17 Movies Similar to Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs II is the perfect prequel to the original Infernal Affairs. While the first movie was a straightforward thriller, this film takes a more character-driven approach and provides a wider perspective on Hong Kong society. It delves into the back story that was only hinted at in the first movie, showing how Chan Wing Yan becomes an undercover cop in the triads while Lau Kin Ming joins the police force. The film stands completely on its own, even though the audience already knows the ultimate ending. It's like a tale of adversaries on opposite sides of the law, reminiscent of Michael Mann's 'Heat'. The subtle behaviors of the heroes and villains are more interesting than the macho posturings we often see in American movies. The absence of Tony Leung from the original cast is a bit disappointing, but these two movies are incredibly complementary and equally good. So if you loved Infernal Affairs, you definitely shouldn't miss Infernal Affairs II.

Infernal Affairs III continues the captivating story of Infernal Affairs, picking up after the events of the original film. While the first sequel was a prequel, part III dives deeper into the original film, filling in more details and providing a satisfying conclusion for fans. This movie focuses more on the characters than the tension, particularly on Ming's ongoing struggle with his identity. If you're into the characters and enjoy exploring their parallels with the original film, Infernal Affairs III is worth watching. It rewards attentive viewers with well-crafted events and revelations. The performances, especially from Tony Leung and Andy Lau, are natural and engaging. However, the film falls short in developing the characters emotionally, relying more on events to keep the audience interested. Overall, if you're a fan of the series and the characters, Infernal Affairs III is an effective and enjoyable film that ties up loose ends.

Running Out of Time is a thrilling crime drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, just like Infernal Affairs. Both movies share a similar theme of police involvement in criminal activities, with characters who are torn between their duty and their personal agendas. While Infernal Affairs focuses on the complex world of drug dealing and mole infiltration, Running Out of Time takes us on a 72-hour rollercoaster ride of revenge and negotiation. The cinematography in both films is top-notch, with intense action sequences and captivating visuals that create a gripping atmosphere. The performances by Andy Lau in both movies are exceptional, showcasing his versatility as an actor. However, Running Out of Time stands out with its unique directorial style by Johnnie To, known for his masterful storytelling and attention to detail. The film's operatic action sequences, combined with Arthur Wong's captivating music, create a truly immersive experience.

Kaakha..Kaakha: The Police is a thrilling Indian action film that bears resemblance to Infernal Affairs. Both movies revolve around the lives of police officers who find themselves entangled in dangerous criminal activities. While Infernal Affairs focuses on the themes of drug dealing, police corruption, and the search for a mole, Kaakha..Kaakha: The Police delves into the world of gangsters, revenge, and the consequences of a police team killing a drug dealer's brother. Despite their similar themes, the movies differ in terms of setting and cultural context. Infernal Affairs takes place in Hong Kong and explores the dark underbelly of the city's criminal underworld, while Kaakha..Kaakha: The Police is set in India and offers a unique perspective on the lives of police officers in the country. If you enjoyed the intense and suspenseful storytelling of Infernal Affairs, Kaakha..

The Belgrade Phantom is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs because both movies fall under the genres of Action, Crime, Drama, and Thriller. While Infernal Affairs is a neo-noir film set in Hong Kong, The Belgrade Phantom takes place in the old Socialist Yugoslavia. The plot of both movies revolves around the police and criminals, with undercover agents playing a crucial role. However, there are notable differences between the two films. Infernal Affairs has a longer runtime of 101 minutes compared to The Belgrade Phantom's 82 minutes. Additionally, Infernal Affairs has received 24 wins out of 26 nominations, showcasing its critical acclaim, whereas The Belgrade Phantom has yet to win any awards. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed Infernal Affairs, The Belgrade Phantom offers a thrilling storyline set in a different time and place, giving you a blast from the past in old Socialist Yugoslavia.

Big Bang is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs because both movies center around the theme of the police. However, while Infernal Affairs explores the world of undercover cops and moles within the police department, Big Bang takes a different approach and follows the story of Park Man-su, a conservative salesman who becomes an unwitting fugitive from justice. Despite the difference in plot, both movies share the common element of police involvement, adding an element of thrill and suspense to the narratives. Additionally, while Infernal Affairs is a neo-noir crime thriller, Big Bang blends comedy and action, creating a unique and entertaining mix. If you enjoyed the intense and gripping storyline of Infernal Affairs, Big Bang offers a refreshing twist on the police genre, combining humor and excitement in a way that will keep you entertained throughout the movie.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs, but with a Korean twist. While the original will always have a special place in our hearts, the Korean adaptation brings its own flavor to the table. The cinematography, culture, politics, and corruption are seamlessly infused into the story, giving it a unique charm. The characters each have their own captivating backstories, adding depth and complexity to the plot. Of course, since it's a remake, some of the excitement may decline as we know the basic story, but the Korean culture and their distinctive style of filmmaking make this adaptation worth watching. It's a tribute to the original rather than an attempt to replace it. So, if you're a fan of Money Heist and want to experience it with a Korean twist, this is definitely a series to check out.

The Tigers is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs, the original movie that inspired the Hollywood remake "The Departed". Both movies are Hong Kong crime dramas that delve into the dark and gritty world of corruption. While Infernal Affairs focuses on the intense cat-and-mouse game between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop, The Tigers explores the consequences faced by a group of cops who find themselves in jeopardy after spending a gangster's bribe money. Both movies highlight the theme of betrayal and the thin line between the law and the criminal underworld. However, unlike Infernal Affairs, The Tigers falls short in terms of execution and fails to fully utilize the star power of its cast, including Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Nevertheless, if you loved Infernal Affairs and want to see more of Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai's early performances, The Tigers offers a glimpse into their acting abilities before they reached their full potential.

Psycho-Pass is a series that delves into the complexities of technology and humanity, just like Infernal Affairs. Both stories revolve around the police and criminal world, exploring the moral dilemmas that arise when justice is intertwined with technology. In Infernal Affairs, the characters are torn between their roles as a mole and an undercover cop, while in Psycho-Pass, the protagonist questions the ruling Sibyl System when faced with a criminal mastermind. These thought-provoking narratives make us ponder the impact of technology on our lives and the boundaries of morality. Additionally, both movies incorporate literary references that add depth to the story. Infernal Affairs subtly pays homage to its originality by featuring classic lines and the use of Morse Code, while Psycho-Pass astounds with dialogues quoting famous authors, eliciting philosophical questions about justice and ideal societies.

A Better Tomorrow, released in 1986, is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs, released in 2005. Both movies fall under the genres of Action, Crime, Drama, and Thriller, and share key topics such as crime, the criminal underworld, and neo-noir elements. While Infernal Affairs explores the complex relationship between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop, A Better Tomorrow delves into the story of a reforming ex-gangster trying to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother. Both films capture the audience's attention with their engaging plots and intense performances. A Better Tomorrow kick-started the successful partnership between John Woo and Chow Yun Fat, paving the way for heroic bloodshed films and inspiring many imitators. However, A Better Tomorrow stands out as the superior movie, showcasing how it's done correctly.

Unit One is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs because both movies fall under the genres of Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, and Thriller. They both revolve around the theme of police work and have similar key topics such as murder, police, and mystery. While Infernal Affairs is a cinema movie from Hong Kong and Unit One is a Danish series, they both captivate the audience with their engaging plots and intense storytelling. Infernal Affairs, which was released in 2005, has gained recognition with 24 wins out of 26 nominations, while Unit One, released in 2000, has also received critical acclaim. If you enjoyed the originality and excitement of Infernal Affairs, Unit One is definitely worth a watch.

Hunter is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs in its portrayal of the police department and its pursuit of criminals. Both movies delve into the dark world of crime and law enforcement, showcasing the intense cat-and-mouse game between the police and the criminal underworld. Infernal Affairs focuses on the complex dynamics between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop, while Hunter follows the tough homicide detective Rick Hunter and his partner Dee Dee McCall as they chase down bad guys in San Diego. Although set in different countries and time periods, both movies share the common theme of dedicated law enforcement officers risking everything to uphold justice. While Infernal Affairs is a cinematic masterpiece with an intricate plot and critical acclaim, Hunter presents a more straightforward and action-packed narrative. Nevertheless, both movies offer thrilling and suspenseful experiences that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So if you enjoyed the originality and gripping storyline of Infernal Affairs, Hunter is definitely worth a watch.

Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger is a thrilling and action-packed series that will leave you on the edge of your seat, just like Infernal Affairs. While the plots of the two movies may seem different at first glance, they actually share some interesting similarities. Both stories revolve around law enforcement agencies and the pursuit of justice. In Infernal Affairs, we see a mole in the police department and an undercover cop trying to uncover each other's identities. Similarly, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger follows the newly recruited Banban Akaza as he joins the S.P.D. Earth branch to apprehend a band of incarcerated criminals. Both movies involve a cat-and-mouse game between the law enforcement officers and the criminals, creating an intense and suspenseful atmosphere. However, one notable difference between the two is their cultural background. Infernal Affairs hails from Hong Kong, while Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger comes from Japan.

Los hombres de Paco is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs because both movies revolve around the lives of police officers. While Infernal Affairs focuses on the intense cat-and-mouse game between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop, Los hombres de Paco takes a more lighthearted approach, following the hilarious cases of police officer Francisco "Paco" Miranda and his team. Despite their tonal differences, both movies share the common theme of law enforcement and the challenges they face. While Infernal Affairs keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping plot and suspenseful atmosphere, Los hombres de Paco provides a comedic twist to the police genre, offering a fresh and entertaining perspective. So, if you loved the intense and thrilling nature of Infernal Affairs, you should give Los hombres de Paco a watch for its unique blend of satire comedy and police action.

Gotham. Imagine a city engulfed in darkness, dripping with corruption and crime, where villains lurk in the shadows and heroes rise to the occasion. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Just like "Infernal Affairs," Gotham takes us on a thrilling journey through the underbelly of a city. While the former is set in Hong Kong and the latter in Gotham City, the similarities between the two are striking. Both movies explore the intricate dance between the police and criminals, as they seek to uncover the truth and maintain order. However, where "Infernal Affairs" delves into the world of drug dealing and moles, Gotham brings to life the iconic DC Comics characters and their battle against corruption. While "Infernal Affairs" is a cinematic masterpiece that keeps you at the edge of your seat for over 100 minutes, Gotham is a series that unravels its gripping narrative over multiple seasons, giving you a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Behzat Ç: Ankara Is on Fire is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs in its thrilling plot centered around law enforcement. While Infernal Affairs explores the themes of drug dealing, mole, police, criminal, and neo-noir, Behzat Ç: Ankara Is on Fire delves into the world of police, Turkey, gun, fight, and bomb attack. Both movies keep you on the edge of your seat with their intense action, crime, drama, mystery, and thriller genres. However, Behzat Ç: Ankara Is on Fire adds an adventurous twist to the mix. Despite their similarities, the movies differ in their settings, with Infernal Affairs taking place in Hong Kong and Behzat Ç: Ankara Is on Fire set in Ankara, Turkey.

Century of the Dragon is reminiscent of Infernal Affairs in its portrayal of an undercover cop infiltrating a criminal organization. In both movies, the main characters find themselves torn between their loyalty to their criminal companions and their duty as law enforcement officers. While Infernal Affairs focuses on the intricate game of cat and mouse between the mole and the undercover cop, Century of the Dragon explores the complex dynamics between rival gangs and the police. The former is a neo-noir masterpiece that delves into the psychological aspects of deception, while the latter is a gritty action-packed film that keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoyed the tense atmosphere and gripping storyline of Infernal Affairs, Century of the Dragon is a must-watch for its intense action sequences and intricate plot. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a thrilling ride through the dangerous world of undercover police work.