Classic Hong Kong action
by darkvalnar | created - 21 Nov 2017 | updated - 21 Nov 2017 | PublicLet's be honest here, John Woo created a couple of dark action masterpieces. Who doesn't love to see Chow Yun Fat kicking ass with some serious lead?
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Hard Boiled (1992)
R | 128 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A tough-as-nails cop teams up with an undercover agent to shut down a sinister mobster and his crew.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Teresa Mo, Philip Chan
Votes: 54,054
This is honestly a masterpiece, if you say the name John Woo, you instantly have to think about this classic cops vs triads movie. One of John Woo's best movies EVER made and an instant classic, even back in 92.
2. The Killer (1989)
R | 111 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh, Kong Chu
Votes: 51,103
Another classic Hong Kong action movie about an assassin trying to retire, one last hit is all that's in his way to finally get out of the business and care for his girlfriend but things go downhill, forcing him to join forces with the cop who is pursuing him.
Chow Yun Fat was born for this role and it is always very hard to rank this movie against Hard Boiled, it's just THAT good.
3. Bullet in the Head (1990)
Not Rated | 136 min | Action, Crime, Drama
When three close friends escape from Hong Kong to war-time Saigon to start a criminal's life, they all go through a harrowing experience which totally shatters their lives and their friendship forever.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee, Simon Yam
Votes: 11,668
This movie will grab you and won't let loose until the credits roll, one of the few movies with non-stop violence. This is definitely one of Woo's "stranger" films but damn it's good. Watch this movie with a couple of friends because this is seriously some very, very, VERY heavy duty stuff but it works so well.
If you don't mind any of that, go ahead and watch it, you'll have a great time.
4. A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Not Rated | 95 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Lung Ti, Leslie Cheung, Chow Yun-Fat, Emily Chu
Votes: 25,483
Ex gangster tries to get back on track by reconciling with his HK PD brother but his gang ties prove to be too difficult to break. Amazing movie with a lot of double crosses and shoot outs.
5. A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
Not Rated | 105 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A restauranteur teams up with a police officer and his ex-con brother to avenge the death of a friend's daughter.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Chow Yun-Fat, Lung Ti, Dean Shek
Votes: 11,325
Very satisfying conclusion to the original movie "A Better Tomorrow/City Wolf", good movie but the main story ark never really gets enough scenes. You can tell they only have Chow Yun Fat's name in this because he made the original so popular.
John Woo disowned most of the film, still a good flick. Just not every John Woo-ish.
6. Heroes Shed No Tears (1984)
82 min | Action, Drama, War
The Thai government hires a group of Chinese mercenaries to capture a powerful drug lord from the Golden Triangle. The mercenaries manage to capture the drug lord, but soon find themselves ... See full summary »
Director: John Woo | Stars: Eddy Ko, Ching-Ying Lam, Philippe Loffredo, Cécile Le Bailly
Votes: 1,403
Nihilistic war drama with some action scenes, only watch this if you watched Bullet in the Head and were fine after it. This movie is extremely dark and brutal, but at the same time it's Woo's first real gun fight movie. Good movie but not for the faint of heart.
7. Once a Thief (1991)
R | 108 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A romantic and action packed story of three best friends, a group of high end art thieves, who come into trouble when a love-triangle forms between them.
Director: John Woo | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Chow Yun-Fat, Cherie Chung, Kong Chu
Votes: 7,295
Very light film, compared to the other John Woo classics. Definitely has its moments if you don't mind the love triangle and overall light feel this movie has. Has some good shoot out scenes and heists.
Tell Your Friends