Movies Like The Iron Butterfly

If you liked The Iron Butterfly (1989), a tv movie movie directed by Johnnie To, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The Substitute 2: School's Out (1998)
★ 6.5/10Also tv movie
When teacher Randall Thomasson is killed during a carjacking, an unexpected visitor shows up at his funeral - his estranged brother, Karl Thomasson. An ex-Green Beret turned mercenary, Karl signs on as a new substitute…
2
Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
★ 7/10Also tv movie
Police Chief Jesse Stone's relationship with his ex-wife worsens, and he fears he's relapsing into alcoholism. To get his mind off his problems, Jesse begins working on the unsolved murder of a bank teller shot during…
3
Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025)
★ 7/10Also tv movie
Ricky Gervais tackles life, death and the state of the world in a brutally honest special that spares no topic, even his own mortality.
4
Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
★ 6.7/10Also tv movie
Follow the 10-year reunion of the Deadwood camp to celebrate South Dakota's statehood. Former rivalries are reignited, alliances are tested and old wounds are reopened, as all are left to navigate the inevitable…
5
Evil Nanny (2016)
★ 5.9/10Also tv movie
A couple hires a live-in nanny to watch the offspring while they work. At first, everything goes perfectly, but when an unsafe incident means the parents no longer want the nanny around, they find out this nanny is…
6
Gotti (1996)
★ 6.6/10Also tv movie
John Gotti, the head of a small New York mafia crew breaks a few of the old family rules. He rises to become the head of the Gambino family and the most well-known mafia boss in America. Life is good, but suspicion…
7
Cleveland Abduction (2015)
★ 7.3/10Also tv movie
A single mother becomes Ariel Castro's first kidnapping victim, and finds herself trapped in his home with two other women for 11 years.
8
Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (2025)
★ 7.2/10Also tv movie
In what might be his most personal and introspective hour yet, Bill offers hilarious takes on everything from male sadness to dating advice.
9
When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)
★ 5.9/10Also tv movie
Jill Johnson, now a crisis center counselor, reunites with retired detective John Clifford to hunt a killer stalking a coed.
10
Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004)
★ 6.5/10Also tv movie
The story of the senior-level preparations for the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 from the time of Dwight D. Eisenhower's appointment as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, to the establishment of the beachhead in…
11
Airwolf: The Movie (1984)
★ 5.9/10Also tv movie
Airwolf is capable of supersonic speeds, invisible to radar and armed with ultra state-of-the-art hardware. Airwolf is the most awesome aerial weapon ever developed. When the helicopter is stolen by Libyan mercenaries…
12
The Gabby Douglas Story (2014)
★ 7.4/10Also tv movie
The true story of Gabby Douglas who becomes the first African American to be named Individual All-Around Champion in artistic gymnastics at the Olympic Games.
13
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America (2006)
★ 5.9/10Also tv movie
An outbreak of avian flu mutates into a virus that becomes transmittable from human to human.
14
Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023)
★ 7/10Also tv movie
In a rowdy stand-up set, Shane Gillis riffs on his girlfriend's Navy SEAL ex, touring George Washington's house and being bullied by an Australian Goth.
15
The Christmas Card (2006)
★ 6.2/10Also tv movie
Sergeant Cody Cullen is deeply touched by a homemade Christmas card he receives while serving in Afghanistan. Upon his discharge, he treks to the picturesque California town of Nevada City. Cody is soon welcomed into…
16
South Park (Not Suitable for Children) (2023)
★ 7.4/10Also tv movie
After it's discovered that a teacher at South Park Elementary has an OnlyFans page, Randy is compelled to take a closer look at the seedy underbelly of the world of online influencers.
17
Escape from Sobibor (1987)
★ 7.2/10Also tv movie
The true story of WWII's notorious Sobibor Nazi death camp, where a courageous inmate orchestrates and leads the escape of over 300 prisoners.
18
A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale (2015)
★ 5.8/10Also tv movie
Spoiled 21-year-old Luce Lockhart faces a tough decision when a handsome new friend asks her to help protect a dog park from her wealthy employer.
19
The Memory Keeper's Daughter (2008)
★ 6.5/10Also tv movie
During a blizzard in 1964, Dr. David Henry delivers his son Paul with the help of nurse Caroline. But when Henry realizes his wife is also carrying a girl with Down syndrome, he hands the second child over to Caroline…
20
Ivanhoe (1982)
★ 6.4/10Also tv movie
Ivanhoe, a worthy and noble knight, the champion of justice returns to England after the holy wars, and finds England under the reign of Prince John and his henchmen and finds himself being involved in the…