Martial arts films are the backbone of international and Western cinema due to how well they can convey a story and also deliver fights that mesmerize audiences with every fight. While names like Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves come to mind, there are many other amazing names tied to even better films.
The last 30 years have been an amazing time for martial arts movies, and many entries have explored multiple storylines, from revenge to protecting loved ones. While not every martial arts movie gets the attention they deserve, the past three decades have delivered some of the best examples of the genre yet.
John Wick (2014) Proved Martial Arts Aren’t Always Fought with Hands
John Wick’s popularity lies heavily on its use of gun-fu and combat choreography, but also its simple story of a retired assassin who just lost his wife and also has the dog she gifted him killed by home invaders not long after. Now, coming out of retirement for revenge, John Wick opens a massive can of worms.
The entire franchise is impressive, but it’s easy to forget the impact the original John Wick had on audiences and how well the story was told. The fights were fun, the gunplay was accurate, and the motivation was something everyone continues to understand over a decade later.
The Matrix (1999) Plays on Stylized Martial Arts in a Clever Way
In a world where one man is awakened from a worldwide simulation run by machines, he’s believed to be the one to free the human race from their confines and trains to fight against those within the Matrix that would challenge him. Seeing Neo learn kung fu in The Matrix simply by getting it downloaded into his mind was a treat and only the start.
In The Matrix, Neo and his associates can fight hard and do the unbelievable, which leads to some amazing battles that also hit hard. It’s a perfect mix of classic martial arts and a Shonen anime and is a large reason why so many people remember and love the 1999 sci-fi hit.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) is a Beautiful Homage to a Classic Era of Martial Arts
Quentin Tarantino’s two-part epic revenge story, Kill Bill, is as impressive as it is stylistically wonderful. While the first film is more of a gritty revenge road trip, Kill Bill Vol. 1 is something totally different and leans heavily into stylish and bloody ’70s martial arts movies.
The most exciting part of the film is in the final act when The Bride tracks down one of her targets and faces down her gang, the Crazy 88s. A bloody clash of swords, limbs are lopped off, and eyes are plucked out, and the film is a perfect blend of choreography and wire effects that make Kill Bill Vol. 1 a standout.
The Grandmaster (2013) Sees a Different Side to Ip Man’s Story
The Grandmaster tells an aspect of the story of Ip Man, before he trains Bruce Lee, and his life of peace being taken as he’s forced to fight once more. Heavily dramatized, the film chronicles an aspect of his life but ultimately serves as a way to get him to open his school and meet a young Bruce Lee.
The Grandmaster features incredible acting and stunts, and for any fan of Ip Man, it’s a necessary addition to his cinematic history. It may not have the cult following of Donnie Yen’s films, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have its own style and level of intrigue.
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) Kicks Off a Hard-Hitting Franchise
Starring Tony Jaa, Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior sees him leave his small town to reclaim a Buddha statue that was stolen from his home. What results is an adventure that escalates heavily and results in him using his Muay Thai skills to fight his way back home.
Like franchises like Ip Man, the first Ong-Bak kicked off an impressive story that highlighted how impressive Tony Jaa can be with his stunts. He’s fast and deadly, and it results in some of the best combat scenes in all of martial arts.
Hero (2002) is a Beautiful Story That Feels Mythic
Jet Li is Nameless in Hero, a film about a hero who recounts the battles he fought to an Emperor that they were all trying to kill. The stories tell the battles in colorful beauty, but the Emperor has his misgivings, and it challenges the multi-part narrative of the story.
Hero is an amazing wuxia film that features some impressive battles that play on wuxia, color, and impressive sword combat. The film is nothing short of epic, and with Jet Li in the lead role, it has helped reel more audiences in since its release.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) Blends Action and Comedy as Good as a Jackie Chan Film
Directed by Stephen Chow, Kung Fu Hustle follows a down-on-his-luck petty criminal trying to earn a place in the local axe gang by shaking down an apartment complex. Except his action calls down the real axe gang, and they all learn the complex is filled with martial arts masters.
Kung Fu Hustle is a rare triumph in blending comedy and action in a way that Jackie Chan movies can only measure up to. It may not be the most serious film, but it’s hard to ignore the beauty of the martial arts and how it seamlessly shifts from hilarious to impressive.
Ip Man (2008) Introduced a Modern Martial Arts Icon to the World
Loosely inspired by the man who trained Bruce Lee, Ip Man is a film that follows the martial arts master trying to care for his family. Everything changes with the Japanese occupation of China, and it forces the master to leave his home with his family.
Unfortunately, this chain of events leaves Ip Man no choice but to fight to protect his family and inadvertently inspires those around him. Ip Man is filled with amazing fight sequences that show off Donnie Yen’s martial arts expertise and kickstarted a franchise that highlights a legend of martial arts.
The Raid 2 (2014) Amps Up What the First Film Established
The Raid: Redemption redefined martial arts films and showcased that style and brutality can share a space and deliver some technical and intense moments. The Raid 2 picks up where the original left off and shows Rama forced to go undercover to protect those he loves, taking on a new class of criminal.
The Raid 2 isn’t afraid to hit hard from beginning to end. With outrageous villains who tackle deadly and unique styles, there are many scenes that keep the audience glued to the screen. It’s a rare sequel that’s better than the original and still holds up.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Honors the Past and Inspires the Future of Martial Arts Films
Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger. Hidden Dragon is more than a beautiful martial arts film about a woman who, after the sword of her lover is stolen, travels to find it. It’s a tale that honors the past of martial arts movies and wuxia movies that defined the genre decades before.
Starring legends like Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, there’s nothing to hate about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It’s a great and exciting story with amazing martial arts and wire stunts that celebrates the beauty of combat as well as inspires future filmmakers in the genre.