Best movies like To Be the Best
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Eric Kulhane, a member of the U.S. Kickboxing Team, lets his quick temper and obsessive love for beautiful Cheryl make him the perfect target for blackmail. In order to stop ruthless gambler from rigging the World Championship and killing Cheryl, Eric and his father, his American teammates and their most feared Chinese opponents join for an explosive climax which rocks the Las Vegas Strip.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 338
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, fast
Best tv shows and movies like To Be the Best (1993):
Similar in 84%
Balance of Power (1996)
Plot Summary:
A martial arts expert who runs a dojo for under-privileged kids from a dilapidated warehouse is shaken down by gangsters demanding protection money. Then when one of his students is gunned down in the street by the gang, he swears revenge. Meanwhile the gang leader is setting up a death match between the best fighters and is forcing a former trainer to find a new champion by threatening his granddaughter.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 398
Genere: Action
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, surprise ending
Similar in 86%
The Avenging Quartet (1993)
Plot Summary:
A female Chinese cop teams up with a lady kung-fu master to stop two female Japanese gangsters from stealing a valuable painting.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 137
Genere: Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: crime drama, exciting, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 88%
American Samurai (1992)
Plot Summary:
When a father passes on the traditional family sword to one of his two adopted sons, the other--in a fit of jealous rage--joins a yakuza drug smuggling mob. When the other son decides to find him and set things straight, things don't seem to go as smoothly as he planned, and a misunderstanding leads the stepbrothers into a Turkish arena to battle swordsmen from around the world.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, serious, bloody, grindhouse, perverse, cult classic, action adventure
Similar in 75%
Showdown (1993)
Plot Summary:
Ken has just moved from Kansas with his mother. He talks to a girl named Julie, not knowing that her boyfriend Tom is very possessive of her. Tom is learning karate from Lee, a sensei whose brother was killed by a rookie cop named Billy. Billy has since then become the janitor of the school that Ken, Julie and Tom go to. When Ken gets beaten up by Tom for talking to Julie again, Billy helps Ken by teaching him how to defend himself, which eventually leads to a battle between student vs. student, and sensei vs. sensei.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 87%
Without Mercy (1995)
Plot Summary:
He' s been betrayed by his country, stripped of his honor and exiled to a foreign land. Now maverick Marine officer Frank Zagarino has found a way to get back what was stolen from him. And he'll get it-no matter what it takes.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 144
Genere: Action
Country: Indonesia, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 80%
A Serious Shock! Yes Madam! (1993)
Plot Summary:
Though policewoman Hsie Wan-chin (Cynthia Yang Li-ching) is merrily planning for her wedding with fellow cop Wilson Tsiang (Lawrence Ng Kai-wah), he is having an illicit affair with her best friend, May (Moon Lee). When Wilson tries to break things off, May doesn't take it well. When she learns that Wilson and Wan-chin are moving to Though policewoman Hsie Wan-chin (Cynthia Yang Li-ching) is merrily planning for her wedding with fellow cop Wilson Tsiang (Lawrence Ng Kai-wah), he is having an illicit affair with her best friend, May (Moon Lee). When Wilson tries to break things off, May doesn't take it well. When she learns that Wilson and Wan-chin are moving to England, she completely loses it. (http://www.allmovie.com/work/a-serious-shock-yes-madam-270076).
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 91
Genere: Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 87%
Amsterdam Heavy (2011)
Plot Summary:
CIA Agent Martin Keele (Michael Madsen - Reservoir Dogs Kill Bill) sets the wheels spinning in this gritty urban action thriller, as mysterious gangster J.D. goes on the rampage in Amsterdam, stopping at nothing to uncover those who have betrayed him.
IMDB Rating: 2.6
IMDB Votes: 904
Genere: Action
Country: Netherlands
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, realistic, fast
Similar in 79%
American Shaolin (1991)
Plot Summary:
After being humiliated in the ring by a dirty kickboxer who pulled down his shorts and then hit him, a martial arts master decides to travel to China and enter a monastery where he may learn the Shaolin form of fighting. The film then veers into "Karate Kid" territory where the novice humiliates himself at every turn, is tolerated as a foreigner, and still comes out a champion. The monastery teaches non-violence, but everyone knows that sooner or later the student will catch up with the bad guy.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action
Country: USA, Hong Kong
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, realistic, tense, serious, independent film
Similar in 83%
Sucker Punch (2008)
Plot Summary:
Ray 'Harley' Davidson is a hustler. With flash clothes and a fast mouth, Harley lives life in the fast lane. With his passion for all things gambling, money runs like water through Harley's hands and as quickly as he makes a killing he takes a beating, normally at the poker table. Nominally an illegal prize-fight manager, Harley hasn't produced a live one in months, until Charles Buchinsky literally wanders into his life. Charles Buchinsky, street fighter extraordinaire. He's from out of town looking for a fight and the chance to tie up a few loose ends. Keeps himself to himself, lets his fists do the talking and his word is his bond. Victor Maitland, top illegal fight promoter and porn baron. Hates losing and loves the prestige of managing the best hitter in town. Harley dreams of bringing Maitland down and after seeing Buchinsky at work, engineers a fragile partnership. The duo soon becomes a hot ticket.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, humorous, realistic, semi serious, entertaining, action adventure, fairy tale, remake of american film
Similar in 77%
Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
Plot Summary:
Nick and Ruben are hoodwinked into a "shootfighter" (no-holds-barred, to the death) martial arts match by the evil Mr. Lee, who has a grudge against world shootfighter champ(and teacher of Nick and Ruben) Shingo.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: bloody, suspense, independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 86%
Final Impact (1992)
Plot Summary:
A former kick-boxing world champion discovers a young fighter, and believes together they can win back the world crown.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 641
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, serious, realistic
Similar in 85%
Raven (1996)
Plot Summary:
Martin Grant has been hiding for years to escape his past as a ruthless mercenary in the elite force Raven Team. He's recently been engaged and are trying to forget the nightmares of murder and betrayal. Martin was convinced, that he could escape... But no one escapes from the Raven Teams ruthless leader Raven. At least not alive. Raven is back with a new team to hunt down and eliminate Grant.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 647
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: suspense, independent film, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 82%
Deadly Bet (1992)
Plot Summary:
Jeff Wincott plays a gambler who puts his life on the line to buy his way out of the clutches of a mobster.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 396
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
American Kickboxer (1991)
Plot Summary:
Kickboxing champion B.J. is jailed for an accidental murder thanks to the testimony of his arch-nemesis Denard. A year later, B.J. is released and then challenged by Denard for $100,000. Will B.J. accept and get even with Denard?.
IMDB Rating: 3.7
IMDB Votes: 697
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: USA, South Africa
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, serious, grindhouse, independent film, cult film
Similar in 78%
Shootfighter II (1996)
Plot Summary:
In this martial-arts actioner, Miami mobsters find themselves in mortal danger after an angry police chief hires the world's most vicious fighters and uses them to launch a city-wide vendetta.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 775
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 82%
Dragonwolf (2013)
Plot Summary:
The Devil's Cauldron, a city where depravity and violence has forged a society in which only the lethal and callous can survive, two young men who possess the intellect and ferocity to flourish, carve a name for themselves as the most efficient and unstoppable hit men. Side by side, these two brothers are the deadliest killers, feared by even the most evil criminals. But when a woman of rare beauty mysteriously enters the brother's lives she blinds them with her sweet promises and turns them against each other, resulting in an epic battle that threatens to bring the Devil's Cauldron to the brink of destruction.
IMDB Rating: 3.0
IMDB Votes: 545
Genere: Action
Country: Thailand
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic, action adventure, fast
Similar in 88%
Pit Fighter (2005)
Plot Summary:
Jack Severino has no memory, all he knows is the brutal sport of Pit Fighting. When his past catches him up, he realizes he is not who he thought he was. For some men must fight for redemption.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, tense
Similar in 81%
The Shadow Boxer (1974)
Plot Summary:
Chen Wo-Fu plays construction worker Ku Ting, whose skill at "tai chi" (shadow boxing) is as great as his pacifism. But when his girlfriend is raped by vicious gangsters, he shows everyone the true power and beauty of tai chi.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 124
Genere: Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 79%
Fists of Legend (2013)
Plot Summary:
On a television show billed as “the greatest fight show on Earth,” eager amateurs with lots to prove boldly step into the ring and expect to leave bloody but victorious. The ratings hungry producers seek out “legendary” but largely forgotten streetfighters and mine their desperation for recaptured glory and redemption into ratings gold.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: South Korea
Duration: 154 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, captivating, rough
Similar in 82%
Shaolin Temple (1976)
Plot Summary:
There is no place more hallowed in the martial art world than China's Shaolin Temple. This special place deserves a special epic, which is what the martial arts maestro delivers in this battle between a brave brand of Chinese boxers and literally thousands of Ching troops - complete with betrayals, intrigues, and such novel fighting machines as 108 wooden robots. The conflicts grow in complexity, intensity and even suspense as monks struggle to stay alive in the face of overwhelming odds.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, cult film
Similar in 85%
Bangkok Assassins (2011)
Plot Summary:
Five kids fled from a mafia who abused them as beggars. They ended up meeting the great kung fu master who adopted them and taught them how to fight. Now, the kids are grownups and become the magnificent five kung fu fighters who have only one mission: to avenge the mafia who destroyed their lives.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 223
Genere: Action
Country: Thailand
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, tense, realistic
Similar in 82%
When the Cobra Strikes (2012)
Plot Summary:
One man travels across country, smuggling illegal black diamonds to sell in order to pay for his father's pardon in South Africa. When he arrives to the United States to finalize what appeared to be a simple transaction he is soon double-crossed and becomes caught up in a contraband forcing him to overcome an opponent far more lethal and deadlier than he has ever met.
IMDB Rating: 3.5
IMDB Votes: 376
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, crime drama, realistic
Similar in 83%
Challenge of the Masters (1976)
Plot Summary:
The Wong family kung fu school gets smacked around by a rival school. Wong Fei-hong gets fed up with the abuse and goes to learn from his fathers master. After one of the rival schools members kills some of the towns people Wong Fei-hong becomes enraged trains even more comes back and gets his revenge.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 796
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, fast
Similar in 78%
Fist 2 Fist (2011)
Plot Summary:
Still haunted by his failure to prevent the murder of a young couple years earlier, a mixed martial arts teacher must confront the skeleton in his closet when the boy who was orphaned by the killing shows up at his door.
IMDB Rating: 3.5
IMDB Votes: 188
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, rough, cult film
Similar in 84%
The Stranger (1995)
Plot Summary:
In this modern retelling of High Plains Drifter, a female biker rides into a desert town to seek revenge on "Angel" and his ruthless gang.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 686
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, independent film
Similar in 88%
The Sword Identity (2011)
Plot Summary:
During the Ming Dynasty one man will request a competition when his weapon is rejected. After a series of fights he is determined to prove his sword is invincible.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 659
Genere: Action
Country: China
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 76%
Urban Fighter (2012)
Plot Summary:
The "Bloods" are the most intimidating and violent gang in the city. A lawless city... where gangs rule the streets... The vicious and blood thirsty murderer Slater is their leader. The city is his domain... he rules! There are those who are not members of gangs such as Mikey and his friends. Mikey lives on the edge, he is daring and always in trouble and fights. His brother Mathis and his friends try to avoid trouble at any cost. Revenge becomes the motive to Mikey when his brother Mathis goes missing and is killed..... Written by Generation X Group GmbH.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 456
Genere: Action
Country: Germany
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 81%
U.S. Seals II: The Ultimate Force (2001)
Plot Summary:
At a secret Russian nuclear missile base, an ex-U.S. SEAL member is planning to launch a missile strike on the United States, and the only way to stop him is with the best of the best. Because of a natural gas refinery leak, the newly formed team must infiltrate without conventional weapons and use a mixture of martial arts skills, swords, crossbows and unconventional arms in their top secret attack.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 902
Genere: Action, Adventure
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, rough, suspenseful, action packed, independent film, fast
Similar in 86%
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 83%
Underground (2007)
Plot Summary:
In the UK suburbs, an underground tournament is set to challenge twelve fighters from different backgrounds to compete for the price of £500,000. They have been handpicked for a no-holds barred competition that will push each fighter to their limit. Each fighter has their own reason for competing, and each will give everything they've got to take the prize...but there can be only one winner.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 590
Genere: Action
Country: UK
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: rough, exciting, serious, suspenseful, realistic