Movies like
Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.
Audiences latched onto The Way of the Dragon (1972) as a action theatrical experience: big enough for a group watch, specific enough to reward a second viewing once you know where it's headed. The action and crime blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.
Runtime 1h 40m · ★ 7.4
Mood
Streaming (US)
Era
Showing 10 of 10 picks
★ 6.7 · Action · Crime · Thriller · 1h 32m
Why you'll love it
The action energy of The Way of the Dragon is alive in The Transporter (2002), filtered through a different story but the same emotional register. It earns its place on this list with a dark payoff that rivals the original pick.
Watch on
YouTube TV
Amazon Video(Rent)
Apple TV Store(Rent)
Google Play Movies(Rent)
YouTube(Rent)
Fandango At Home(Rent)
Spectrum On Demand(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)
★ 7.1 · Action · Comedy · Crime · 1h 37m
Why you'll love it
Rush Hour (1998) operates in the same action as The Way of the Dragon, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The funny payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
Plex(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 7.3 · Action · Thriller · Crime · 1h 49m
Why you'll love it
The Equalizer 3 (2023) belongs to the same conversation as The Way of the Dragon — both anchor their action in crime emotion that doesn't let go. The dark undercurrent connects them more than any plot summary would suggest.
Watch on
Hulu
fuboTVYouTube TVAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
★ 6.9 · Action · Crime · 1h 43m
Why you'll love it
If The Way of the Dragon's action stayed with you, Unleashed (2005) delivers the same sensation through an entirely different story. The crime through-line is the real common thread between them.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 7.8 · Drama · Action · Thriller · 1h 41m
Why you'll love it
Where The Way of the Dragon excels in action, Infernal Affairs (2002) doubles down on crime to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.
Watch on
HBO Max
Criterion ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 8.0 · Action · Crime · 4h 13m
Why you'll love it
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2011) is the natural next step after The Way of the Dragon: same action DNA, different perspective. The tense streak and crime elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)YouTube(Buy)Fandango At Home(Buy)
★ 7.5 · Action · Crime · Comedy · 1h 40m
Why you'll love it
Fans of The Way of the Dragon who respond to its action will find Police Story (1985) immediately familiar. Both films share a crime sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.
Watch on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon ChannelCriterion ChannelApple TV Store(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Apple TV Store(Buy)Fandango At Home(Buy)
★ 7.1 · Action · Thriller · Crime · 2h 2m
Why you'll love it
There's a reason The Way of the Dragon fans keep landing on New Police Story (2004) — the action is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.
★ 7.1 · Action · Crime · Thriller · 1h 45m
Why you'll love it
Police Story 2 draws from the same action well as The Way of the Dragon, channeling crime in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 1988 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.
Watch on
HBO MaxHBO Max Amazon ChannelCriterion Channel
Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelApple TV Store(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Apple TV Store(Buy)Fandango At Home(Buy)
★ 7.3 · Action · Thriller · Crime · 1h 59m
Why you'll love it
Infernal Affairs II (2003) captures the action appeal of The Way of the Dragon without simply imitating it. The crime streak running through both films is what puts Infernal Affairs II at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.
Watch on
HBO MaxCriterion ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Browse every "movies like" page on the site—including ones still waiting to be indexed.