Best tv shows like Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Based on the popular novel by Jin Yong Kam Yung. He also wrote Legend of the Condor Heroes and Return of the Condor Heroes. The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre takes place during 14th Century China during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, roughly 100 years after the events of Return of the Condor Heroes. After decades of struggles, famine, and bitterness which the Chinese citizens blamed on the Yuan Dynasty's misgovernment, the Martial Arts sects have begun to rebel. Prince Ruyong asks Cheng Kun, a Shaolin monk with an ulterior motive, for a plan on how to deal with the rebels. "The wielder of Heavenly Sword and/or Dragon Sabre rules the world." This well known legend in the Martial Arts community is the impetus for the tale of Zhang Wuji. The story begins with how his parents met (episodes 1-3), then tells his trials as an adolescent (episodes 4-8), proceeds to relate his rise to prominence (episodes 9-23) and reveals the secret behind Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (episode 23), and ends with the confluence of Wuji's love life, the Martial Arts sects' long standing grudges, and cruel fate.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 419
Genere: Drama
Country: Taiwan, China, Singapore
Duration: 48 min
Plot tags: exciting, brutal, epic, stylized, intense, visually appealing
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The Mahabharata (1989)
Plot Summary:
One of the great masterpieces of world literature comes to vivid life in an elaborate production from acclaimed theater and film innovator Peter Brook. This collection of ancient Sanskrit stories (composed into the longest book ever written) comprises a series of enlightened fables at the heart of countless beliefs, legends, and teachings; indeed, its very title means "the great story of mankind." Brook and writer Jean-Claude Carriere worked for eight years to develop this epic concerning two sides of a royal family, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, whose struggle leads to a fascinating voyage of emotions, passion and vision of glory. Briefly, the Mahabharata is a tale of two rival sets of brothers, cousins to eachother, each born into royalty and with divinely guided paths in life. The result, however, is a great war, death, destruction - a vast epic.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Belgium, Australia, USA, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, UK, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria
Duration: 318 min
Plot tags: spiritual, epic, exciting, atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 22
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense
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Twin of Brothers (2004)
Plot Summary:
"Twin of Brothers" is set in a period of dynastic change in Chinese history. Wacky wannabe swordsmen Chong and Ling accidentally acquire the mysterious "Longevity Martial Arts", which is rumoured to be the key to a huge treasure. The target of numerous people who covet the treasure, the two friends adventure through China despite the danger. In their journey, Ling meets two girls from two opposing sects, while Chong falls for the sister of the future emperor of China. With their extraordinary experiences, will the two become heroes amidst the historical turbulence?.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 25
Genere: Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining
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Gong Sun Li is the grand-daughter and disciple of military commander Gong Sun Yu. Jing Ke and Li have been in love with each other since they were children. While trying to protect Li during an attack, Jing Ke is poisoned. Li’s beauty has seized the interest of the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng, and Li agrees to marry him in order to save Jing Ke.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 670
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: sentimental, romantic, uplifting, touching, sweet, costume drama, historical romance
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Legend of Miyue (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of Mi Yue (Queen Dowager Xuan), the first stateswoman in the history of China. Mi Yue was a young princess who lived in the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period. She was sent to Qin as a concubine and part of her sister Mi Shu's dowry, separating her from first love Huang Xie. King Ying Si passes away while his sons are still battling for the throne, and ultimately, Ying Dang comes out as the successor. Mi Yue is banished to Yan with her son Ying Ji. However, Ying Dang suddenly dies, leaving Qin in a state of chaos. Mi Yue enlists the help of the "barbarian" Yiqu army, successfully returning to Qin, suppressing political revolts and instates her son Ying Ji on the throne. Mi Yue goes on to become the first Empress Dowager (Empress Mother) in China’s history.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 399
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, suspense, sincere, suspenseful, disturbing
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 100
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, political
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Plot Summary:
Adapted from a Republican-era novel called "The Fate of Jinxiu", Cruel Romance tells the story of Rong Jinxiu (Chen Qiao En, a country girl who travels to Shanghai in order to discover why her entire family was killed. Along the way, she meets triad leader Zuo Zhen (Huang Xiao Ming), and after a series of accidents and misunderstandings, the two fall in love. Also vying for Jinxiu's attention is businessman Xiang Yingdong, a businessman and close friend of Zuo Zhen. Ever protective of his woman, however, Zuo Zhen refuses to let other men even come close to Jinxiu – which ultimately pays off when a villainous Japanese man tries to finish off Jinxiu and her remaining family members.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 86
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, psychological, romantic, suspense, disturbing, costume drama
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Plot Summary:
The Yangs are betrayed by a government official conspiring with the Mongols. All of the Yang family males except the 4th, 5th, and 6th brothers are killed. Fu Sheng loses his mind after the death of his family, while the other brother, takes refuge in a temple. Liu's superb martial arts skill, impress the temple's senior monks. He learns that his sister has been captured by the conspirators.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, perverse, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, stylized
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 523
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, exciting, epic, realistic
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Plot Summary:
A TV serialization of the classic Chinese novel 'Ordinary World'.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 15
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 40 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, captivating
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The Ten Commandments (2005)
Plot Summary:
When an oracle prophesizes that a child will become Prince of Egypt, a time of danger approaches the kingdom. The Egyptian Pharaoh orders the massacre of all newborn males. But one child, Moses-the son of a Hebrew slave-escapes certain death when he is set adrift on the Nile. As years pass, he is raised in a royal Egyptian household and, with no memory of his family, rises to the stature of prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, and inspired by a fiery message from God, Moses embarks upon a noble and desperate fight to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 167 min
Plot tags: biblical, exciting, epic, serious
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Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre (2019)
Plot Summary:
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre is a 2019 Chinese wuxia television series adapted from the novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber by Jin Yong. Originally published in newspapers from 1961 to 1963, the story has been revised twice; once in 1979 and the second in 2005. This remake is primarily based on the third edition of the novel. The series is the first adaptation to be released as a web series and was first broadcast on Tencent in China on February 27, 2019.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 329
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing
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Plot Summary:
Lei Li lost his right-arm in a sword duel with the master of a martial arts school, long ago. Now, he is able to defend himself well with just his left arm, and kung fu techniques. That he proves with just the help of his friend Chung-Chieng, when he crosses his path with a beautiful girl in need, Pao Chiao. Even against impossible odds, he will prove a great warrior.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, stylized
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IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 569
Genere: Drama, War
Country: China
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful, stylized, epic, realistic
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: USA
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Plot tags: exciting, atmospheric, epic, captivating, serious, realistic, stylized
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Plot Summary:
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: captivating, stylized, tense, serious, epic
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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
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Plot tags: exciting, atmospheric, serious, suspenseful, captivating, stylized, epic, realistic, costume drama
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: China
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Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, rough, serious, realistic, epic
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
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Plot tags: exciting, serious, epic, realistic, captivating, stylized
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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
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Plot tags: epic, saga, stylized, scenic, visual, tense, brutal, enigmatic, suspense, exciting
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Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
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Plot tags: exciting, emotional, stylized, action packed, serious, realistic, epic
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Plot Summary:
The aging Zhao embarks on his final and greatest campaign, a road to adventure that will crown his name in glory for all time.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: China, South Korea, Hong Kong
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Plot Summary:
In 1375, China was in chaos between Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Coryo (an ancient kingdom of Korea then) sent a delegation of many diplomats, soldiers and a silent slave to make peace with the new Chinese government. However, this delegation got charged as spies and sent in exile to a remote desert.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea, China
Duration: 158 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, suspenseful, stylized, epic, captivating, intense, serious, tense, sentimental
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Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)
Plot Summary:
When barbarian hordes threaten her homeland, the brave and cunning Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to swell the ranks in her aging father's stead. The warrior's remarkable courage drives her through powerful battle scenes and brutal wartime startegy. Mulan loses dear friends to the enemy's blade as she rises to become one of her country's most valuable leaders - but can she win the war before her secret is exposed?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Country: China, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, stylized, realistic, epic, romantic drama, period drama
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Into the Badlands (2015)
Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 49000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, stylized, suspenseful, apocalyptic, scenic, action packed, action adventure, mind blowing
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The Last Kingdom (2015)
Plot Summary:
A show of heroic deeds and epic battles with a thematic depth that embraces politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, loyalty and our universal search for identity. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, it is the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history in order to reclaim their land for themselves and build a place they call home.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 161000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, epic, stylized, realistic, costume drama, historical drama, tense, brutal
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Confucius (2010)
Plot Summary:
In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: contemplative, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, inspirational, art film
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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
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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