Movie

Drums of Fu Manchu

1940 · 269 min

A breakneck serial of cliffhanger chases and exotic villainy, watched with nostalgic relish for its earnest, dated thrills.

Directed by: William Witney, John English
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Science fiction
Starring: Henry Brandon, William Royle, Robert Kellard

Tagline: CRUEL, INSIDIOUS IN HIS MAD SCHEME TO CONQUER ASIA!
Overview: The nefarious Dr. Fu Manchu searches for the keys to the tomb of Genghis Khan, in order to fulfill a prophecy that will enable him to conquer the world. His nemesi, Dr. Nayland Smith and his associates fight to keep the evil doctor from getting his hands on the keys. In 1943 the serial was edited together into a feature movie also called Drums of Fu Manchu.

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Search YouTube for a trailer

In the UKNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.

Directed by: William Witney, John English
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Science fiction
Starring: Henry Brandon, William Royle, Robert Kellard

In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone: tensestrength 2 of 3
campystrength 2 of 3
darkstrength 1 of 3
earneststrength 1 of 3
Pacing: brisk, 3 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: easy-watch, 2 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: power
ambition
conspiracy
betrayal
survival
Places: big city
countryside
Era: period
Audience: teen
Form: serialised
ensemble
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence mild
Sex none

All scales, 0 to 10

Scales, 0 to 10
Scale	Value	0 to 10
Action	7
Horror	3
Humour	2
Realism	3
Romance	1
Tension	6
Darkness	4
Complexity	3
Emotional weight	3

Titles like Drums of Fu Manchu

Movie

The Brides of Fu Manchu

1966

A colourful, old-fashioned pulp adventure with a hissable villain, exotic lairs and plucky heroes racing to foil a mad scheme.

Campy · about power and betrayal

Via: campy
power
betrayal
Pacing: measured
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 94 min

Details

The Brides of Fu ManchuHidden from your suggestions.

TV series

The God of War Dominates

2020

Short, punchy fantasy episodes that race through martial-arts power-ups and clan intrigue, easy to dip into and oddly addictive.

Tense, brisk · about power and ambition

Via: tense
power
ambition
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Seasons: 1

Details

The God of War DominatesHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Adventures of Captain Marvel

1941

A brisk, wholesome cliffhanger ride with earnest heroics, pulpy menace and a new peril every few minutes.

Same director: John English · Tense, campy, brisk · about power · ensemble

Also: Same director: John English
Via: tense
campy
power
ensemble
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 216 min

Details

Adventures of Captain MarvelHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

The Mask of Fu Manchu

1932

A lurid, fast-moving pulp adventure full of exotic menace, torture devices and theatrical villainy that plays as creaky, unsettling spectacle.}{.

Tense, campy, brisk · about power

Via: tense
campy
power
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 68 min

Details

The Mask of Fu ManchuHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Dick Tracy's G-Men

1939

A brisk, earnest cliffhanger serial that feels like a vintage detective adventure, with simple thrills and a touch of pulp menace.

Same director: John English · Tense, brisk · about conspiracy

Also: Same director: John English
Via: tense
conspiracy
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 302 min

Details

Dick Tracy's G-MenHidden from your suggestions.

TV series

Adventures of Captain Marvel

1941

A cheerful, fast-moving old-time serial full of cliffhanger thrills, simple heroics and charmingly dated effects that make it easy, nostalgic fun.

Same creator: William Witney · Brisk · about power and betrayal · ensemble

Also: Same creator: William Witney
Via: power
betrayal
ensemble
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Seasons: 1

Details

Adventures of Captain MarvelHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Kingdom

2019

A sweeping, earnest historical action epic with brisk pacing, big emotions, and stylized sword fights that feel like a manga come to life.

Tense, brisk · about power and ambition · ensemble

Via: tense
power
ambition
ensemble
Pacing: brisk
Attention: engaged
Runtime: 133 min

Details

KingdomHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

King of the Rocket Men

1949

A brisk, earnest serial of cliffhanger chases and rocket-pack rescues, dated but energetic, with a mysterious villain and simple, wholesome thrills.

Same writer: Sol Shor · Tense, brisk · about conspiracy

Also: Same writer: Sol Shor
Via: tense
conspiracy
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 167 min

Details

King of the Rocket MenHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Dr. No

1962

A stylish, breezy spy caper with exotic locales, casual cool, and a touch of menace.

Tense, campy · about power and conspiracy

Via: tense
campy
power
conspiracy
Pacing: measured
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 110 min

Details

Dr. NoHidden from your suggestions.

TV series

Tomb Raider King

2026

A propulsive power-fantasy rush of tomb-raiding and revenge, built on future knowledge and escalating stakes.

Tense, brisk · about power and ambition

Via: tense
power
ambition
Pacing: brisk
Attention: engaged
Seasons: 1

Details

Tomb Raider KingHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Raiders of the Lost Ark

1981

A thrilling, globe-trotting adventure with iconic set pieces, humor, and a sense of wonder.

Tense, brisk · about power and betrayal

Via: tense
power
betrayal
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 115 min

Details

Raiders of the Lost ArkHidden from your suggestions.

Movie

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe

1940

A nostalgic, fast-paced space adventure with campy charm, where each chapter brings new thrills and narrow escapes.

Tense, campy, brisk · about power and betrayal

Via: tense
campy
power
betrayal
Pacing: brisk
Attention: easy-watch
Runtime: 195 min

Details

Flash Gordon Conquers the UniverseHidden from your suggestions.

Where to watch in the UK

No UK streaming, rental or purchase options are known.

Streaming data from JustWatch.TMDB

Details

Genres: fantasy, horror, science fiction, action
Directed by: William Witney, John English
Written by: Morgan Cox, Franklin Adreon, Sol Shor, Barney A. Sarecky
Starring: Henry Brandon, William Royle, Robert Kellard, Luana Walters, Olaf Hytten, Tom Chatterton, Gloria Franklin, John Merton
Music: Cy Feuer, Paul Sawtell
Cinematography: William Nobles
Runtime: 269 min
Country: United States of America
Languages: English

TMDB IMDb Letterboxd Wikipedia Wikidata

Something wrong on this page? Tell us.

Drums of Fu Manchu

How it feels

More like this

Titles like Drums of Fu Manchu

Where to watch in the UK

Details