Top Martial Arts Movies of All Time

Few genres in movies are as captivating, or at the very least entertaining to watch, as martial arts. Sure they can be ridiculous at times, with their silly story lines simplistic execution and static characters, but that does not take away from the delectable treat they will provide in blowing you mind in one way or another.

Certainly in most cases the attractions will revolve around the fights, that element only compounding upon the attractiveness of martial arts movies- you can drop in at any point in the movie and you will still enjoy the display- but that doesn’t mean all martial arts movies are lacking in substance.

Certainly most martial arts movies are inundated with explosive fight scenes, sacrificing any and all substance in the process, but there are a few gems out there, movies that place as much emphasis on character and story as much as they do on round house kicks and flips.

Some of the top martial arts movies are well known for crafting intriguing story lines for fascinatingly molded characters to participate in.

For many the statement ‘top martial arts movies of all time’ will cause contention as most fans will attest to different movies taking the top spot in the genre. Certainly all fans of martial arts movies cannot be expected to agree with regards to the best of the best in martial arts movies.

But most will agree wholeheartedly with regards to some of the best and most memorable movies the martial arts genre has to offer.

Man of Tai Chi Review (2013)

This is a film that was based loosely on the main character, Tiger Chen’s real life. The goal behind the movie was to show the world that Tai Chi should be taken seriously as a martial art. The plot doesn’t go any deeper than that, Tiger Chen enters the world of illegal underground fighting in […]

Ong-bak Review (2003)

Tony Jaa seems to be the next best thing since Jet Li or Bruce Lee. He’s proving in Hollywood that he is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to being an action star. He may not be big yet but he’s on his way to being what Jet Li was only 10 […]

IP Man Review (2008)

IP Man and IP Man 2 is another well celebrated martial arts movie. Steeped deeply in the spirit of martial arts and its intricacies like Fearless, choosing to provide a clear insight into the world of a single martial arts style, IP man follows the story of the real life fighter Yip man, the first man to teach the martial arts style Wing Chun, and also Bruce Lee's teacher.

Warrior Review (2011)

The presence of this Gavin O'Connor film on a martial arts list has surprised many, mostly because of its western roots. Starring Tom Hardy, Jennifer Morrison and Joel Edgerton, this movie is none the less a martial arts film worth anyone's respect.

The story revolves around the youngest child of a former boxer; the son returns home to undergo training under his alcoholic father to partake in a martial arts competition. His journey through this violent world brings him head to head against his older brother.

It isn't rare to find many a fan comparing this movie to THE FIGHTER. In [...]

Never Back Down Review (2008)

This movie falls within the same category as warrior. Revolving around a college kid in Florida taking martial arts lessons to partake in a violent underground fighting tournament, this movie, Western in nature and starring Amber Heard and Sean Farris, is inferior to Warrior but none the less provides a exciting story about empowerment and resistance against stronger forces. Most have termed it a more mature character kid. And that is more compliment than anything.

The Legend of Drunken Master Review (1994)

A young man is torn between two worlds. On the one hand he wishes to respect and follow his father's pacifist philosophies. On the other, he feels the urge to stop the shenanigans of foreigners, intent on stealing his village's artifacts.

Starring Jacki Chan, Lung Ti and Anita Mui, this movie follows Jackie as he learns to master an unorthodox form of martial arts acquired via inebriation. Few martial arts fans can deny the fact that this is one of the funniest movies in martial arts history with some of the most amazing martial arts moves and scenes seen to date. It is Jackie Chan at his best.

Enter the Dragon Review (1973)

But of course no Top Martial arts movies of all time list would be complete without a mention of ENTER THE DRAGON, the movie that brought Bruce Lee to fame. Starring John Saxon, Ahna Capri and Jim Kelly, Enter the dragon follows Bruce lee as a martial artist that enters a tournament to spy on a crime lord.

This was Bruce less showing the audience what Bruce lee was about, with a boat load of charisma and lightening fast kicks. This movie-a landmark martial arts movie in cinema- also include Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Biao Yuen, the so called Dragon brothers.

The lists of top [...]

Rocky Review (1976)

Some, constructing a list of best martial arts movies, have been known to change the title to best fighting movies so that they can include the likes of ROCKY. This famous movie follows Sylvester Stallone as a less than intelligent boxer than dares to dream big by, through the training of Burgess Meredith's Mickey along with Talia Shire as Adrian and Burt Young's Pauly, choosing to do the impossible and reach the top of the boxing world. The first Rocky, a roaring success, was followed by three sequels, Rocky II, III and IV, and mostly revolved around Rocky's attempt to stay at the top by contending with different opponents.

Fearless Review (2006)

Fearless well renown movie follows the story of Master Huo Yuanjia, a martial arts legend and the Jin Wu sports federation founder. Faced with personal tragedies, Huo fought adversity to become the most famous martial artist in his home of China. Starting his story as a child following in the footsteps of his famous marital artist father, who forbade him to follow his path, Huo made his name as a fighter representing the true spirit of martial arts and is credited for bringing martial arts into the limelight as a sport worth the respect and admiration of those less educated in its intricacies.

The movie, featuring Jet [...]

Top Martial Arts Movies of All Time

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