Best movies like Once Upon a Time in Vietnam
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to Once Upon a Time in Vietnam? Leverage your familiarity to lead others toward tv shows and films you've watched previously that may also preoccupy them. Support increasing the cohort of people bringing up videos among each other. We appreciate your contribution!
Plot Summary:
Assigned to protect a small town in Vietnam, Dao arrives to fight against the crime boss; but soon his past catches up with him, threatening to destroy the cherished village.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 528
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: Vietnam
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: exciting, epic, suspenseful, stylized, serious
Best tv shows and movies like Once Upon a Time in Vietnam (2013):
Similar in 90%
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 76%
The Brave Archer (1977)
Plot Summary:
Guo Jing and Yang Kang are the sons of two rebels. The rebels are killed by imperial soldiers and the boys are rescued by six pugilists later. The pugilists agree to separate the two boys, tutor them separately in martial arts, and let them meet again when they have grown up, to determine whose abilities are better. Guo becomes the student of the "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan" while Yang Kang becomes the foster son of a Jurchen prince inadvertently.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 492
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: exciting, epic, serious, realistic, cult film
Similar in 80%
Ashura (2005)
Plot Summary:
Adapted from the successful play, the film takes place in 19th-century Japan, where a war between demons and their slayers is fought. Izumo, a kabuki actor with a demon-slaying past, meets and falls in love with Tsubaki. However, something is not right, as mysterious marks appear on her body as time progresses. At the same time, it is announced that Ashura, the queen of all demons, will be resurrected and bring destruction to the universe.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 750
Genere: Action, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, stylized
![blank](http://wpfc.ml/b.gif)
Similar in 76%
The Storm Warriors (2009)
Plot Summary:
Wind and Cloud find themselves up against a ruthless Japanese warlord intent on invading China.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, stylized, visually stunning, action adventure, epic
Similar in 76%
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell (1974)
Plot Summary:
In the sixth and final film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, the final conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan is carried out.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: visual, exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, stylized, splatter, psychotronic
Similar in 89%
Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)
Plot Summary:
After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of the slaying of a former love, Ichi furiously fights his way through the entire clan to face the killer, a hired ronin.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Adventure, Action
Country: Japan
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, cult film
![blank](http://wpfc.ml/b.gif)
Similar in 82%
Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968)
Plot Summary:
Zatoichi runs afoul of some evil fugitives, working for a corrupt law official.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Action, Adventure
Country: Japan
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, cult film
![blank](http://wpfc.ml/b.gif)
Similar in 82%
Yamada: Samurai of Ayothaya (2010)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true historic figure, Yamada Nagamasa, a Japanese adventurer who went to Ayothaya in the 16th century and became a soldier in King Naresuan's army. After the war in Burma it's restless in Ayothaya, because of a mysterious group of men that terrorizes and plunders the city. Yamada goes after them and discovers that the men are rebelious Japanese samurai. Now he has to fight his own countrymen.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Thailand
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, inspirational
Similar in 84%
The Invincible Armour (1977)
Plot Summary:
Hwang Jang Lee is a corrupt Ming guard who frames John Liu for murder. A wanted fugitive, John hides out with a teen who is an expert in the infamous Iron Armor technique, a technique that means the expert can withstand anything. However, Hwang is an expert in it as well as the Eagle Claw's. Can John stop Hwang before it's too late?.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 90%
Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield (2017)
Plot Summary:
An imperial guard searches for the truth behind a conspiracy that framed him and his partners. The proof of his innocence lies with a wanted woman named Bei Zhai... but will she reveal what she knows? In this intense prequel to BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES, the only thing he can truly trust is his sword.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: China
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: psychological, exciting, tense, captivating, suspenseful, disturbing, stylized
Similar in 81%
Tai Chi Hero (2012)
Plot Summary:
Chinese steampunk martial arts blockbuster about the early years of Tai chi master Yang Luchan, the man who founded in the 19th century what has now become the most popular Tai Chi style in the world. The second instalment of the "Tai Chi" trilogy continues the journey of Yang Luchan, a gifted child with a fleshy growth on his forehead who helped save a village from a frightening army of steampunk soldiers bearing strange machines with the knowledge of Tai Chi that they entrusted him with.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Country: China
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, stylized, serious, tense, offbeat
Similar in 83%
The Tsunami Warrior (2008)
Plot Summary:
As sea pirates threaten to invade their kingdoms, three queens of Langkasuka must band together to defend their lands and peoples.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, History
Country: Thailand
Duration: 154 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, epic, stylized
Similar in 84%
Once Upon a Time in China III (1992)
Plot Summary:
Master Wong and his disciples enroll in the 'Dancing Lion Competition' to stop an assassination plot and to battle an arrogant, deceitful opponent.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: stylized, serious, cult classic, harsh, anamorphic, exciting, epic, silent, light, thought provoking
Similar in 89%
A Man Called Hero (1999)
Plot Summary:
Episodic saga from the first half of the 20th century follows Hero Hua from an ill-omened June day in his youth to a showdown 17 years later with a disaffected member of his martial-arts school, a Japanese named Invincible. Tensions between Chinese and Japanese, plus U.S. racism, mark the tale. Hero marries Jade, leaves her in China when he goes to America as an indentured servant, rebels against cruel labor conditions, and is joined by her in New York City where she has twins. Jump ahead 16 years: their son Sword comes to New York looking for his father. There, Sword hears many stories of his father, which we see in flashbacks, and the stage is set for the battle with Invincible.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, serious, stylized, comic
Similar in 82%
Blades of Blood (2010)
Plot Summary:
In the 16th century in Chosun dynasty, HWANG Jung-hak and LEE Mong-hak create the “Grand Alliance” with the united dream of a better world. While the new leader LEE dreams of eradicating this world of all its corruption and becoming king himself, the legendary blind swordsman HWANG who had once been his comrade goes after him with the loss of his good friend at the hands of LEE. Just as the king abandoned his kingdom from Japanese invasion, the two come face-to-face inside the empty palace and begin their last battle they were destined to fight.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 834
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, serious, tense, epic, realistic, stylized
Similar in 75%
Shadowless Sword (2005)
Plot Summary:
A Wuxia adventure out of South Korea, The Legend of the Shadowless Sword is a handsome martial arts epic by Kim Yung-jun (Flying Warriors). The film's simple story allows for exceptionally creative action sequences about every three to four minutes, while simultaneously building a noble tale full of faith, love, and sacrifice.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Adventure, History
Country: South Korea, USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, historical drama, fast, epic
Similar in 78%
Falcon Rising (2014)
Plot Summary:
Chapman is an ex-marine in Brazil's slums, battling the yakuza outfit who attacked his sister and left her for dead.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Adventure
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, rough, realistic, motivational, scenic, crime drama, perverse, independent film
Similar in 78%
The Protector 2 (2013)
Plot Summary:
Kham is the last in long line of guards who once watched over the King of Thailand's war elephants. Traditionally, only the perfect elephants could successfully help defend the throne, after his harrowing quest to retrieve the elephants, Kham returns to his village to live in peace. But for someone as good in martial arts as him, peace is but a wishful thought.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action
Country: Thailand
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, suspenseful, serious, action thriller, realistic, fast
Similar in 75%
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 81%
14 Blades (2010)
Plot Summary:
Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jinyiwei were masters of the 14 Blades; eight being for torture, five for killing, and the last blade reserved for suicide when a mission failed. An elite force of secret agents with a license to kill, the Jinyiwei devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone. When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch Jia (Law Kar Ying), the best of the Jinyiwei, Qinglong (Donnie Yen) is assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. However unbeknownst to Qinglong, the Jinyiwei have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission Qinglong is betrayed and barely escapes with his life. Now as the most wanted man in the land, Qinglong must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Action, History, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, China, Singapore
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, stylized, serious, epic
Similar in 87%
Tai Chi Zero (2012)
Plot Summary:
In legendary Chen Village, everyone is a martial arts master, using their powerful Chen Style Tai Chi in all aspects of their lives. Lu Chan has arrived to train, but the villagers are forbidden to teach Chen Style to outsiders, and do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone, from strong men to young children, defeats him using their Tai Chi moves. But when a man from the village's past returns with a frightening steampowered machine and plans to build a railroad through the village at any costs, the villagers realize they may have no choice but to put their faith in Lu Chan... who has a secret power of his own.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: China
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: serious, stylized, offbeat, exciting
Similar in 78%
Woochi: The Demon Slayer (2009)
Plot Summary:
Spanning four centuries in Korea, this epic action-adventure concerns a powerful pipe and a trio of wizards who will do anything to protect it.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, humorous, stylized, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 88%
Sacrifice (2010)
Plot Summary:
For generations the Zhao family has wielded power, until their mortal enemy TU’AN GU slaughters the entire clan, determined to wipe out their influence forever. But one Zhao baby survives hidden by CHENG YING the doctor who delivered him. When Tu’an Gu learns of the baby’s escape he seizes every infant in the city, vowing to kill them all unless the Zhao baby is surrendered. As the tyrant’s soldiers arrive at Cheng Ying’s home the frantic doctor hides his wife with their own baby whilst surrendering the Zhao child as his own. But his family is discovered; his baby is presumed to be the Zhao heir and murdered along with his wife for harboring the infant. Now set on revenge Cheng Ying enrolls the Zhao orphan into the service of the Tu’an Gu household, plotting to use him as an instrument of vengeance when he comes of age.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: exciting, atmospheric, serious, suspenseful, captivating, stylized, epic, realistic, costume drama
Similar in 87%
Jade Warrior (2006)
Plot Summary:
Thousands of years ago in ancient China, a love struck sword hero fights against his destiny. He wants another chance to be reunited with his loved one and he gets that chance, in a far away place and a far away time, in the cold north, in modern Finland. Jade Warrior is set in ancient China early iron age and present day Finland. The past is feeding the story in present day, slowly revealing our warrior his real origin, his superior skills and his destiny. Jade Warrior - the first Finnish Kung Fu film - combines Finnish and Chinese mythologies into one film. Jade Warrior is an homage to Kung Fu genre strongly spiced with a truly original approach to Finnish national epic Kalevala. Like Kalevala Jade Warrior is a pure melodrama. A story of Kalevala's greatest hero. Written by www.ses.fi.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Finland, Netherlands, China, Estonia
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: exciting, epic, serious, stylized, romantic drama
Similar in 82%
Dragon Blade (2015)
Plot Summary:
Huo An, the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions, was framed by evil forces and becomes enslaved. On the other hand, a Roman general escapes to China after rescuing the Prince. The heroic duo meet in the Western Desert and a thrilling story unfolds.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: realistic, exciting, serious, scenic, cult classic, action adventure, epic
Similar in 83%
Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
Plot Summary:
Kenshin has settled into his new life with Kaoru and his other friends when he is approached with a request from the Meiji government. Makoto Shishio, a former assassin like Kenshin, was betrayed, set on fire and left for dead. He survived, and is now in Kyoto, plotting with his gathered warriors to overthrow the new government. Against Kaoru's wishes, Kenshin reluctantly agrees to go to Kyoto and help keep his country from falling back into civil war.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Duration: 138 min
Plot tags: stylized, suspense, intense, anime, exciting, suspenseful, manga, dorama, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 77%
Sword of the Assassin (2012)
Plot Summary:
Nguyen Vu is the sole survivor of his family who was executed by the empress of Vietnam. Upon discovering that his family may have been framed for crimes they did not commit, he sets out to bring justice and clear his family name.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 847
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Vietnam
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, captivating, tense, suspense, scenic, stylized
![blank](http://wpfc.ml/b.gif)
Similar in 75%
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 84%
Kamui (2009)
Plot Summary:
KAMUI is a Ninja on the run from the world of Ninja bound by rules in search of true freedom. However, he is burdened with the fate, where it is not allowed to take the secret of their powers outside of the tribe -- if you are born as Ninja, you must die as Ninja. This brings him to constantly fight for his life against other Ninjas who trie to kill him and hide the secrets within. He does not trust, and he does not love. Showing weakness leads to immediate death. An incident brings him to an old fisherman's village, where he finally starts to feel trust and affection towards other people. However, his pursuers where just minutes away from setting up a huge trap on Kamui.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, epic, stylized, anime, serious, realistic, fast, action adventure
Similar in 78%
The Showdown (2011)
Plot Summary:
In the 11th year of Kwang Hae-gun, Jo-seon soldiers go to war with China after an invasion. In the middle of Manchu, three people who have barely survived are being cornered by the Chinese forces, and begin a bloody battle not with their enemies but with their friends.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 364
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: psychological, suspenseful, exciting, tense, rough, captivating, realistic, serious, stylized