Top 10 Greatest Martial Arts Films of All Time

Ang Lee's wuxia masterpiece swept the 2001 Academy Awards with 4 wins including Best Foreign Language Film and grossed $213 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing foreign-language film in US history at the time. Choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, its gravity-defying wire-fu sequences including the iconic bamboo forest duel redefined what action cinema could achieve artistically.

Donnie Yen's portrayal of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, Bruce Lee's real-life teacher, sparked a global resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese martial arts. The film grossed HK$38 million at the Hong Kong box office and spawned three sequels. Its climactic 10-vs-1 fight scene against Japanese soldiers is widely regarded as one of the greatest action sequences in cinema history.

Gareth Evans' Indonesian action film, starring Iko Uwais and choreographed in the indigenous Pencak Silat style, set a new benchmark for action filmmaking when it premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2011. Shot in Jakarta for just $1.1 million, it earned $9.1 million at the US box office. Time magazine named it one of the 100 greatest films of the decade.

Jackie Chan's breakthrough film transformed both Chan's career and the martial arts genre by fusing slapstick comedy with authentic kung fu choreography. Shot in 1978 on a budget of HK$1 million, it became one of the highest-grossing Hong Kong films of its era and introduced Chan's signature blend of humor and physicality that would define his 40-year career. Its Drunken Boxing style inspired generations of choreographers.

Quentin Tarantino's operatic revenge epic stars Uma Thurman as the Bride dispatching assassins across genres in a film that is itself a masterclass in action choreography. The legendary Crazy 88 fight scene, shot over 17 days with choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, involved over 40 stunt performers and was partially filmed in black and white to secure an R rating from the MPAA.

Tony Jaa's debut film introduced the world to Muay Thai Boran, Thailand's ancient fighting art, through a breathtaking series of real, unpadded, wire-free stunts. Released in 2003 with a modest budget, it earned $19.2 million worldwide and turned Jaa into an international action star overnight. The film's commitment to practical stunts sparked a global revival of interest in Thai martial arts cinema.

Released one year before Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury (also known as The Chinese Connection) showcased Bruce Lee at his most explosive. Set in 1910s Shanghai under Japanese occupation, the film's political resonance made it the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of 1972. Its climactic fight sequence, Lee vs. the entire Japanese dojo, is one of cinema's most electrifying action set pieces.

Gordon Liu's Shaw Brothers classic is the definitive kung fu training film, following a revolutionary's gruelling 35-stage initiation into Shaolin martial arts before he invents the 36th Chamber. Released in 1978 and directed by Lau Kar-leung, it inspired Wu-Tang Clan's debut album title Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers in 1993 and remains the most influential film in the Shaw Brothers catalogue.

Jean-Claude Van Damme's breakout film depicts the Kumite, a secret full-contact underground fighting tournament held in Hong Kong. Made on a $1.5 million budget, it earned $11.9 million at the US box office and launched Van Damme's Hollywood career. The film popularised the tournament-fighting format that directly inspired video games Street Fighter II (1991) and Mortal Kombat (1992), cementing its cultural legacy far beyond its box office performance.

Ang Lee's wuxia masterpiece swept the 2001 Academy Awards with 4 wins including Best Foreign Language Film and grossed $213 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing foreign-language film in US history at the time. Choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, its gravity-defying wire-fu sequences including the iconic bamboo forest duel redefined what action cinema could achieve artistically.

Donnie Yen's portrayal of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, Bruce Lee's real-life teacher, sparked a global resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese martial arts. The film grossed HK$38 million at the Hong Kong box office and spawned three sequels. Its climactic 10-vs-1 fight scene against Japanese soldiers is widely regarded as one of the greatest action sequences in cinema history.

Gareth Evans' Indonesian action film, starring Iko Uwais and choreographed in the indigenous Pencak Silat style, set a new benchmark for action filmmaking when it premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2011. Shot in Jakarta for just $1.1 million, it earned $9.1 million at the US box office. Time magazine named it one of the 100 greatest films of the decade.

Jackie Chan's breakthrough film transformed both Chan's career and the martial arts genre by fusing slapstick comedy with authentic kung fu choreography. Shot in 1978 on a budget of HK$1 million, it became one of the highest-grossing Hong Kong films of its era and introduced Chan's signature blend of humor and physicality that would define his 40-year career. Its Drunken Boxing style inspired generations of choreographers.

Quentin Tarantino's operatic revenge epic stars Uma Thurman as the Bride dispatching assassins across genres in a film that is itself a masterclass in action choreography. The legendary Crazy 88 fight scene, shot over 17 days with choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, involved over 40 stunt performers and was partially filmed in black and white to secure an R rating from the MPAA.

Tony Jaa's debut film introduced the world to Muay Thai Boran, Thailand's ancient fighting art, through a breathtaking series of real, unpadded, wire-free stunts. Released in 2003 with a modest budget, it earned $19.2 million worldwide and turned Jaa into an international action star overnight. The film's commitment to practical stunts sparked a global revival of interest in Thai martial arts cinema.

Released one year before Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury (also known as The Chinese Connection) showcased Bruce Lee at his most explosive. Set in 1910s Shanghai under Japanese occupation, the film's political resonance made it the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of 1972. Its climactic fight sequence, Lee vs. the entire Japanese dojo, is one of cinema's most electrifying action set pieces.

Gordon Liu's Shaw Brothers classic is the definitive kung fu training film, following a revolutionary's gruelling 35-stage initiation into Shaolin martial arts before he invents the 36th Chamber. Released in 1978 and directed by Lau Kar-leung, it inspired Wu-Tang Clan's debut album title Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers in 1993 and remains the most influential film in the Shaw Brothers catalogue.

Jean-Claude Van Damme's breakout film depicts the Kumite, a secret full-contact underground fighting tournament held in Hong Kong. Made on a $1.5 million budget, it earned $11.9 million at the US box office and launched Van Damme's Hollywood career. The film popularised the tournament-fighting format that directly inspired video games Street Fighter II (1991) and Mortal Kombat (1992), cementing its cultural legacy far beyond its box office performance.