If you loved the slow-burning tension and poetic visuals of 'The Assassin' (2015), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that capture the same blend of martial arts mastery, atmospheric storytelling, and stunning cinematography. Whether you're a fan of wuxia epics or simply crave more films with a meditative pace, these recommendations will satisfy your cinematic appetite.

The Last Emperor (1987)
Description: A biographical epic that chronicles the life of China's final emperor, capturing the grandeur and tragedy of a fading imperial era through sumptuous visuals.
Fact: It was the first Western film granted permission to shoot in Beijing's Forbidden City, and it won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture.


Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Description: A sweeping historical drama that intertwines personal relationships with China's turbulent 20th century history, exploring themes of identity, art, and political upheaval.
Fact: The film was the first Chinese movie to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes and remained banned in China for several years due to its sensitive political content.


Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Description: A masterpiece of martial arts cinema that blends poetic storytelling with gravity-defying action sequences, delving into themes of love, duty, and personal freedom.
Fact: It was the first foreign-language film to gross over $100 million in the U.S. and won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film.


Hero (2002)
Description: A visually stunning wuxia film that explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and political intrigue through its layered storytelling and breathtaking cinematography.
Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and features a unique color-coding system to differentiate between narrative perspectives.


House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Description: A romantic wuxia film known for its lush visuals, intricate plot twists, and a tragic love story set against a backdrop of rebellion and betrayal.
Fact: The film's bamboo forest fight scene took over a month to shoot and required specially trained dancers to perform the acrobatic stunts.


Red Cliff (2008)
Description: An epic war film that combines grand-scale battle sequences with intricate political maneuvering and strategic warfare tactics from ancient Chinese history.
Fact: Originally released as two separate films in Asia, the international version was edited down to a single


Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
Description: A lavish historical drama that explores themes of power, family betrayal, and repressed emotions within the opulent confines of a royal palace.
Fact: The film holds the record for the most expensive Chinese production at the time, with its elaborate sets and costumes costing over $45 million.


The Warlords (2007)
Description: A gritty historical drama that examines the brutal realities of war, brotherhood, and moral compromise during times of conflict.
Fact: The film's battle scenes involved over 1,000 extras and were shot in extreme weather conditions across multiple Chinese provinces.


The Grandmaster (2013)
Description: A biographical martial arts film that combines historical drama with philosophical musings on legacy, tradition, and the passage of time, all framed within stunningly choreographed fight sequences.
Fact: The production spent three years researching and training actors in authentic Wing Chun martial arts techniques.


Shadow (2018)
Description: A visually striking film that uses a monochromatic color palette to tell a story of political intrigue, doppelgängers, and the blurred lines between reality and deception.
Fact: The film's unique visual style was achieved by using only shades of black, white, and gray, with occasional splashes of color in specific scenes.
