A Better Tomorrow (Chinese: 英雄本色; pinyin: yīngxióng běnsè, Cantonese: ying1 hung4 bun2 sik1; literally True Colors of a Hero) is a 1986 Hong Kong action film which had a profound influence on the Hong Kong movie-making industry, and later on an international scale.

Directed by John Woo, it stars Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung. Although the movie was made with a tight budget and was relatively unknown until it went on screen due to virtually no advertising, it broke Hong Kong's box office record and went on to become a blockbuster in Asian countries. The success also ensured that a sequel would be released: A Better Tomorrow 2, also directed by Woo, and A Better Tomorrow 3: Love & Death in Saigon, a prequel directed by producer Tsui Hark. It is the #2 of the Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures.

A Better Tomorrow depicts mob violence in a romantically surreal fashion. Not only did the movie make Woo and Chow international stars, it started a whole new genre of films which followed its unique style of romanticized violence. One of its most famous followers is the director Quentin Tarantino, whose portrayal of the mob (e.g. Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) bears the distinctive John Woo trademark.

The plot is one that resonates well with audiences, especially in China. Two friends lead a carefree, immoral life, until suddenly it all comes crashing down. The two friends then take different paths, but ultimately they find that they must come together to set things right again. Despite its criminal content, A Better Tomorrow resounds with messages about morality, family, shame, responsibility, and forgiveness.

The film is a standout in a few ways: first and foremost, for the exceptional performance by the actors. In particular, Chow's portrayal of Mark Gor goes through a dramatic transformation from a stylish, cynical crook (Hong Kong teenagers took up the circular-shades-and-duster-jacket look for years) to a shamed, broken man with a dream to regain his dignity. His performance at times elevates the film from a pulp crime story to an emotional quest for understanding and dignity.

Secondly, it was the film that introduced most of Asia to the John Woo style, which includes tightly-choreographed violence and gunplay. It contains one of film's all-time great gun battles, one that is similar to a music video in style and concept.

Although 20 years have passed from the time A Better Tomorrow was made to the time of this writing, one can still find traces of its influence in Hong Kong action movies, even though Woo and Chow have long gone on to Hollywood for further advancement in their careers.

The story is about an ex-gangster Ho was a reforming gangster in Hong Kong who is a counterfeiter, and his partner Mark was Ho's most trusted companion. Ho was a good hearted and viewed friends more important than anything. When Ho decided that his trip to Taiwan would be his last job involving crime and afterward he would retire, he was betrayed by his driver, Shing, and was put in jail for several years. Mark later knew about this and traveled to Taiwan to avenge for Ho. He was shot and crippled. Then he became a car washer as well as being a lowlife. All their glory and pride was taken overnight and several years later Ho was released and tried to reconcile with his younger brother, an enraged policeman whom assumed that Ho indirectly killed their father and not willing to forgive him.

A Better Tomorrow grossed a massive $34,651,324 HKD at the Hong Kong box office, ensuring that sequels and imitators would not be far behind.