Best movies like Long Arm of the Law III
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like Long Arm of the Law III (1989):
Similar in 83%
Runaway Blues (1988)
Plot Summary:
Before he was crowned one of the "Four Heavenly Kings", Andy Lau starred in the 1989 gangster film Runaway Blues. He plays Lam, a Taiwan gangster who flees to Hong Kong after killing a rival gangster. Hiding at his uncle gang boss Lip's place, he gets embroiled in more gang conflicts and is forced to be an informant for the police. Lam runs away to Guangzhou and Macau with Lip's mistress, causing an enraged Lip to be hot on his trail.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 70
Genere: Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: heroic, poliziottesco
Similar in 88%
Walk on Fire (1988)
Plot Summary:
Sergeant Kwok Wah (Andy Lau) and Ho Lung (Ray Lui) are both colleagues and best friends. Ho Lung has developed hatred with a gang leader Dick. Dick sends Hung (Cherie Chung) as a bait to kill Ho Lung. Swore to take revenge for his best friend, Kwok Wah works with Ho Lung's partner Mother (Kent Cheng) to unveil the enemy. Kwok Wah saves Hung during an operation and Hung starts to like Kwok Wah. Kwok Wah and Mother follow their plan to capture Dick, but it ends in vain and both of them get into a gunfight. Hung is killed for saving Kwok Wah during the gunfight. Though heart-broken, Kwok Wah and Mother go on fighting the villain.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 110
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, poliziottesco
Similar in 85%
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 80%
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 79%
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 75%
Burning Ambition (1989)
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
Similar in 82%
Gun n' Rose (1992)
Plot Summary:
Mr Lung, the boss of a criminal family, decides that his adopted son Alan should be his successor. However, this decision doesn’t suit Mr Lung’s biological sons Simon and Bowie, so they intend to get rid of their adopted brother. Alan manages to escape death and flee; he is determined to start new peaceful life. But will he be able to escape his past?.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 203
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama
Similar in 79%
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 89%
Casino Raiders (1989)
Plot Summary:
For most of the running time it's business as usual as gamblers Andy Lau and Alan Tam pull scams when they're not exposing them for casinos and incurring the wrath of a family of Japanese gangsters before Tam marries rich girl Idy Chan and Lau, as is the way with all movie hustlers, gets a busted hand, a drink problem and Rosamund Chan (so not entirely a bad shuffle there).
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 508
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: heroic
Similar in 89%
Requital (1992)
Plot Summary:
Heroic Bloodshed movie from 1992.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 41
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: bloody
Similar in 81%
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 75%
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 76%
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 82%
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 88%
Just Heroes (1989)
Plot Summary:
The assassination of a gang lord triggers a power struggle amongst his men. Who will win the game the righteous or the villain?.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: heroic, cult classic
Similar in 77%
Flaming Brothers (1987)
Plot Summary:
An early movie of Chow Yun-Fat. The story is about two brothers going into opposite directions in life. One leaves the triads to become an honest citizen, the other stays triads member. But in the end both hold together. A typical HK movie storylin in the 1980s.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 664
Genere: Action, Crime, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, cult classic, serious, realistic, suspenseful, poliziottesco
Similar in 87%
My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1989)
Plot Summary:
The triangular relationship between Lap (Joey Wang). Rick (Kenny Bee) and Cheung (Tony Leung) is the backbone of this film. Lap's father was once a triad; he retired and opened a bar near seashore. Rick worked there and was a couple with Lap. Force by an old partner, Lap's father assisted in trafficking of his father, Lap became the mistress of Godfather Shen. Cheung was her driver and loved her deeply. Six years later, Rick became a professional assassinator and returned to Hong Kong for a job. he met Lap, and Lap decided to leave Godfather Shen. Of course Godfather Shen wouldn't let his woman get away from him. Cheung helped them to exile. Lap, Rick and Cheung united to confront Godfather shen and his follwers. A bloody gun battle begin. Could every one survive at the end?.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 585
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama
Similar in 82%
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 87%
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 84%
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%
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 85%
Big Bullet (1996)
Plot Summary:
Hotheaded cop Bill Zhu (Lau Ching-wan) gets relegated to the Emergency Unit after a dustup with his inept boss. When the mob kills Zhu's pal and ex-colleague (Francis Ng) during a turf-war hit, he rounds up his motley department cohorts and embarks on a mission of revenge against the gangsters. The pursuit of the baddies culminates in a hair-raising showdown atop a hijacked transport plane in this action thriller.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 998
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: neo noir, bloody, heroic, crime drama, exciting, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 75%
Return to a Better Tomorrow (1994)
Plot Summary:
An adventure that delves into the dark caverns of the underworld and tells the tale of three chivalrous gangsters who attempt to escape the powerful clutch of their gang leader.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 331
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 75%
The Last Blood (1990)
Plot Summary:
Tam is Lui Tai, an Interpol agent assigned to protect a famous religious leader, the Daka Lama, who's targeted for death by the militant Japanese terrorist group, the Red Army. Lui Tai hooks up with the Daka Lama in Singapore, but a Red Army attack leaves the Daka Lama in critical condition. Unfortunately, the Daka Lama has a rare blood type, and there are only three possible donors in all of Singapore. Two are quickly offed, with only annoying lowlife Fatty (Eric Tsang) remaining. Liu Tai and local Singapore cop Stone (Leung Ka-Yan) try to beat the Red Army to Fatty, but they also have to deal with Hong Kong triad boy B (Andy Lau), who wants to make sure Fatty's blood goes to his girlfriend (May Lo) first. She was also wounded in the same attack as the Daka Lama, and also needs the ultra-rare blood. Will everyone work together to make sure both the Daka Lama and B's girl are saved? Or will they get in each other's way and allow the two to die?.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 447
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: heroic, bloody, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, fast
Similar in 75%
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 82%
Rich and Famous (1987)
Plot Summary:
To pay off his debt as a gambler, a man drags his sister and step-brother into a life of crime and a violent war between rival gang lords.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 749
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 85%
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 88%
Long Arm of the Law (1984)
Plot Summary:
An ultra-violent and ultra-gritty tale of desperate Chinese would-be jewel thieves hoping to make a quick, effortless score in Hong Kong. Naturally, things go afoul, and the gang must hide out until the heat dies down, besmirched with the blood of an undercover cop. A progenitor of sorts of both "City on Fire" and "Reservoir Dogs," but lacking the romantic melodrama of the former and the hipster staginess of the latter. Winner of Hong Kong Film Awards for both Best Film and Best Director. Spawned a franchise with three sequels.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 859
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, poliziottesco, cult film
Similar in 82%
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 82%
Rich and Famous 2 (1987)
Plot Summary:
After being released from prison, Tang Kat-Yung exacts revenge on Li Ah Chai, in this sequel to Rich and Famous.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 673
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: heroic, crime drama, cult classic, exciting, tense, rough, serious, realistic, stylized, nostalgic