With breathtaking choreography, intense action scenes, and inspiring heroic stories, martial arts movies have entertained audiences for decades. From Bruce Lee's iconic moves to Dragon Appears Jackie Chan's unique blend of comedy and martial arts Drunken masterThese martial arts movies showcase the incredible skills of legendary martial arts masters, while modern masterpieces featuring stars like Donnie Yen and Jet Li continue to push the boundaries of action filmmaking. If you're new to the genre and looking for an exhilarating read, these martial arts movies will hook you and leave you wanting more cinematic combat and adventure.
7 adrenaline-pumping martial arts movies to add to your watchlist. Available on Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, and more.
1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Ang Lee, this visually stunning martial arts film blends action, romance and drama. Set in 19th century China during the Qing Dynasty, the story follows two warriors, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), who share a mutual love for one another but are bound together by duty and honor. Upon retirement, Bai entrusts Lien with the legendary sword, Crouching Green Destiny. However, the sword is stolen by a mysterious masked thief, and the two embark on a journey to retrieve it. The thief turns out to be Zhen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), a rebellious and highly talented aristocrat's daughter, torn between her duty and her desire for freedom. As the story unfolds, themes of love, betrayal and destiny are explored, culminating in breathtaking martial arts scenes choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping. The film's poetic imagery, intricate plot and emotional depth make it a landmark in the martial arts genre.
2. Ip Man – Amazon Prime Video
Donnie Yen stars in the lead role in this film about the life of Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun master and teacher of Bruce Lee. Set in the 1930s, Ip Man is a respected martial artist whose life is turned upside down when the Japanese army invades China, bringing immense hardship and suffering to the Chinese people. During the occupation, Ip Man and his family lose everything and fall into poverty. To support his family, Ip Man takes on various odd jobs. Meanwhile, a Japanese general named Miura (Ikeuchi Hiroyuki), who is also a martial artist, organizes a match between Japanese soldiers and Chinese warriors to demonstrate the superiority of the Japanese army. Initially reluctant, Ip Man eventually joins after witnessing the violence inflicted on his fellow countrymen. The film has been praised for its realistic fight scenes, emotional depth, and historical context.
3. Fist of Fury – Plex
Also known in some countries as “The Chinese Connection”, the film sees Bruce Lee in one of his most iconic roles since “Enter the Dragon”. The story unfolds in 1910s Shanghai, a time of political and social tension between the Chinese and Japanese communities. Chen Zhen (Lee), a student of respected martial arts teacher Hou Yuan-jia, returns to his martial arts school to find that his beloved teacher has died under suspicious circumstances. Driven by grief and anger, Chen embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind his teacher's death. Zhen's quest for justice leads to several intense showdowns, where Lee's exceptional martial arts skills are showcased in a series of iconic fight scenes. One of the most memorable moments in the film is when Zhen singlehandedly storms into the Hongkou dojo and defeats multiple opponents. The film is known for its fast-paced action and Bruce Lee's powerful performance.
4. Dragon Fist – Amazon Prime Video
Like Bruce Lee, you can't talk about martial arts movies without mentioning Jackie Chan, who made the martial arts genre famous worldwide when he made his way to Hollywood. This was one of his earlier serious roles before he became widely known for his action-comedy style. Chan plays Tang Hau-yuan, a skilled martial artist whose master is killed by rival martial arts teacher Chan (Yen Shi-kuan) during a duel. Driven by a desire for revenge, Tang sets out on a journey to avenge his master's death. Throughout the film, Tang is subjected to severe tests that test his martial arts skills, honor, and sense of justice. The action scenes are tense and well-choreographed, showcasing Jackie Chan's versatility as an actor and martial artist.
5. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin – Netflix
The film stars Gordon Liu as Liu Yude, a young man who transforms into the legendary Shaolin monk San Te, in one of his most iconic roles. The film is set in the Qing Dynasty and follows the journey of Liu Yude, a young student who joins the resistance movement against the oppressive Manchu government. After his family and friends are killed in an attack by Manchu soldiers, Liu Yude barely escapes and takes refuge in the Shaolin Monastery. At the monastery, Liu Yude changes his name to San Te and undergoes the rigorous training of the Shaolin monks. The training is divided into 35 rooms, each focusing on a different aspect of martial arts. San Te's journey through the rooms is the central part of the film, showing not only the improvement of his abilities but also his inner transformation. After mastering all the rooms, San Te proposes the creation of a 36th room, allowing ordinary people to learn Shaolin martial arts. The film has had a profound impact on popular culture and inspired countless martial arts films.
6. The Legend of Von Sayyuk – YouTube
The film is set in the Qing Dynasty and is loosely based on the legendary folk hero Fang Shiyu, a young martial artist known for his extraordinary skill and rebellious spirit. The film follows Fang Shiyu (Jet Li), a light-hearted and talented young martial artist whose rebellious nature often gets him into trouble. The story begins with Fang Shiyu taking part in a martial arts tournament hosted by the local governor. The prize is the hand of the governor's daughter, Ting-Ting (Michelle Reis). Though he initially participates for fun, Fang Shiyu ends up winning the tournament, humiliating the powerful and corrupt governor in the process. Fang Shiyu's actions incur the governor's wrath and he becomes embroiled in a political struggle involving an anti-Qing secret society. The film's blend of action and comedy, along with a gripping storyline, make this a standout entry in the martial arts genre.
7. The Raid: Redemption – Amazon Prime Video
This Indonesian martial arts action movie revolves around Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie member of Indonesia's elite SWAT team, who is sent on a dangerous mission to storm a rundown building in Jakarta that serves as the home base of ruthless crime lord Tama Riyadi (Ray Sahetapi). As they make their way through the building, the SWAT team realizes they've been set up and Tama orders the officers to be killed on the spot, offering free rent to any tenant who brings them the dead officers. Trapped and outnumbered, the team fights their way up floor by floor, facing off against thugs and seasoned fighters alike. The film is known for its groundbreaking action choreography, which combines traditional Indonesian martial arts (Pencak Silat) with raw hand-to-hand combat. Its gritty, no-compromise approach to action has set a new standard for martial arts choreography and on-screen combat.
