Throughout film history, martial arts cinemas have been representing some of the most beautiful fight sequences. Classic practitioners like Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, and Bruce Lee to today’s trendsetters like Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa have positioned the best martial arts movies as international masterpieces.
Martial arts films are delectably enjoyable. They combine an intriguing story with awesome combats, making it worth the downtime between those roundhouse kicks. Surprisingly, you can turn on most of them while halfway through, grasp almost everything in a few minutes, and get glued on your couch.
Recently, martial arts has been more diverse than just flying kicks and fists. Instead, they span every genre while employing a myriad of exceptional techniques. Martial arts movies inspire people to explore Asian tradition, culture, and philosophy. But how do you narrow down some of the best martial arts movies? Well, below is a review of some of the best martial arts movies.
1999 was a colossal year for science fiction after a movie event defined a new generation of movie geeks through The Matrix. The film is an instant classic, blowing away viewers with its excellent use of energetic martial arts sequences, CG, and action scenes. Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski pushed the story with impressive technology techniques that seemed impossible to many people.
The movie involves a disaffected computer programmer who is drawn into a conspiracy challenging his perception of reality. Thomas Anderson lives a double-life, a mild-mannered software author during the day and a formidable hacker at night. He is puzzled by a mysterious man known as Morpheus and the frequent references online to The Matrix, all requiring virtual reality battles. You get exposed to a world of mind-boggling questions, with challenging ideas of your real intellectual and personal growth.
The setup is intriguing and borrows the gravity-defying choreography seen in Hong Kong films. Although The Matrix doesn’t have the essential good versus evil simplicity in Terminator 2, it’s a landmark picture in terms of visual trickery, effects, and imaginative storytelling.
After winning four academy awards, The Matrix is hailed as one of the most notable sci-fi films of all time. Watching the movie creates a magical way to execute being more open about your beliefs and morals to the world. There’s a lot of inspiring action that will make you learn you have a lot of potential.
Key Features
- Creates suspense
- Fearsome creatures
- Well-acted scenes
Specifications
- Run Time: 2h 16 min
- Language: English
- Rating: 16+
- Studio: Warner Bros.
Pros
- Great looking both in kinetic energy and design
- Flawlessly integrated special effects
- Vivid and natural colors
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Featuring Wong Fei-Hunt (Jet Li), Once Upon a Time in China combines drama and action to show the struggles that Chinese nationals went through in the hands of their Western counterparts. Under the leadership of the legendary Tsui Hark, this film contains plenty of action sequences and a touch of comedy to spice it up.
In the beginning stages of the film, Jet Li appears in a navy ship enjoying a lion dance before they are ambushed by soldiers from the western world. Although he goes all out to protect other occupants, the Chinese government stops him to maintain diplomatic ties with their foreign allies. Seeing how Jet Li single-handedly tackles the intruders makes Once Upon a Time in China worth watching.
While ordinary martial arts movies have a direct plot and approach, Once Upon a Time in China adopts multiple techniques aimed at highlighting the history of the Chinese people. Unfortunately, it is a restricted film because of the high levels of violence and heavy use of vulgar language.
For mature viewers, Once Upon a Time in China is the ideal martial arts movie to watch. Seeing Jet Li do his usual magic means you will have wisely spent close to two and half hours of your life. Although the audio output of this movie is in Chinese, subsequent subtitles are in English, making it easy for almost all viewers to follow through keenly. Once Upon a Time in China combines beautiful cinematography, iconic music, and great fight scenes.
Key Features
- A Jet Li classic
- Beautiful cinematography
- Excellent fight scenes
- Great history lesson
Specifications
- Run Time: 2h 14min
- Language: English and Chinese
- Rating: Restricted
- Studio: Film Workshop
Pros
- Video quality is excellent
- Clear subtitles make up for the Chinese audio
- Iconic music
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Perhaps more than any other film, Enter the Dragon defines Bruce Lee’s legacy, noting that it’s one of the first martial arts films produced by a top Hollywood studio, Warner Bros.
Unlike some martial arts films, Enter the Dragon lacks sentimentality, helping you focus on what it depicts exceptionally well. To this day, the movie has inspired countless martial talents and has paved the way for their future acceptance in the western world.
We forgive anyone thinking that martial arts movies must have all the modern trickeries and techniques. Well, Enter the Dragon has no such gimmicks, but Bruce Lee’s electrifying fighting styles make it one of the most influential martial arts movies. The plot centers on Lee, who acts spy for the British government and is appointed to participate in a deadly martial arts tournament.
Watching Lee run a full gamut of emotions from triumph, rage, and reflection after meeting his sister’s killer is immersive, something that even critics will love. Forget about John Woo’s fire, doves, and slow motion, but being a Kung-Fu master, Lee makes violence appear beautiful.
The fight choreography in the movie is stunning and brutal. Every physical movement holds the viewer’s eyes, and the top-tier sound effects add another layer of immersion. You get to watch a magician at work who conveys personality and charisma through his remarkable physicality. For Chinese martial-arts cinema fans, recognizing many famous faces like Jackie Chan in the background is exciting.
Key Features
- Brutal karate tournament
- Released in 1973
- Involves some well-recognized martial characters
Specifications
- Run Time: 1h 42min
- Language: English
- Rating: R
- Studio: Warner Bros.
Pros
- Wonderful visual aspects
- Solid storyline
- Excellent martial-art fights
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Kill Bill volume 1 marks Quentin Tarantino’s foray towards action moviemaking, and just like other films, he delivers. The movie’s versatility is superb, with Tarantino crafting a playground full of exceptional characters, colorful scenarios, and breathtaking actions. He knows that the build-up of action scenes is essential just as the physical conflict, the reason viewers get a long tracking shot before bringing a massive fight.
Its storyline instigates in a simulacrum universe, which sounds and looks like the normal planet earth, but it isn’t. Customary laws of police work, economics, gravity, and physiology do not apply, and all that matters is revenge. Here, a pregnant woman survives a brutal massacre during her wedding, and after four years of being in a coma, all she thinks of is revenge. It’s easy to love her formidability, and to watch her cut between corrupt individuals is exciting.
Memorable scenes come from her reaches of vulnerability, reminding every woman that they can alter circumstances via the prism of intellectual resolve. Male’s roles are represented wonderfully, all portraying an abundance of pain, weariness, and wisdom. The camerawork perfectly echoes the lengthened visual fluidity of Brian De Palma, an expert on suspenseful filmmaking.
The music and background noises enhance the intensity of every fight, and this will leave you wildly excited. Even better, the vast and overhead shots allow you to absorb heaps of photographic imagery at once. Kill Bill is an entertaining flick overflowing with nostalgic richness designed to tap into your level of adrenaline.
Key Features
- Involves deadly international assassins
- Creates suspense
- Simple plot
Specifications
- Run Time: 1h 50min
- Language: English
- Rating: R
- Studio: Miramax Films
Pros
- Energetic fights
- Immersive background music
- Suspenseful
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There’s that adrenaline rush that Triple Threat brings, noting that it features some of the biggest Asian stars. The movie features Iko Uwais, Tiger Chen, and Tony Jaa who bring memorable scenes and energetic fight sequences. The mashup is thrilling, plus you get to see tight action choreographies and fantastic combat, which is sure to get any action lover’s blood pumping fast.
Even with the humorous male camaraderie in The Expendables (2010), the performers here are at their prime. Triple Threat blends two cultures, the east’s blood-fest martial arts with the assault weapons and military-grade armaments from the west. Well, this comes together as an incredible evening with brutal fights and murder if you are into such.
The plot centers on various assassins who plan to take out Celina Jade, who intends to remove a powerful crime syndicate with her fortune. Like always, crime syndicates hate it when anyone tries to eradicate them, so we will leave you to witness the intriguing dramas and fights. Watching the three icons perform their mixed martial arts moves against each other is thrilling.
You are here for the action, and Triple Threat has lots of it. The jungle village is a superb place to start with, thanks to the assault rifles, hand-to-hand combat, explosions, and excursions. The near-end treats you with real-contact fighting, beat downs and spitting blood from our exceptional martial arts fighters. Better yet, there’s a memorable round-house kick that will make viewers cry with joy.
Key Features
- Features some of the biggest martial arts stars
- Involves a billionaire’s daughter
- Directed by Jesse V. Johnson
Specifications
- Run Time: 1h 35min
- Language: English
- Rating: R
- Studio: Aurora Alliance Films
Pros
- A fun action flick
- Great cast
- Intriguing plot
Cons
- Some fight scenes are pretty decent
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The Seven Samurai is a Japanese epic produced in 1954 based on a story that took place in 1586 during the Sengoku era. The plot follows the story of a certain village of farmers which hired seven ronins for combating bandits that would return to steal their harvest. Each of the Samurais has an interesting story that will ultimately determine how they help the farmers against the bandits.
The Seven Samurai is one of the greatest films in history, both in its right and as an icon for a critically acclaimed genre in Hollywood. The movie was the first film to introduce the idea of setting up a named team to carry out a mission. The Seven Samurai gave birth to The Magnificent Seven and The Guns of Navarone. Other popular titles that have followed in the footsteps of Kurosawa’s film include Charlie’s Angels, Yojimbo, and The Hidden Fortress.
A major strength in the movie’s direction is historical accuracy. Kurosawa strives to anchor The Seven Samurai on ancient Japanese culture. He does this while introducing a flexible humanism that was quite popular among the 1950s audience.
An interesting twist within the films is the rationale behind what various characters do. For example, the director does an outstanding job in portraying the culture as one that has stepped away from honoring Samurais despite needing them. The Samurais are less concerned about being paid for their services than fulfilling their purpose.
The director does a good job presenting multiple levels of conflict between the protagonists in a manner that keeps the movie interesting and entertaining.
Key Features
- Lots of suspense
- Plot moves quickly
- Memorable heroes
Specifications
- Run Time: 3h 26min
- Language: English
- Rating: 18+
- Studio: Toho Studios
Pros
- Consistent rhythm
- Good visuals and lighting
- Great scene transitions
Cons
- Hard to find a copy on Blu-ray
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a Chinese movie whose plot revolves around love, social conflicts, theft, and revenge. Based on a Chinese novel, the movie presents a Wudan Warrior who gives up “The Green Destiny” sword to a friend because it reminds him of memories he would rather forget. The sword is stolen, forcing the protagonist, Lu Mu Bai is forced back into action to retrieve it and revenge his master’s murder.
Lu Mu Bai must hide his genuine feelings from a woman who has recently lost her fiancé while protecting her from enemies tied to the stolen sword and his master’s death.
The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an excellently directed martial arts movie that takes the essence of combat and turns it on its head beautifully. The fights scenes are backed by the need to respect each other’s stories as opposed to raw hatred.
The settings chosen for various scenes in the film are testament to the director’s careful consideration of what works and does not in a love story. Arguably, this is not a simple thing to do because martial arts do not always play well with deep romantic scenes. The brilliance with which such scenes are executed will remind you of The Matrix which unsurprisingly has the same action choreographer as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Each scene is carefully put together, so that nothing feels forced or out of place. The director does not introduce unnecessary fight scenes just to ensure that the movie lives up to its genre. Instead, he presents raw and authentic scenes that feel natural and help propel the story forward. The movie is a must-see for martial action movie fans.
Key Features
- Amazing fight scenes
- Great acting all round
- Natural settings
Specifications
- Run Time: 2h
- Language: Mandarin Chinese
- Rating: PG 13
- Studio: Sony Pictures
Pros
- Highly thoughtful
- Great audio production
- Consistent energy
Cons
- Needs to adopt modern media technology such as 4K UHD
At a turbulent time when China was transitioning from the oppressive Manchu Dynasty to a new regime, the film The Legend of the Drunken Master was born. As the name depicts, this film has more to do with drunken boxing, although the main idea is not to promote the consumption of alcohol.
If you have watched a Jackie Chan film before, you can be sure he doesn’t disappoint. The Legend of the Drunken Master is a combination of action and comedy served in multiple languages. Although the original version is in Chinese, the film has been recreated on numerous occasions, suiting a wide range of viewers. Currently, this movie is available in English with subsequent English subtitles for easy following.
The Legend of the Drunken Master is an accurate depiction of the skills and mindset of the legendary Jackie Chan. Although he appears intoxicated, Jackie Chan is still strong enough to destroy his enemies in their numbers. While people will be quick to say that it is just a movie, it is good to appreciate the inspiration that comes with this film. Besides it being interesting to watch as Jackie Chan does his thing, it also teaches the masses that mindset is everything in life.
The Legend of the Drunken Master has some of the best shots, camera angles, and fight scenes you will see in a 1994 film. This film also incorporates different fighters and the fight scenes change from time to time, eliminating aspects of boredom.
Key Features
- Perfect blend of action and comedy
- Clear audio and subtitles
- Instant streaming
Specifications
- Run Time: 1h 43min
- Language: English
- Rating: Restricted
- Studio: Tribeca Shortlist
Pros
- Great film
- Excellent display from Jackie Chan
- Amazing film to train your mindset
Cons
- Not suitable for family viewing
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1972 marked a decisive time in Bruce Lee’s biography as he started getting recognition as the greatest martial arts icon. Bruce Lee takes the role of Chen Zhen, a martial arts student who sets out to avenge the tragic death of his beloved mentor and master. He does all in his power to investigate Huo Yuanjia’s demise, and the links lead to spectacular fight routines and dramas. Conflicts become more intense after one fighter from the Japanese school of martial arts is killed, filling Fist of Fury with an endless action-adventure.
Lee is a magnetic presence on the screen, something even the critics will find hard to ignore. He oozes charisma, and the impossibly dextrous use of nunchaku makes Fist of Fury an undisputed classic that will win over doubters. The addition of a Japanese female, Cheng Siu Siu, adds a layer of immersion for her mastery of fighting skills.
Some of the best fight scenes in Lee’s career are in this movie, especially where he challenges to wrestle an entire room of Japanese karate fighters. It’s incredible how he throws the punches and kicks with utmost precision, plus how he uses the nunchucks is remarkable. The visual styling is striking, often placing Chen Zhen wearing black pants and shirtless right before your eyes.
Key Features
- Set in 1910s Shanghai
- Directed by Lo Wei
- Involves vengeance
Specifications
- Run Time: 1h 46min
- Language: English
- Rating: 13+
- Studio: Orange Sky Golden Harvest
Pros
- Iconic fights
- Engaging storyline
- Excellent acting skills
Cons
- Not for those expecting wire work
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The Assassin, based on a tale of a young woman raised as a killer in the Tang Dynasty, is one of Hou’s best creations. Hou did an incredible rendition with the storyline, thanks to the many years of work he and the team put in creating The Assassin. This “best director” according to Taiwan’s 88th official Oscar submission, has an array of groundbreaking productions like A City of Sadness, Flight of the Red Balloon, and The Puppetmaster, among others. The Assassin is equally or more exceptional and likely to keep you hooked from start to finish.
The Assassin, also a first film in the martial arts genre for Hou is a bit complex, but the narrative still captures massive attention. The story begins in China in the 9th century with an introduction to (Shu Qi) Nie Yinniang as the guardian to the princess-nun (Sheu Fang-yi) Jiaxin. Her parents back in Weibo court have no clue that their daughter (Sheu Fang-fi) is being groomed into a killing machine.
In the years of her “education” she mastered the sword. We watch as she slits a man’s throat in microseconds and, like wind, vanishes into the woods with no trace. The twist is in how she cannot master her consciousness the same way. Like every hero with a weak link, her heart plays that role. She is distracted by her emotions on an important assignment.
Hou brought out a perfect martial arts masterpiece in the years of sheer hard work he put in this film. The budget of the film was not simple also with a total cost of $15 million and maintains that it was his biggest budget on a film. The warm reception by his fans was worth it.
Key Features
- Based on the Tang dynasty tale
- Original use of music
- Shot in black and white
Specifications
- Run Time: 1hr 45min
- Language: Mandarin
- Rating: R
- Studio: Changchun Film
Pros
- Intriguing storyline
- Precise storyline
- Culturally informative
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There’s a unique form of violence in martial arts movies requiring discipline, patience, and, most of all, mental strength. Arguably, no genre reveres exemplary themes as martial arts because they provide what many of us yearn to see, the action. Violence is the selling point, but mostly it is achieved through a series of magic, action, and trickery.
The crazy and intensely choreographed action isn’t the only reason to love martial arts movies. The humor, history, oddball characters, and dubbed dialogue add up in making a perfect afternoon entertainment piece. Everything has to go right, and the physical movements are essential for illustrating character relationships, internal struggles, emotions, and motives.
Mostly when talking about martial arts movies, the names that instantly cross your mind are male characters. Even so, some women have proven that gender doesn’t count when yearning to be an effective fighter or action star. Some classic martial arts films are led by well-experienced women proving that it takes training, skills, and hard work to conquer.
History of Martial Arts Movies
Tracing the exact roots of martial arts techniques hasn’t been easy since the art of mock combat has been part of humans from the beginning of time. However, many people consider Asia the leading hub for its great fighting strategies. Martial arts movies draw their influence from various factors like ancient myths, legends, and historical revolutions but started to peak in the 1970s.
Most likely, we only picture popular forms of martial arts such as judo and karate, but many are stretching back to the earliest days. Below are some of them.
Kalaripayattu
It’s not the oldest of them all, but it’s cited as one of the best martial arts discipline techniques. Kalaripayattu is still in practice, even in some of the latest martial arts films. The art involves whole-body movements and requires high knowledge and concentration.
Wrestling/Grappling
Wrestling was one of the most used combat techniques and still the most popular to date. Unlike others, it’s featured as a current Olympic sport and relies on explosive power, healthy balance, leverage, and technical knowledge. Many martial arts characters love it for its ability to develop endurance and strength, aiding in taking down the opponents.
Boxing
As one of the first martial arts invented by humans, boxing came from a Sumerian in the 300BCE, which later became a popular sport in ancient Greece. It’s also known as the ‘sweet science,’ using footwork, head movements, and punches, which expert martial arts characters use as self-defense.
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Rachel Scherer (74 Articles Published)
Rachel a talented writer who is in consistent search for knowledge in offering exceptional SEO solutions. She prides herself in driving traffic to websites by providing engaging and informative content.She has gained tons of experience in providing blog/website content for reputable companies such as The HOTH and Verblio. Although she can competently handle any type of content writing niche, she has special interest in product reviews. Joining ScreenRant and CBR.com is the highlight of her career as a freelance writer. Rachel finds providing consumers with honest and detailed reviews about the best products on the market quite fulfilling. Her hobbies are reading novels, watching movies, dancing, and swimming. She also loves trying out different recipes during her free time.
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