The Best Hollywood Martial Arts Movies

Summary

• Hollywood embraced Eastern martial arts in action movies since the 1970s, influencing stars and stunts.
• Martial arts films are beloved globally for their choreography, characters, and action-packed scenes.
• Iconic movies like The Karate Kid and Enter the Dragon shaped Hollywood’s love affair with martial arts.

Hollywood has long been a home for big-budget action movies, bringing big stars with bigger explosions. However, Hollywood has embraced a different kind of action movie over the decades, bringing Eastern martial arts to Western audiences. Martial Arts movies have been a staple of cinema since the 1970s. The influence of Eastern cinema can be seen throughout Hollywood, from its stars to its stunt work.

Many of these movies have achieved worldwide success, winning multiple awards and becoming all-time classics. Hollywood martial arts movies remain popular around the world for their stunning choreography, charismatic characters, and heart-pumping action. These movies are pure cinema, firmly grabbing audiences and never letting go until the credits roll.

Updated February 4, 2025, by Andy Chapman: Martial arts remains a popular genre among movie fans. From low-budget gems to big-budget blockbusters, almost every action film involves complex fight choreography involving advanced martial arts. However, as the stars of the last generation enter into older age, martial arts movies have taken a back seat in mainstream cinema. With no obvious successor to Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or Donnie Yen, the genre is primed and ready for another star to emerge. This article has been updated to include additional entries to give a broader view of Hollywood martial arts movies.

14

Blood and Bone

A Hidden Gem With Great Fight Scenes

• Director: Ben Ramsey
• Release Date: 2009
• Runtime: 1h 33m

This direct-to-DVD, low-budget movie may not be as well known as other films on this list. However, Blood and Bone shines where it matters: in the action. The film stars Michael Jai White as Isaiah Bone, an ex-convict and ex-marine who finds himself embroiled in the underground fighting world of Los Angeles.

While the plot is nothing to write home about, Michael Jai White carries the film with his expert martial skill and onscreen charisma. The movie also features other big names from the fighting world, including Gina Carano and the late Kimbo Slice, who bring extra authenticity to the film. Blood and Bone is a great low-budget action film that fans of Western martial arts movies will appreciate.

13

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

A Memorable Biography

• Director: Rob Cohen
• Release Date: 1993
• Runtime: 1h 59m

Starring Jason Scott Lee as the legendary action star, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story stands on its own as a worthy martial arts film. The movie follows the life of Bruce Lee from a young age and into the movie industry, where his films inspired generations of martial artists. Jason Scott Lee does an excellent job as Bruce, while the film’s heart and soul is the relationship between Lee and his wife Linda.

While the film can sometimes over-mythologize the star and some historical events have come into question, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a must-watch for any martial arts fan.

12

The Forbidden Kingdom

A Love Letter to Kung Fu Cinema

The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) may not go down in history as the best Kung Fu movie of all time, but this fun fantasy martial arts movie will please fans of the genre looking for a lighthearted adventure. Starring two movie legends, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the film followKung-Fu-lovingving kid who finds himself transported back in time to ancient China.

The film is a love letter to the Kung Fu films of old, with Jackie bringing his iconic drunken fighting style back to the screen. The film is steeped in Chinese folklore, with Jet Li also playing the Monkey King. The Forbidden Kingdom is a hidden gem for Kung Fu movie fans, who are treated to some fantastic fight sequences between two icons of the martial arts world.

11

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Marvel’s Martial Arts Epic

The MCU has dominated the worldwide box office for over a decade, bringing big-budget superhero movies to the cinema-going public. Their blend of explosive spectacle, sharp comedy, and likable characters has influenced every summer blockbuster that has come after. The list of MCU movies is long and includes some genuine classic superhero movies.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) is Marvel’s big-budget martial arts move and features a predominately Asian cast. The film follows Shang-Chi’s difficult relationship with his criminal father, who is attempting to force entry into a mythical village to gain incredible power. The film was praised for its positive representation of Asian culture, fun story, and fantastic visual effects. Shang-Chi is a great addition to the MCU and a must-watch for fans of the long-running franchise.

10

Romeo Must Die

Jet Li Arrives in Hollywood

• Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
• Release Date: 2000
• Runtime: 1h 55m

Romeo Must Die was Jet Li’s first big breakout Hollywood action film and co-starred the singer Aaliyah, who would tragically die only a year after the film was released.

The film is a loose retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with two warring crime families at the center. The story follows Han Sing, played by Li, who comes to America after discovering his brother was murdered. The film features a fantastic soundtrack and a strong supporting cast. However, it is Li who shines with his effortless martial arts and onscreen charisma that made him a superstar in China.

9

Kickboxer

Muay Thai Becomes Global

80s action star Jean-Claude Van Damme made his big break in 1982’s Bloodsport, where the world was introduced to the star’s skill and athleticism. He would follow this up with several successful action movies, including 1989’s Kickboxer.

Kickboxer follows Kurt Sloane, played by Van Damme, who seeks revenge after his brother is paralyzed in a fight in Thailand. The film features some brutal fight and training sequences, where Van Damme is at the peak of his physical strength. Kickboxer is largely responsible for introducing the martial arts style of Muay Thai to a broader audience and remains an extremely influential martial arts movie today.

8

Warrior

MMA Comes To The Silver Screen

The biggest fighting style to emerge in modern times is inarguably Mixed Martial Arts. MMA has greatly impacted the sporting world, with its biggest stars becoming world-renowned athletes. Warrior, the 2011 movie starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, may not have introduced the world to the MMA fighting style, but it helped push the sport to an even wider audience.

The film follows estranged brothers, Tommy and Paddy, as they compete in a famous MMA tournament, gaining national recognition as they progress. The film depicts some great fight sequences, with many real MMA fighters featured in the film. However, at its core, Warrior is an emotional story of a broken family finding their way back together. The film has garnered a cult following and continues to introduce new fans to MMA.

7

Bloodsport

Van Damme’s Breakout Role

• Director: Newt Arnold
• Release Date: 1988
• Runtime: 1h 32m

Bloodsport follows AWOL US Army Captain Frank Dux, as he competes in the underground fighting tournament known as the Kumite. Bloodsport was a break-out hit for Jean-Claude Van Damme and showed off his incredible gymnastic and fighting abilities. It would mark the beginning of a long career in martial arts and action movies.

Bloodsport is also credited with popularizing martial arts in the USA and inspiring the classic fighting game Mortal Kombat, with the character Johnny Cage being based on Van Damme himself. While Bloodsport follows many of the clichés common in the genre, it is undeniably a classic of Western martial arts movies.

6

The Karate Kid

Introduced Martial Arts To a New Generation

The Karate Kid (1984) is inarguably one of the most iconic teen movies of the 1980s. Spawning several sequels, a remake, and the more recent TV spin-off, Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid introduced a generation to the Japanese martial art Karate. The movie follows Daniel, played by Ralph Macchio, as he navigates a new school, a new love interest, and local bullies.

Befriending Mr. Miyagi, a local Japanese handyman, Daniel learns the art of self-defense and gains confidence through this newfound friendship. The Karate Kid became a hit movie and made stars of Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. It also helped to popularize Karate in the United States.

5

Rush Hour

Jackie Chan Finally Arrives in Hollywood

Jackie Chan’s irresistible brand of action and humor made him a worldwide star. From Kung Fu classics such as Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) and Drunken Master (1978) to his 80s action classics Police Story (1985) and Armour of God (1986), Jackie blends slapstick comedy, acrobatic fight sequences, and death-defying stunt work to iconic effect.

While he was a legend of Hong Kong cinema for decades, his breakthrough in Hollywood wouldn’t come until 1998 with Rush Hour. This action comedy, co-starring Chris Tucker, was an instant hit. Chan and Tucker’s onscreen chemistry made it the perfect East meets West mash-up, with Tucker bringing the laughs while Jackie brings the action. Rush Hour kickstarted Jackie Chan’s Hollywood career and cemented his place as an international movie icon.

4

Everything Everywhere All At Once

A Surreal Multi-Dimensional Adventure

Michelle Yeoh delivers one of her career-best performances in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), playing a mother and wife who has lost her direction and is slowly losing her family. This theme grounds the movie, as it expands into a surrealist action comedy unlike anything else seen before.

Michelle Yeoh’s long career in martial arts movies is on full display as she battles her way through multiple universes. However, it’s her acting that shines here the most, bringing an emotional depth that won her an Oscar for Best Actress. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a must-see movie with a stellar cast at the height of their powers.

3

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2

Tarantino’s Revenge Epic

Quentin Tarantino burst into the movie industry in the 90s, making an immediate impact with his violent classics, Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Known for his love of blood-drenched exploitation movies, in 2003, he released his love letter to Japanese cinema, Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Vol. 2 would arrive less than a year later, completing the two-movie epic.

Kill Bill is a tale of bloody revenge, as an ex-assassin known as The Bride carves her way through her former colleagues in the Deadly Viper assassination squad and their leader, Bill. Kill Bill has exceptional fight scenes, from down-and-dirty knife fights to epic sword battles featuring numerous enemies. Vol. 2 brought even more action, with Chinese legend Gordon Liu playing Kung Fu Master Pai Mei, The Bride’s ruthless former teacher. Kill Bill is a grand homage to the Asian cinema of the 70s and features many legendary actors from that time. It’s a vibrant, stylish, and ultra-violent film that will go down as one of the famous director’s best works.

2

Enter The Dragon

The Making Of A Legend

Before the release of Enter the Dragon (1973), Bruce Lee was firmly established as a worldwide action star. His classic movies The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972), and The Way of the Dragon (1972) had garnered him a cult following in the West. With this success, Hollywood came calling, and in a joint production between Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest and Hollywood’s Warner Bros, Enter the Dragon was made.

This classic movie brought martial arts to the mainstream. It became an international hit, becoming one of the most successful movies of 1973. It turned Bruce Lee from an Eastern movie star to a worldwide action-movie icon and kickstarted Hollywood’s love affair with martial arts.

1

The Matrix

A Groundbreaking Action Classic

The impact that 1999’s The Matrix had on the movie industry can not be overstated. Its next-level CGI effects, explosive action, and highly choreographed fight scenes wowed audiences worldwide. The film follows Keanu Reeves’ Neo, as he is awakened into the real world, discovering that machines rule the planet.

This high-concept sci-fi epic takes inspiration from various sources, notably anime movie classics such as Akira (1988), and Ghost in the Shell (1995). Meanwhile, its gravity-defying fight scenes can be traced to the Wushu style popularized by Jet Li. The Matrix is inarguably one of the most influential action movies ever made, and would go on to achieve widespread success, and influenced big-budget blockbusters to this day.