If you loved the gripping action and intense drama of 'Sleeping Dogs' (2024), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and shows that deliver similar thrills, from undercover crime sagas to high-stakes heists. Whether you're craving more suspense or complex characters, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Infernal Affairs (2002)
Description: A masterful crime drama exploring the psychological toll of undercover work, featuring high-stakes deception and blurred lines between good and evil.
Fact: The movie inspired Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' and is considered one of the greatest Hong Kong films of all time.


The Departed (2006)
Description: A gripping crime thriller with deep undercover operations, moral ambiguity, and intense cat-and-mouse dynamics between law enforcement and criminals.
Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong movie 'Infernal Affairs' and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.


The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)
Description: An unconventional crime thriller where a gangster and detective form an uneasy alliance to catch a serial killer.
Fact: Sylvester Stallone's production company acquired the rights for an American remake shortly after its release.


The Chaser (2008)
Description: A relentless crime thriller with a race against time narrative, featuring a former cop turned pimp hunting a serial killer.
Fact: The film was based on real-life serial killer Yoo Young-chul and revitalized the Korean thriller genre.


The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Description: A brutal and emotional action-thriller with a lone protagonist seeking redemption through violent means, set against a gritty criminal underworld.
Fact: The film's climactic knife fight scene is often cited as one of the most intense and well-choreographed in Korean cinema.


I Saw the Devil (2010)
Description: A dark and visceral revenge thriller that explores the cycle of violence and the psychological descent of its protagonist.
Fact: The film was temporarily banned in South Korea due to its extreme violence before being released with heavy cuts.


Drug War (2012)
Description: A tense and realistic portrayal of drug trafficking and police operations, featuring intricate plotting and morally complex characters.
Fact: This was the first mainland Chinese film by Hong Kong director Johnnie To to be released uncensored in China.


Headshot (2016)
Description: A violent action film featuring an amnesiac protagonist with extraordinary fighting skills caught in a web of crime and corruption.
Fact: The film's lead actor, Iko Uwais, performed nearly all of his own stunts despite suffering multiple injuries during production.


The Villainess (2017)
Description: A stylish and brutal action film following a trained assassin seeking revenge while navigating a world of betrayal and violence.
Fact: The movie's opening first-person action sequence was so impressive it inspired similar scenes in Hollywood films like 'Atomic Blonde'.


The Outlaws (2017)
Description: A gritty crime action film based on true events, showcasing violent turf wars between gangs and the cops trying to stop them.
Fact: The movie was a massive box office success in South Korea, spawning a sequel in
