10 Best Martial Arts Movies

Here is a list of the 10 best martial arts movies. Martial arts movies burst onto the scene in the 1970s and have become a popular genre of film. Since Bruce Lee established his iconic place in movie history, several figures have emerged to follow in his footsteps and take the world of martial arts movies by storm. From Hollywood productions to the rough action powerhouses of Hong Kong films, martial arts movies have graced cinemas worldwide with their stunning bravura of stunts and fight scenes that serve as jaw-dropping spectacles even the most expensive of bland CGI-blockbusters could not rival.

1. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" An unexpected hit both commercially and critically, Ang Lee's epic saga is a grand love story at its core, but with breathtaking wire work and meticulously choreographed fight scenes, it is an explosive adrenaline blow straight to the heart.
   
2. "Once Upon a Time in China" Before Jet Li exploded on the American front, he took Hong Kong cinemas by storm in this martial arts movie.
   
3. "Fist of Fury" Bruce Lee's second major film. That's all the explanation you need. Look out for an early appearance from a young Jackie Chan.
4. "Way of the Dragon" Also known as "Return of the Dragon," this martial arts movie features the renowned throw-down between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.
   
5. "The Legend of Drunken Master" This is actually the second movie in the "Drunken Master" franchise, but it stands on its own merits and showcases Jackie Chan as a very powerful cinematic presence who can actually boast a comparison to the great Buster Keaton. Did I forget to mention that the fight scenes are insane?
   
6. "Game of Death" This film has a devastatingly tragic backstory. Originally a hugely ambitious film to be written and directed by Bruce Lee himself, these plans were cut short by his untimely death. However, it was completed years later, with the now legendary fight scene between Bruce Lee and the towering Kareem Abdul-Jabbar edited in, as it was filmed prior to Lee's passing. It is worth it for this scene alone.
   
7. "Wheels on Meals" Known as more of an action movie, there are some stunning fight scenes in this picture, mainly a brutal one between Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez.
   
8. "The Big Boss" Bruce Lee's first major film. He was originally meant to play a supporting role, but his charisma caught the eye of the filmmakers early on and the rest is history.
9. "Iron Monkey" This film was directed by Yuen Woo-Ping. If that name doesn't ring a bell, then be informed that this was the man who choreographed the fight scenes of a little movie called "The Matrix." If you need anything more to recommend the film, then you belong in an institution.
   
10. "Enter the Dragon" The greatest martial arts movie ever created, hands-down. There are moments in this film that will give you goosebumps. Bruce Lee is staggering and his quiet rebuff of "Boards don't hit back" should go down in the annals of film history as one of the best lines ever delivered.