Ong-Bak (2003)

Shot on a modest budget of just $1.4 million, the film earned $19.2 million globally, turning Jaa into an overnight international action star and sparking a revival of Thai martial arts cinema. Its most electrifying sequence—a 3-minute, uncut chase through Bangkok’s streets—required Jaa to perform 15 consecutive leaps over moving vehicles without safety nets. The film’s commitment to practical stunts set a benchmark for modern action without CGI trickery.