Movies Like The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)

The Emperor and the Assassin is a 1998 drama, history film from Chen Kaige with a MovieMagicScore of 7.0/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Hero and The Prince of Egypt.

Drama History

Hero

2002

During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.

7.5

MagicScore

The Prince of Egypt

1998

The strong bond between two brothers is challenged when their chosen responsibilities set them at odds, with extraordinary consequences.

7.3

MagicScore

Lust, Caution

2007

During World War II, a secret agent must seduce and assassinate an official who works for the Japanese puppet government in Shanghai.

7.3

MagicScore

DragonHeart: A New Beginning

2000

When Geoff, an orphaned stable boy (Chris Masterson), discovers Drake (voice of Robby Benson), the world's last living dragon, he realizes that his dream of becoming a knight in shining armor can now come true. Together, they soon face challenges that turn them into heroes. But caught up in the excitement of their new lives, Geoff and Drake fail to see the hidden dangers that surround them.

5.4

MagicScore

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

2008

Archaeologist Rick O'Connell travels to China, pitting him against an emperor from the 2,000-year-old Han dynasty who's returned from the dead to pursue a quest for world domination. This time, O'Connell enlists the help of his wife and son to quash the so-called 'Dragon Emperor' and his abuse of supernatural power.

5.5

MagicScore

Pavilion of Women

2001

With World War II looming, a prominent family in China must confront the contrasting ideas of traditionalism, communism and Western thinking, while dealing with the most important ideal of all: love and its meaning in society.

5.4

MagicScore

White Snake

2019

One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village. She has lost her memory, and together they go on a journey to discover her real identity, developing deeper feelings for one another along the way. But as they learn more about her past, they uncover a darker plot of supernatural forces vying for power, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

7.7

MagicScore

Cabiria

1914

Young Cabiria is kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Carthage. Just as she's to be sacrificed to Moloch, Cabiria is rescued by Fulvius Axilla, a good-hearted Roman spy, and his powerful slave, Maciste. The trio are broken up as Cabiria is entrusted to a woman of noble birth. With Cabiria's fate unknown, Maciste punished for his heroism, and Fulvius sent away to fight for Rome, is there any hope of our heroes reuniting?

7.2

MagicScore

The Colossus of Rhodes

1961

While on holiday in Rhodes, Athenian war hero Darios becomes involved in two different plots to overthrow the tyrannical king, one from Rhodian patriots and the other from sinister Phoenician agents.

6.0

MagicScore

#10

Hannibal

1959

A Carthaginian general attempts to cross the Alps with an army of elephants in order to conquer Rome.

5.5

MagicScore

#11

Ugetsu

1953

In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.

8.0

MagicScore

#12

No End in Sight

2007

Chronological look at the fiasco in Iraq, especially decisions made in the spring of 2003 - and the backgrounds of those making decisions - immediately following the overthrow of Saddam: no occupation plan, an inadequate team to run the country, insufficient troops to keep order, and three edicts from the White House announced by Bremmer when he took over.

7.8

MagicScore

#13

Empire of Lust

2015

In the turbulent Joseon dynasty, army commander Min-jae watches ambitious Prince Yi Bang-won while becoming entwined with Ga-hee, a vengeful gisaeng. Fate collides as power shifts.

6.9

MagicScore

#14

Princess Yang Kwei-fei

1955

In eighth century China, the Emperor is grieving over the death of his wife. The Yang family wants to provide the Emperor with a consort so that they may consolidate their influence over the court. General An Lushan finds a distant relative working in their kitchen whom they groom to present to the Emperor. The Emperor falls in love with her and she becomes the Princess Yang Kwei-fei. The Yangs are then appointed important ministers, though An Lushan is not given the court position he covets. The ministers misuse their power so much that there is a popular revolt against the Yangs, fueled by An Lushan.

6.7

MagicScore

#15

Soldier of Fortune

1976

Medieval soldier of fortune Ettore is traveling through Europe with his partners looking for a fight where they can earn some money. When they come across a Spanish castle under siege by the French army, Ettore bides his time to determine which side is the winning one. This is at first the French, but the treatment he receives from them is unpleasant enough to make him change his mind and turn to the Spanish side. Somehow, Ettore must rally the weakened Spanish troops to battle their enemy long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

6.3

MagicScore

#16

Animal Farm

1954

Animals on a farm lead a revolution against the farmers to put their destiny in their own hands. However this revolution eats their own children and they cannot avoid corruption.

7.0

MagicScore

#17

The Mosquito Coast

1986

An inventor spurns his city life and moves his family into the jungles of Central America to make a utopia.

6.3

MagicScore

#18

Back to the Past

2025

In the Qin Dynasty, time-traveller Hong Siu-lung has lived in seclusion with his family for twenty years. Yet every step he takes remains under the watchful eye of his former disciple, now the Qin Emperor. On the brink of ultimate power after conquering the six warring states, the emperor is suddenly ambushed by a mysterious team wielding advanced weapons clearly originating from Hong’s time. Drawn together by fate again, Hong and Qin Emperor are forced to confront the long-buried conflict between them, because the future now depends on how they settle their past.

6.0

MagicScore

#19

G.I. Samurai

1979

A squadron of Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers find themselves transported through time to their country's warring states era, when rival samurai clans were battling to become the supreme Shogun.

5.9

MagicScore

#20

Dungeons & Dragons

2000

The Empire of Izmer is a divided land: elite magicians called “mages” rule while lowly commoners are powerless. When Empress Savina vows to bring equality and prosperity to her land, the evil mage Profion plots to depose her.

4.3

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Emperor and the Assassin?

The top films similar to The Emperor and the Assassin by MovieMagicScore are Hero (7.5), The Prince of Egypt (7.3), Lust, Caution (7.3). Each shares drama/history themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Emperor and the Assassin worth watching?

The Emperor and the Assassin holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.0/10 from 83 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is The Emperor and the Assassin?

The Emperor and the Assassin (1998) is a drama, history film directed by Chen Kaige, starring Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Emperor and the Assassin?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Hero Movies like The Prince of Egypt Movies like Lust, Caution Movies like DragonHeart: A New Beginning Movies like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Movies like Pavilion of Women

About movies like The Emperor and the Assassin

This ranked list pairs The Emperor and the Assassin (1998), a drama and history film from Chen Kaige, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Gong Li take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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