Movies Like The Raid (2012) for Martial-Arts Mayhem
Bone-crunching martial arts action with relentless pacing and real-stunt choreography.
Bone-crunching martial arts action with relentless pacing and real-stunt choreography.
Best first watch
The Raid 2 (2014)
92% fit150 min · IMDb 7.9 · RT 82%
The direct sequel picks up where The Raid left off, sending Rama undercover into a crime syndicate. At 150 minutes and rated R, it trades the confined building for a sprawling revenge saga with even more elaborate choreography.
Watch if
You want The Raid's world expanded into a full crime epic.
Skip if
You prefer tight, sub-two-hour action movies.
For you if
- You love real martial arts choreography with minimal CGI or wire work
- You enjoy watching fighters push through impossible odds in confined spaces
- You enjoy graphic, R-rated action that hits hard on a weeknight
Not for you if
- You prefer action built around gunfights and explosions over fistfights
- You need strong character development and slower dramatic arcs
- You avoid graphic violence and bone-breaking sound effects
How The Raid (2012) alternatives compare
Pick Ong-Bak or The Night Comes for Us if you want action within the first few minutes. Pick The Raid 2 if you want a longer, story-driven crime saga that earns its fights. Ip Man sits in the middle, offering real dramatic weight alongside precise choreography. Headshot works if you want Iko Uwais in a mid-length revenge thriller. If extreme gore is a dealbreaker, stick with Ong-Bak or Ip Man.
How graphic is the violence?
Very graphic
How long does it run?
Long at 150 minutes
Story depth vs. fight density?
Full crime saga
Slow burn or fast start?
Slower build, big payoff
How graphic is the violence?
Hard but clean
How long does it run?
Tight at 105 minutes
Story depth vs. fight density?
Mostly fights
Slow burn or fast start?
Action comes fast
How graphic is the violence?
Hard but clean
How long does it run?
Tight at 106 minutes
Story depth vs. fight density?
Real dramatic weight
Slow burn or fast start?
Steady build
How graphic is the violence?
Extreme and relentless
How long does it run?
Moderate at 121 minutes
Story depth vs. fight density?
Thin plot, heavy action
Slow burn or fast start?
Explosive from the start
How graphic is the violence?
Quite graphic
How long does it run?
Moderate at 118 minutes
Story depth vs. fight density?
Some story, lots of fights
Slow burn or fast start?
Moderate build
Not sure what to watch?
Date night
Ip Man balances exciting Wing Chun fights with a genuine emotional story you can share.
Quick watch
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
At 105 minutes, Ong-Bak delivers non-stop Muay Thai action without overstaying its welcome.
Friend group
The Night Comes for Us gets the loudest reactions with its over-the-top, graphic fight scenes.
Find your pick
Do you want to see Rama's story continue directly?
Moments you loved
Best movies like The Raid (2012)
1. The Raid 2 (2014)
150 min · IMDb 7.9 · RT 82%
The direct sequel picks up where The Raid left off, sending Rama undercover into a crime syndicate. At 150 minutes and rated R, it trades the confined building for a sprawling revenge saga with even more elaborate choreography.
Watch if
You want The Raid's world expanded into a full crime epic.
Skip if
You prefer tight, sub-two-hour action movies.
Where to watch
2. Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
105 min · IMDb 7.2 · RT 85%
Tony Jaa's Muay Thai precision delivers the same no-wire, no-CGI commitment to real stunts that makes The Raid special. Its 85% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects how well the choreography holds up.
Watch if
You want pure martial arts stunts with zero digital trickery.
Skip if
You need a complex plot alongside your fight scenes.
Where to watch
3. Ip Man (2008)
106 min · IMDb 8.0 · RT 86%
Donnie Yen's Wing Chun fighting is precise and grounded, and the wartime setting gives the revenge a real emotional foundation. Currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock, with an 8.0 on IMDb.
Watch if
You want disciplined martial arts with genuine dramatic stakes.
Skip if
You want wall-to-wall action with minimal downtime.
Where to watch
4. The Night Comes for Us (2018)
121 min · IMDb 6.9 · RT 92%
This R-rated Netflix film pushes the graphic violence far beyond The Raid, with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes backing up its reputation as one of the most relentless action movies in years.
Watch if
You want revenge action pushed to its absolute bloodiest extreme.
Skip if
You have any limits on on-screen gore and brutality.
Where to watch
5. Headshot (2016)
118 min · IMDb 6.3 · RT 73%
Iko Uwais stars again, this time as an amnesiac fighter taking on a drug lord, bringing the same physical precision from The Raid into a different story. It's streaming on Netflix with a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch if
You want more Iko Uwais in a gritty amnesia revenge thriller.
Skip if
You feel the amnesia plot setup is too familiar.
Where to watch
Beyond movies
TV shows and books that scratch the same itch
Warrior
Bruce Lee's vision brought to life with authentic martial arts and brutal gang warfare in 1870s San Francisco. Each fight sequence channels The Raid's commitment to practical choreography.
Max
Gangs of London
Gareth Evans co-created this series, bringing his signature bone-crushing action to London's criminal underworld. The violence is as relentless and creative as anything in The Raid.
AMC+
Into the Badlands
Post-apocalyptic martial arts with wire-free fight choreography that emphasizes real technique and brutal efficiency. Daniel Wu's action direction rivals the best Indonesian cinema.
AMC+
Common questions about movies like The Raid (2012)
What is the best movie like The Raid (2012)?
Based on our analysis, The Raid 2 (2014) is the closest match with a 92% fit score. See the full breakdown above for why it earned the top spot.
For a The Raid-style watch tonight, is The Raid 2 where I should begin?
The Raid 2 is your best next watch. It matches the same kinetic action energy and carries a solid 7.9 on IMDb.
For a short weeknight runtime after The Raid, is Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior at 105 minutes the right call?
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior clocks in at 105 minutes, making it the shortest watch here. It holds 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Which streaming provider is most likely to have Ip Man available tonight after The Raid?
Ip Man is currently listed on Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock for a follow-up to The Raid. Availability changes by region, so confirm current streaming listings before watching, and use Amazon Video or Apple TV Store as a rental fallback.
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