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Movies that feel like Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010)

If you loved Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, the closest films we have are The Assassin (2015), The Legend Is Born: Ip Man (2010) and The Five Venoms (1978). All three share Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame's kinetic feel, which is what we rank on before quality. 10 of the 12 picks below are included with a subscription right now on HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu and others, checked against today's data.

When the future empress Wu Zetian's two courtiers die in a mysterious fire, she gets Di Renjie, a former detective and rebel, released from prison to solve the mystery of the fire.

πŸ… 80% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 6.6 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Tsui Harkkineticepiccontemplativetwisty
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If Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame hit the spot, these will too

The Assassin poster
The Assassin
2015 Β· dir. Hou Hsiao-hsien
πŸ… 80%β˜… 6.3action Β· adventure Β· history

The same two preoccupations: martial arts, and tang dynasty

The difference: Lighter on stillness

9th century China. Ten year old general’s daughter Nie Yinniang is abducted by a nun who initiates her into the martial arts, transforming her into an exceptional assassin charged with eliminating cruel and corrupt local governors. One day, having failed in a task, she is sent back by her mistress to the land of her birth, with orders to kill the man to whom she was promised – a cousin who now leads the largest military region in North China. After 13 years of exile, the young woman must confront her parents, her memories and her long-repressed feelings.

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The Legend Is Born: Ip Man poster
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man
2010 Β· dir. Herman Yau
β˜… 7drama Β· action Β· history

Common ground: kung fu

The difference: Leans further into history

The remarkable true story of the early life of Ip Man, the formidable kung fu genius who would become Bruce Lee's mentor; beginning at the start of his journey from his initial training through to the ultimate battle to become supreme master of the art of Wing Chun.

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The Five Venoms poster
The Five Venoms
1978 Β· dir. Chang Cheh
πŸ… 80%β˜… 7action Β· drama Β· mystery

Both are built on the same subject: martial arts

The difference: Played as fantasy first

A dying master sends his last student to check up on five former pupils, who each know a special style of kung-fu.

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Once Upon a Time in China poster
Once Upon a Time in China
1991 Β· dir. Tsui Hark
πŸ… 90%β˜… 7.2action Β· drama

Tsui Hark working the same nerve twice

In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

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House of Flying Daggers poster
House of Flying Daggers
2004 Β· dir. Zhang Yimou
πŸ… 87%β˜… 7.5adventure Β· drama Β· action

The same preoccupation in both: wuxia

In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.

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The Grandmaster poster
The Grandmaster
2013 Β· dir. Wong Kar-Wai
πŸ… 78%β˜… 6.6action Β· drama Β· history

One thread runs through both: kung fu

The fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war, is the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Legendary kung fu master Ip Man, who will eventually train Bruce Lee, finds his peaceful life interrupted by vengeance.

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Bodyguards and Assassins poster
Bodyguards and Assassins
2009 Β· dir. Teddy Chan Tak-Sam
πŸ… 50%β˜… 6.8drama Β· action Β· history

Kinetic where it counts, epic underneath

The difference: Reviewed a good deal more coolly

In 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-sen came to Hong Kong to meet revolutionary comrades. The Qing government sent a group of killers to murder him. Ordinary citizens from all walks of life joined together, blocking the streets and fighting off the assassins to keep Sun Yat-sen safe.

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Kung Fu Jungle poster
Kung Fu Jungle
2014 Β· dir. Teddy Chan Tak-Sam
πŸ… 74%β˜… 6.4action Β· thriller Β· crime

Action with a pulse of momentum, in both cases

A martial arts instructor working at a police academy gets imprisoned after killing a man by accident. But when a vicious killer starts targeting martial arts masters, the instructor offers to help the police in return for his freedom.

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Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen poster
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
2010 Β· dir. Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
πŸ… 47%β˜… 6.2drama Β· action Β· history

Both lean on stillness more than on drama

The Japanese forces occupy Shanghai and slowly start spreading terror in the city. Chen Zhen, who was presumed dead, returns to fight against the Japanese and put an end to their tyrannical rule.

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Mulan: Rise of a Warrior poster
Mulan: Rise of a Warrior
2009 Β· dir. Jingle Ma Choh-Sing
β˜… 6.6adventure Β· drama Β· action

Epic adventure in both cases

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 strategy. Mulan loses dear friends to the enemy's blade as she rises to become one of her country's most valuable leaders β€” but can she win the war before her secret is exposed?

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Ip Man 3 poster
Ip Man 3
2015 Β· dir. Wilson Yip
πŸ… 76%β˜… 7action Β· drama Β· history

Mystery built on stillness, twice over

When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.

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Ong Bak 3 poster
Ong Bak 3
2010 Β· dir. Tony Jaa
πŸ… 63%β˜… 4.9action Β· adventure Β· history

Kinetic action, and it commits to that

Tien is captured and almost beaten to death before he is saved and brought back to the Kana Khone villagers. There he is taught meditation and how to deal with his Karma, but very soon his arch rival returns challenging Tien for a final duel.

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In the mood for more kinetic?

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The best-reviewed films that share Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame’s defining feeling.