“Do or Die!” It has been a common stanza among people for each day battle within themselves. Especially when it’s compared with martial arts, it fits the description perfectly.
I bet when I say martial art movies, it made you think of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, or Jet Li instantly. Simply, the flying kicks, fast movements, and action-packed packages.
Today, we will talk about those action-filled movies with incredible stunt works. Cause who doesn’t love them?
We are up for all those behind-the-scenes dedication and timely practice to provide us with eye luring world.
The Top Ten Best Martial Arts Movies of All Time
With their actions, we will be diving into their intriguing storyline. As a fact, the decision to line up the best of the best is hard. Hence, we take your reviews and put them forward.
The Matrix (1999)
Genre: Action / Science fiction, Time Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes (9.75/10)
The late 90s & early 2000s were a hyped era for sci-fiction. Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, this movie depicts energetic martial arts sequences and suspense.
Well, this movie portrays the character, Thomas Anderson, who is a disaffected computer programmer. Here, the character moves to change his perception of reality with the system, The Matrix.
Hence, it brings the audience to virtual reality battles and exposes them to fearsome creatures. Altogether, this movie has gained four academy awards.
Enter The Dragon (1973)
Genre: Action / Martial Arts, Time Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes (9.40/10)
This movie is one of the first martial art movies that a top Hollywood studio produced, Warner Bros. Well, it is directed by Robert Clouse and stars the one and the only ‘Bruce Lee.’
For elaboration, this movie revolves around Lee, Shaolin martial artist working as an undercover spy for British Intelligence. Alongside numerous fight scenes and doses of martial arts style, it provides an array of emotions.
Yes, you will witness the rage, pain, sympathy, sadness, all at once! This movie is lovingly brutal.
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Genre: Romance / Martial Arts, Time Duration: 2 hours (9.05/10)
This Chinese novel-based movie is directed by Ang Lee. The movie plot revolves around the search for a stolen sword.
A Wudan warrior, Master Li, asked his lover to pass “The Green Destiny” sword to his friend, which eventually gets stolen.
Well, the movie is packed with an array of love, theft, conflict, and revenge. Altogether, it depicts a blend of romance with action. Actually, the scenes move swiftly from one to another.
This movie doesn’t add up unnecessary fights. Also, it takes place in a variety of settings with a natural flow.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Genre: Action / Drama, Time Duration: 3 hours 27 minutes (9.20/10)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai is a Japanese movie based on the incident back in 1586 during the Sengoku era.
The Akira classic is considered one of the greatest movies ever; it acts as the root of ideas for other popular movies like Charlie’s Angels, The Magnificent Seven, etc.
As for its plot, when the village faces the attacks from bandits, a veteran samurai gathers six other samurai to fight against it. Based on Japanese culture, this movie gives you a whole level of suspense and conflict.
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Triple Threat (2019)
Genre: Action / Martial Arts, Time Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes (8.95/10)
The movie directed by Jesse V. Johnson revolves its story plot around protecting a billionaire’s daughter. Simply, it depicts a crime-filled scene that is targeted by an elite assassin squad.
The audiences will come close to hand combats, actions, assassins, explosions, and thrill with it. The plot revolves solely on crimes and portrays incredible martial arts moves.
Once upon a Time in China (1991–1997)
Genre: Action / Martial Arts (8.3/10)
Once upon a time in China is not just a movie but a franchise produced by Tsui Hark. It consists of six films starring Jet Li that revolve around a real-life of a Chinese martial arts master.
Here, Jet Li plays the main lead in the first three films and the final part.
While Vincent Zhao plays the other two. Likewise, it is also adapted in a telefilm series. Although it enhances the Chinese culture, it also showcases the progressive adaptation of Western culture.
Well, what makes it more interesting is the hidden meaning between the scenes and dialogues.
Yojimbo (1961)
Genre: Drama / Action, Time Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes (8.2/10)
With the gripping storyline, director Akira Kurosawa showcases the samurai in the frontier. With the mixture of western exposure, the story revolves around a samurai with no master.
The movie also depicts a whole load of earlier year’s trade and businesses. Later, it plunges deeper into the war that takes place between two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
IP Man (2008)
Genre: Action / Martial Arts, Time Duration: 1 hour 48 minutes (8/10)
Directed by Wilson Yup, IP Man is a biographical martial arts movie. It is based on the real-life grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and the teacher of Bruce Lee.
Apparently, it takes the audience back to the Sino-Japanese War and revolves around his life in the city of Foshan. Not to mention, this movie stands as something that everyone calls a full package.
It is enriched with actions, stunts, humor, wisdom, and much more. The blend of these elements is presented simplistically yet delivers a philosophical meaning.
The Raid (2011)
Genre: Action / Martial Arts, Time Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes (7.6/10)
The Raid is an action-packed movie directed by Gareth Evans with violent martial arts stunts. In fact, the movie takes place in a claustrophobic setting as the team goes on an unofficial mission.
Also, with loads of fists and stunts going on, it depicts a colossal amount of anger and suspense. Well, you are sure to get an icy chill with it, given the fact of its ruthlessness.
The House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Genre: Action / Romance, Time Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes (7.5/10)
Directed by Yi-Mou Zhang, The House of Flying Daggers depicts sophisticated action filled with oozing romance.
Likewise, this movie not only focuses on characters, dialogues, and action but will take your heart with bizarre landscapes and the natural setting it takes place in.
It dates back to the Tang Dynasty era, where the House of Flying Daggers is among all the rebel groups. For illustration, the group stands up against the corrupt government that oppresses the people.
Right through its release, the movie gained immense popularity in the market.
Summary
Herewith, we have the top ten best martial arts movies of all time for you, and we are at the end of it. Having said this, not everyone might agree with the opinions here, because movies hit differently to everyone.
Anyways, for extra fun, we have some of the extra martial arts masterpieces listed just for you.
- The Assasin (1 hour 45 minutes)
- Kill Bill (1 hour 50 minutes)
- The Legend of the Drunken Master (1 hour 43 minutes)
- Fist of Fury (1 hour 46 minutes)
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