The G.I.Joe series has experienced a reboot in the form of Snake Eyes, which focuses on the titular character’s story before a larger plotline comes to fruition. Henry Golding’s turn as the protagonist has been well-received, with the movie also finding fans due to the presence of ninja and Samurai-style characters and fight sequences.
To this end, viewers will be looking for movies that can bring similar levels of entertainment. These are the films that also incorporate the general aesthetic that Snake Eyes has, such as a story of parental loss, redemption, the ninja genre, and an overall mystery within the story.
Ninja Assassin (2009)
The neo-noir flick, starring Rain and Naomie Harris, follows the lead character, Raizo, as an orphaned assassin who becomes disillusioned by the workings of his mentor. After his love interest is killed, he decides to put his ninja skills to use and take the clan that taught him down for revenge.
Ninja Assassin will feel comparable to Snake Eyes due to the fast-paced action involved. It also features a similar protagonist as the latter movie, along with the hero’s journey arc of realizing the limits to his bloodlust and the cost it has on his soul.
Jack Reacher (2012)
This Tom Cruise film is sedate than most action movies, with the focus on the mystery behind the plot. Jack Reacher is accused of being connected to a spree killer, following which he seeks to clear his name. As he goes deeper into his investigations, Reacher realizes there are bigger revelations to uncover.
Snake Eyes fans will appreciate the methodical style of Jack Reacher, as the outline of digging deep into the antagonists’ secrets is similar to the G.I. Joe movie, but has its own pay-off. The thrilling nature of Reacher’s bid to clear his name is enough motivation for viewers to see this thing through.
The Wolverine (2013)
Hugh Jackman once again stars as the title character in an adaptation of one of Wolverine’s most popular comic book stories. The plot sees Wolverine go to Japan and battle his former friend, who wants to steal his healing powers. Wolverine also has to deal with the guilt of killing Jean Grey years earlier.
Snake Eyes falls under the superhero genre, with the general presentation to that of The Wolverine. The X-Men hero’s adventure in Japan brings the aesthetic of the backdrop, filled with Samurai warriors and tropes found in the ninja genre. Of course, there’s the appeal of watching Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in fine form, contending with new villains.
Ninja (2009)
This martial arts movie has a straightforward plot. Starring Scott Adkins in the title role, the lead character travels to New York with the mission to secure the armored chest housing the Kōga ninja weapons. The protagonist’s difficulties with reconciling his assassin nature with his morality is an integral plot point as well.
The no-holds-barred fight style found in Ninja is comparable with Snake Eyes, along with the main character having to be bigger than just a killer to lead into his role as a hero. The simplistic plotline allows the movie to purely focus on the action, making for a breezy runtime that nevertheless gives enough reason for viewers to be invested in the protagonist’s story.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
The third entry more than lives up to the lofty standards set by the first John Wick, with Parabellum taking Wick on a globe-trotting journey. After becoming the no. 1 target for assassins worldwide, John searches for “The Elder” in hopes of regaining his life, all the while fighting off enemies that come for his head.
It’s the fighting style that Snake Eyes fans will enjoy in this movie, with Parabellum having several of these to offer. John Wick is shown taking on assassins of all kinds, including ninjas who serve as his greatest threat. Most sequences are solely about Wick’s incredible talents in combat, and the kind of swordwork he displays can even put Snake Eyes to shame.
BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja (2019)
This female-led movie is set in the age of Samurais and Ninjas, with the lead character, Rikka Isurugi, befriending a girl called Miya, whose father was killed by the Negoroshu gang. When her friend’s life is threatened again, Rikka joins forces with Miya to avenge the death of the latter’s father and to be free of their enemies.
An adaptation of the anime it’s based on, Age of the Ninja’s plot will feel familiar to Snake Eyes fans due to the plotline of the characters avenging their father’s death. What’s different here, though, is that the movie also has a genuine dramatic arc, giving enough weight to emotional quality that the dynamic of the lead duo is felt.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
The fifth James Bond movie’s plot has the titular character head to Japan to follow up on a lead over the tensions between America and the Soviet Union. Bond familiarizes himself within his new environment to combat this unique case.
You Only Live Twice should serve as a fun watch after Snake Eyes due to being a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The James Bond outline is always reliable, and the introductions of ninjas and Japanese fighting give this movie an additional layer of entertainment.
Batman Begins (2005)
This reboot starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne is considered by many as the best Batman origin story. After the death of his parents, Bruce travels around the world, training in combat, before returning to Gotham and realizing that Ra's Al Ghul and Scarecrow are plotting to destroy the city.
The story here is very grounded, focusing on Batman’s characterization and his understanding of the skills that he uses purely for good. Like Snake Eyes, the theme is about overcoming childhood trauma and channeling it into fighting in the name of justice. It also helps that Bruce uses the ninja technique he acquires during his journey within his Batman persona.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne long-running series first begins with Bourne not knowing who he is and progressively realizing his identity as a CIA agent. It also sees him try to uncover a great conspiracy with his enemies still out to get him.
Fans of Snake Eyes won’t be forgetting the intense battle sequences anytime soon, and The Bourne Identity will guarantee that this aspect stays long in the audience's memory. The movie introduced the shaky-cam fighting style, and this high-octane strategy still holds up today. Also similar to Snake Eyes is the mystery behind the villains’ motives, with the topic of Bourne’s identity kept under wraps until the end.
G.I Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Despite being a reboot, Snake Eyes still has connections to G.I. Joe at large, meaning that watching Retaliation is still relevant. The second installment is about the Joes rallying together after they are falsely accused of treason, deciding to finally put an end to Cobra Commander and clear their names.
It’s always worth taking a recap of the series even if Snake Eyes’ story doesn’t directly tie into Retaliation’s plot. After all, there are still many similar themes like the presence of the previous Snake Eyes incarnation and the G.I. Joe franchise in general. This movie will also be good for fans to check out in preparations for the Snake Eyes sequel.