Zeng Jing is a skilled assassin who finds herself in possession of a mystical Buddhist monk's remains. She begins a quest to return the remains to its rightful resting place, and thus places herself in mortal danger because a team of assassins is in a deadly pursuit to possess the remains which holds an ancient power-wielding secret.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Adventure
Country: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, suspenseful, exciting, serious, captivating, stylized, fast
Similar in 87%
Fearless (2006)
Plot Summary:
Huo Yuan Jia became the most famous martial arts fighter in all of China at the turn of the 20th Century. Huo faced personal tragedy but ultimately fought his way out of darkness, defining the true spirit of martial arts and also inspiring his nation. The son of a great fighter who didn't wish for his child to follow in his footsteps, Huo resolves to teach himself how to fight - and win.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 78000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama
Country: China, Hong Kong, USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: inspirational, epic, intense, exciting, captivating, serious, cult classic, stylized, harsh, motivational
Similar in 81%
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Plot Summary:
Set in late 19th century Canton this martial arts film depicts the stance taken by the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung (1847-1924) against foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: intense, colorful, exciting, serious, realistic, cult classic, stylized, heroic, epic, thought provoking
Similar in 82%
Once Upon a Time in China II (1992)
Plot Summary:
In the sequel to the Tsui Hark classic, Wong Fei-Hung faces The White Lotus society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a revolutionary, from the military.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, History, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: stylized, enigmatic, cult classic, epic, exciting, serious, realistic, tense, light, road movie
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 83%
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 88%
Amazons and Gladiators (2001)
Plot Summary:
During the Roman Empire, General Crassius ruled a small province with an Iron fist. Serena, a young girl in a village, watches Crassius kill her parents. Crassius and Serena's destiny would lead them to the Gladiator ring; the Amazons Warrior vs the Roman General.
IMDB Rating: 3.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Action, Adventure
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, exciting, tense, realistic, independent film
Similar in 78%
Ip Man 2 (2010)
Plot Summary:
Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong.Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan. However, when corrupt colonial officials stage a life-or-death contest with formidable British boxer, Twister, to humiliate the Chinese people, the masters quickly forget their differences. Soon, the eyes of the nation are on the one man capable of securing a victory-Grandmaster Ip Man!.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: heroic, exciting, suspenseful, tense, rough, captivating, action packed, epic, stylized, spiritual
Similar in 86%
Battle of the Warriors (2006)
Plot Summary:
In 370 B.C, China was separated as seven nations and several other small tribes, one of these being the city state of Liang. The nation of Zhao is led by the terrifying Xiang Yangzhong who orders his troops to conquer the small city. Leaping to the defense of the people of Liang is 'Ge Li' from the Mo-Tsu tribe, their last hope from the terrors of Yangzhong's troops.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, stylized, serious, realistic, epic
Similar in 83%
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 83%
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)
Plot Summary:
A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: China, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: stylized, light, exciting, atmospheric, serious, captivating, emotional, cult classic, saga, scenic
Similar in 79%
Ip Man (2008)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 232000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, War
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: heroic, epic, exciting, tense, uplifting, captivating, inspirational, touching, entertaining, fast paced
Similar in 78%
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 82%
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Plot Summary:
Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel Xerxes and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster "300," this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield--on the sea--as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. "300: Rise of an Empire" pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemesia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 313000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: epic, heroic, exciting, entertaining, stylized, bloody, rough, serious, visually appealing, visual
Similar in 86%
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
Plot Summary:
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Country: USA, China, Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: exciting, intense, semi serious, epic, action adventure, stylized, feel good, heroic, dark comedy, fantasy adventure
Similar in 90%
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
Similar in 77%
King Arthur (2004)
Plot Summary:
The story of the Arthurian legend, based on the 'Sarmatian hypothesis' which contends that the legend has a historical nucleus in the Sarmatian heavy cavalry troops stationed in Britain, and that the Roman-British military commander, Lucius Artorius Castus is the historical person behind the legend.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 174000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: Ireland, UK, USA
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, period piece, costume drama, entertaining, intense, arthurian, rough, serious, stylized
Similar in 76%
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Plot Summary:
Edmond Dantés's life and plans to marry the beautiful Mercedes are shattered when his best friend, Fernand, deceives him. After spending 13 miserable years in prison, Dantés escapes with the help of a fellow inmate and plots his revenge, cleverly insinuating himself into the French nobility.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 146000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Country: Ireland, Switzerland, UK, USA
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspense, dramatic, costume drama, period piece, intense, realistic, epic, suspenseful, entertaining
Similar in 90%
Troy (2004)
Plot Summary:
In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnom to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. So they set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy. With the help of Achilles, the Greeks are able to fight the never before defeated Trojans.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 561000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Malta, UK
Duration: 163 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, heroic, realistic, period piece, rough, serious, stylized, factual, costume drama
Similar in 87%
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Plot Summary:
When the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham murders Robin's father, the legendary archer vows vengeance. To accomplish his mission, Robin joins forces with a band of exiled villagers (and comely Maid Marian), and together they battle to end the evil sheriff's reign of terror.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 205000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: period piece, exciting, entertaining, scenic, stylized, fairy tale, funny, costume drama, mythical, cult classic
Similar in 90%
Robin Hood (2010)
Plot Summary:
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff and King John's henchman, Godfrey.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 280000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, epic, entertaining, period piece, stylized, intense, costume drama, factual, serious
Similar in 79%
300 (2006)
Plot Summary:
Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" is very loosely based the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 852000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA, Canada, Bulgaria
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: epic, intense, exciting, scenic, visually stunning, visual, stylized, heroic, entertaining, bloody
Similar in 82%
Apocalypto (2006)
Plot Summary:
Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 326000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Mexico
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, suspense, brutal, visually stunning, suspenseful, disturbing, bloody, intense, motivational