Summary
- Jet Li transitioned successfully from martial arts to Western screens, showcasing his acting abilities.
- Films like "Unleashed," "The Warlords," and "The Swordsman 2" demonstrate Jet Li's diverse acting range and martial arts skills.
Jet Li is undeniably one of the most accomplished and successful film stars in the martial arts world. Starting his career as a wushu champion before retiring at 18 due to injury, he has forged an enviable movie career, with roles that showcase his incredible martial skill, likable personality, and natural charisma.
Not one to rely solely on his physical strengths, he has taken roles that push his acting abilities to new places, bringing greater depth to his characters. Li is one of a rare few martial arts stars who successfully transitioned to Western screens, with several notable Hollywood action movies under his belt.
Updated January 27, 2025, by Andy Chapman: I n recent years, Kung Fu cinema legend Jet Li has stepped away from the limelight, concentrating more on his philanthropy work. However, he remains one of martial arts' most skilled and charismatic movie actors, with legions of fans worldwide. He is set to make a return to screens in Biao Den, a historical fantasy based on the Blades of the Guardians Manhua series. This will be his first onscreen appearance since 2020s Mulan. This article has been updated with additional entries to give a broader view of Jet Li’s impressive filmography.
14 The Enforcer
A Solid Action Drama
- Director: Corey Yuen
- Release Date: 1995
- Runtime: 1h 44m
The Enforcer, also known as My Father is a Hero, stars Li as an undercover cop struggling to look after his son and sickly wife. When infiltrating a dangerous criminal gang, Li’s cover is blown, putting him and his family in danger.
While The Enforcer fails to reach the heights of Jet Li’s best work, the film is a solid martial arts offering, with Li bringing his usual high level of skill and charisma. The blend of family drama and action works well, with strong chemistry between Li and the actor who plays his Kung Fu-loving son.
13 Lethal Weapon 4
Jet Li’s First Big Hollywood Movie
- Director: Richard Donner
- Release Date: 1998
- Runtime: 2h 7m
The Lethal Weapon series was a highlight of 80s action, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover becoming a classic movie duo with their undeniable onscreen chemistry. While Lethal Weapon 4 is primarily a fun goodbye to the beloved characters, Jet Li shines as the deadly villain of the movie.
In the film, Li plays a ruthless, high-ranking Triad attempting to free his criminal brothers from imprisonment. The movie was Jet Li’s first Hollywood production and introduced the West to his incredible martial skill and obvious charisma. Li would follow this with several Western action films, cementing his place as a worldwide movie star.
12 Kiss of the Dragon
One of Li’s Best Western Action Movies
- Director: Chris Nahon
- Release Date: 2001
- Runtime: 1h 38m
Continuing his run of Western action movies, Jet Li starred in Kiss of the Dragon, a French-American production written and produced by Luc Besson. In the film, Li stars as a Chinese police officer working in Paris who is betrayed and framed for murder. The film has a gritty tone, showing the dark underbelly of Paris’s criminal world.
As with every Jet Li movie, the fight scenes are outstanding. However, in Kiss of the Dragon, Li moves away from the wirework and CGI that he was known for, and shows off his raw martial skill. The fight scenes are realistic and perfectly fit the movie’s tone. Kiss of the Dragon is one of Li’s most violent films and a must-watch for any fan of the movie star.
11 Unleashed
A Gritty Action Thriller
- Director: Louis Leterrier
- Release Date: 2005
- Runtime: 1h 43m
By the mid-2000s, Jet Li was firmly established in Hollywood as a major action star, having starred in several successful films. Unleashed further solidified his status with fantastic action scenes and Li's accomplished acting abilities. Unleashed follows Jet Li’s Danny, a man who has been enslaved since childhood and trained by the mob to fight in illegal underground battles.
After his minder, played by the legendary Bob Hoskins, is injured, Danny must find his own way and soon meets a blind piano player, played by Morgan Freeman. With such a fantastic cast, Unleashed hits above its weight, with Jet Li bringing the movie's action and emotional core.
10 The Warlords
A Historical Action Epic
- Director: Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Wai-Man Yip
- Release Date: 2007
- Runtime: 2h 6m
Set during the Taiping Rebellion in 1860s China, the film follows General Pang Qingyun, played by Li, who, after being defeated, forms a powerful alliance with two bandit leaders. The Warlords is a sweeping epic, with impressive battle scenes, incredible costumes, and superb acting.
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The film won numerous awards, including Best Film and Best Director at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards. Jet Li would also win big that night, taking home the Best Actor award. With The Warlords, Jet Li proves he is more than just a martial artist, leading a strong cast of seasoned actors in this modern period classic.
9 The Swordsman 2
A Unique Kung Fu Classic
- Director: Siu-Tang Ching
- Release Date: 1992
- Runtime: 1h 52m
With a standout performance by Brigitte Lin, The Swordsman 2 is a classic kung fu movie of the Wuxia genre. The film follows Ling Wu Chung, played by Jet Li, who, after discovering his friends in a warrior tribe have been attacked and abducted, goes on a mission to save his companions.
The Swordsman 2 is an over-the-top, martial arts epic, with stunning cinematography and top-tier action. It is the second part of a trilogy, which continues from the first movie, but with an entirely new cast of actors. The Swordsman 2 is a must-watch movie for Jet Li fans, who is flawless with his physical portrayal and charismatic screen presence; this is a classic of Hong Kong cinema.
8 The Legend Of Fong Sai-Yuk
Jet Li Flies High In Classic Wuxia Style
- Director: Corey Yuen
- Release Date: 1993
- Runtime: 1h 40m
The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk is one of Jet Li’s standout kung fu films and won several awards, including Best Action Choreography, at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The film follows the semi-fictional folk hero Fong Sai-Yuk as he falls for the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant, and enters a martial arts contest to win her hand.
The film features some fantastic fight scenes with highly exaggerated movements and high-flying wirework. For martial arts fans looking for gritty realism, this isn’t the film. However, The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk perfectly shows Jet Li’s stunning blend of fluid action and incredible technique, honed in his years as a Wushu champion.
7 Tai-Chi Master
One Of Jet Li's Best Classic Martial Arts Films
- Director: Woo-Ping Yuen
- Release Date: 1993
- Runtime: 1h 36m
This fun kung fu classic follows two best friends who are expelled from the Shaolin temple and must find their way in a strange and unfamiliar world. Eventually, the two friends find themselves on opposing sides of a rebellion and must come to blows. Tai-Chi Master co-stars the fabulous Michelle Yeoh and once again showcases Jet Li’s incredible martial arts skills.
While the film does include cheesy wirework and some over-the-top stunts, the fight scenes are very well-choreographed and are everything fans of Li have come to expect. Tai-Chi Master stands as a solid entry in Jet Li’s impressive career and a film all kung fu fans will enjoy.
6 Once Upon a Time in China
Jet Li’s Classic Martial Arts Epic
- Director: Hark Tsui
- Release Date: 1991
- Runtime: 2h 14m
Following the story of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-Hung, a respected leader who fights against the foreign powers attempting to plunder China of its wealth, Once Upon a Time in China is one of Jet Li's most acclaimed movies. The film is a sweeping epic with stunningly choreographed fight scenes and Li shining in the central role.
Once Upon a Time in China was a critical and commercial hit, and has become a classic of kung fu cinema. It has been highly influential, with numerous period action films following its release. It also won several awards at the 11th Hong Kong Film Awards.
5 Once Upon A Time In China 2
Jet Li's Classic Kung Fu Series
- Director: Hark Tsui
- Release Date: 1992
- Runtime: 1h 53m
The second entry in the Once Upon a Time in China series is a more focused story and is sometimes considered the strongest of the franchise. Set in 1895 during the Qing Dynasty, and co-starring Rosamund Kwan, Donnie Yen, and Max Mok, Once Upon a Time in China 2 sees Jet Li’s Wong Fei-hung become embroiled in the political unrest of the time.
Once Upon a Time in China 2 has the same high production level as the first film. The exceptional fight scenes are choreographed by industry legend Yuen Woo-ping, who would go on to choreograph action classics The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film is a historical epic that showcases Jet Li’s incredible martial arts skills and cemented his name as a box office star.