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Once Upon a Time in China

Once Upon a Time in China

Never was a Hero needed more...

19917.12h 13m

Overview

In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

Directed by Tsui Hark
Written by Edward Leung Yiu-Ming, Elsa Tang Bik-Yin, Tsui Hark
Produced by Tsui Hark, Raymond Chow
Box Office0Revenue: $3.8M

Top Cast

Jet Li

Jet Li

Wong Fei Hung

Yuen Biao

Yuen Biao

Leung Foon

Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau

Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau

Buck Teeth So

Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam

Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam

13th Aunt

Kent Cheng Jak-Si

Kent Cheng Jak-Si

Porky Wing

Yuen Gam-Fai

Yuen Gam-Fai

Ling Wan Kai

Yen Shi-Kwan

Yen Shi-Kwan

Iron Robe Yim Chun Tung

Lau Shun

Lau Shun

Naval Commander Lau

Wu Ma

Wu Ma

Grand Uncle Chueng

Yau Gin-Gwok

Yau Gin-Gwok

Shaho Gang Leader

Themes & Keywords

martial artskung fuherochinacolonisation19th centuryqing dynasty

About Once Upon a Time in China

Once Upon a Time in China is a action, drama film released in 1991 exploring themes of martial arts, kung fu, hero, china, colonisation, 19th century. Directed by Tsui Hark, it stars Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau. In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

Movies Similar to Once Upon a Time in China

Discover titles like Once Upon a Time in China — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Once Upon a Time in China

If you enjoyed Once Upon a Time in China, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Once Upon a Time in China.

Once Upon a Time in China II
46% Match

Wong Fei-Hung faces the White Lotus Society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat Sen from the military.

Once Upon a Time in China and America
36% Match

So goes to the U.S. to open a martial arts school. Around this time, many Chinese people were sold off to U.S. railroad companies, and were brutally treated by the Americans under the harsh working conditions. Thus, the American workers' hatred towards the Chinese immigrants is high. As a result, So gets into trouble with the Americans and the mob, and calls Master Wong for help.

Fearless
36% Match

Fearless(2006)

Movie7.5/10

After going through a series of tragic events in his life, martial arts master Huo Yuanjia returns to Tianjin and must fight four international soldiers, in order to safeguard his nation's pride.

Tai-Chi Master
31% Match

Falsely accused for cheating in a martial arts competition, two boyhood friends are banished from their Shaolin Temple and go their separate ways. As adults, they join opposing sides in a civil war. When one betrays the other, they settle their differences mano-a-mano.

Shaolin
30% Match

Shaolin(2011)

Movie6.9/10

China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, young and arrogant Hao Jie sneers at Shaolin's masters when he beats one of them in a duel. But the pride comes before a fall. When his own family is wiped out by a rival warlord, Hao is forced to take refuge with the monks. As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hao and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the evil warlords. They launch a daring plan or rescue and escape.

Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin
30% Match

Jackie Chan stars as the young warrior Hsu Yiu Fong. Hsu has been entrusted with the book of the "Art of the Snake and Crane," after the mysterious disappearance of the eight Shaolin Masters who had written it. He must fight off numerous clans who are all attempting to steal the book from him, to find out the true reason for the disappearance of the Shaolin Masters.

The Legend of Drunken Master
29% Match

Returning home with his father after a shopping expedition, Wong Fei-Hong is unwittingly caught up in the battle between foreigners who wish to export ancient Chinese artifacts and loyalists who don't want the pieces to leave the country. Fei-Hong must fight against the foreigners using his Drunken Boxing style, and overcome his father's antagonism as well.

Ip Man 4: The Finale
28% Match

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.

Ip Man
28% Match

Ip Man(2008)

Movie7.8/10

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.

Ip Man 3
26% Match

Ip Man 3(2015)

Movie7.0/10

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.

The Guillotines
26% Match

In the time of the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Yongzheng created a secret army known as the Guillotines. It was the job of the Guillotines to protect the Emperor by killing anyone who posed a threat to him or his rule. After 348 successful missions to eliminate their target, the 349th assignment proves to be their last.

The Young Master
25% Match

Youthful martial arts master Lung is searching for his missing brother, when he is mistaken for a criminal on the run. He must prove his innocence by solving the case himself, while local lawmen and merciless mercenaries are hot on his trail.