When it comes to martial arts classics, there is an eclectic roster of skilled actors and fight choreographers who have helped to craft some of the best action ever put on film. American audiences have become familiar with numerous impressive talents, like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Donnie Yen. While others have made their mark, with even Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris finding their time to shine, the truly skilled masters of the genre can make paltry films by the likes of Steven Seagal feel like the pipe dreams of an aspiring white belt.
In the world of martial arts action, filmmakers and actors often compete to prove who is the best, ramping up the action in ways others wouldn’t dare. While fighters like Lee delivered unparalleled speed, Chan was willing to sacrifice his body for unbelievable stunts. Even before the names that many revere today, the Shaw brothers were helping to define what peak martial arts cinema was in the 1970s. Through it all, the genre’s nature changed, choreography took on new forms, and cameras found new angles, leading to a library of classics that feature perfect action from start to finish. With such an impressive lineup of stars and acclaimed films, it’s only right to highlight a mix of martial arts disciplines and a few gems that don’t get enough attention for the action thrills they deliver.
‘Fist of Legend’ (1994)
Fist of Legend is one of Jet Li‘s best displays of fighting talent. The story is simple enough, as the plot follows a skilled martial artist who returns home to Shanghai in 1937 and finds the school he left behind under threat from the Japanese. With his teacher dead, his hand is forced into action, and he puts his skills to good use, with Li’s fast, realistic approach giving the movie a visceral style that sets it apart from many martial arts films of the era, featuring standout scenes in the dojo showdown and the blindfolded fight.
One of the biggest reasons Fist of Legend features such impressive action is the involvement of Yuen Woo-Ping as the fight choreographer. Yuen is a legendary director, with classics like Drunken Master under his belt, and his career would see him serving as a fight choreographer on massive productions like The Matrix and Kill Bill. Fist of Legend is notably a remake of Bruce Lee’s 1972 movie Fist of Fury, which is also a stellar film in its own right, making it all the more impressive that this story has two action-packed iterations that are considered classics worth seeing.
‘Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior’ (2003)
Tony Jaa is an absolute beast when it comes to hard-hitting, fast-paced fights, and Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior was built from the ground up to show the world what he could do. Jaa utilizes Muay Thai, which features heavy use of elbows and knees, and looks very different from the kung fu and judo many American audiences were used to seeing. Ong-Bak emphasizes realism. The film makes it clear to the audience that Jaa is performing all his own stunts, the impacts are real, and the production used no wires.
Ong-Bak was such a calling card to the action-movie world that the narrative flow was purposely broken throughout to highlight impressive stunts from multiple camera angles, letting viewers see just how talented Jaa was, whether kneeing someone while his leg is set aflame, or running across people’s shoulders. There are also hidden messages written on walls calling out classic names in the genre, like Chan and Li. With it built to be an endless display of one man’s action-movie talents, audiences got exactly that, and Ong-Bak remains one of the most relentlessly hard-hitting martial arts movies ever made.
‘Iron Monkey’ (1993)
Any list talking about fantastic fight scenes in martial arts films would be remiss for not including at least one of Yen’s numerous spectacular titles. While the Ip Man films are fantastic, and choices like Flash Point are sure to please audiences, Iron Monkey is often overlooked. One of the many classics directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, Iron Monkey sees Yen at the height of his skills, putting on kinetic displays of fighting talent, mixed with the graceful styling of high-flying wirework. The result is a violent ballet of action.
Fans of Iron Monkey often point to creative fight scenes, like the umbrellas or the fiery finale, as being masterful displays that any genre fan needs to see. Yen also captures humor in the Robin Hood-esque story, which found its way to American audiences thanks to lauded director Quentin Tarantino, who championed a 2001 theatrical release.
‘The Way of the Dragon’ (1972)
When it comes to Lee’s body of work, his top-tier entries are hard to argue with, as Enter the Dragon, Game of Death, and Fist of Fury are all fantastic in their own right. However, The Way of the Dragon may feature Lee’s best fight scenes from start to finish. Most recall the iconic final battle between Lee and Norris, which remains a stellar display from both accomplished martial artists. Still, beyond the famous brawl, the movie is easily the best example of Lee’s own personal philosophies shining through on screen.
Along with starring in The Way of the Dragon, Lee wrote, directed, and served as the lead stunt director. With such creative control, Lee was able to highlight the martial arts philosophy he founded, Jeet Kune Do, crafting fight sequences where his speed could thrive, showcasing how simple, quick attacks could be highly effective when adapting to various other styles. Jeet Kune Do is also considered a precursor to Mixed Martial Arts, with The Way of the Dragon being an excellent display of Lee’s pioneering talents in front of and behind the camera.
‘The 36th Chamber of Shaolin’ (1978)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is one of the many masterpieces produced by the Shaw brothers, with director Chia-Liang Liu (also credited as Lau Kar-leung on some films) being no stranger to crafting classics, as he was also at the helm of 1984’s The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter and 1994’s Drunken Master II, which will be important again in a moment. The story follows a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple named San Te, out to avenge the deaths of his loved ones, which comes with intense training. It’s a simple story that has endured as a classic, with the action still serving as a genre benchmark to this day.
One of the unique aspects of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin comes from the extensive, innovative fight sequences, which offered a realistic, disciplined approach to the practice of kung fu. The film masterfully ramps up through impeccably choreographed training as the protagonist navigates unique chambers, often employing distinct moves like headbutts in one instance, and even little-seen weaponry, like the three-section staff, with stylistic perfection. The various innovations and earned climax make the Shaw Brothers-produced classic a continued recommendation thanks to its action chops.
‘Drunken Master II’ (1994)
This is where Drunken Master II becomes important again, as Lau is credited as director, with Chan as stunt director. Chan is also often cited as a co-director for his creative influence over the movie. Drunken Master is the 1978 original, an action masterpiece that genre fans need to see, but it’s safe to say that Drunken Master II improves on the first film’s fighting and choreography in just about every way.
Drunken Master II is an exceptional display of Chan’s speed, infusing the unique drunken boxing style with an artistic flair that complements his impeccable skill and even comedic sensibilities. The fights are creative, infused with innovative techniques and martial arts that audiences don’t often see, even from Chan, and the fast-paced, high-energy action delivers one of the star’s best action-packed classics.
‘Wheels on Meals’ (1984)
When it comes to Chan’s filmography, people are quick to mention Police Story, Project A, or even an American hit like Rush Hour. However, one of his best martial arts movies is the often-overlooked Wheels on Meals. The movie features plenty of comedic elements that Chan has become known for infusing into his fights, with director Sammo Hung bringing his action choreography skills to the production, helping to cultivate the impressive martial arts antics.
Wheels on Meals features some of Chan’s fastest, most frantic fight sequences. Audiences can see him incorporating a skateboard into combat and kicking someone off a moving motorcycle, all before a third act that could easily be one of Chan’s finest moments. The finale sees him battling Benny Urquidez in a rapid-fire exchange that is sure to silence any naysayers who think the film’s title couldn’t possibly deliver such intense action.
‘The Kid with the Golden Arm’ (1979)
The Kid with the Golden Arm is another Shaw Brothers-produced classic that is often overlooked. The 1979 film won’t win points for an overly elaborate plot, as many fans cite it as a loose framework for the impressive action that it packs into its short 86-minute runtime. There are also various weapon-centric fights, allowing the titular antagonist’s ability to shine, as he can shatter the deadly tools with his bare hands.
The film offers inventive, acrobatic choreography thanks to The Venom Mob, who lend their high-energy talents to the production, keeping the plot about protecting gold moving at a fast pace. The fight between Short Axe and Silver Spear is particularly fantastic, as there is plenty of close-quarters weapon work complemented by an almost balletic style and climactic finale. When it comes to classic martial arts movies built for nonstop action, it doesn’t get much better than The Kid with the Golden Arm.
