In the diverse sphere of cinema, few genres can match the sheer adrenaline rush that a goodmartial artsmovie provides. These little action-packed gems are a subgenre of a broader movie category, but they’re unique in the sense that they showcase traditional Chinese art in all its technical finesse and unbridled intensity. At their core, martial arts movies are more than justa series of expertly choreographed fight scenes. They often have a narrative that creates a backbone for the jaw-dropping action. It could be a tale of revenge, a journey of self-discovery, or a clash between two rival factions. But these movies make sure the audiences engage themselves on an emotional level as well.
Sometimes, martial arts movies let go of the complexities of an elaborate plot and choose, instead, to prioritize the pure, unfiltered, feverish thrill of the action. These martial arts movies are action-packed from beginning to end. They take a conventionally simple story arc and use it to display the rawness and gratefulness of their trained protagonists. The fights are relentless and the barrage of kicks and punches is endless. This list counts down 10 of the most electrifying martial arts movies that fit the category.
10’Blood and Bone' (2009)
Blood and Bone
Thegritty streets of Los Angelesserve as the backdrop for this martial arts flick directed by Ben Ramsey. TitledBlood and Bone, the movie follows Isaiah Bone, an ex-marine and highly skilled martial artist, who gets out of prison and moves to Los Angeles to keep a promise he made to a friend. Bone dives into the world of underground street fighting, and with a dark past haunting his every move, he inches closer to his goal of seeking revenge for murder.
Has Some Jaw-Dropping Combat Scenes
From the moment it begins,Blood and Bonesets up a treacherous stage for brutal matchups, uneasy alliances, double-crosses, and ruthless crimes, all while leading up to an ultimate showdown. Directed by Ben Ramsey with an eye for visceral intensity, it stars Michael Jai White in the lead role. He is riveting as Bone; his strong physical presence carries emotional undertones. Notably, the fight choreography is so rhythmic and raw that it leaves you utterly transfixed.
9’Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior' (2003)
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warriortakes you to the heart of rural Thailand and tells the story of Ting, a young villager who embarks on a mission to Bangkok to recover the head of a sacred Buddha statue that has been stolen from his village. Ting must navigate an unforgiving world of criminals, corrupt officials, and fierce martial arts opponents by unleashing his own extraordinary skills and bringing honor back to his village.
Truly Exciting and Realistic
A seminal martial arts classic that redefines how far and well physical performances can go on the big screen,Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrioris a groundbreaking addition to the genre. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, the movie stars Tony Jaa in his first lead role and he is absolutely breathtaking. Instead of relying on CGI or wire-fu, the film uses Jaa’s unparalleled abilities, capturing him effortlessly leaping, tumbling, and delivering the strongest and coolest blows ever.
8’The Raid: Redemption' (2011)
The Raid: Redemption
The Raid: Redemptionbegins with an elite Indonesian SWAT team being tasked with raiding a high-rise building controlled by a ruthless crime lord named Tama and his army of killers. When the team finds themselves trapped inside the building with no way to call reinforcements, rookie officer Rama, played by Iko Uwais, fights through, floor after floor, and defeats the killers with his remarkable Pencak Silat martial arts skills.
A Movie That Heavily Influenced Action Flicks
Directed by Gareth Evans,The Raid: Redemptionis all about sustained action. It combines nail-biting tension with tightly choreographed fight scenes that leave audiences breathless. From the opening moment itself, we know the plot is simply about the police fighting criminals, but it’s the non-stop and elaborate action,the brutal takedowns, and the innovative use of confined spaces that elevates the movie into a modern martial arts classic.
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7’Drunken Master' (1987)
Drunken Master
A classic martial arts comedy starring Jackie Chan,Drunken Masterfollows a young man named Wong Fei-hung, who finds himself in hot water after causing trouble in his village. He’s sent to train under his strict uncle, Beggar So, a master of the Drunken Fist kung fu style, as punishment. And after learning the unconventional fighting style of Drunken Boxing, Fei-hung uses it to fight an assassin.
Packed With Humor and Action
Drunken Mastersubverts expectations and delivers a brilliant mashup of physical comedy and gravity-defying stunts. It showcases Chan’s talent for infusing mischief into kung-fu and establishes him as a global icon. Thelighthearted tone and innovative fight scenesset it apart from other traditional movies of the era and also help popularize the Drunken Boxing style, which is why it remains a timeless, entertaining classic.
6’The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter' (1984)
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
After the Khitan-ruled Liao dynasty army successfully ambushes the loyal generals of the Yang family at Golden Beach, all the sons are either killed or captured, leaving only two brothers, Yeung Dak and Yeung Chiu, alive. The first one seeks refuge in a Buddhist monastery and tries to quell his thirst for vengeance with the pursuit of inner peace, while the second one, consumed by rage, sets out on a mission to avenge their fallen brothers.
Driven by Technique and a Need for Revenge
Lau Kar-Leung’s movies never disappoint when it comes to martial arts, andThe Eight Diagram Pole Fighteris a stunning film about the art of eight-diagram pole fighting. It finds Yeung Dak, played by Gordon Liu, mastering the technique and deciding whether to use it to protect his family and restore their honor. Sure, there is emotional depth, but the film is all about delivering intense, high-octane action and some truths about the titular fighting style.
5’The Night Comes for Us' (2018)
The Night Comes For Us
A recent addition to the genre,The Night Comes For Uscenters around Ito, a high-ranking Triad enforcer who finds his loyalties tested when he decides to protect a young girl being targeted by his own gang. His betrayal sets off a chain of events that pit him against former allies and assassins. Ito fights hard to save the girl’s life and ends up discovering disturbing truths about the violent criminal underworld.
A Contemporary Ballet of Violence
The Night Comes for Usis an uncompromising masterpiece directed by Timo Tjahjanto. It stands out for its sheer intensity and relentless pace, dropping a series of non-stop, expertly arranged fight sequences that are equally graceful and savage. Joe Taslim andIko Uwais deliver powerhouse performancesthat elevate the film’s dark and gritty tone and add depth to its themes of loyalty and redemption. The movie was also a hit with fans and critics, who showered praise for its audacious story.
4’The 36th Chamber of Shaolin' (1978)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Also directed by Lau Kar-leung and produced by Shaw Brothers,The 36th Chamber of Shaolinfollows the journey of San Te, a young man who witnesses the brutal devastation of his village at the hands of the oppressive Manchu forces. He somehow manages to escape and seeks refuge in the Shaolin Monastery, where San Te pleads with the monks to teach him kung fu. Training in the temple’s legendary 35 chambers, San Te masters the art and avenges his loved ones.
Classic That Continues to Inspire and Entertain
Renowned for the depiction of its grueling, intricate, and transformative training sequences,The 36th Chamber of Shaolinis one of the best kung fu movies out there. It tells a simple story, driving audiences through San Te’s journey of physical and spiritual awakening, but the awe-inspiring fight scenes and philosophical importance of the technique steal all the spotlight. Gordan Liu’s turn as the main character is compelling, and his character growth is worth praising.
3’Ip Man' (2008)
The first film in the series,Ip Manis a biographical martial arts movie that tells the story of the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster, portrayed by Donnie Yen. It takes place in 1930s Foshan, China, when the Japanese occupied the country and disrupted its peace. Ip Man is reluctantly drawn into conflict when they invade his hometown and he’s forced to use his Wing Chun skills to protect his people and restore their way of life.
A True Legend Brought to Life
Directed by Wilson Yip,Ip Manis a movie that not only thrills with its stunning action sequences but also imbues them with historical and cultural significance. The film’s star, Donnie Yen, delivers a dedicated performance as the eponymous legend, seamlessly blending his technical precision with a commanding presence on screen. The movie’s core themes are that of honor and patriotism, and the action set pieces are so meticulous that it’s impossible not to be mesmerized.
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2’Fist of Legend' (1994)
Fist Of Legend
One of the fewmartial arts movies to hold a 100% approval ratingon Rotten Tomatoes,Fist of Legendfollows Chen Zhen, a Chinese martial artist who attends Kyoto University. When he discovers that his master, Huo Yuanjia, has died, Chen returns to Shanghai and learns the true cause of death. His quest for vengeance leads to an epic showdown that highlights Chen’s martial arts skills.
Blends Graceful Technique and Raw Action
Directed by Gordon Chen and starring the incomparable Jet Li at his finest,Fist of Legendis an exceptional film. Li’s magnetic presence on screen as he effortlessly transitions from moments of sentimentality and fluid fight sequences is one of the best elements of the film. The action choreography, crafted by Yuen Woo-ping, is all about grace and technique. Fist of Legend received critical acclaim for its excellent action and Li’s performance and became a movie that influenced countless others.
1’Five Element Ninjas' (1982)
Five Element Ninjas
The story ofFive Elements Ninjasbegins witha group of infamous, evil ninjas, known as the Five Element Ninjas, murdering the students of a martial arts school. Determined to avenge their loss, the survivors, led by Tian Hao, train themselves to master the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. They harness the unique powers of each element and use them to develop fighting styles and engage in a series of battles.
Creativity Meets Chaos
Five Elements Ninja, like many other martial arts movies, is about revenge. But the heart of the movie lies in the uncontrolled, excessive, and delirious action, which pays tribute to the richness and diversity of traditional art. The final confrontation between Tian Hao and the Supreme Ninja is a spectacle of inventive combat and an unforgettable cinematic experience. Because of its sense of excitement and the cast’s phenomenal performances, the movie has garnered a cult following of its own.
