If you loved the high-octane action and gritty crime drama of 'Showdown in Manila' (2016), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping thrills, intense fight scenes, and gripping storylines. Whether you're a fan of martial arts, crime capers, or explosive showdowns, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Police Story (1985)
Description: A blend of comedy and high-octane action, featuring incredible stunts and fight choreography. The film's practical effects and daring sequences set a new standard for action cinema.
Fact: Jackie Chan performed all his own stunts, including a dangerous slide down a pole covered in lights. The film was a major hit in Asia.


Hard Boiled (1992)
Description: A classic Hong Kong action film with non-stop gunfights and explosive set pieces. The film's high-energy action and chaotic shootouts are legendary in the genre.
Fact: The hospital shootout scene took over 40 days to film. It is often cited as one of the greatest action films ever made.


The Bourne Identity (2002)
Description: A tense, fast-paced thriller about a man with amnesia who discovers he is a highly skilled operative. The film's realistic fight scenes and gripping narrative redefine the spy genre.
Fact: The film's car chase scene was filmed without CGI, using practical effects. It revitalized the spy thriller genre in the early 2000s.


The Transporter (2002)
Description: A high-speed action film featuring a professional driver who gets entangled in dangerous missions. The film's slick action sequences and car chases are its hallmarks.
Fact: Jason Statham performed most of his own driving stunts. The film's success led to a franchise and a TV series.


The Equalizer (2014)
Description: A retired operative returns to action to protect the innocent, using his skills to deliver brutal justice. The film's themes of redemption and vigilantism are paired with intense, methodical action scenes.
Fact: Denzel Washington trained in Krav Maga for the role. The film is loosely based on a 1980s TV series of the same name.


Taken (2008)
Description: A relentless action film about a father using his special skills to rescue his daughter from kidnappers. The film's tight pacing and brutal efficiency in action scenes make it memorable.
Fact: The film's iconic phone monologue was ad-libbed by Liam Neeson. It became a surprise box office hit and spawned two sequels.


Dredd (2012)
Description: A gritty, action-packed film set in a dystopian future, focusing on a lone law enforcer taking on overwhelming odds with brutal efficiency. The film's intense violence, urban setting, and relentless pace make it a standout in the action genre.
Fact: The film was shot in 3D, with slow-motion sequences designed to highlight the effect. It was a box office disappointment but gained a cult following.


The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Description: A dark, emotional action film about a mysterious man who takes on a criminal underworld to rescue a kidnapped girl. The film's intense fight scenes and emotional depth make it a standout.
Fact: The film won several awards in South Korea, including Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The final knife fight is considered one of the best in cinema.


Atomic Blonde (2017)
Description: A stylish, Cold War-era spy thriller with a strong female lead who engages in brutal hand-to-hand combat. The film's neon-lit visuals and relentless action sequences set it apart.
Fact: The film features a single-take fight scene that lasts nearly 10 minutes. It is based on a graphic novel titled 'The Coldest City.'


John Wick (2014)
Description: A high-octane revenge thriller with meticulously choreographed action sequences and a protagonist who is a master of close-quarters combat. The film's stylish violence and underworld setting create a compelling narrative.
Fact: Keanu Reeves performed most of his own stunts, including the intricate gun-fu sequences. The film's success spawned a franchise.
