Few genres can match the fast-paced intensity and stylish appeal ofmartial arts movies, with a select group of films achieving the elusive title of truemasterpiece. Whether it was classic Hong Kong releases or more modern films that have connected with Western viewers, the stuntwork, fight choreography, and sense of mysticism in kung fu and martial arts movies stand in a league of their own. As a style of filmmaking that can walk the fine line between artistically fulfilling releases and thrilling entertainment, it’s incredible how all these films stand out as genuine masterpieces.
Many of thegreatest kung fu stars of all timeled awe-inspiring fighting films that have stood the test of time. With stars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan bringing Eastern kung fu cinema to a global audience, Hollywood directors have also been inspired to add their own unique sensibilities to the genre and create awe-inspiring modern masterpieces. Whether it’swuxia period movies, thrilling revenge stories, or biopics of historical figures,there are plenty of jaw-dropping martial arts movies for viewers to check out.
Anyone who wants more context on how Bruce Lee became such a defining figure in martial arts cinema needs only watchIp Man, the biographical story of his future mentor. As the first in an all-time great martial arts franchise,Ip Mantold the story of the Wing Chun master whom Lee trained under. With a story focused on the struggles in Ip’s early life in the city of Foshan during the Sino-Japanese War, this intense and well-choreographed biopic was both wildly entertaining and narratively rich.
Donnie Yen’s incredible characterization of the titular fighter was what madeIp Mansuch an astounding success, and the franchise gained major acclaim, three sequels, and a spin-off movie. While the lines between fact and fiction are blurry inIp Man, the message of perseverance in the face of extreme hardship carries forward and remains true to the astounding legacy of the real man.
The Welsh director Gareth Evans had already blown audiences away with his intense Indonesian action movieThe Raid, so it came as a total surprise when he managed to outdo himself even more with the masterful sequel,The Raid 2. This balls-to-the-wall, non-stop, action-packed martial arts movie truly kicked things into hyperdrive asIko Uwais once again saw himself facing off against constant danger in a masterclass of choreographed martial arts fight sequences. Taking place just after the original movie, Uwais as Rama went undercover to bring down a criminal syndicate within his own police force.
The Raid 2has strong themes of misconduct and corruption within the police, yet the real appeal of this movie was the sheer intensity of its jaw-dropping fight choreography. With audiences barely given a second to catch their breath before being subjected to an overload of violence and bloodshed,The Raid 2was bigger, better, and more brutal than what came before.
While some pretentious cinephiles might dismiss Quentin Tarantino for his blatant mimicry of other filmmakers' styles and his reliance on genre tropes, it must also be acknowledged thatKill Billwas a pivotal release in introducing martial arts cinema to Western audiences. Although many older kung fu fans came of age in the era of Bruce Lee, it was Tarantino’s 21st-century love letter to the genre that introduced countless more viewers. With this two-part revenge story, Tarantino packed this film with nods to classic kung fu cinema and even included many iconic Hong Kong actors among the cast.
The truth was thatKill Billbrought together everything great about martial arts cinemain a way that was palpable to general viewers. With Uma Thurman’s unmatched performance as The Bride leading the way and an absolutely astounding sense of style, this story about a woman who swears revenge on a group of assassins and their leader brought to mind classic releases likeFive Fingers of DeathandLady Snowblood. Tarantino clearly knows his stuff, and he put all this knowledge together to create a modern kung fu masterpiece.
Shaw Brothers Studio was behind some of the greatest kung fu movies of the 1970s, and of all their releases during this time,The 36th Chamber of Shaolinstands supreme. As perhaps the greatest martial arts movie to feature Shaolin monks, this was just the first in an acclaimed trilogy starring the martial arts legend Gordon Liu. With a unique storyline and a legacy that few martial arts movies can stand up against, this movie, along withEnter the Dragon, even inspired the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album,Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers.)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolinstarred Liu as San Te, a legendary Shaolin monk who trained to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government in the 18th century. With each sequence becoming more intense as San Te made his way through the temple’s chambers, it was thrilling to witness the extraordinary choreography as he advanced more rapidly than any previous student. As a kung fu classic that’s a must-watch film for any self-respecting martial arts lover,The 36th Chamber of Shaolinwas a cinematic masterpiece.
The Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts masterpieceFearlesswas known for its stunning action sequences, emotional depth, and historical significance. As a biopic of the legendary Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia, Jet Li starred as the notable symbol of Chinese nationalism who challenged foreign fighters in highly publicized national events. As a highly politicized film that explored the desire to restore pride and nationalism to China at a time when Western imperialism was encroaching on the country, Western viewers may be unfamiliar with the social and political context ofFearless.
With some of the most beautiful cinematography ever seen in a martial arts movie, every scene ofFearlesswas a sight to behold, and it remains one of the most impressive fighting films of the 21st century. As one of Jet Li’s greatest movies,Fearlesspaired fast-paced action with stunning visualsin a way that showcased the enduring appeal of the wuxia genre.
While Bruce Lee achieved his breakout success withThe Big Boss, it wasFist of Furythat truly highlighted him as the defining kung fu star of the 1970s. With themes of Chinese nationalism,Fist of Furysaw Lee play Chen Zhen, a student of Huo Yuanjia who must defend China’s honor against the threat of external aggressor forces. With many battle factions facing off against one another, Chen’s determination to emerge victorious only grew after his master was murdered, and he swore revenge.
With plenty of classic kung fu themes,Fist of Furywas a true martial arts masterpiecethat was only surpassed by Lee’s later magnum opus,Enter the Dragon. While follow-up films likeThe New Fist of Furystarring Jackie Chan attempted to tap into the appeal of this classic movie, nothing could reach the creative heights of Lee’s first truly great film. With the classic setup of a student defending the honor of their late master, countless movies have attempted to imitate the appeal ofFist of Fury.
Director Zhang Yimou’s incredible wuxia releaseHerotook viewers on a journey into the Warring States Period in ancient China. As an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, it was an absolute travesty that the movie lost out on the Oscar and was not lauded for its groundbreaking and visually stunning presentation of its historical story. With major stars like Jet Li, Tony Leung, and Donnie Yen among the cast, everything aboutHerowas top tier, and the movie deserves to be recognized as a martial arts masterpiece.
Herowas the first Chinese film to top the United States box office (viaDaily China), showcasing the movie’s appeal not only in Asia but in mainstream Western movie markets. This was partly a result of director Quentin Tarantino’s pushing Miramax to give the martial arts epic an American release in theaters. While it’s not often Chinese films get American distribution, the success ofHeroproved that when a movie is good enough, Western viewers will turn out to see it.
Jackie Chan is truly among the greatest kung fu stars of all time, although this would not be the case without truly masterful movies likePolice Story. As a film co-written, directed, and starring Chan, the kung fu legend was dissatisfied with some of his previous roles and opted to take full creative control for this all-time great police-centric fighting movie. With some of the most impressive stunt work ever committed to film,Police Storyembodied everything that was great about Chan as a movie star.
Fromwatching Chan hang off the side of a speeding busto showing off his fighting skills in the iconic shopping mall scene,Police Storywas truly Chan’s greatest film and the inception point for a major franchise complete with sequels, spin-offs, and remakes. As a film that balanced incredible artistry and entertainment through its astounding attention to detail and over-the-top stunt work,Police Storyremains the benchmark by which all other kung fu cop comedies are judged.
Ang Lee’s martial arts masterpieceCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonintroduced Western audiences to the wuxia genre and was an astounding global success. With a sense of style that appealed to viewers all over the world, the story, cinematography, and fight sequences stood out as some of the most impressive ever captured on screen. Telling the story of a Chinese warrior played by Michelle Yeoh,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonwas a sweeping romantic adventure filled with magic and sword fighting.
As a more fantastical type of story than Western viewers were generally accustomed to in martial arts films,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonembraced Chinese philosophy and mythologyto tell a mysterious and intriguing tale of fighting and fortitude. As the first non-English language film to gross over $100 million in the United States and the recipient of ten Academy Award nominations, it’s clear this all-time great martial arts movie pulled off something special.
When it comes to martial arts masterpieces, it’s impossible not to mention Bruce Lee’s defining film and one of the most influential kung fu movies of all time,Enter the Dragon. This iconic movie helped ignite the kung fu craze of the 1970s, and as Lee’s final film before his untimely death at age 32, it represents the pinnacle of his all-too-brief Hollywood career. With the perfect blend of espionage, spy thriller, and classic kung fu carnage,the stylish appeal ofEnter the Dragonhas not faded in the more than 50 years since it was first released.
With top-tier fight choreography and an outrageously stylish aesthetic, scenes like the mirror room fight sequence have been endlessly parodied and will be familiar even to viewers who have not seen the original movie.Enter the Dragonwas notable for the way it delivered fast-paced thrills that appeal to Western audiences while not losing any of the martial arts Eastern traditions that Lee valued so much. While there have been plenty of great kung fu films over the years,Enter the Dragonremains a definingmasterpieceof the genre.
