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UPDATE: It seems as though some of our readers have addictions to martial arts movies that may require attending meetings. But, the comments and emails we’ve received about this article were excellent, so we’re going to be publishing a follow-up based on this feedback. Subscribe to our blog or check back later for the update!
We’ve scoured the internet. Reviews. Forums. Amazon. Postings. Bulletins. And this list is what we’ve come up with as the greatest Kung-Fu movies of all time and why you should watch each one. Pay attention to movies involving Yuen Wo-Ping as either director or action director, there’s a reason why half this list is movies where he was involved!
Hint: In case you’re interested in actually watching any of these…clicking on a movie’s title will show you that movie in Amazon.com.
Way of the Dragon (1979) 
This is the only finished film to be written and directed by Bruce Lee. (Game of Death is the other one but is unfinished) We could write a lot about the plot, characters or fight scenes…but all you really care about is watching Bruce Lee fight Chuck Norris in the final battle.Martial Artists: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris
Director: Bruce Lee
Watch the Trailer
Shaolin Temple (1982) Depicts the amazing history of the Shaolin Temple, the focal point for Chinese Martial Arts. Think of the Shaolin Monks as Jedi Knights (an elite group of fighters) and the rest of China as the messed-up universe that Star Wars takes place in (people who are afraid of the elite fighters and want to take them out of power). Much work to do, you have, young Jet Li. *picture Yoda’s accent on that one* Define Irony: A movie shot at the site of the Shaolin Temple, telling a story about the fall of the Shaolin Temple, sparks so much public interest that the temple was re-opened shortly after the movie released.Martial Artist: Jet Li (His debut movie)
Director: Chang Hsin-Yen
Watch the Trailer
Ong Bak (2003) Raw action without wires, Tony Jaa brings a new martial arts style to the big screen and does so in style. Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is stronger and more direct than the Chinese styles you’re used to seeing with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, giving a new look to how a martial arts movie can be done. You’ll be seeing more of him…guaranteed.Martial Artist: Tony Jaa
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
Watch the Trailer
Iron Monkey (1993) Doctor by day, thief by night…Iron Monkey is your classic Robin-hood meets Kung Fu. It’s an action packed flick that can’t go 5 minutes without an excellent fight scene. It all comes down to a battle between Iron Monkey (ie Robin Hood) and an ex Shaolin Monk (remember, these guys are like the Jedi Knights of Chinese martial arts…they’re elite). Remember that guy Yuen Wo-Ping I mentioned? Well he’s the director in this one, so you know it’s good!Martial Artists: Yu Rong-Guang, Donnie Yen
Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Action Directors: Yuen Cheung-yan, Yuen Shun-yi
Watch the Trailer
5 Deadly Venoms (1978) No room form “martial arts beauties” in this one, there’s so much blood and action that they only cast male actors. Exit the traditional elaborate costumes and enter the muscular, skin-bearing, bloody martial arts style that would become a trademark for director Chang Cheh. Each cast member is trained in an art resembling one of 5 venemous creatures (Scorpion, Snake, Centipede, Gecko, Toad) with the 6th cast member being trained in all 5. Six main martial arts actors = LOTS O’ ACTIONMartial Artists: 6 Martial Artists (yes, 6 main characters)
Director: Chang Cheh
Watch the Trailer
The Seven Samurai (1954) One of the greatest classic kung-fu movies of all time and arguable Kurosawa’s best work. Some Samurai of the time were down on their luck (homeless) and willing to do anything for a meal. A village under attack by bandits recruits a group of seven such Samurai warriors and asks them to help defend their village. The movie is about the Samurai teaching the village how to fight and culminates in a massive battle between a village and almost 50 attacking bandits. The acting is superb, the emotions run high and Kurosawa keeps you hooked from beginning to end.Martial Artists: 7 Martial Artists (all names you won’t know since this movie is so old)
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Watch the Trailer
Legend of Drunken Master (1994) 
Some will say this is the greatest martial arts movie of all time because of it’s balance between plot-line, comedy, drama and amazing kung fu sequences. Probably Jackie Chan’s best martial arts performance. You’re going to love the final scene where you learn what “Drunken Master” really means. We’re talking box-splitting, fire-spitting craziness!Martial Artist: Jackie Chan
Director: Lau Kar-leung
Watch a Scene from the Movie
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
Based on a Pentalogy (yes, that’s 5 books) written by Wang Dulu, this movie covers mostly the 4th book. Critically acclaimed to cross international borders with it’s amazing character development, intricate plot, martial arts ideals, stunning special effects and quicker-than-the-eye fighting scenes, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon set a new standard for martial arts movies. Telling Zhang Ziyi (the lead female character and an amazing martial artist) to get back in the kitchen would likely cost you 50 punches to the “bags”. Be ready for subtitles, ‘cuz turning on the English track is like watching…uh…like watching a kung fu movie in English.Main Martial Artist: Chow Yun-fat
Other Martial Artists: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei-pei
Director: Ang Lee
Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Watch the Trailer
Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003) You’re going to want your home theatre room for this one. It’s tough to beat beautiful women beating the crap out of each other in fast-paced, action-packed, make you cringe, bloody, gory, cut-’em-up (more buzz words go here) movie jam packed with as much martial arts death as possible. Tarantino expertly uses every camera angle and a plethora of special effects to deliver a better-than-real visual experience that gives this blood-and-guts thriller an artistic feel you’ll appreciate at the end. Did I mention is has Uma Thurman in it?
(“Kill bill vol. 2” brings closure to the set, but hey…we had to choose one movie. Say “Five-Point-Palm Exploding Heart Technique” 5 times fast.)Actors: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Action Director: Yuen Wo-ping
Watch the Trailer: Meduim | Large
Fist of Legend (1994) A classic story of Chinese vs. Japanese martial arts, Fist of Legend is actually a remake of the original Bruce Lee movie, Fist of Fury. If Bruce Lee is like the original James Bond, Jet Li is the Pierce Brosnan. He’ll never be the original, but the modern film-making and larger budget bring the entertainment value just a hair above the original Fist of Fury. (The ghost of Bruce Lee is probably going to strike me down for writing that) The Yuen Brothers are known for amazing action choreography, and they totally deliver on this one. (Casting Jet Li may have helped them a little too.)Martial Artist: Jet Li
Director: Gordon Chan
Action Directors: “The Yuen Brothers”
Watch a Scene from the movie
The fun doesn’t stop there…
We tried to stop at only 10…really, we did. But we just couldn’t control ourselves.
“Once it hits your lips, it’s so good!”
So here are a few more that deserve honorable mention.
Knockabout (1979) Yuen Biao’s kicks and acrobatics will make your jaw drop and the plot turnarounds will make it feel like a great episode of Mission Impossible. Almost every main character is either a con-artist or con-artist/criminal, creating deceit after deceit after deceit. One of the funnier movies of it’s time, this will keep you on the edge of your seat while laughing and trying to figure out what the hell each character is really up to.Martial Artist: Yuen Biao
Director: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Watch a Scene from the Movie
The Matrix (1999) A revolutionary movie that mixed sci-fi and martial arts into a computer-generated world where rules don’t apply. This was a dream come true for Yuen Wo-Ping who was given the freedom to do anything he wanted to with martial arts…effectively creating one of the most visually stunning movies ever! Let go of reality on this one and enjoy the special effects for what they are. In fact, enjoy them so much that you don’t notice Keanu Reeves’ acting. The martial arts aren’t as technical as the other movies on this list, but give the actors credit for only learning martial arts after they were casted for the roles. The plot-line is sick and there are two more movies in the trilogy that will keep feeding you eye-candy all weekend. The Wachowski bros. are huge fans of Kung Fu films and use the same type of camera angels as the classics.Actors: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Directors: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping, Yuen Shun-yi
Watch the Trailer
Pedicab Driver (1989) Watch this one for the action scenes, not for the plot. While there is enough drama and character development to keep you interested, Sammo’s masterfully choreographed martial arts scenes are why you should watch this one. Plus he’s a bigger guy who can do moves like Jackie Chan, NO JOKE! (He had his own TV series for awhile.) For those of you who think you’re too big to be good at martial arts, Sammo will give you hope. Billy Chow made a name for himself in this movie with his unequaled kicking mastery and later went on to be Jet Li’s Japanese nemesis in Fists of Legend.Martial Artist: Sammo Hung, Billy Chow
Director: Sammo Hung
Watch a Scene from the Movie
Drunken Master (1978) No stunt doubles. Jackie Chan’s breakout movie and the best Kung Fu comedy of its time, setting a new standard for entertainment value among kung fu movies in the late 70’s. With a small-budget feel and humor that was still perfecting itself, this film is obviously a classic kung fu film…but nonetheless a masterpiece. Want to be pummeled by mind-numbing kicks in rapid succession? Hang out with Hwang Jang-lee for an afternoon.Martial Artist: Jackie Chan
Director: Yuen Wo-ping
Watch the Trailer
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) You know how “Scary Movie” makes fun of anything and everything it can? Well, this is the Kung Fu version of it! Jokes, laughs, imitations mixed in with some awesome fighting sequences. Nothing is taken seriously in this movie, especially the violence. Dance routines are inspired by someone’s gruesome death (computer-enhanced of course!), random sound effects are tied in with pain like an old Batman re-run…the whole time you’re expecting people to keep fighting after having their head blown off. A great plot, good acting, violence and death are all rolled into a martial arts comedy that you’ll be laughing at the entire way through. A different type of martial arts movie done brilliantly!Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Martial Artist: Stephen Chow
Watch the Trailer: Small | Large
Akira (1988) An animated film that’s not for children! The almost cult-like following of fans that this movie created will tell you Akira is the greatest animated film of all time. Originally released in Japan and adapted for U.S. theaters via some bad voice dubbing, this is like “The Matrix” of animated films. Set in the year 2019, “Akira” isn’t a character, but rather a government top secret project. You won’t find many animated films with the amount of violence and fighting that Akira will throw at you, but rest assured you’ll leave with a taste of respect for animated films when all is said and done.Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
Actors: None Really…gotta love Japanimation!
Watch the Trailer
Ok Ok, we get it. Bruce Lee is god.
We left off “Enter the Dragon”, one of Bruce Lee’s first movies. It helped pave the way for martial arts movies to gain popularity with western audiences. Not the greatest plot line or acting.
But Bruce Lee doesn’t need acting.
Enter the Dragon Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-YsDcemHyo
Experience Martial Arts » 10 Greatest Martial Arts Movies of All Time I love the martial arts. I disagree with some of the choices but its a list worth looking into. (tags: Entertainment Movies Martial_Arts)
I Know Kung Fu
10 Greatest Martial Arts Movies of All Time…
Moviewise, we watched Cat on a Hot Tin Roof last weekend, a movie that could make it into my top ten list on the strength of Burl Ives’ character alone. Mendacity! I’ve also filled up our Netflix queue with the most agreeable suggestions from this list of the top ten greatest martial arts films of all time. Sadly, Netflix did not have Shaolin Temple or The Five Deadly Venoms. Soon, perhaps.
Most “experts” you ask would likely say Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon. And while it’s good, I wouldn’t say it’s the best.
If you’re a die-hard, here are some you simply must see:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
One-Armed Swordsman
Shogun Assassin
Once Upon a Time in China
Blade of Fury
Return of the Dragon/Way of the Dragon
The Bride with White Hair
Ong Bak: Muy Thai Warrior
Meals on Wheels
Police Story
Police Story 2
Hero
Street Fighter
Butterfly and Sword
Pedicab Driver
Dragons Forever
Millionaire’s Express
Master Killer
Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
Avenging Eagle
Five Deadly Venoms
Kid with the Golden Arm
Operation Scorpio
Mad Monkey Kung Fu
Drunken Master 2
To name just a few.
what the hell!? wheres 36th chamber of shaolin? wheres heroes of the east? what about prodigal son? police story? fist of the white lotus sect? last hurray for chivalry? come drink with me? dragon inn? NO STREET FIGHTER!?!?!?! Akiras in there but not street fighter!? the matrix maybe because it does have kung fu in it but Akira has none!! this is a crappy list. all nothing but mainstream hollywood films. just because quinton tarrantino made a kung fu movie doesn’t mean it’s automatically better then anything made by hong kong.
Fearless….anybody? Come on. I don’t know if this is the opinion of one so called martial arts fan or a room full of tools but to leave this amazing movie off is a disgrace. Really though, think it over. I must know, was it even considered?
I was so so soooo happy to see Ong Bak on this list.
I strongly agree with this list but feel that there are a few movies that have been over looked. Drunken Tai Chi 1984 staring Donnie Yen, directed by Yuen wo ping. Or Fatal Contact 2006 directed by Dennis Law and staring another up and coming martial artist who goes by the name of Jacky Wu Jing, just to name a few in my opinion.
You didn’t mention that The Seven Samurai was the inspiration for Yule Brenner-starred western The Magnificent Seven (or was directly ripped off to make Mag7, depending on who you ask).
Just goes to show how awesome 7 Samurai was.
You have to find Kuro Obi staring Akihito Yagi. It is one of the most authentic martial arts movies ever made.
On the copy that I have the english subtitles are poorly done but still an excellent experience.
http://kuro-obi.cinemacafe.net/
Bruce Lee would be insulted if one were to claim that he practiced an indirect, Chinese style of fighting.
And for the record, although The Seven Samurai is my favorite movie of all time and an incredible flick, it is not kung fu, nor should one watch it for displays of training and skill.
Sorry Guys Had to Swap (06. Return to the 36th Chamber) for (Disciples of the 36th Chamber)
Listen i Love Bruce Lee and if Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll the Bruce is the King of Martial Arts But as good as he was he didnt make my list although he was the inspiration to the majority of these actors in these Kung Fu Flicks:
Here is my TOP 20 Martial Arts Movies of all Time:
01. Warriors Two
02. Fist of Legends
03. Prodigal Son
04. Fist of the White Lotus
05. Hero
06. Disciples of the 36th Chamber
07. Blade of Fury
08. The Kung Fu Cult Master
09. Odd Couple
10. Iron Monkey
11. Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
12. Heroes from the East
13. Fearless
14. Five Venoms
15. Ong Bak: Muy Thai Warrior
16. Dragons Forever
17. Mad Monkey Kung Fu
18. Invincible Shaolin
19. Drunken Tai Chi
20. House of Flying Daggers
I cant believe no one mentioned Master of the Flying Guillotine. I grew up during the 1970’s and thats when the best kung fu movies were being made. Some of you guys dont know what a good kung fu movie is even if it came up and bit you in the ass!
i think you guy have all your bases covered in this list and the comments, but i have a special place in my heart for Zatoichi as well
Figther in the wind.
GREEEEEAAAT film!!!!
the list on the site was just ok, but the other list that people suggested is way better. On Sundays on channel 5 or I think 11, karate films was on all day. All of these films are brought to you by the Shaw Brothers. cant name them all sorry
Chinese Super Ninjas (the best)
Fist of The White Lotus
Shaolin Challenges Ninja
Enter The 36 Chambers
Shaolin Vs Wu-tang
Five Deadly Venoms 1 & 2
Kid With The Golden Arms
Killa Army
7 Grand Masters
Five Fingers of Death
Men From the Monastery
Invincible Pole Fighter
Born Invincible
Blood Bothers
The Invincible Shaolin
Mad Monkey Kung Fu
The Drunken Master
Good list…however, not to have a single Sonny Chiba film on there seems wrong somehow…
Also your date on Way of the Dragon is wrong…Bruce died in 1973….Way was released in 1972.
Ok, this list is missing out on Born to Fight, (yet another thai martial arts film by the ong-bak stunt team) Five fingers of death, which is way wayyyy wayyyyyy better than 5 deadly venoms, and the protector, just because I am a tony jaa fan.
Guess I’m the only one who like the protector better then ong bak
one of my faves is chinese super ninjas. when the tree ninjas ripped that guy’s arms off…
No Enter the Dragon.
This list … no good. No good at all. The Matrix? Seriously? Akira? Akira isn’t even a martial arts movie. It’s a science fiction film. Are you nuts?
You even left out Magnificent Butcher.
For crap’sake.
i hated crouching tiger, hidden dragon. You cant beat realistic martial artist, not the flying for 10 minutes like a pigeon on ecstasy.
enter the dragon should be number 1.
What about Tai Chi Master with Jet Li?
well… i dont know who mades the top, but where is 36 chambers of shaolin!!!!? fist of fury? danny the dog? the apprentice of kung fu? Ip man? the owner of this top was drunked when mades the top. please, matrix and akira? are good movies, but aint good kung fu movies, because martial arts aint the motor of the film. akira is anime and matrix doesnt have martial actors, only has normal actors with a coreography son dont include in the top. what would be the next “martial art movie” in the top? princess mononoke? bad top, made it by a person who doesnt have idea of real martial arts movie.
Nobody has mentioned Jet Li’s early films - The Legend parts 1 & 2. Not the UK-style cut & dubbed versions but the original Cantonese/Mandarin-whatever-it-is version that I’ve only ever seen once late at night on Channel 4 abut ten years ago.
They are both fantastic but combined, form an astonishing epic. I recorded them but they got stolen at university. Great films demonstrating the true nature of martial arts and specifically Buddhism integrated into Kung Fu.
Really? No one said Unchained? seven swords? Of course fearless and hero. Who would put the matrix or Akira on their top ten list of martial arts films?
First of all I’d like to correct ‘admin’ who left posted the first comment. Enter the Dragon was not Bruce Lee’s first film u complete prick, it was his last completed film. You know nothing.
Moving on, I’d like to say that ‘Burning of the red lotus monastery’ should be on there as one of the earliest martial arts filmed that led on to every kick flick you’ve ever watched being inspired by it. ‘Way of the dragon’ is better than ‘enter the dragon’as it has one of the all time great fight scenes in it, (Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris).
Je, justo queria leer acerca de esto, investigando llegue hasta tu blog, exelente entrada !!! gracias !!
A NEW MARTIAL ARTS EPIC HAS BLOWN DIS LIST TO SHIT…IP MAN, BEST KUNG FU MOVIE IN DECADES, TOPS ENTER THR DRAGPN, ONG BAK, FIST OF LEGEAND, DRUNKEN MASTER 2, SERIOUSLY WATCH THIS FILM NOW
I feel pleasure to commend here that the martial art moves of bruce lee and tony jaa , i like the maost . there moves are very unique, and are also very effective……….i also like jeet kundo
n thhai kick boxing very much…….
I feel immense pleasure to share my views here.
regharding the martial art moves , i feel the moves of bruce lee n tony jaa the best . there moves i feel very much unique.
Did you put Akira on there because its from Japan or what? It has no martial arts in it at all. It has lasers and giant mutations, but no martial arts. Nothing to do with it.
I need a little help.
I took martial arts many years ago and we used some of the movies for instruction. I’m trying to find an old movie about a guy (I think he was American) who has to fight all the different kung fu styles (Money, tiger, drunk, etc) to get to a book of answers. At the end, he finds that the book has only mirrors in it (yeah I know, the answers come from within). And “No”, I’m not talking about Kung Fu Panda! but the theme was similar. It was a pretty cool movie for understanding the different fighting styles. Of course, that was 20 years ago.
Does anyone know the name of the movie?
thanks
OK, some of those movies are just overrated and fantastic (as in fantasy, not real enough)… and Iron Monkey is just not good enough.
I agree with Bruce Lee, but I like better Enter the Dragon.
In addition to this list you should have:
Ong Bak 1 and 2 (yes, 2, the Warrior King)
Bloodsport
Fist of the North Star (Anime, check it out)
Ip man
Fearless
and whatever everyone else mentioned,… except for Street Fighter (the crapiest movie ever)
To say that the third place has tony jaa is stupid…how about jet lee? how about jackie chan? how about van damm? These people did more in movies and their popularuty more wider and stronger… you made really mistakes mr. creator of this forum…
Yeah, kickin butt….
I love any realistic fists… ex- ongbak 1 or 2
or some Jet li’s, like 1, born to defend or fist of legands…
Whats the deal with iron monkey, i thought it was crappy and weird!!!
Best end fist goes to meals on wheels, seriously… over 9minutes…
Rockin!!!
dude, I agree for the most part with what I have read from you guys about top Martial Arts Films. however, Jet Li’s Tai Chi Master needs to be among them.
what about Shinobi: Heart Under Blade;
Flash Point (Donnie Yen)
“Kill Bill”? really? i thought it was the GREATEST martial arts movies.
Ummmmm… wtf? How come there is not a single mention, even in the comments, of the singel greatest martial arts movie of all times?
IP Man, ladies and gentlemen, deserves the top spot of this poll. Before you even start hating on me watch this clip, then get back to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhPDEOYbx4
Changed your mind??? No… watch it again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhPDEOYbx4
Peace,
Rev
Nooooooooooooo-”BLOOD SPORTS” (THE BEST MIXED MARTIAL ART MOVIE).
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, yet I cannot say this list makes for the top ten. here a few personal favorites. . . not in order of course to hard to rank…
Chinese Super Ninjas
Chinese Connection (CLASSIC!!!)
MASTER KILLER (the 36th chamber of shaolin)
Mysteries of Chess Boxing (Ghost Faced KIllAH)
Fist of the White Lotus
Drunken Master
Legend of the Drunken Master
the 36 crazy fists
Fist of legend (aka Chinese Connection rip off, but still a great film, original chinese score sucked though)
Iron Monkey (1977)
You forgot a little movie called the “Last Dragon”.
Nice! Actually a few movies on there that I haven’t seen, it’s good to see a list that wasn’t copied-and-pasted.
TONY JAA (ONG BAK) IS THE FUTURE OF MARTIAL ARTS.
LOL @Megadeth. I have to agree.
I rate Fist of Legend higher, and I definitely want to see Once Upon a Time in China (I think the first one, with the story about British Occupation and the futility of Martial Arts vs Guns) That was the shit, the fighting was amazing, the story thought-provoking (something rarely said for a martial arts film)