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Movies that feel like The Grandmaster (2013)

If you loved The Grandmaster, the closest films we have are The Legend Is Born: Ip Man (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015) and Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013). All three share The Grandmaster's kinetic and contemplative feel, which is what we rank on before quality. 11 of the 12 picks below are included with a subscription right now on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Peacock Premium and others, checked against today's data.

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.

πŸ… 78% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 6.6 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Wong Kar-Waikineticcontemplativeepic

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If The Grandmaster hit the spot, these will too

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

The same two preoccupations: martial arts, and kung fu

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

Both are built on the same subject: biography

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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Ip Man: The Final Fight poster
Ip Man: The Final Fight
2013 Β· dir. Herman Yau
πŸ… 67%β˜… 6.1action Β· drama

The same preoccupation in both: biography

The difference: Not nearly as epic as The Grandmaster

Ip Man reluctantly begins a series of challenges from rival kung fu schools and is soon drawn into the dark and dangerous world of the Triads.

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Ip Man 4: The Finale poster
Ip Man 4: The Finale
2019 Β· dir. Wilson Yip
πŸ… 85%β˜… 7action Β· history Β· drama

One thread runs through both: martial arts

Following the death of his wife, Ip Man travels to San Francisco to ease tensions between the local kung fu masters and his star student, Bruce Lee, while searching for a better future for his son.

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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 and contemplative in the same breath

The difference: Critics were much harder on this one

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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Deep Water poster
Deep Water
2006 Β· dir. Louise Osmond
πŸ… 96%β˜… 7.8documentary Β· adventure Β· drama

Epic action, and it commits to that

The difference: Sits closer to documentary than The Grandmaster does

DEEP WATER is the stunning true story of the fateful voyage of Donald Crowhurst, an amateur yachtsman who enters the most daring nautical challenge ever – the very first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race.

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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

Drama with a pulse of momentum, in both cases

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

Both keep coming back to the same thing: kung fu

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

Both lean on scale more than on history

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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Ip Man poster
Ip Man
2008 Β· dir. Wilson Yip
πŸ… 86%β˜… 8drama Β· action Β· history

Contemplative action in both cases

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan between the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Wilson Yip, the film stars Donnie Yen in the lead role, and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung.

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The Warlords poster
The Warlords
2007 Β· dir. Peter Chan Ho-Sun
πŸ… 62%β˜… 7action Β· drama Β· history

Drama built on momentum, twice over

The civil war in China has ruined many lives including General Pang's. A wounded General Pang is saved by a beautiful young woman along with two other men. Together they vow to eradicate the rebels.

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

Epic history, and it commits to that

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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In the mood for more kinetic?

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