Martial arts movies are a spectacle like no other. From showcasing breathtaking action to featuring human philosophies, the genre has stunned audiences with various stories for decades now. While no list of martial arts movies is ever complete without acknowledging the undisputed legends Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, we're dedicating this one solely to Rotten Tomatoes rating.
What separates a good film in the genre from a truly exceptional one? Well, for starters, strong characters with relatable arcs that make audiences root for their triumph; substance over spectacle; angled shots and emotionally-driven conflict; and of course, a jaw-dropping showcase of martial arts as a practice beyond history and philosophy.
Sometimes, when a movie comes along and checks every box to perfection, critics have no choice but to rate it as high as possible. These gems also receive enormous acclaim to justify the "Fresh" ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. In this list, we are celebrating 10 classic and contemporary martial arts movies with a score of 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes.
10 Kung Fu Hustle (2004) 90% Kung Fu Hustle (2004) R Where to Watch
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Release Date February 10, 2004 Director Stephen Chow Cast Stephen Chow , Xiaogang Feng , Wah Yuen , Zhi Hua Dong , Kwok-Kwan Chan , Chi Chung Lam Main Genre Action
Stephen Chow, who directed, produced, and co-wrote the movie, stars in Kung Fu Hustle as Sing, who along with his friend Bone, aspires to join the infamous Axe Gang. They arrive in a rundown neighborhood of 1940s Shanghai and pretend to be gang members but it backfires. As rival gangs clash in spectacular kung fu battle and a mysterious stranger hunts down fights, Sing and Bone get embroiled in a roller coaster of mistaken identities and slapstick hijinks.
A Feast For The Senses
Known as much for its comedic tone as for its adrenaline-fueled showdowns, Kung Fu Hustle brought a unique style to the genre. The movie is packed with absurd humor, over-the-top action, and not-so-subtle nods to kung fu movie tropes. The highlights, however, are Sing and Bone. Their clumsy acts offer light relief in between jaw-dropping fight sequences and keep viewers constantly entertained. Chow has a gift for blending complex fight choreography with stunning storyline and it shows.
9 Iron Monkey (1993) 91% Close
The plot of Iron Monkey centers around the titular masked vigilante. A traditional Chinese medicine physician by day and a fighter by night, he travels around town to rob the rich and help the poor. But Yang's targeting of corrupt officials leads to a martial arts expert, Wong Kei-Ying, tailing him and plotting to catch him within seven days.
But as riots erupt in the city and a sinister plan emerges, Yang and Wong Kei-Ying are forced to work together and fight against Hin-hung, a Shaolin traitor, and his loyal monks.
Certified Technical Masterpiece
Director Yuen Woo-ping crafted Iron Monkey into an explosive martial arts spectacle that does not hold back on storytelling either. Woo-ping is a renowned action choreographer and the movie allows him to showcase his unparalleled talent and combine it with atmospheric production design and an excellent score.
Donnie Yen excels as the seamless lead and Yu Rongguang plays the eponymous hero perfectly well. Together, they engage in battles that push the limits of human physicality. Iron Monkey, thus, left critics in awe with its technical achievements.
8 Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018) 92% Kickboxer Retaliation Where to Watch
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Release Date January 26, 2018 Director Dimitri Logothetis Cast Alain Moussi , Christopher Lambert , Jean-Claude Van Damme , Mike Tyson , Sara Malakul Lane , Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Main Genre Action
A direct sequel to Kickboxer: Vengeance and the seventh film in the Kickboxer series starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kickboxer: Retaliation sees the former MMA fighter Kurt Sloan having backed down after seeking vengeance for his brother's death against champion Tong Po. Still, he is haunted by visions of his brother and wife.
Awakening in a prison in Thailand following an ambush, Kurt realizes that he's being implicated for murder. Threatened and whipped every night, his only way out is to defeat a 400-pound killer in a match.
And The Legacy Continues
Kickboxer: Retaliation is the kind of movie you watch for the sake of adrenaline and thrills. A non-stop action fest written and directed by Dimitri Logothetis, it delivers some of the most brutal hand-to-hand combat sequences ever captured on film. Along with Van Damme, who is excellent as always, the movie stars Alain Moussi, Christopher Lambert, Ronaldinho, and Mike Tyson.
Each of the stars exhibit phenomenal prowess and agility and elevate the dramatic storyline further. Critics hail the movie as a satisfying and predictable throwback to simpler times.
7 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) 97% Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon PG-13 Release Date December 8, 2000 Director Ang Lee Cast Chow Yun-Fat , Michelle Yeoh , Zhang Ziyi , Chang Chen , Lang Sihung , Cheng Pei-pei Main Genre Action
Considered to be one of the most influential martial arts movies of all time, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon takes place in 19th century Qing Dynasty China. It follows the story of acclaimed warrior Li Mu Bai, who has resigned from the Wudang sect and given his fabled 400-year-old sword "Green Destiny" to his friend and warrior, Yu Shu Lien, for safekeeping. When the legendary sword gets stolen, Mu Bai and Shu Lien set out to retrieve it.
Visually Poetic Martial Arts Classic
Ang Lee blended balletic martial arts, tradition, and epic cinematography into what can only be described as a poetic masterpiece. The movie became the first foreign-language movie to win 10 nominations at the Academy Awards and took home four of them, including Best Foreign and Best Cinematography.
It earned praise for the gravity-defying action scenes and shots that captured characters battling with weapons that looked like deadly extensions of their bodies. Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi delivered career-defining roles. Overall, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon changed the course of the Wuxia genre.
6 Yojimbo (1961) 97% Yojimbo NR Where to Watch
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Release Date April 25, 1961 Director Akira Kurosawa Main Genre Action
Akira Kurosawa's seminal samurai movie transports you to a small corrupt town and tells the story of a mysterious ronin with extraordinary swordsmanship. Posing as an ordinary wandering merchant, he watches the terror imposed by the rivalry between two yakuza gangs and decides to stay.
The ronin takes the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, separately convinces both the gangs to hire him as their bodyguard and from the inside, plays the factions against each other in a game of betrayal and destruction.
Deceptive and Profound
Combining neo-noir and martial arts sounds rare, but Kurosawa sets standards for the juxtaposition with his cinematic and profoundly moving narrative. Starring Toshiro Mifune as the steady and stoic ronin, who observes social tyranny and makes the most out of it, the movie uses minimal frames and a compact storyline to make jarring comments of themes of corruption and moral duty. Yojimbo is also known for its tension-building, portrayal of Japanese landscapes, and masterful direction.
5 IP Man 2 (2010) 97% Ip Man 2 R Release Date April 29, 2010 Director Wilson Yip Cast Donnie Yen , Lynn Hung , Simon Yam , Sammo Hung Kam-Bo , Xiaoming Huang , Siu-Wong Fan Main Genre Action
One of those rare sequels that outperform the original movies, IP Man 2 is loosely based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun. Donnie Yen reprises his role from the 2008 movie as Ip Man, who moves with his family to post-war Hong Kong and tries to adapt to local life but faces new challenges.
As corruption and unlawful land seizures escalate around him, the mighty grandmaster busies himself with his discipline of Wing Chun. But even then, he is challenged by cunning foreign martial artists and local masters.
The Sequel is Better Than the Original
Directed by Wilson Yip, IP Man 2 altered the course of the biographical saga and transformed it into an international hit. Yen embodied the titular character's dignity and showcased his Wing Chun combat skills, impressing audiences and critics alike.
Speaking of which, critics noted how "kung fu fans will definitely get their eye-balls' worth" because of the movie's gorgeous fight choreography and breathtaking portrayal of 1950s Hong Kong as well as the movie's ability to strengthen the franchise's moral messages.
4 The Twilight Samurai (2002) 99% Close
A romance drama integrated with martial arts, The Twilight Samurai follows Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai and widower, struggling to support his two daughters and impoverished family in rural Japan. Further burdened by his mother's illness, his life gets harder by the day but he tries to be happy regardless. Things take a dramatic shift when a childhood friend of Seibei gets out of an abusive marriage. The two are forbidden from marriage because of Seibei's code of honor.
Powerhouse of Emotions
Directed by Yôji Yamada, the movie draws inspiration from a short story, The Bamboo Sword, written by Shuhei Fujisawa. It is one of the more intimate martial arts dramas that tells a very human story.
Hiroyuki Sanada plays Seibei with quiet strength and vulnerability, delivering subtle emotions with striking impact. Opposite him is the gorgeous Rie Miyazawa. The Twilight Samurai is a tender movie but at the same time, it finds the perfect balance between martial arts sequences and socio-political themes.
3 The Man from Nowhere (2010) 100% The Man from Nowhere R Where to Watch
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Release Date August 4, 2010 Director Jeong-beom Lee Cast Bin Won , Sae Ron Kim , Tae-hoon Kim , Hee-won Kim , Seong-oh Kim , Jong-pil Lee Main Genre Action
The Man from Nowhere is a 21st-century triumph. It follows Cha Tae-sik, an ex-special agent and martial arts expert, who lives a solitary life as a private pawnshop owner. He has only one friend in the neighborhood - young So-mi. When So-mi is kidnapped by gangsters to repay her mother's drug debt, Tae-sik takes it upon himself to track the syndicate, rescue her, and fight his past demons in the process.
Features Brilliant Fight Choreography
A lone fighter triggering an all-out war against the criminal underworld seems like an ideal premise for an action thriller. Director Lee Jeong-beom still manages to find nuance into the riveting neo-noir film. Progressing at a brutal but heart-wrenching pace, The Man From Nowhere features several long takes and climactic fights. Won Bin's textured performance anchors the drama and vengeance. Its 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating is testament to just how beautiful the movie is.
2 Seven Samurai (1954) 100% Close
The movie that directly inspired John Sturges to make The Magnificent Seven and one that even non-martial arts fans have heard about, Seven Samurai follows an aging but experienced ronin arriving in a rural village and learning about the bandits that plague it. The farmers and desperate children are terrified.
The townsfolk ask for the ronin's help. He reluctantly agrees and forms a group of seven unemployed samurai to defend their homes and crops while also establishing plans to outwit the sadistic gang members.
An Epic Landmark in the Martial Arts Genre
Another one directed by Akira Kurosawa, the movie is his magnum opus. It not only shot the director to global fame but also pioneered the samurai subgenre as an integral part of the martial arts genre.
Clocking over three hours, its meticulous plot and ingenious pace floored views and critics. The intimate character moments and sprawling action still remain unmatched. Also worth praising is Toshiro Mifune, who leads an outstanding ensemble of icons and delivers soul-stirring performances. Since its release, Seven Samurai has been remade, reworked, referenced over 50 times.
1 Sanjuro (1962) 100% Close
The sequel to Kurosawa's 1961 martial arts movie, Yojimbo, this one surpassed the original's Rotten Tomatoes rating by earning a perfect score. It centers around the titular character, a mysterious ronin who arrives in a small town to aid people in their battle against the corrupt administration. But he realizes that betrayal plagues people on both sides of the conflict. He uses his clever understanding and peerless swordsmanship to cut through the manipulation and clear his uncle's name.
Swift, Sly, and Subversive
Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune reunited for his witty and fast-paced sequel. In classic Kurosawa fashion, we get to see genuinely spectacular martial arts sequences and little connection to the Western genre, as opposed to its predecessor.
The movie also features dynamic long shots and subtle facial acting to make satirizing comments on hypocrisy and chaos. Mifune plays Sanjuro'srelaxed and equally ruthless character with precision, making sure the swift storytelling and subversion leaves an enduring impact.
