Best tv shows like Three Kingdoms
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Three Kingdoms is a Chinese television series based on the events in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. The plot is based on Luo Guanzhong's classical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms, and other related stories. Directed by Gao Xixi, the series had a budget of over 180 million yuan and was released in China in May 2010. The series was well received both domestically and internationally, earning an estimated 800 million yuan in total as of May 2012.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: captivating, psychological, tense, factual, period drama
Best tv shows and movies like Three Kingdoms (2010):
Similar in 81%
The Rise of Phoenixes (2018)
Plot Summary:
When a secret from the past rears its head, respected warrior Feng Zhiwei is forced to choose between revenge and her loyalty to ruling prince Ning Yi.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, sexy, captivating, costume drama, exciting, contemplative
Similar in 80%
Once Upon a Time in Qingdao (2014)
Plot Summary:
The series follows the lives of three brothers as they struggle through the turbulent political period before the war. They become part of the first-generation immigrant entrepreneurial path in Qingdao. The story began in 1904 when the Jinan Railway opened and ends with the outbreak of war in 1937.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 8
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 84%
The Advisors Alliance (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of Sima Yi, a great politician and strategist who lived during the Three Kingdoms era. By his side, Sima Yi has his politically-astute distaff members of his household, and pitted against them are the formidable Cao Cao and his heirs. After defending the Kingdom of Wei from Kongming formidable talents, who will end up with the ultimate power?.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 310
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, costume drama
Similar in 86%
The Four (2008)
Plot Summary:
Using the political decline of Northern Song dynasty as the background, this is the story of the Four Great Constables upholding justice while punishing the wicked.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 22
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
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
Similar in 76%
Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018)
Plot Summary:
The road to becoming an empress is paved with treachery. Ruyi is a consort who quickly learns to navigate the treacherous politics of the the royal court and move up the ranks. After becoming Empress, Ruyi still must survive the many conspiracies against her. Her relationship with Emperor Qianlong becomes eroded even when Ruyi is able to overcome the challenges. Can Ruyi maintain her role as Empress under such difficult circumstances?.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, factual, touching, captivating, costume drama
Similar in 88%
The Qin Empire (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Qin Empire is a 2009 Chinese television series based on Sun Haohui's novel of the same Chinese title. The 51 episodes long series chronicles the rise of the Qin state in the Warring States period during the reign of Duke Xiao of Qin. It was produced in 2006 and first aired on television channels in China in December 2009.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 136
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating
Similar in 89%
Palace of Desire (2000)
Plot Summary:
Palace of Desire, also known as Da Ming Gong Ci, is a Chinese television series based on the life story of Princess Taiping, a daughter of China's only female emperor Wu Zetian. Directed by Li Shaohong and Zeng Nianping, the series starred Chen Hong, Zhou Xun, Gui Yalei and Winston Chao in the leading roles. It was first broadcast on CCTV-8 in mainland China on March 30, 2000.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 145
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Ming Dynasty in 1566 (2007)
Plot Summary:
A series based on the events in the reign of the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 9.0
IMDB Votes: 348
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 90%
Kangxi Dynasty (2001)
Plot Summary:
Kangxi Dynasty is a 2001 Chinese television series based on the novel Kangxi Da Di by Eryue He. The series is a prequel to the 1997 television series Yongzheng Dynasty, and was followed by Qianlong Dynasty in 2002.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 284
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing, costume drama
Similar in 77%
Nirvana in Fire (2015)
Plot Summary:
During the great unrest of 4th-century China, war breaks out between the feudal Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties. General Lin Xie of Liang takes his only 17-year-old son, Lin Shu, into battle and successfully fights off the hostile Wei army. But when a political rival frames General Lin Xie, it causes the deaths of 70,000 Chiyan army soldiers. Lin Shu is able to escape with his life with the help of a loyal subordinate. Twelve years later, Lin Shu establishes the Jiangzuo Alliance and returns to the capital as the Chief Mei Changsu. When the Northern Wei forces mount another attack, to what lengths will Mei Changsu go to protect his own people?.
IMDB Rating: 8.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, suspense, costume drama
Similar in 81%
The Legend of Qin (2015)
Plot Summary:
Based off the very popular CGI animation series Qin's Moon, comes an adaptation from Tangren.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 42
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing, historical romance
Similar in 78%
The Orphan of Zhao (2013)
Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 15
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Empresses In The Palace (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Legend of Zhen Huan, also known as Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan, is a Chinese television series based on the Internet novel of the same name. It first aired in China on 17 November 2011. It was announced in 2013 that the drama will be exported to the U.S and re-edit into six TV movies and broadcast on mainstream TV channels in the U.S.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: historical drama, costume drama, tense, captivating, dorama
Similar in 77%
Sound of the Desert (2014)
Plot Summary:
Sound of the Desert traces the fate of Xin Yue, a young orphan who was adopted by the nomadic Xiongnu tribe. When political turmoil forces Xin Yue to flee, she finds herself in the company of two very different, but alluring men: Mo Xun, a kind soul, and Wei Wu Ji, a cold general. As Xin Yue travels throughout a vast desert of possibilities, she must ask herself who she loves most in this delicate dance of love.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 163
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: atmospheric, captivating, psychological, emotional, soap opera, costume drama
Similar in 83%
The Glory of Tang Dynasty (2017)
Plot Summary:
It is a adapted from a novel by Cang Min Shui 沧溟水 that tells the life of a woman, intelligent and kind, who becomes a concubine of the inner court while her love for the people enables her to do great things for the country. It's standard palace politics that we've all heard before but also the kind of story that can be so addictively good.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 105
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing, soap opera, costume drama, period drama
Similar in 77%
A Cursed Monarchy (2005)
Plot Summary:
It is the early 1300's and the treasury of France, under the rule of Philippe IV (Philippe le Bel or Philippe the Beautiful), is empty. The king decides the only solution is to raid the treasures of the Knights Templar (amongst others) and concocts various charges of treason, heresy and deviance against the Knights and their Grand Master Jacques de Molay. Having confessed under torture to the crimes of which he is accused, de Molay is condemned to be burned at the stake. With his dying breath he curses the king, the king's advisor (Guillaume de Nogaret), the pope (Pope Clement V) and the thirteen succeeding generations of their families. There follows one of the most dramatic periods in French history, half a century of political intrigue, murder, treason, war and famine, which ultimately culminates in the 100 Years War.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 559
Genere: Drama, History
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 500 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, mysterious, disturbing
Similar in 84%
The Warring States (2011)
Plot Summary:
Rival Chinese military strategists Sun Bin (Sun Honglei) and Pang Juan (Francis Ng) clash in this historic war adventure set during the Era of Warring States.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 569
Genere: Drama, War
Country: China
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful, stylized, epic, realistic
Similar in 86%
Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan (2007)
Plot Summary:
Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan is a Chinese television series based on a novel by Nangong Bo that tells of the romance between Consort Yang Yuhuan and Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. The series was directed by Zhou Xiaowen and starred Fan Bingbing and Winston Chao as the couple. It was first broadcast on CCTV-8 in mainland China in 2007.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 12
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, tragic ending
Similar in 75%
The Opium War (1997)
Plot Summary:
The story of the Opium War between China, in the waning days of the Qing Dynasty, and the British Empire, in the 1830s, and the subsequent takeover of Hong Kong by Britain; through the eyes of the key figures, fiercely nationalistic Lin Zexu, and opportunistic British naval diplomat Charles Elliot.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 590
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 153 min
Plot tags: epic, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 90%
The Good Lord Bird (2020)
Plot Summary:
Enslaved teenager Henry Shackleford, aka Little Onion, becomes a member in abolitionist John Brown’s motley family during the Bleeding Kansas era before the Civil War.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, War, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 335 min
Plot tags: historical drama, tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing, political, dramatic, cult classic, humorous, dark comedy
Similar in 83%
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 78%
The King Dae Joyoung (2006)
Plot Summary:
This 100-episode epic drama vividly depicts the life of King Dae Jo-yeong and other heroes of the Balhae Kingdom, which dates back 1300 years ago.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 211
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, costume drama
Similar in 88%
The Kingdom of the Winds (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Kingdom of The Winds, also known as The Land of The Wind, is a 2008 South Korean historial drama, broadcast on KBS from 10 September 2008 to 15 January 2009. It was directed by Kang Il-soo, written by Choi Wan-gyu, Jung Jin-ok, Park Jin-woo; adapted from manhwa by Kim Jin.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful
Similar in 81%
The Imperial Age (2022)
Plot Summary:
The epic saga of Zhu Di's life, conquests, and, the rebellion to usurp the throne of the Ming Empire from his imperial nephew.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 33
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: political, captivating, disturbing, suspense
Similar in 86%
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
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: epic, saga, stylized, scenic, visual, tense, brutal, enigmatic, suspense, exciting
Similar in 86%
Three Kingdoms (2008)
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
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: exciting, realistic, atmospheric, serious, stylized, epic
Similar in 87%
Arthdal Chronicles (2019)
Plot Summary:
In a mythical land called Arth, the inhabitants of the ancient city of Arthdal and its surrounding regions vie for power as they build a new society.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: suspense, tense, political, epic, enigmatic, exciting, captivating, dorama, prehistoric, costume drama
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The Hollow Crown (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Hollow Crown is a series of British television films featuring William Shakespeare's History Plays. The first Season is an adaptation of Shakespeare's second historical tetralogy, the Henriad: Richard II, Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II (treated as one film in two parts in the series) and Henry V. The Second Season is subtitled "The Wars of the Roses" as a reference to its scope. It is based on Shakespeare's first tetralogy: Henry VI: Part I, Henry VI: Part II, Henry VI: Part III (treated as two films in the series) and Richard III.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, historical drama, epic, stylized, harsh, costume drama, funny, political, anthology
Similar in 86%
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