Movies Like Karate Wars

If you liked Karate Wars (1978), a action movie directed by Hideo Nanbu, 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
Black Belt (2007)
★ 6.8/10Also action
Set in 1932, amid the rise of militarism after the establishment of the Manchukuo colony in Northeast China, the story centers on a trio of karateka. Studying under their aging master in a small dojo in the woods of…
2
The Paper Tigers (2020)
★ 6.7/10Also action
Three middle aged men polish their martial arts skills to avenge their fallen master.
3
In the Blood (2014)
★ 5.8/10Also action
When her husband goes missing during their Caribbean vacation, a woman sets off on her own to take down the men she thinks are responsible.
4
Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (1945)
★ 6/10Also action
A few years after his breakthrough, Sanshiro resumes his path to judo mastery—testing his discipline against an American prizefighter and later facing vengeful karate brothers. As rival schools and public spectacle…
5
Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016)
★ 7/10Also action
Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
6
Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter (1994)
★ 6.7/10Also action
His name is Baki Hanma. No one knows where he came from or where he learned his unique fighting style. When it comes to Karate, Baki Hanma is just plain GOOD. He can defeat an opponent with a single blow and he's…
7
No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990)
★ 6.8/10Also action
Two feuding brothers of differing political views, one a policeman, the other a martial artist, join forces to avenge the death of their father, a retired agent who was brutally murdered by the mafia.
8
Tokyo Fist (1995)
★ 6.8/10Also action
A businessman, Tsuda, runs into a childhood friend, Kojima, on the subway. Kojima is working as a semiprofessional boxer. Tsuda soon begins to suspect that Kojima might be having an affair with his fiancée Hizuru…
9
Romeo Must Die (2000)
★ 6.3/10Also action
Two warring gang families (one African-American, the other Chinese) maneuver for bragging rights to the Oakland, California docks. Han Sing and Trish O'Day uncover a trail of deceit that leaves most of the warring…
10
Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
★ 6.6/10Also action
Nick and Ruben are hoodwinked into a "shootfighter" (no-holds-barred, to the death) martial arts match by the evil Mr. Lee, who has a grudge against world shootfighter champ(and teacher of Nick and Ruben) Shingo.
11
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)
★ 6.5/10Also action
Four fighters from different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in their midst.
12
The Challenge (1982)
★ 5.9/10Also action
Rick, a down-and-out American boxer, is hired to transport a sword to Japan, unaware that the whole thing is a set up in a bitter blood-feud between two brothers, one who follows the traditional path of the samurai and…
13
Beast (2026)
★ 7.5/10Also action
MMA legend Patton James, now a commercial fisherman, is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy, he commits to one final fight in one championship against the brutal…
14
Sister Street Fighter (1974)
★ 6.6/10Also action
Li Mansei is a martial-arts champion turned undercover agent. When he is captured by a drug lord, his sister Li Koryu turns to his former martial-arts school, including the powerful Sonny Kawasaka, for help in the…
15
The Big Brawl (1980)
★ 5.9/10Also action
A young Asian American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fight competition.
16
The Return of Sister Street Fighter (1975)
★ 6.5/10Also action
When Koryu's childhood friend Shurei is abducted by gangsters, the desperate young woman recruits a female martial artist and a tough-as-nails stranger to join her for a dangerous rescue mission.
17
Born a Champion (2021)
★ 6.9/10Also action
After a blood- soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging…
18
Embattled (2020)
★ 6.7/10Also action
The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.
19
Best of the Best (1989)
★ 6.5/10Also action
A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?
20
No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)
★ 6.3/10Also action
The mob is trying to strongarm local martial arts schools, forcing young Jason Stillwell and his family to move after his father is injured defending their dojo. With his father now rejecting violence, Jason is forced…