Generally, if you want to watch some of the greatest martial arts movies ever, your best bet would be to focus on Eastern productions. Just pick a film starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-Fat, Jet Li, or Iko Uwais, and you should be golden. As Asian martial arts movies (and anime) became more accessible in North America and Europe, we gradually saw the rise of American action flicks that take inspiration from the likes of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Honestly, there are not all that many Hollywood movies that emphasize martial arts, at least not to the point that they can be described as members of that genre. Martial arts are usually one ingredient of an explosive stew, and they tend to take a backseat to shootouts. Still, there are some fantastic American martial arts films.
The Matrix
The Definitive Hollywood Martial Arts Blockbuster
The Matrix
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 31, 1999
- Runtime
- 136 minutes
- Director
- Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
OK, this is the big one. While films like Bloodsport and Mortal Kombat were admirable attempts to replicate Eastern martial arts movies, The Matrix changed Hollywood's approach to action. The Wachowskis took inspiration from plenty of sources to craft their action sci-fi masterpiece, and they incorporated fascinating social and philosophical themes that were unusual for big Hollywood productions at the time.
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Wisely, the first movie grounds its action in the use of real-life martial arts, and the actors dedicated substantial time to learning their moves. Consequently, The Matrix's fight sequences are way more believable than its contemporaries' action, despite the film being high-concept sci-fi. As the series progressed, the action steadily became more bombastic and cartoonish, ultimately overshadowing the more realistic hand-to-hand combat sequences.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
A Celebration Of Michelle Yeoh's Brilliance
Everything Everywhere All at Once
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- Release Date
- March 25, 2022
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Director
- Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Speaking of high-concept films, Everything Everywhere All at Once is so all over the place and absurd that the fact that it not only comes together but also forms a cohesive whole is a minor miracle. A Chinese woman living in the United States goes on a multiversal adventure while trying to deal with relatable family drama, and she finds herself having to fight off an array of fighters.
Combining a few different genres, Everything Everywhere All at Once is never static and constantly changes tone, style, and focus. While not relentless, the action is beautifully choreographed and creative. More importantly, the movie is built around Michelle Yeoh, who can pretty much handle everything the story throws at her. She is just as believable as an exhausted mother as she is a martial arts expert or a rock.
Kung Fu Panda Series
The Most Consistent Hollywood Martial Arts Film Franchise
Kung Fu Panda
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- June 4, 2008
- Runtime
- 95 minutes
- Director
- Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Kung Fu Panda is, frankly, better than it has any right to be. If you have not seen DreamWorks' original movie since its release, go back and give it a rewatch. You might be surprised by how well it has aged. Even nearly two decades later, the animation is flawless, as is the soundtrack. The story follows a fairly straightforward zero-to-hero formula, but it is told well and boosted by a lovable cast of characters.
Finally, Kung Fu Panda's action is incredible! Seriously, the dumpling fight alone is a work of art, and it is hardly the only brilliant sequence in the first movie. Each character has a unique martial art that plays to their strengths and allows for widely different combinations. While the 2008 original is probably the best in the series, all four movies are great in their own right.
John Wick Series
The Pinnacle Of Hollywood Gun-Fu
John Wick
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- October 24, 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 101 minutes
- Director
- Chad Stahelski
Ah, John Wick, a 5-film juggernaut that has roughly 4 hours straight of action and goes absolutely for broke. Ultimately, "Gun-fu" is probably the best way to describe Wick's personal fighting style, as he is deadly with his hands, feet, weapons, and horses. Although the third and fourth movies are essentially prolonged action sequences, the series, on the whole, has great world-building that helps add context to the mayhem.
Due to doing his own stunts, Keanu Reeves is believable enough as an unstoppable one-man army, and his presence elevates John Wick above most modern films. Even though some of the latter entries can get exhausting, the franchise raised the bar for Hollywood action movies.
Ballerina is solid, too.
The Karate Kid
More Than Just Nostalgia
The Karate Kid
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 22, 1984
- Runtime
- 126 minutes
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
If you are of a certain age, The Karate Kid is probably the first martial arts movie you ever watched. Although very much a product of its decade, the 1984 classic has still withstood the test of time, offering an accessible journey that can hit the mark regardless of a viewer's generation. In many ways, this is the greatest children's martial arts movie of all time, and it managed to achieve that status without dumbing itself down.
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Now, the franchise's crowning achievement is Cobra Kai, and I would 100% recommend watching the series if you are a fan of the original film. That said, the 2011 remake is also decent, with Jackie Chan making for a fine replacement for Pat Morita.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel's Respectable Martial Arts Movie
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
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- Release Date
- September 3, 2021
- Director
- Destin Daniel Cretton
The MCU dominated Hollywood during the 2010s, culminating in the GLOBAL EVENT that was Endgame. Since then, the franchise has struggled to consistently justify its ongoing existence, with Phase Four being particularly lackluster. Out of all that era's releases, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was not only the best, but also the freshest.
Although occasionally stunning, the MCU's set pieces are over-reliant on special effects, so it was refreshing to see a film that had the confidence to prioritize physical stunts and choreographed fights. On the whole, Shang-Chi is the MCU's best pure action movie, even if it might not have the same degree of spectacle as some other flicks.
Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino's Love Letter To Classic Martial Arts Movies
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 10, 2003
- Runtime
- 111 minutes
- Director
- Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino's movies are born out of a love for the '70s, and Kill Bill is maybe his most indulgent production. The closest thing to an American live-action anime, this two-parter chronicles the Bride's murder spree as she seeks to get revenge on the Deadly Vipers, a journey filled with blood, body parts, and even beauty.
Bringing in Yuen Woo-Ping for the martial arts sequences, the film's action is largely practical, and Uma Thurman does a fantastic job of carrying most of these moments. Considering Tarantino has never been an action director, Kill Bill is an incredible achievement that succeeds in paying tribute to the past while also forming a clear identity that separates it from the crowd.
Enter The Dragon
Bruce Lee's Shadow
Enter the Dragon
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- August 19, 1973
- Runtime
- 102 Minutes
- Director
- Robert Clouse
The most famous martial arts movie of all time, Enter the Dragon casts a large shadow over Hollywood, due to being Bruce Lee's greatest showcase and final completed production. Certain imagery, like Lee's yellow suit or the final mirror room fight, are nowadays part of the public consciousness, and the film has inspired countless imitators and parodies. After his untimely death, Hollywood arguably spent the next two decades trying to find the next Bruce Lee, before ultimately adopting Jackie Chan.
Once something achieves an absurd level of recognition, the real deal might struggle to live up to its own legend. Fortunately, Enter the Dragon is not one of those cases, as the film is still awesome. Although not the most realistic martial arts, Bruce Lee's physical charisma is extraordinary, and he sells each and every move.
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