Martial arts movies have been kicking butt and taking names for decades. From the early days of Bruce Lee to the wire-fu wonders of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, these action-packed flicks never fail to entertain. If you’re looking for the cream of the kung fu crop, look no further. Here are the 30 best martial arts movies of all time.
30. Ninja Terminator (1985)
Kicking off our list is the wonderfully terrible Ninja Terminator. This z-grade schlock-fest from Hong Kong director Godfrey Ho is a mish-mash of unrelated footage spliced together into an incomprehensible mess. But it’s so hilariously awful, you can’t help but be entertained. Watch it for the ridiculous dubbing, bizarre blonde wigs, and plastic ninja weapons that grant mystical powers. Pure cheesy kung fu goodness.
29. Iron Monkey (1993)
Iron Monkey is a Robin Hood-esque tale of a masked martial artist who robs from the rich and gives to the poor in 19th century China. Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping (the fight choreographer behind The Matrix and Crouching Tiger), it features dazzling action and acrobatics. Donnie Yen shines as the noble Wong Kei-ying, father of folk hero Wong Fei-hung. This one’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to kung fu fans of all ages.
28. The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Any list of great martial arts movies has to include the inimitable Jackie Chan. In The Legend of Drunken Master (also known as Drunken Master II), Chan reprises his role as the comically drunk fighter Wong Fei-hung. His drunken boxing style, where he gets more powerful the more he drinks, is a joy to watch. The intricate fight scenes, including an epic 20-minute finale, are among the best of Chan’s storied career.
27. Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
Before Tony Jaa was an international martial arts star, he was a stuntman and extra in Thai action movies. Ong Bak was his breakout role, showcasing his incredible Muay Thai skills and athleticism. The story is paper-thin – something about recovering a stolen Buddha head – but that hardly matters. This is all about Jaa’s jaw-dropping fights and stunts, which he amazingly performed without any wires or CGI trickery. Prepare to be blown away.
26. Ip Man (2008)
Donnie Yen is a legend of martial arts cinema, and the Ip Man series is his crowning achievement. In this fictionalized biopic, he plays the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster who went on to train Bruce Lee. Set during the Japanese occupation of China, Yen’s Ip Man must fight to defend the honor of Chinese martial arts against foreign invaders. With its David vs Goliath story and thrilling fight scenes, Ip Man is an instant kung fu classic.
25. The Raid: Redemption (2011)
This Indonesian action thriller is a must-see for any martial arts fan. The Raid follows a SWAT team trapped in a high-rise building controlled by a ruthless drug lord and his army of killers. With no backup and few options, they have to fight their way to the top floor to complete their mission. The close-quarters combat, choreographed by Pencak silat master Iko Uwais, is brutal and breathtaking. A modern action masterpiece.
24. 13 Assassins (2010)
Prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike is known for his ultraviolent yakuza and horror films. But he proved his chops at period martial arts epics with the excellent 13 Assassins. A remake of a 1963 samurai film, it tells the story of a group of noble warriors on a suicide mission to kill an evil young lord. After a slow-burn setup, the film builds to an unforgettable 45-minute battle sequence that’s among the best ever filmed. A must for fans of samurai cinema.
23. Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong was a prolific producer of martial arts films in the 1970s and 80s. One of their most influential and iconic movies is Five Deadly Venoms, directed by the great Chang Cheh. The story revolves around five masked warriors with unique animal-inspired fighting styles: Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad. With its colorful characters and acrobatic action, Five Deadly Venoms has inspired countless imitators and homages.
22. Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Jet Li was still a rising star when he made Once Upon a Time in China, but his performance as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei-hung made him an icon. Set in the late 19th century, the film follows Wong as he battles foreign forces to protect Chinese culture and sovereignty. Director Tsui Hark brings a lush, epic scale to the proceedings. But it’s Li’s graceful martial arts that make this an all-time classic.
21. Police Story (1985)
Jackie Chan was already a huge star in Asia by the mid-1980s. But Police Story took his career to another level, cementing his status as the king of action comedy. Chan plays a Hong Kong cop who goes up against a ruthless crime lord. The intricate action scenes, which Chan choreographed himself, are full of dangerous stunts and physical comedy. Police Story spawned several sequels, but the original remains the gold standard.
20. Hero (2002)
Director Zhang Yimou brings art-house flair to the wuxia genre in the visually stunning Hero. Jet Li stars as a nameless warrior who recounts his defeat of three legendary assassins to the King of Qin. As each chapter unfolds, the film is bathed in rich, dreamlike colors – red for passion, blue for truth, white for death. The elegant wirework and beautiful cinematography make Hero a martial arts movie that even highbrow critics can love.
19. Drunken Master (1978)
Drunken Master is the film that made Jackie Chan a star and established his style of action comedy. He plays the young Wong Fei-hung, a mischievous kung fu student who studies the Drunken Fist fighting style. His clownish training sequences and over-the-top facial expressions are the stuff of legend. But there’s also real martial arts skill on display, especially in the intricate final fight. Drunken Master is a stone-cold classic.
18. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle is a loving homage to classic martial arts movies, filtered through his signature mo lei tau (nonsensical) comedy style. Set in a 1940s Chinese slum, the film follows a group of oddball heroes as they battle the notorious Axe Gang. The action scenes are a CGI-enhanced delight, full of gravity-defying wirework and exaggerated sound effects. But it’s Chow’s goofy humor and sly references that make Kung Fu Hustle so much fun.
17. Fist of Legend (1994)
Jet Li steps into Bruce Lee’s shoes in Fist of Legend, a remake of the classic Fist of Fury. Li plays Chen Zhen, a martial arts student who seeks revenge against the Japanese dojo that killed his master. His blistering speed and power are on full display in the film’s many fight scenes. But Fist of Legend also has a strong dramatic arc, as Chen grapples with themes of nationalism and personal honor. A worthy remake that stands on its own.
16. Ong Bak 2 (2008)
Tony Jaa returned to his breakout role in Ong Bak 2, a prequel set in 15th century Thailand. This time, he plays a noble warrior raised by a band of jungle-dwelling martial artists. The plot is even thinner than the first film, but that’s not why you watch an Ong Bak movie. You watch for Jaa’s insane acrobatics and bone-crunching Muay Thai moves, which are even more impressive here. The climactic one-against-many battle is an all-timer.
15. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Before he made Kung Fu Hustle, Stephen Chow wrote, directed and starred in Shaolin Soccer, a delirious mashup of sports movie cliches and martial arts madness. Chow plays a Shaolin monk who assembles a ragtag soccer team to compete in a high-stakes tournament. The players use their kung fu skills to bend the ball like Beckham on steroids. With its manic energy and silly special effects, Shaolin Soccer is a totally unique sports comedy.
14. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Gordon Liu stars in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, one of the most influential kung fu films ever made. Liu plays San Te, a young student who trains in the legendary Shaolin Temple to get revenge on the Manchu government. The training sequences, where San Te progresses through the temple’s 35 chambers, are unforgettable. Each chamber teaches San Te a specific skill, from strength to speed to mental discipline. By the end, he emerges as a Shaolin master ready to take on all comers.
13. Iron Monkey (1993)
Another Donnie Yen classic, Iron Monkey is a rollicking martial arts adventure in the style of Robin Hood or Zorro. Yen plays Wong Kei-ying, a doctor by day and a masked vigilante by night. With the help of the mischievous Fei-hung (a young Wong Fei-hung), Wong robs from the rich and gives to the poor. Director Yuen Woo-ping stages the action with his trademark grace and fluidity, culminating in a thrilling three-way fight on wooden poles over a burning pit.
12. Ip Man 2 (2010)
Donnie Yen returns as the legendary Wing Chun master in Ip Man 2, a worthy sequel that ups the stakes and the action. Now living in Hong Kong, Ip Man must navigate the complicated world of rival martial arts schools and foreign powers. His clashes with a bullying British boxer (the perfectly slimy Darren Shahlavi) are a highlight, showcasing Yen’s lightning-fast moves. But it’s the emotional core of the story, as Ip tries to provide for his family and maintain his dignity, that makes this a cut above your average martial arts flick.
11. The Raid 2 (2014)
How do you top the relentless action of The Raid? By making everything bigger, badder, and bloodier in The Raid 2. Iko Uwais returns as the unstoppable cop Rama, who goes undercover to infiltrate a powerful crime syndicate. The sprawling story takes Rama from prison yards to neon-lit nightclubs, with each new location providing a backdrop for eye-popping fight scenes. The final car chase, with Rama battling assassins while hanging onto a speeding SUV, is a white-knuckle masterpiece of action cinema.
10. House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Zhang Yimou followed up Hero with another ravishingly beautiful wuxia epic, House of Flying Daggers. The film is a tragic romance set in the Tang Dynasty, following a pair of warriors (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) as they pursue a blind rebel (Zhang Ziyi). The plot is full of twists and betrayals, but it’s the stunning visuals that linger in the memory. From the swirling “echo game” in a bamboo forest to the balletic final battle in a field of yellow flowers, every frame is a work of art.
9. Fearless (2006)
Jet Li has said that Fearless is his last wushu epic, and it’s a fitting capstone to his legendary career. He plays Huo Yuanjia, a real-life martial artist who became a national hero in early 20th century China. Huo’s journey from arrogant fighter to humble teacher is the stuff of inspirational sports dramas. But it’s Li’s dazzling martial arts that make Fearless so special, especially his graceful, almost balletic movements in the final fight. If this is truly his swan song, he went out on a high note.
8. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Who says martial arts movies have to be live action? Kung Fu Panda proved that animation can be just as thrilling, with its tale of a clumsy panda (voiced by Jack Black) who becomes an unlikely kung fu hero. The film is a loving homage to classic martial arts tropes, from the wise old master to the training montages to the climactic battle against a seemingly invincible foe. But it’s also a hilarious comedy, thanks to Black’s goofy vocal performance and the all-star supporting cast. Kung Fu Panda kicked off a franchise, but the original is still the best.
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a revelation when it hit theaters in 2000. The film combined the graceful wirework and martial arts of Hong Kong cinema with the lush romanticism of a Hollywood epic. Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh play warriors whose unspoken love is tested by the arrival of a rebellious princess (Zhang Ziyi). The fight scenes are breathtaking, especially the treetop duel and the climactic battle on a frozen lake. But it’s the film’s aching emotional core that makes it a true masterpiece.
6. Ip Man 3 (2015)
Donnie Yen dons the iconic white robe one last time in Ip Man 3, a fitting conclusion to the beloved franchise. This time, Ip Man must protect his young son from a corrupt property developer and his hired thugs. But the real draw is Ip’s long-awaited showdown with a legendary fighter played by none other than Mike Tyson. Their battle is brief but brutal, a clash of styles that’s unlike anything else in the series. Ip Man 3 sends the character off with grace, humor, and plenty of bone-crunching action.
5. The Grandmaster (2013)
Wong Kar-wai is known for his dreamy romances like In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express. So it was a surprise when he turned his attention to the life of Ip Man in The Grandmaster. But the result is a martial arts movie like no other, a poetic meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. Tony Leung plays Ip Man as a melancholy figure, haunted by the memory of his unrequited love (Zhang Ziyi). The fight scenes are stunning, shot in Wong’s signature slow-motion style. But it’s the film’s aching beauty that lingers long after the credits roll.
4. Enter the Dragon (1973)
Enter the Dragon is the film that made Bruce Lee an international icon, and it’s not hard to see why. Lee plays a martial artist who goes undercover to infiltrate a criminal mastermind’s island fortress. The plot is pure James Bond, but the real draw is Lee’s electrifying presence and lightning-fast moves. He’s a force of nature, whether he’s taking on dozens of henchmen or delivering philosophical koans. Enter the Dragon set the template for countless martial arts movies to come, and it’s still a thrill to watch today.
3. The Matrix (1999)
The Wachowskis’ sci-fi mindbender The Matrix might not seem like a typical martial arts movie. But its groundbreaking “bullet time” effects and Hong Kong-inspired fight scenes revolutionized the genre for a new generation. Keanu Reeves plays Neo, a hacker who discovers that the world is a simulation created by machines. To fight back, he learns kung fu from the enigmatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). The dojo training sequence and the lobby shootout are all-time great action scenes, blending wirework and CGI in a way that still feels fresh today.
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s wuxia masterpiece isn’t just one of the best martial arts films ever made – it’s one of the greatest films, period. Set in 19th century China, it tells an epic tale of love, honor, and destiny, centered on two master warriors (Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh) and a rebellious aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi). The graceful wire-fu fight scenes, choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping, are breathtaking, turning combat into an expressive dance. But it’s the film’s aching romantic longing and tragic grandeur that make it a true cinematic landmark, a martial arts movie with the depth and visual poetry of the best art films. A cultural phenomenon that won over audiences and critics worldwide, Crouching Tiger represents the pinnacle of the genre.
1. Drunken Master II (1994)
Also known as The Legend of Drunken Master in the US, this sequel to the 1978 classic reunites Jackie Chan with director Lau Kar-leung for more drunken boxing hijinks. Chan reprises his role as the mischievous Wong Fei-hung, who uses his unique “drunken” kung fu style to fight off foreign forces trying to steal Chinese artifacts. The intricate fight choreography is some of Chan’s best work, mixing slapstick comedy with jaw-dropping acrobatics. The 20-minute finale, where he guzzles industrial alcohol to take on dozens of axe-wielding villains, is an all-timer.
So there you have it – the 30 best martial arts films of all time, a mix of old-school classics, modern marvels, and visionary works that transcend the genre. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, these movies offer an exhilarating journey through the highs, kicks, and flying swords of martial arts cinema. Get watching and prepare to be blown away by the skill, artistry and sheer physical poetry on display. As Bruce Lee said, “Boards don’t hit back,” but these films will hit you right in the gut – and the heart.
