The genre of martial arts movies is rarely poorly explained. Martial arts videos, a subcategory of action videos, are rarely explained as videos that feature martial arts combat. These videos commonly feature educational montages or scenes, impressive combat choreography, and wonderful entertainment value. Martial arts videos are considered tacky and tacky, many are not, and infrequently, nerd videos simply suffer from less-than-ideal voice acting. Movies have been made about almost every type of martial arts, from MMA to judo to karate. Martial arts videos also come from many countries. However, certain styles are used more in the genre and many films come from express regions, such as Hong Kong. Whether it’s action videos from the 90s, the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema. , Oscar winners, cult classics or even Quentin Tarantino’s favorite videos, there are many wonderful martial arts videos and the most productive ones are on this list.
The first martial arts film made in China in the late 1920s; Since then, the genre has gained popularity. While Hong Kong established itself as a leader in martial arts film production in the 1970s and 1980s with production companies such as Shaw Brothers and Godfrey Ho, the United States, Indonesia, and Thailand stood out. as directors of emerging and thriving martial arts films.
Martial arts movies are only as smart as their stars, as stunts and combat choreography are at the center of many of those films. Actors like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee, Zhang Ziyi, and Michelle Yeoh are synonymous with the genre itself and are all on this list. This list controversially excludes samurai films, which are grouped into this genre. (However, they feel they deserve a separate list. ) This list also excludes so-called “Gun Fu” movies, such as John Wick, in which guns (mostly) take precedence over martial arts. Ultimately, this list seeks to balance its rating by giving relevance to both the overall enjoyment of watching the film and the genius of the martial arts scenes themselves.
The Last Dragon is a true cult classic. It’s not the best movie, but it’s a lot of fun to watch. From literally brilliant martial artists to what is almost a DeBarge music video, the movie is a little different. It follows a martial artist who will have to face an evil businessman and the “Shogun of Harlem” after saving a video DJ.
Michael Schultz directed the film, which stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Faith Prince. In particular, Taimak, a 20-year-old martial arts student who had never acted before the film. However, he is incredibly likable and engaging in the film. The film was also produced by Berry Gordy and has an iconic Motown soundtrack. Yes, we’re very ’80s, but 50 years later, that’s part of the fun. The Last Dragon is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
The only film on this list about MMA, Warrior follows two estranged brothers from Pittsburgh as they compete in a combined martial arts tournament. The film is directed by Gavin O’Connor and stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte.
Warrior is a brutal film, but one that offers a delicate and emotionally satisfying look at family, redemption, and conflict. Nolte was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film. The film also features several cameos from genuine MMA fighters and some incredible MMA scenes. Lately it is streaming on Peacock.
Polite society may simply be polarizing. Part screwball comedy, part martial arts film, part coming-of-age story and part satire on the position of women in Anglo-Pakistani society, Polite Society has a lot going for it. The film follows a teenager who dreams of becoming a stuntwoman while trying to save her sister from an upcoming marriage.
Polite Society is Nida Manzoor’s first feature film. It stars Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya and Nima Bucha. The film captures much of the laughter of old Kung Fu videos while also emphasizing the validity of women’s dreams and ambitions. Lately it is streaming on Amazon Prime.
Is The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter a bit cheesy and melodramatic?Yes, but that’s part of what makes it great. Produced by the legendary Shaw Brothers, the film was written and directed by Lau Kar-leung and stars Gordon Liu, Alexander Fu and Kara Hui. Fu was filming a fatal twist of fate in the car and the final scenes were rewritten.
The film follows an epic war between a treacherous general and the sons of an unbreakable general, the Song Dynasty. The reason to watch this movie is the combat choreography, which is detailed and intense. It is available to stream on Amazon Prime with MUBI.
There are many wonderful martial arts films directed by young women (we also think of Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan, Come Drink with Me, and Yes, Madam), and Chocolat is one of them. The film follows an autistic woman who learns martial arts. watching videos of Bruce Lee and Tony Jaa and uses his skills to take down a gang that owes cash to his mother with health problems.
Although the film earned mixed reviews from critics, the combat scenes are so clever that they more than make up for the somewhat inconsistent pacing. The film also features some martial arts not depicted in the films, adding Capoeira and Muay Thai. The film was directed by Prachya Pinkaew and starred Yanin “Jeeja” Vismistananda in his film debut. Lately it is streaming for free on Tubi, PlutoTV and Peacock.
Sanshiro Sugata is a film about the birth of judo. It follows a young man from the 1880s who hopes to become a jujitsu master before finding a new taste in the martial art, judo. The film was Akira Kurosawa’s directorial debut, and while it is not among his most productive films, it has a realistic quality that fits well into the martial arts genre.
Unfortunately, the film was censored due to Japanese wartime laws and seven minutes of the film were lost in the process. It was remade several times in Japan, and Kurosawa also directed a sequel in Sanshiro Sugata Part II in 1945. Sanshiro Sugata is currently streaming free on Plex.
Another film produced by the Shaw brothers, The 36th Shaolin Chamber (also known as The Master Killer, Shaolin Master Killer, or Shao Lin San Shi Liu Fang) follows a young man who trains in kung fu to get revenge on the Manchu government after attacking his temple.
The film directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh. The film has a more comedic sequel, Return to Chamber 36 from the 1980s and a third film, Disciples of Chamber 36 from the 1985s. However, the first movie is by far the most productive of the series. The film has been referenced through the Wu-Tang Clan, especially on their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Shaolin Soccer is rarely your average martial arts movie, but nothing about Stephen Chow is. While his 2004 film, Kung Fu Hustle, is probably more famous, Shaolin Soccer is an underrated gem. It follows an organization of former Shaolin priests who use their superhuman martial arts skills to play football. It stars Chow (who also wrote and directed it), Zhao Wei, Ng Man-tat, Patrick Tse, and Danny Chan Kwok-kwan.
The film was initially banned in China, but had good results in Hong Kong. The film also influenced Edgar Wright and his film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Shaolin Soccer is also a favorite of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who also used it as inspiration for their Avatar: The Last Airbender display (particularly the elemental mastery look). The film can currently be rented on Amazon Prime. YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV.
Fearless is loosely based on the life of Huo Yuanjia, a Chinese martial artist who challenged foreign fighters to public combat during the Qing Dynasty. The film has many old inaccuracies and was even sued by Huo’s descendants. However, that doesn’t take away from the film’s impressive choreography and good looks.
The film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Jet Li. It was cut for theatrical release; however, the director’s cut was later released in 2008. This cut notably includes an opening scene with Michelle Yeoh explaining the game of wushu and a combat scene with a Thai fighter played by Olympic boxer Somluck Kamsing. It is available to rent on Apple TV.
The Prodigal Son is loosely based on the life of Leung Chang and follows a wealthy martial arts student who discovers that his father paid his warring sides to lose matches. Directed, written and starring Sammo Hung, it is a classic kung fu film.
The film is fun without being outright a comedy and features some wonderful combat scenes. It’s fast and fun and, in fact, everything you need from the genre. Although it can be discovered online, The Prodigal Son is unfortunately not available for streaming.
The Matrix is high on this list because in many ways it’s more of a sci-fi epic than a martial arts movie, but come on, you know Kung Fu. The film follows an unlikely hero when he discovers that the world around him is a simulation.
Directed by Les Wachowski, the film stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving. The Matrix is widely considered one of the most productive science fiction videos of all time. The film is a laugh as a trans narrative. a devout allusion and a dystopian critique, and it’s also undeniably a fun watch. The Matrix won 4 Academy Awards and was praised for its visual effects. Although the original film has spawned sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, the original is So Far the best. The Matrix is currently available on Netflix.
Either you don’t think the Karate Kid is a martial arts movie, or that it’s THE martial arts movie. Regardless, while there have been ups and downs in the franchise, the original is a better film than it’s rarely credited with. with. Following the release of the 2010 remake, film critic Dana Stevens wrote that the original “may have seemed like a popular inspirational sports symbol at the time, but. . . A generation of movies shows how good a movie really was. “
The film follows a boy who learns karate from his apartment’s handyman to confront his bullies. The Karate Kid stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, William Zabka and Elisabeth Shue. Morita even earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as Mr. Miyagi. While The Karate Kid is best known for its educational wax-on-wax montage, it features an unlikely friendship, the stain of Japanese internment in America, and impressive combat choreography. The film is available to stream on Starz.
While the vol. 2 is also fantastic, the first Kill Bill is more of a martial arts movie as it features a kung fu montage and uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Japanese Kenjutsu and Escrima. Kill Bill is an homage to 1973’s Lady Snowblood and follows a woman’s quest for revenge after being left for dead through her ex-lover and her team of assassins.
The film directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox and David Carradine. Thurman nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her role as “The Bride. “”The film features several notable combat scenes; however, the highlight is probably the scene from “Crazy 88”. It is available to rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Set in the Warring States era of ancient China, Hero follows an anonymous warrior who tells the story of the defeat of three assassins by the king. The film had a quick good fortune in China. However, it was not introduced in the United States until 2004. , after Quentin Tarantino convinced Miramax to release it in theaters. The film then became the first Chinese-language film to reach the U. S. box office.
The film, directed by Zhang Yimou, stars Jet Li, Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. It is strikingly beautiful and features music by the China Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Hero was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Lately it is streaming for free on Pluto TV.
Written, directed and starring Jimmy Wang Yu, Master of the Flying Guillotine is the sequel to his 1972 film One-Armed Boxer. The film follows Yu as a one-armed martial arts master who will have to protect himself after a Tibetan lama seek revenge for the moves made in the first film.
The film is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorites and currently holds 90% of Rotten Tomatoes. Elvis Mitchell wrote for the New York Times: “But once you get into the rhythm of this delicious cheese festival, you realize how much influence the Guillotine has had. Traces of this can be seen in the movies, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the dazzling combat The Blade, which is Guillotine remade to look like a Mazda “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom” commercial. Lately streaming for free on Tubi and Plex.
Sometimes known as The Legend of the Drunken Master, Drunken Master II is technically a sequel to 1978’s Drunken Master. While both films star Jackie Chan as a guy who will have to drink before he can use his impressive martial arts skills, the last is greater. thanks in part to its superior budget and his notable combat choreography.
Half action film, half comedy, Drunken Master II directed by Lau Kar-leung. The film is one of 3 films on this list about the life of Wong Fei-hung. However, it requires a much more comedic technique than the other two. It is currently available to purchase on Amazon, Google Play and Apple TV.
The only explanation for why this movie is among the most sensible on this list is because it’s not exactly a martial arts movie. As the name suggests, a lot is happening here: comedy, surrealism, generational trauma, drama, experimental cinema, etc. However, Everything Everywhere All at Once comprises some martial arts scenes that you can’t miss, especially the one of Ke Huy Quran and a fanny pack.
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and starring Michelle Yeoh, Quan and Stephanie Hsu, the film follows an overworked mother as she realizes she has the ability to jump between parallel dimensional versions of herself. While the film was originally written for Jackie Chan, it was rewritten. for Yeoh. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Lately it is available to stream on Netflix.
It would be unfair for those films to share a space. However, Fist of Legend is a remake of Fist of Fury. Both films are classics of the genre and absolutely essential. The two follow a wrestler who returns home for the funeral of his teacher, who died under mysterious circumstances. Fury stars Bruce Lee, while Legend stars Jet Li.
The two martial arts legends deliver some of the most productive combat choreography of their careers in those films. While Fist of Fury blatantly encouraged Fist of Legend, Fist of Legend also encouraged the movie The Matrix. The Wachowski sisters even hired the film’s combat choreographer, Yuen Woo-Ping, to paint their sci-fi classic. Fist of Fury streams for free on Tubi and Pluto, while Fist of Legend streams for free on Sling TV.
Dragon Inn follows a warrior who seeks to protect the children of a general convicted by the secret police in 15th-century China. Written and directed by King Hu, the film stars Lingfeng Shangguan, Chun Shih, and Ying Bai. While the movie is dynamic in terms of plot like some of the other movies on this list, Dragon Inn is at the root of the wuxia genre (a Chinese fiction genre about ancient Chinese martial artists).
Although the film has been remade twice (New Dragon Gate Inn in 1992 and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate in 2011), the original is the most productive of the three. Dragon Inn also animated Goodthroughe’s popular 2003 slow-movie comedy-drama, Dragon Inn through director Tsai Ming-Liang. Well, Dragon Inn is not a martial arts movie; rather, it is the last screening in a closed room. Dragon Inn is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV.
House of Flying Daggers is a wuxia romantic epic starring Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, and Takeshi Kaneshiro. While it’s arguably more of a romance movie than a martial arts movie, it contains enough action to satisfy martial arts fans. The film follows two Tang Dynasty police officers who fall in love with a dancer who is rumored to belong to a gang, The House of Flying Daggers.
The film won a 20-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Roger Ebert said of the film: “Forget about the plot, the characters, the plot, which are all splendid in House of Flying Daggers, and concentrate only on the images. It is available for rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Apple TV.
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping and starring Donnie Yen, Iron Monkey follows a masked and selfless folk hero who will have to overthrow a corrupt governor in 1850s China. The film is another on this list that fictionalizes the life of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung. The film is strangely political for the martial arts genre, and a 2001 release in the United States removed much of the political storylines and references, disappointing fans.
While there is also a 1977 film called The Iron Monkey, the two films are not related. Similarly, Iron Monkey 2 was released in 1996 but also has no connection with the plot of the first. Iron Monkey on Empire’s list of the hundred most productive films in world cinema in 2010. Lately streaming for free on Pluto TV.
There are three films in the franchise Ong-Bak. Si well at the moment two are set in the same timeline in Siam in the year 1400, the first is set in the current Thailand. This makes it a frankness; However, all three videos are worth watching for martial arts enthusiasts because of the fantastic combat scenes. Arguably the most productive of the three, Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, follows a guy searching for a Buddha statue stolen from a drug dealer in Bangkok. However, the film basically focuses on the combat scenes.
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, the film stars Tony Jaa with combat choreography through Panna Rittikrai. In many ways, the film is a return to the form of old martial arts films. It does not depend on doubles or special effects; draws on Jaa’s Muay Thai talents and clever camera paintings. Roger Ebert said of the film: “Did I enjoy ‘Ong-Bak’? As silly but clever action choreography, yes. And I would have appreciated it even more if I had known when I went in that the stunts were done in an old-fashioned way, before computer. Lately it is streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV and Peacock.
Ip Man is a drama about the life of Ip Man, a wonderful Wing Chun teacher who was also Bruce Lee’s teacher. The film focuses on Ip’s life and his fight in the Sino-Japanese War. It was directed by Wilson Yip and starred Donnie Yen. This is not the only film about the life of Ip Man; Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster is also about the life of man, and while the acting and directing are certainly better, Ip Man is the most productive film about “martial arts. “
The film is now part of a five-film franchise, and all of the films are oddly good, especially Ip Man 2 and Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (which also stars Michelle Yeoh and Dave Bautista). Ip Man has been nominated for the XII Hong Kong Film Awards, winning Best Film and Best Action Choreography. Some have denounced the anti-Japanese sentiment in the film; However, it’s still an excellent character overhaul that also works for a martial arts movie. Lately it is streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime and Peacock.
This magnificent wuxia masterfully explores feminism, transcendence, and Zen Buddhism. A Touch of Zen tells the story of an unmotivated artist and a princess on the run from a murderous general.
The film, directed by King Hu, stars Hsu Feng and Shih Chun. It won the Grand Prix for Technique and was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It has become the second Chinese-language film to win an award at Cannes and the first wuxia film to win an award at a foreign film festival. It is available for rent on YouTube, Google Play, and Amazon Prime.
6. The Raid (2011)
There is some debate as to whether The Raid or its sequel, The Raid 2 (2014), is better. Either of the two can easily occupy a place on this list; However, the former’s never-ending action is a must-see for martial arts movie enthusiasts. The film features pencak silat, a martial arts class from Indonesia. It follows a SWAT team sent to a construction site in the slums of Jakarta that has been taken over by a drug trafficker.
The film directed by Gareth Evans and starring Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah and Yayan Ruhian. The Raid premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has become a cult film in the United States. In his review for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw wrote: “The Raid is a martial arts action film of harrowing violence, uncompromising intensity and simply brilliant, set in a nightmarish, claustrophobic environment. It is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV.
Five Deadly Venoms is a harvest of the genre. The film encouraged films such as Kill Bill and Kung Fu Panda, as well as several Wu-Tang Clan hip-hop projects. The film follows a man on a quest to track down his dying master’s five ancient scholars and kill them because they have all gone evil.
The film combines martial arts and mystery and features five different fighting styles named after five poisonous animals: the centipede, the snake, the scorpion, the lizard and the toad. Five Deadly Poisons produced by the legendary Shaw Brothers studio and directed by Chang Cheh The film stars Chiang Sheng, Philip Kwok, Lo Mang, Lu Feng and Wang Lung-wei, and is currently streaming on Fandor.
Another film about folk hero Wong Fei-hung, Once Upon a Time in China, follows one man’s struggle for his family, his love, his martial arts school, a way of life that is modernizing in late nineteenth-century China, and the emerging tide of imperialism. The film was directed by Tsui Hark and starred Jet Li.
Once Upon a Time in China is a prime example of the golden era of Hong Kong cinema in the 1990s and a landmark role for Li. The film is visually great and has won four Hong Kong Film Awards. Although the film has spawned several sequels, the original is unbeatable. Lately it is broadcast on Max.
Directed, co-written by and starring Jackie Chan, the original crime story is an incredibly fun action movie and, at the same time, a smart action movie. Chan walks the line between comedy and impressive stunts in the film’s numerous action scenes. Contemporary critics even compare Chan to silent comedians such as Buster Keaton.
The film follows a police officer who has to clear up his call after being accused of murder. Police Story feels a lot like the 1980s, but that’s also part of its charm. The film has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and appears on lists of the most productive action videos. There are seven videos in the Police Story franchise, and their quality varies. While the original is arguably the most productive, Police Story 3: Supercop (starring Chan teaming up with Michelle Yeoh for some of the most productive action scenes in the franchise) and Police Story 2 (which adds emotional intensity to the series) They are wonderful videos in their own right. Police Story is currently airing on Max.
A true epic of wuxia martial arts, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Ang Lee, is the most beautiful movie on this list. Set in a stylized edition of the Qing Dynasty, it follows a warrior, his lover, a princess, and a thief after stealing a 400-year-old sword.
The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning four, adding Best Foreign Language Film. Lee also won the Golden Globe for Best Director. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon feels like a comic book with amazing action, but that’s part of what makes it great. Lately it has been streaming on Max.
1. Enter the Dragon (1973)
An “Enter The Dragon” poster.
One of five films starring Bruce Lee released posthumously after his death in 1973, Enter the Dragon is arguably one of the greatest films ever made. Enter the Dragon is a film of great influence both on the martial arts genre and on action films in general.
In the film, Lee plays a martial arts instructor who is asked by British intelligence to eliminate a drug dealer by infiltrating the racer’s headquarters in a high-profile kung fu competition. The film stars Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly and was directed by Robert Clouse. In 2004, it was decided to keep the film at the Library of Congress because of its “cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. “It is currently available to contract on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Conclusion
From blockbuster movies from the ’80s to sprawling Chinese epics set between the 1500s and 2000s, there’s a lot to love about martial arts movies. Considering the number of movies, it may seem like an intimidating genre, but you can’t overlook the hits on this list.
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