MesmeroWatch list, 0 saved

Movie
Poster for Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple

1982 · 100 min

A earnest, old-school kung fu epic that balances rigorous training, warm monastery camaraderie, and tragic vengeance with a bittersweet, contemplative finish.

Overview
The Tang emperor is betrayed by one of his generals, who installs himself as emperor in the East Capital. The son of one of his slave workers escapes to the Shaolin Temple, learns kung fu, and sets out to kill the traitor who killed his father.

Search YouTube for the trailer

In the UKNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.
In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • earneststrength 3 of 3
  • warmstrength 2 of 3
  • melancholicstrength 2 of 3
  • tensestrength 2 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • revenge
  • coming-of-age
  • justice
  • faith
  • betrayal
Places
  • countryside
  • small town
Era
period
Audience
teen
Form
  • ensemble
Content intensity
  • Gore mild
  • Language mild
  • Violence strong
  • Sex none
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action8
Horror1
Humour4
Realism6
Romance3
Tension5
Darkness5
Complexity4
Emotional weight6

More like this

Titles like Shaolin Temple

Movie

Martial Arts of Shaolin

1986

A lively, acrobatic kung fu adventure with playful monks, a revenge quest, and plenty of spirited fights.

Earnest · about revenge and justice

Via
  • earnest
  • revenge
  • justice
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
94 min
Details In your watch list
Martial Arts of ShaolinHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Tai-Chi Master

1993

Bouncy, acrobatic fight scenes carry a story of friendship souring into rivalry, with moments of real sorrow beneath the playful kung fu energy.

Earnest, melancholic · about betrayal · ensemble

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • betrayal
  • ensemble
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
96 min
Details In your watch list
Tai-Chi MasterHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

1978

A patient, disciplined climb through punishing training, building to satisfyingly earned combat.

Earnest, tense · about revenge and coming-of-age

Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • revenge
  • coming-of-age
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
116 min
Details In your watch list
The 36th Chamber of ShaolinHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Blades of the Guardians

2026

A sweeping, hard-hitting martial arts epic with relentless fights and a somber historical backdrop.

Earnest, tense · about justice and betrayal · ensemble

Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • justice
  • betrayal
  • ensemble
Pacing
brisk
Attention
engaged
Runtime
126 min
Details In your watch list
Blades of the GuardiansHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Shaolin King of Martial Arts

2002

A classic wuxia tale of injustice and training, with plenty of martial arts action and a steady, earnest tone.

Same director: Cheung Sing-Yim · Earnest, tense · about revenge and justice

Also
Same director: Cheung Sing-Yim
Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • revenge
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details In your watch list
Shaolin King of Martial ArtsHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Hero

2002

A ravishing, stately wuxia told in shifting versions, where gorgeous colour-coded duels and quiet philosophical debate build to a solemn, moving sacrifice.

Earnest, melancholic · about justice and betrayal

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • justice
  • betrayal
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
99 min
Details In your watch list
HeroHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Fist of Legend

1994

A propulsive martial-arts drama with hard-hitting fights, nationalistic tension, and a stoic hero's quiet grief.

Earnest, tense · about revenge and justice

Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • revenge
  • justice
Pacing
brisk
Attention
engaged
Runtime
103 min
Details In your watch list
Fist of LegendHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Shaolin Wooden Men

1976

A somber, disciplined kung fu journey with brutal training, quiet determination, and a satisfying gauntlet of wooden foes.

Earnest, melancholic · about revenge

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • revenge
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
97 min
Details In your watch list
Shaolin Wooden MenHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Invincible Shaolin

1978

A somber, intricately plotted martial arts tragedy where elaborate training and tense duels build toward a bittersweet, honorable showdown.

Earnest, melancholic · about revenge and justice · ensemble

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • revenge
  • justice
  • ensemble
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
106 min
Details In your watch list
Invincible ShaolinHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Seven Samurai

1954

A patient, deeply human epic that builds from quiet character moments to a thrilling, rain-soaked battle, leaving a bittersweet ache.

Earnest, melancholic · about justice · ensemble

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • justice
  • ensemble
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
207 min
Details In your watch list
Seven SamuraiHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

The 18 Bronzemen

1976

A scrappy, earnest kung fu adventure with punishing training gauntlets and sudden betrayals, moving fast and hitting hard.

Earnest, tense · about revenge and betrayal

Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • revenge
  • betrayal
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
95 min
Details In your watch list
The 18 BronzemenHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

The Kung Fu Instructor

1979

A classic martial arts drama with tense clan feuds, intricate fights, and a strong sense of honor and betrayal.

Earnest, tense · about revenge and justice

Via
  • earnest
  • tense
  • revenge
  • justice
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
100 min
Details In your watch list
The Kung Fu InstructorHidden 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
action
Directed by
Cheung Sing-Yim
Written by
Lo Siu-Cheung, Sit Hau
Starring
Jet Li, Yu Hai, Yu Chenghui, Ding Lan, Hu Jian-Qiang, Sun Jiankui, Liu Huai-Liang, Ji Chunhua
Music
Wong Lap-Ping
Cinematography
Chau Pak-Ling, Liu Feng-Lin
Runtime
100 min
Country
China, Hong Kong

TMDBIMDbLetterboxdWikipediaWikidata