HIGHLIGHTS
- This article will provide an overview of some of the best Asian martial arts movies to watch right away.
- These movies have thrilling fight scenes and are sure to entertain a wide set of audience.
- Although they are majorly categorized as action movies, fans can expect much more than just fight scenes including cultural insights, humor, fantasy, and cinematic artistry.
For decades, martial arts movies have captivated a larger audience. Whether it is a classic kung fu epic or some modern-day action thrillers, this genre has produced iconic films that have influenced global pop culture and inspired generations of fans.
These best Asian martial arts movies are usually based on thrilling action but are not limited to it since we can explore much more in the form of honor, discipline, and perseverance. Below, we are going to discuss five such films that deliver both action and substance.
Table of Contents
Best Asian Fighting Movies list
Enter the Dragon
- Release Date: 1973.
- Genre: Martial Arts, Kung Fu, Action, Crime, Thriller.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10.
- Written By: Michael Allin, Bruce Lee.
- Direction by: Robert Clouse.
- Top Cast Includes Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly.
Enter the Dragon revolves around the life of Bruce Lee, a Shaolin martial artist from Hong Kong. A secretive British intelligence agency recruits him to go undercover and investigate a martial arts tournament hosted by a mysterious crime lord named Han as the latter is involved in drug trafficking and prostitution.
Throughout the film, Lee fights many strong opponents and shows off his amazing fighting skills. He also discovers that Han is involved in terrible crimes, and he ultimately defeats him and dismantles his criminal organization.
IP Man
- Release Date: 2008
- Genre: Martial Arts, Action, Drama, War.
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10.
- Written By: Edmond Wong, Tai-Lee Chan.
- Direction by: Wilson Yip.
- Top Cast Includes: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan.
IP Man is a biographical martial arts movie based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun. The film demonstrates how IP Man maintains a low profile despite being the most skilled martial artist in town.
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However, his peaceful life is disrupted when the Japanese invade China, leading to hardship and conflict for him and his community. Thus, Ip Man is not only forced to use his Wing Chun martial arts skills to protect his family and his community but also make him teach the skills to the workers in Wing Chun for self-defense.
Kung Fu Hustle
- Release Date: 2004.
- Genre: Martial Arts, Kung Fu, Parody, Comedy.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10.
- Written By: Stephen Chow, Kan-Cheung Tsang, Xin Huo.
- Direction by: Stephen Chow.
- Top Cast Includes: Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen.
One of the best Asian kung fu movies, Kung Fu Hustle is an action-comedy film that follows the life of Sing. Sing is a small-time crook who dreams of joining the feared Axe Gang with his pal Bone. Sing and Pal thus try to fake being Axe Gang members to scam Pig Sty Alley residents.
However, the real Axe Gang shows up only to create more tension among the residents. Unbeknownst to them, three legendary kung fu masters live secretly in the neighborhood and fiercely protect it. Overall, the film combines over-the-top martial arts choreography with humor, creating a visually stunning and entertaining experience.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Release Date: 2000.
- Genre: Martial Arts, Period Drama, Romantic Epic, Action.
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10.
- Written By: Hui-Ling Wang, James Schamus, Kuo Jung Tsai.
- Direction by: Ang Lee.
- Top Cast Includes: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a classic movie that has a romantic touch to it. The story revolves around Li Mu Bai, a skilled swordsman who gives his sword Green Destiny, to his lover so that it can be kept somewhere safely.
Unfortunately, though, the sword gets stolen and the chase to find it goes on, leading the swordsman to the House of Jen Yu, who is a secret martial arts lover.
Fearless
- Release Date: 2006.
- Genre: Martial Arts, Action, Kung Fu, Drama.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10.
- Written By: Chris Chow, Richard Epcar, Chi-Long To.
- Direction by: Ronny Yu.
- Top Cast Includes: Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong.
Our last top Asian martial arts movies list includes the action drama Fearless. It stars Jet Li as Huo Yuanjia, a real-life legendary Chinese fighter, and follows his journey from a proud, arrogant young man to a humble and disciplined warrior.
In the movie, fans can witness how Li migrates to a remote village for quite some time but when he returns, he makes sure to reconcile his past with the present and fight for his country’s honor to revive traditional Chinese martial arts.
