Top 10 Must-See Hong Kong Gangster Movies

The Last Leader is set in 1920s-1930s Shanghai and tells the true story of a gangster named Cheng Daiki, following his transformation from a naive young man into a notorious crime boss. In 1917, Daiki is a kind-hearted youth working at a fruit shop. His fiancée, Diep Tri Thu, is a talented singer dreaming of fame. The couple plans to marry once Daiki has established a stable career. However, Daiki's life changes when he witnesses his boss's affair with the police chief. To silence him, the police chief falsely accuses Daiki of murder and has him imprisoned. In prison, Daiki meets Mao Tai, an officer working for the Japanese military, who helps him escape. Daiki joins the underworld of Shanghai and becomes part of the notorious Hong Tho Ding's gang. After saving his boss's life, Daiki rises to become Hong Tho Ding's right-hand man and is respected as a powerful figure. With wealth and fame, Daiki’s dream remains only half fulfilled as his relationship with his childhood love, Diep Tri Thu, grows distant. During the Sino-Japanese War, Daiki reunites with Tri Thu and Mao Tai, his old benefactor. The Last Leader is the first film in which two iconic Hong Kong stars, Chow Yun-fat and Sammo Hung, collaborate. Sammo Hung commented that working with Chow Yun-fat was enjoyable but often involved only action scenes, joking that they hoped their next collaboration would focus more on emotions. One notable point is that the film's English title could be confused with a 1976 Hollywood film starring Robert De Niro, Tony Curtis, and Jack Nicholson, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Art Direction.

Prepare to be amazed by the spectacular martial arts scenes and powerful performances that will leave you in awe. Featuring a star-studded cast from Hong Kong and China, including Nicholas Tse, Donnie Yen, Dong Jie, and Yu Rongguang, Dragon Tiger Gate offers exhilarating action. The story follows Wang Xiao Hu, who, while dining at Hu Fang, finds himself at a Black Gang meeting and clashes with a ruthless villain. Driven by justice, Xiao Hu defeats the villain and takes his 'Lashat Order,' a mysterious artifact linked to Fire God Huo Yun, the leader of the infamous Lashat Sect. Whoever holds the Lashat Order gains the privilege of working with the criminal syndicate.

Fire God Huo Yun is determined not to let anyone control him and begins hunting for the thief who took the Lashat Order. He discovers that it is Wang Xiao Hu from Dragon Tiger Gate. In a fit of rage, Huo Yun attacks Dragon Tiger Gate, and in the ensuing battle, Xiao Hu’s master, Wang Hang Long, is massacred. The film showcases intense martial arts sequences and Hong Kong cinema’s signature flair, highlighting Xiao Long's struggle for revenge against the cruel Lashat Sect leader, as he seeks justice for his slain loved ones.

The Triad Society faces turmoil every time it selects a new leader for its two-year reign. This time, the two top contenders are Big D and A Lik, each representing opposing personalities: Big D is bold and aggressive, while A Lik is more reserved and calculating. In their fight for power, both candidates are willing to use any means necessary, including deceit and manipulation against their own members. The final outcome will be decided when the 'Long-Headed Staff'—the supreme symbol of power in the society—ends up in the hands of one of the two. How much blood will be spilled in this brutal power struggle, and who will emerge victorious?

Hong Kong gangster films are a subgenre of action movies focused on dramatic battles, intense rivalries, and themes of brotherhood, responsibility, honor, redemption, and violence. This genre has become popular worldwide among various directors. Rick Baker describes it as "a Hong Kong action film marked by numerous gunfights, a large number of gangsters, and less focus on martial arts kung fu. It features plenty of bloodshed and intense action sequences." For fans of Hong Kong crime dramas, this is an exciting and thrilling pick.

The film’s gripping narrative led to a cinematic version being released in 2016, featuring a talented cast including Myolie Wu, Julian Cheung, Louis Koo, and Ng Man-tat. In the movie, Officer Ding (Myolie Wu) returns to the underworld to track down the whereabouts of six undercover cops. During her investigation, she encounters two dangerous figures in the gangster world: a mysterious drug lord (Louis Koo) and a cold-blooded assassin who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals (Julian Cheung). Throughout her mission, Officer Ding is aided by her brilliant superior, Q-Sir (Ng Man-tat). As her investigation becomes more complicated, Ding receives an anonymous tip suggesting that the sixth UC (Undercover Cop) might actually be one of the characters played by Louis Koo or Julian Cheung.

Unexpectedly, a villain appears and fights Louis Koo, prompting Myolie Wu to rush in and assist. This film, mostly shot in Macau and Hong Kong, also features scenes filmed in Brazil. Between action-packed chases and dire situations, viewers are treated to steamy moments between Myolie Wu and Louis Koo. As a brave female agent, Myolie Wu uses both her charm and daring moves to achieve her ultimate goal, while the thrilling action never stops.

Firearms revolves around five members of the Triad tasked with protecting a former crime boss now turned businessman, Van Ca, after an assassination attempt on him fails. The group consists of hot-tempered bar owner A Lai, his younger, reckless brother A Tin, the antisocial and troubled professional hitman A Phi, playboy Mike, and legendary assassin A Gui. The film tracks the development of this hitman crew as they bond and reveals the true mastermind behind the failed assassination. The Triad group is the real focus of the film, with minimal screen time for the crime boss.

Firearms is a masterclass in character psychology, used by director Derek Yee to explore loyalty and camaraderie among the characters. The film employs a static, natural shooting style with precise camera angles and minimal dialogue. The action sequences echo the typical conflicts seen in French crime films like Le Cercle Rouge. Derek Yee focuses more on the messy and adaptive nature of criminal life rather than high-speed shootouts. The film's stillness creates an intense atmosphere of anxiety, mixed with moments of awkward humor. Firearms earned numerous awards, including Best Director (Derek Yee) at the Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Awards in 2000, Best Director and Best Actor (Ng Man-tat) at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, and Best Action Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000.

Often hailed as the Eastern counterpart of *The Godfather*, Shanghai Bund is the television series that catapulted Chow Yun-fat to stardom, becoming a household name. The story follows Huā Wénqiáng (Chow Yun-fat), a man of education and revolutionary spirit, who was imprisoned during the turbulent May Fourth Movement. After his release, Wénqiáng joins the Shanghai underworld and rises to become one of the top gangsters in the city during the pre-World War II era. Despite his criminal background, he maintains his love for his country and a deep hatred for the Japanese imperialists, making him a target of pursuit by the ruthless tycoon, Fú Jìngyáo (Liu Dan). His closest companions in Shanghai are his sworn brother Dīng Lì and his beloved, Fú Chéngchéng.

The film is a tragic and poignant tale, blending action, romance, and drama into a deeply emotional narrative. The sorrowful chords of the story tug at the hearts of viewers, leaving them torn by the fate and struggles of each character. The powerful love story of Wénqiáng and Chéngchéng, marked by unfulfilled dreams and tragic separation, lingers in the audience’s heart long after the 42 episodes come to an end, evoking deep sympathy and sorrow for a love that could never be.

Dennis Law is highly regarded in the industry as a multifaceted talent with significant influence in Hong Kong's entertainment world. Not only is he a film producer, actor, and director, but also an excellent TV host. Although he hasn't worked on many projects, his contributions have consistently been of high quality. One of his most recent impressive works is The Constable, which has marked his notable return to filmmaking after a period of limited involvement in the industry. *Battlefront: The Combat Scenes* belongs to the psychological crime genre, featuring many top stars from Hong Kong, including: Adam Cheng, Liza Wang, Lau Hai-bang, Sheu Mei-chi, Cheung Chiu-hui, and Teresa Mo. The most anticipated actor in the film is veteran Adam Cheng, portraying a powerful crime lord in Hong Kong.

The film centers around the character Lam Kwok-chuen, the team leader of a rescue squad who has made significant sacrifices and is always willing to face danger. Despite holding a modest role for years, he never asks for much. His sole joy is caring for his mentally disabled child. One day, while out for a walk, he stumbles upon a gang attempting to assault a girl and single-handedly defeats them to save her. The two become close and often visit each other, considering themselves like family. However, the girl's boyfriend grows jealous, leading to turmoil.

Underworld Heroes is a Hong Kong crime drama directed by Lau Wai-kwong, released in 1996. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Cheng Yee-ki, Lam Tze-chung, Ngoh Chan-wu, Le Tsu, and Adam Cheng, the film quickly gained popularity among audiences, leading to the creation of a sequel titled *The Syndicate Wars 2: The Ferocious Dragon*. *Underworld Heroes* eventually became a franchise, with six parts that revolve around the character of Chan Hao-nam and additional installments focusing on supporting characters from the original film. The series explores the rise and downfall of various Hong Kong triads, and the fierce battles for control of the city's crime territories.

The story follows Chan Hao-nam, the leader of the Hong Hung triad, which controls the bustling Causeway Bay district—a highly lucrative territory that sparks envy among rival gangs seeking to take over. The film also delves into the romantic entanglements of the five members of Hong Hung, particularly the relationships between Chan Hao-nam, So A-tek, Cheung Shan-ha, and Wasabi (Maggie Cheung). After many years of airing, the behind-the-scenes stories of *Underworld Heroes* continue to intrigue fans. Recently, Toutiao revealed some of the hidden secrets surrounding this iconic 90s Hong Kong triad drama.

If you are a fan of Donnie Yen, you can't miss the film Special Identity. The movie tells the story of a hot-headed man who is tasked with infiltrating criminal gangs to gather evidence for the police. When a new case arises, he is sent to Mainland China to cooperate with local police in solving the crime. The film features impressive action scenes with a distinct Chinese flavor, starring Donnie Yen and Jing Tian, offering an exciting experience for moviegoers. The action scenes are sure to captivate audiences with their authenticity.

Trained as a police officer, Chan Tsz Long has nothing but a passion for the job. His low education leads to many challenges, and in order to overcome them, he agrees to go undercover to make a name for himself. However, after eight years in the underworld with a false identity, he begins to question his dangerous decision. The price to pay isn't just his own life, but also the safety of his beloved mother. To protect his cover as an undercover cop, Chan must live and fight like a ruthless gang leader, often wondering, “Who am I really?” as he struggles between protecting his gang members who call him ‘boss’ and reminding himself that he is still a cop, witnessing the violence and oppression unfolding around him.