Best movies like The Paper Tigers
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Three Kung Fu prodigies have grown into washed-up, middle-aged men, now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. But when their master is murdered, they must juggle their dead-end jobs, dad duties, and old grudges to avenge his death.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: funny, humorous, exciting, parody, entertaining, buddy comedy
Best tv shows and movies like The Paper Tigers (2020):
Similar in 88%
Coward Bastard (1980)
Plot Summary:
The plot is a trifle about an obnoxious restaurant delivery boy causing trouble with some local bad guys for the cook who secretly knows kung fu, eventually learning some techniques and finally, with the cook, confronting the bad guys.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 69
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: grindhouse
Similar in 88%
The 36 Crazy Fists (1977)
Plot Summary:
When a young man's village is destroyed by a band of thugs, he seeks help from a great kung-fu master, but his real lessons come from a drunk old man, he basically learns kung fu by accident and seeks his revenge.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 734
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Knockabout (1979)
Plot Summary:
Yuen Baio and Ka-Yan Leung play brothers Yipao and Taipao, lovable rogues who convince a martial arts expert to take them on as students. When Yipao discovers that their teacher is actually a wanted criminal, Silver Fox (Chia Yung Liu), he is attacked by his master. Taipao jumps in to protect his sibling but is killed; Yipao barely escape with his life. Seeking revenge, Yipao enlists the help of a beggar (Sammo Hung) who is a master of monkey-style kung fu, and together they take on Silver Fox in a breath-taking fight to the death.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, slapstick comedy, slapstick
Similar in 87%
Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So (2016)
Plot Summary:
Due to a conspiracy, the wealthy So Chan loses everything but is saved by the Beggars' Sect. He learns the long lost martial art - Drunken Fist, to defeat the person who framed him.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 210
Genere: Action
Country: China
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: exciting, humorous, entertaining, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 88%
18 Fingers of Death! (2006)
Plot Summary:
The "buzz" in Hollywood is that, "18 FINGERS OF DEATH!" will kick the butt out of the low budget martial arts movies genre and knocks us down to the ground laughing! This funny "sockumentart" of the world of Chop sockey, kung fooey, ninja poo poo, karate kidding croutching tiger stuff takes you on the journey of making martial arts movies at it's lowest.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 697
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: parody, humorous, realistic, witty, not serious, independent film, mockumentary, fast, cult film
Similar in 90%
Magnificent Butcher (1979)
Plot Summary:
A plump butcher student of 'Wong Fei Hung', Lam Sai-Wing (Sammo) gets into trouble with a rival kung-fu school known as 'Five Dragons'. He is accused of raping the Head of that school's goddaughter and killing his son. Now Ko, the Head of Five Dragons, wants revenge.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, stylized, semi serious, black comedy, slapstick comedy, slapstick, dark comedy
Similar in 76%
Shaolin Temple 2: Kids from Shaolin (1984)
Plot Summary:
Two rivaling families live on opposite sides of a river. One of them practices Shaolin kung fu and has only sons, while the other has only daughters and practices the Wu-Tang sword. The father of the Wu-Tang family is so paranoid about the Shaolin kids stealing his sword style (besides, he wants a son to teach it to, and the closest thing he has is a lesbian daughter) that he is taken off guard when some real bad guys come along to kill his family, but the Shaolin family helps them out. All the while, everyone is desperately trying to get the lesbian girl to marry Jet Li.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: cult classic, humorous, realistic, stylized, semi serious, fast, cult film
Similar in 86%
Big Stan (2007)
Plot Summary:
Rob Schneider writes and stars in this comedy about a nerdy con man whose swindling ways land him a stiff prison sentence. Terrified at the prospect of being raped in prison he enlists the aid of a mysterious kung-fu expert to teach him how to fight.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 47000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: funny, entertaining, parody, humorous, absurd, not serious, exciting, hilarious, intense, slapstick
Similar in 88%
The Legend (1993)
Plot Summary:
This Hong Kong martial-arts extravaganza tells of evil emperors and true love. The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. One of his Governors is sent on a mission to retrieve a list of members of that secret society. Meanwhile, Canton kung fu practitioner Fong Sai-Yuk falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Action, Comedy, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: cult classic, humorous, stylized, exciting, realistic, semi serious, funny, sexy, breathtaking, entertaining
Similar in 80%
Once Upon a Time in China IV (1993)
Plot Summary:
Wong Fei Hung must deal with both foreign threats and the nationalist Red Lantern Society in this continuation of the popular kung fu series.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: anamorphic, cult classic, cult film
Similar in 87%
Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)
Plot Summary:
A disgraced former Kung Fu expert makes a living as a merchant with the help of a hot headed friend. When the men are harassed by gangsters, the merchant decided to teach his friend monkey boxing so they can defend their business.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: cult classic, grindhouse, cult film
Similar in 83%
Iron Protector (2016)
Plot Summary:
Wu-Lin is the successor of an ancient, once powerful Chinese clan, the "Iron Feet." After the death of his master, Wu-Lin leaves his rural village for the City of Stone-Cold looking for his fellow apprentice Jiang Li. Along the way, he becomes the bodyguard of Fei-Fei, the daughter of Jia-Shan Li, the richest family in the city, and quickly gets drawn into a mob war in order to protect her.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 834
Genere: Action
Country: China
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 77%
Winners & Sinners (1983)
Plot Summary:
Five friends are released from prison and do their best to stay out trouble. While trying to mind their own business (and run their 5-Star Cleaning Service), they are caught up in a war between rival Triad gangs fighting for control of the counterfeit currency market.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: action comedy, cult classic, exciting, humorous, realistic, semi serious, fast, slapstick comedy, slapstick
Similar in 76%
Twin Dragons (1992)
Plot Summary:
Twins, separated at birth, end up as a Hong Kong gangster and a New York concert pianist. When the pianist travels to Hong Kong for a concert, the two inevitably get mistaken for each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: humorous, entertaining, exciting, realistic, semi serious, road movie, action comedy, harsh, cult classic, action adventure
Similar in 78%
Drunken Master (1978)
Plot Summary:
Jackie Chan stars as Wong Fei-Hung, whose mischievous antics land him in hot water. Having tolerated enough of his son's mishaps, Fei-Hung's dad enlists his sadistic uncle, who specializes in drunken-style kung fu, to teach the lad some discipline. This Hong Kong martial-arts comedy helped establish the slapstick fighting style that would become Chan's trademark.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: humorous, funny, grindhouse, exciting, intense, fast paced, cult classic, slapstick, slapstick comedy, epic
Similar in 89%
Dragons Forever (1988)
Plot Summary:
Jackie Chan stars as a hot-shot lawyer hired by a Hong Kong chemical plant to dispose of opposition to their polluting ways. But when he falls for a beautiful woman out to stop the plant, Jackie is torn in a conflict of interest and asks his trusty friends Samo and Biao to help out at least until they discover the true purpose of the plant.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Romance
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: neurotic, exciting, humorous, semi serious, slapstick, cult classic, slapstick comedy, cult film
Similar in 87%
The Fearless Hyena (1979)
Plot Summary:
Jackie Chan is a youngster, living in a remote vllage with his grandfather who teaches him Kong-Fu (naturally). He keeps getting into fights, even though his grandfather warns him not to show their Kong-Fu to others. Jackie, though, is tempted by some thugs he beat up to act as the master of a Kong-Fu school. This school's name apparently spreads far, as an old enemy of Jackie's grandfather (who t.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Action
Country: Hong Kong, South Korea
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: slapstick, cult classic, action adventure, serious, slapstick comedy
Similar in 79%
Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
Plot Summary:
Jet Li weasels out of the north Shaolin temple to assassinate a despotic ruler at the ruler's extravagant public birthday celebration. Two other men from the south Shaolin temple also set out to assassinate the ruler, but all three fail and are chased all over by soldiers. Meanwhile, one of the southerners turns out to be a cross-dressed woman, who is also discovered to wear a footbell to match Jet Li's, meaning they are somehow slated for an arranged marriage.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, cult classic, cult film
Similar in 89%
Princess and Seven Kung Fu Masters (2013)
Plot Summary:
During the early years of the Republic era, in the North-East region of China, the people are suffering from the power struggle among the local Warlords, bandits, and Japanese invaders. Warlord Lam (Sammo Hung), is not a leader of great vision, but stands firm in his own beliefs. The only paradise within the region is 'Lucky Town', the one place where no one dared to attack as it was protected by the seven kung fu masters who have resided there. When young patriots, Yan Fang (Rose Chan) who disguised herself as a man, and Howard Luo (Dennis To), infiltrate Tiger's Den at night trying to steal the code book fail in their mission and tries to run, only Yan survives and is rescued by Cheryl. Mistaking Yan as a man, Cheryl falls for Yan. She then brings Yan to Lucky Town and begs the Seven Masters to cure Yan. Cheryl and the Seven Masters are then told of the secret plan by the Japanese, and together, they resolve to fight against Tiger Den and save Warlord Lam.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 193
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: feel good, captivating, entertaining, satirical, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Kung Fu League (2018)
Plot Summary:
A poor comic book artist summons four legendary Kung Fu masters to learn the highest level of martial arts and help him get his girl.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 593
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: exciting, intense, serious, captivating, stylized, semi serious, epic
Similar in 79%
Black Dynamite (2009)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: parody, spoof, grindhouse, humorous, funny, talky, entertaining, witty, heroic, not serious
Similar in 86%
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
Plot Summary:
A movie within a movie, created to spoof the martial arts genre. Writer/director Steve Oedekerk uses contemporary characters and splices them into a 1970s kung-fu film, weaving the new and old together. As the main character, The Chosen One, Oedekerk sets off to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of kung-fu legend Master Pain. Along the way, he encounters some strange characters.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: parody, spoof, funny, satirical, stylized, exciting, not serious, cult classic, hilarious, slapstick comedy
Similar in 87%
The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Plot Summary:
Returning home with his father after a shopping expedition, Wong Fei-Hong is unwittingly caught up in the battle between foreigners who wish to export ancient Chinese artifacts and loyalists who don't want the pieces to leave the country. Fei-Hong must fight against the foreigners using his Drunken Boxing style, and overcome his father's antagonism as well.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: humorous, entertaining, semi serious, cult classic, slapstick, action comedy, funny, slapstick comedy, anamorphic, relaxing
Similar in 86%
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)
Plot Summary:
Everyone abuses and humiliates a downtrodden orphan (Chan) until he befriends an old man, who turns out to be the last master of the "snake fist" fighting style. Jackie becomes the old man's student and finds himself in battle with the master of the "eagle's claw" style, who has vowed to destroy the snake fist clan.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, grindhouse, fast paced, cult classic, exciting, realistic, fast, slapstick comedy, funny
Similar in 78%
The Young Master (1980)
Plot Summary:
Youthful martial arts master Lung is searching for his missing brother, when he is mistaken for a criminal on the run. He must prove his innocence by solving the case himself, while local lawmen and merciless mercenaries are hot on his trail.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: humorous, stylized, tense, light, exciting, semi serious, cult classic, funny, sexy, thought provoking
Similar in 84%
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 82%
The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman (2010)
Plot Summary:
A tale of revenge, honor and greed follows a group of misfits that gets involved with a kitchen cleaver made from the top five swords of the martial arts world in this wild and brash action comedy.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 708
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: China, Hong Kong, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, stylized, exciting, semi serious, epic, fast
Similar in 77%
Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)
Plot Summary:
The workers of a dye factory have their pay cut by 20% when the factory owner brings in some Manchu thugs to try and increase production. Desperate to reclaim their full wages, the workers hire an actor to impersonate a priest and kung-fu expert from the temple of Shaolin. The factory owner proves the actor a fraud, and punishes all those involved. The young actor feels he has let the workers down, and promises to atone. He sets out for Shaolin, determined to be accepted as a kung-fu pupil at the elite temple.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, exciting, humorous, realistic, semi serious, fast
Similar in 80%
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Plot Summary:
Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, the story revolves in a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing who desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turns out to be the greatest kung-fu masters in disguise. Sing's actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung-fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung-fu master of all.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 148000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Country: Hong Kong, China, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: humorous, stylized, surreal, parody, spoof, exciting, visual, action comedy, semi serious, spectacular
Similar in 75%
Drunken Monkey (2003)
Plot Summary:
China, the early 1930's: martial arts master Wen Biao discovers that his brother has been using their security company for illegal activities. A confrontation between the brothers leaves Web Biao missing and presumed dead.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 619
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, humorous, captivating