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Movies that feel like Shaolin Soccer (2001)

If you loved Shaolin Soccer, the closest films we have are The Prodigal Son (1981), Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013) and Kung Fu Hustle (2004). All three share Shaolin Soccer's kinetic and witty feel, which is what we rank on before quality. 7 of the 12 picks below are included with a subscription right now on HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel and others, checked against today's data.

A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.

πŸ… 89% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 7.3 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Stephen Chowkineticwittyplayful

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If Shaolin Soccer hit the spot, these will too

The Prodigal Son poster
The Prodigal Son
1981 Β· dir. Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
πŸ… 100%β˜… 7.3action Β· comedy

Two things both keep coming back to: martial arts and kung fu

The difference: 20 years apart, and the 1980s show

A rich man's son believes himself to be the best kung fu fighter in Canton. Unfortunately, his father, anxious for his son's safety, bribes all his opponents to lose. After a humiliating defeat at the hands of an actor in a traveling theatre company, the son resolves to find a better teacher.

Feels alike?
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons poster
πŸ… 94%β˜… 6.7action Β· fantasy Β· adventure

Stephen Chow directing both, with the same fingerprints on each

The difference: Leans harder into fantasy than Shaolin Soccer does

In a world plagued by demons who cause great human suffering, young demon hunter Tang Sanzang must fight against monstrous demons, as well as contend with a beautiful demon hunting woman on his path to enlightenment.

Feels alike?
Kung Fu Hustle poster
Kung Fu Hustle
2004 Β· dir. Stephen Chow
πŸ… 90%β˜… 7.7action Β· comedy Β· crime

Both are Stephen Chow's work, and they rhyme

The difference: Sits closer to crime than Shaolin Soccer does

It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.

Feels alike?
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow poster
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
1978 Β· dir. Yuen Woo-ping
πŸ… 80%β˜… 7.3action Β· comedy

Both are built on the same subject: martial arts

Everyone abuses and humiliates a downtrodden orphan 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.

Feels alike?
Drunken Master poster
Drunken Master
1978 Β· dir. Yuen Woo-ping
πŸ… 81%β˜… 7.4action Β· comedy

The same preoccupation in both: kung fu

After getting into trouble, a mischievous young man is sent to train under a brutal, but slovenly old beggar, who teaches him the secret of the Drunken Fist.

Feels alike?
Project A - Part II poster
Project A - Part II
1987 Β· dir. Jackie Chan
πŸ… 73%β˜… 7action Β· comedy

The same mix in both: momentum, then wit

Dragon is now transferred to be the police head of Sai Wan district, and has to contend with a gangster kingpin, anti-Manchu revolutionaries, some runaway pirates, Manchu Loyalists and a corrupt police superintendent.

Feels alike?
My Lucky Stars poster
My Lucky Stars
1985 Β· dir. Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
β˜… 6.3action Β· comedy

Playful action, and it commits to that

Two Hong Kong cops are sent to Tokyo to catch an ex-cop who stole a large amount of money in diamonds. After one is captured by the Ninja-gang protecting the rogue cop, the other one gets his old Orphanage gang, dubbed the "Five Lucky Stars," to help him. They don't like this much, but they do it.

Feels alike?
The Legend of Drunken Master poster
The Legend of Drunken Master
1994 Β· dir. Lau Kar-leung
πŸ… 85%β˜… 7.5action Β· comedy

Kinetic comedy in both cases

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.

Feels alike?
Mr. Nice Guy poster
Mr. Nice Guy
1997 Β· dir. Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
πŸ… 45%β˜… 6.2crime Β· action Β· comedy

Both lean on wit more than on action

The difference: Critics were much harder on this one

A Chinese chef accidentally gets involved with a news reporter who filmed a drug bust that went awry and is now being chased by gangs who are trying to get the video tape.

Feels alike?
Tower Heist poster
Tower Heist
2011 Β· dir. Brett Ratner
πŸ… 67%β˜… 6.2action Β· comedy

Comedy built on play, twice over

A luxury condo manager leads a staff of workers to seek payback on the Wall Street swindler who defrauded them. With only days until the billionaire gets away with the perfect crime, the unlikely crew of amateur thieves enlists the help of petty crook Slide to steal the $20 million they’re sure is hidden in the penthouse.

Feels alike?
Police Story poster
Police Story
1985 Β· dir. Jackie Chan
πŸ… 90%β˜… 7.5action Β· crime Β· comedy

Action with a pulse of momentum, in both cases

Officer Chan Ka Kui manages to put a major Hong Kong drug dealer behind the bars practically alone, after a shooting and an impressive chase inside a slum. Now, he must protect the boss' secretary, Selina, who will testify against the gangster in court.

Feels alike?
The Accidental Spy poster
The Accidental Spy
2001 Β· dir. Teddy Chan Tak-Sam
πŸ… 25%β˜… 5.8action Β· comedy Β· thriller

Comedy built on wit, twice over

A fun-filled story about an ordinary guy about to kick into an action-packed adventure. Jackie Chan plays a bored and unsuccessful salesman who never thought his life would amount to anything. All that changes one day when he becomes an instant hero by foiling an attempted bank robbery.

Feels alike?

In the mood for more kinetic?

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The best-reviewed films that share Shaolin Soccer’s defining feeling.