The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (2025)

Table of Contents
27 Dragon Inn Is a Classic Wuxia Film It Is One Of the Top Kung Fu Movies 26 House of Flying Daggers Is a Tale of Love And Betrayal This Modern Film Is One Of the Best King-Fu Movies Your Rating Cast 25 A Touch of Zen Initiated Hong Kong New Wave Cinema This King Hu Film Is a Top-Rated Kung Fu Your Rating Cast 24 Fist Of Legend Is Inspired By Fists Of Fury Jet Li Stars In This King-Fu Movie Your Rating Cast 23 Everything Everywhere All at Once Delivers Dimension-Hopping Kung Fu Though Not the Focus, Kung Fu Has an Undeniable Presence Your Rating Cast 22 Triple Threat Features a Star-Studded Cast Depsite Some Fights' Brevity, This Kung Fu Movie Was Still Fun 21 Fearless Highlights a Real-Life Kung Fu Legend Jet Li's Captures Huo Yanijia's Legacy Your Rating Cast 20 The Shaolin Temple Was Jet Li's Highly Successful Debut It Holds the Record For Highest-Grossing Chinese Film Upon Release Your Rating Cast 19 Fist Of Fury Is an Early Classic From Bruce Lee This Great Kung Fu Movie Carries a Valuable Message Your Rating Cast 18 Project A Cleverly Brought Pirates Into a Kung Fu Film The Enemy Distinguishes the Film Among the Top Kung Fu Movies Your Rating Cast 17 Supercop's Real Star Isn't Jackie Chan Michelle Yeoh Came Out of Retirement and Stole the Show Your Rating Cast 16 Knockabout Is More Than a Typical Revenge Story Entertaining Fights Elevate One Of the Best Kung Fu Movies 15 Crippled Avengers Is a Bloody Tale Of Revenge And Honor The Actors' History Led to Incredible Chemistry Your Rating Cast 14 The Legend Of the Drunken Master Gave Chan Increased Budget It Saw Chan's Return To More Traditional Martial Arts Films Your Rating Cast 13 The Grandmaster Is a Visually Sumptuous Kung Fu Masterpiece The Cinematography, Acting, And Soundtrack Make a Spectacular Movie Your Rating Cast 12 Five Deadly Venoms Is an Action-Packed Spectacle Unique Visuals Have Stood the Test Of Time Your Rating Cast 11 Police Story Is Jackie Chan's Breakout Hit He Successfully Set the Tone Of His Future Endeavers Your Rating Cast 10 Iron Monkey Is a Showcase for Yuen Woo-Ping Iron Monkey Is the Pinnacle of Yuen Woo-Ping's Stand-Out Choreography Your Rating Cast 9 Flash Point Is a Fantastic Modernization of Kung Fu Movies Updated Choreography Has Made It a Distinct Entry in the Genre Your Rating Cast 8 Once Upon a Time In China Is a Star-Worthy Epic This Is One Of the Best Depictions of Wong Fei-Hung Your Rating Cast References

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (1)

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (2)

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (3)

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (4)

By Timothy Blake Donohoo , Robert Vaux , Sayantan Gayen & Natasha Elder

Updated

Follow

Followed

Thread 2

Link copied to clipboard

Sign in to your CBR account

Though they have their roots in Chinese cinema, kung fu movies have become iconic and beloved the world over. From gravity-defying stunts to high-flying kicks, these films have captivated audiences for decades with their mesmerizing style. Some of the best kung fu movies were also responsible for turning now well-known screen legends into household names, such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

The kung fu film genre gained prominence in the early '70s following the waning popularity of the wuxia films, characterized by their supernatural tropes of Chinese myths and legends. As more hard-hitting kung fu action reached the international shores, the martial arts subgenre brought a cultural revolution to cinematic history. Several of these films came to be adored across the globe, but only the best kung fu movies, like Enter the Dragon, have truly withstood the test of time.

Updated on March 4, 2025, by Christopher Raley: Kung fu movies are beloved by students of martial arts and average movie fans alike. Their dazzling displays of skill and stunning choreography make them accessible to all who love to watch exciting action films. Five more great kung fu movies have been added to this list, and it has been updated to conform to CBR's current publishing standards.

Related

10 Best Kung Fu Movies of the 1990s, Ranked

Kung Fu movies have changed over the years, but the 1990s produced some of the best movies of the genre like Drunken Master II.

1

27 Dragon Inn Is a Classic Wuxia Film

It Is One Of the Top Kung Fu Movies

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (6)

Shortly after leaving Hong Kong, famed director King Hu formed Union Film Company with Sha Rongfeng, a studio that produced Dragon Inn and released it in 1967. Written and directed by King Hu, Dragon Inn was filmed in Taiwan and became one of the classic wuxia films. It was not screened in the US until 1968, the same year it won an award for Best Screenplay at the Golden Horse Awards.

The story follows the children of General Yu, who are being exiled from China at the western border following the General's execution. In secret, the General's political rival, Tsao, plans to have the children executed at the border. While Tsao's agents lie in wait at the remote Dragon Gate Inn, the Innkeeper, a former lieutenant of Yu's, has called three martial arts experts to come help him defend the children and see them safely across the border.

26 House of Flying Daggers Is a Tale of Love And Betrayal

This Modern Film Is One Of the Best King-Fu Movies

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (7)

When director Zhang Yimou released House of Flying Daggers in 2004, it received almost universal praise. It was reported that the film received a 20-minute standing ovation at Cannes where it debuted. Critics across the US praised it for its brilliant showcase of color and action, creating a breathtaking display of cinematography. More than just a technical feat, the movie is an emotional story that hits hard.

House of Flying Daggers is about a rebel group of the same name that is causing trouble in Fengtian in the waning years of the Tang Dynasty in AD 859. Two police officers are given the task of killing the leader of the group without even knowing who the leader is, so they contrive a plan that will uncover him. House of Flying Daggers is, in one sense, a classic wuxia film, but in another sense, kung fu is a cloak. Underneath is a movie about subterfuge that is itself a mirror of the tragic love triangle that develops.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (8)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

House of Flying Daggers

PG-13

Adventure Drama

Action

Release Date
May 19, 2004

Runtime
119 Minutes

Director
Zhang Yimou
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (9)

    Takeshi Kaneshiro

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (10)

    Andy Lau

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (11)

    Zhang Ziyi

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (12)

    Song Dandan

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (15)

25 A Touch of Zen Initiated Hong Kong New Wave Cinema

This King Hu Film Is a Top-Rated Kung Fu

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (16)

Chinese director King Hu began filming A Touch of Zen, in 1968 but did not complete it until 1971. It was initially released in Taiwan in two parts in '70 and '71 with a combined runtime of 200 minutes. Later, the two parts were edited together for a runtime of just over three hours. This highly regarded film continues to inspire with its themes of Zen Buddhism, feminism versus traditional female roles, and supernatural elements.

Related

10 Scenes in the John Wick Franchise that Redefined the Action Genre

John Wick reinvented not only Keanu Reeves' career but helped to change what people thought of the action genre as a whole.

2

A Touch of Zen follows Gu Sheng-zhai, a painter and a scholar who is intelligent but lacks ambition. Gu becomes wrapped up in the plight of the main protagonist Yang Hui-zhen, a kind of female knight-errant who is trying to evade the scheming guards loyal to the corrupt Eunuch Wei. The story follows their epic journey to flee the forces of Wei, but their destinies are separate and unexpected.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (18)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

A Touch of Zen

Not Rated

Action

Adventure Drama

Release Date
November 18, 1971

Runtime
200 Minutes

Director
King Hu
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (19)

    Hsu Feng

    Yang Hui-ching

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (20)

    Shih Chun

    Ku Shen Chai

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (21)

    Pai Ying

    General Shih

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (22)

    Tian Peng

    Ouyang Nin

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (25)

24 Fist Of Legend Is Inspired By Fists Of Fury

Jet Li Stars In This King-Fu Movie

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (26)

Fist of Legend is one of the best kung fu movies that is based on one of the best kung fu movies. Jet Li stars in this 1994 film that was inspired by the Bruce Lee movie Fist of Fury. Set in Japan in 1937, the film follows Chen Zhen, a Chinese martial artist who is struggling to fit in studying in Kyoto during Japan's Imperialist era.

But soon Zhen discovers that his master was killed in a fight with a Japanese kareteka, Akutagawa. But when Zhen challenges him to a fight and easily bests him, he begins to suspect that the fight was set up and that his master was killed dishonorably. While the film did not do well at the box office, it is widely considered one of the best kung fu movies Jet Li starred in. It is also renowned for its action scenes and incredible fighting sequences.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (27)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Fist Of Legend

R

Action

Drama

Martial Arts

Release Date
December 22, 1994

Runtime
103 Minutes

Director
Gordon Chan

Writers
Gordon Chan, Lam Kee-to, Kim Yip
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (28)

    Jet Li

    Chen Zhen

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (29)

    Shinobu Nakayama

    Mitsuko Yamada

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (30)

    Chin Siu-Ho

    Hou Ting-An

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (31)

    Paul Chun Pui

    Nong Jinsun

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (32)

23 Everything Everywhere All at Once Delivers Dimension-Hopping Kung Fu

Though Not the Focus, Kung Fu Has an Undeniable Presence

To put it mildly, a lot is going on in Everything Everywhere All at Once, as Michelle Yeoh's put-upon laundromat owner embarks upon a journey through all reality to reconcile with her alienated daughter. Along the way, however, it embraces threads of a martial arts spectacular, punctuated by some brilliant fight choreography that makes impressive use of Yeoh's skills. Although the inclusion of martial arts was not expected, it was a pleasant surprise, and Everything Everywhere All at Once is definitely one of the best recent martial arts films.

While martial arts are only one aspect of the film, Everything Everywhere All at Once's vaunted status as a Best Picture winner has opened the genre to a whole new audience. Yeoh's richly deserved Oscar for Best Actress also serves as a validation for all of her work in martial arts films, and, by extension, the genre's other stars as well. Despite this attention given to martial arts, the fact that the movie is not really centered on kung fu means it sits at the 25th spot on the list.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (33)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Everything Everywhere All at Once

R

Adventure

Comedy

Action

Release Date
March 25, 2022

Runtime
132 minutes

Director
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

Cast

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (34)

    Jenny Slate

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (35)

    Ke Huy Quan

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (36)

    Stephanie Hsu

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (37)

    Harry Shum Jr.

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (44)

22 Triple Threat Features a Star-Studded Cast

Depsite Some Fights' Brevity, This Kung Fu Movie Was Still Fun

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (45)

With a cast of experienced kung fu film veterans, Triple Threat was bound to be a fun film. Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Tiger Hu Chen are excellent in their respective roles of Payu, Jaka, and Long Fei. Others, such as Scott Adkins and Michael Jai White, similarly excel in their parts in one of the best kung fu movies. While the plot is a generic tale of mercenaries tasked with protecting a client’s daughter, the fighting skills of the actors make it fun.

2:23

Related

15 Most Rewatchable Action Movies, Ranked

The action genre has produced some of the most popular films of all time, including some that hold up regardless of how many times fans watch them.

There are some great fights, but it is worth mentioning that there is a downside to having so many well-known action actors in one movie: they don’t all get to shine the way they should. In an effort to include everyone, some fights are necessarily cut relatively short. Still, the scenes are plenty entertaining, and it is still fun to see these notable modern-day kung fu stars in the same film.

21 Fearless Highlights a Real-Life Kung Fu Legend

Jet Li's Captures Huo Yanijia's Legacy

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (47)

Fearless is a stand-out in the resume of martial arts legend Jet Li, who was at the apex of his international fame at the time, and capitalized on it with an eminently appropriate project. He plays a heavily fictionalized version of Huo Yaunjia, a celebrated martial artist at the end of the 19th century who helped keep the nation's honor alive during a dark period of occupation. There truly was no better actor for the role than Jet Li, given his own expertise.

Fearless was heavily criticized for taking liberties with Huo's life, but there's no denying the power of the fight scenes that makes it one of the top kung fu movies around. The movie also makes it clear that the point is the fight sequences and not the historical accuracy. Versatile director Ronny Yu sticks to business and keeps the focus on Li, who puts the exclamation point on his very impressive career.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (48)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Fearless

PG-13

Drama

Action

Release Date
January 26, 2006

Runtime
103 minutes

Director
Ronny Yu

Writers
Chi-long To, Chris Chow
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (49)

    Jet Li

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (50)

    Sun Li

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (51)

    Dong Yong

A biography of Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia, who is the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (52)

20 The Shaolin Temple Was Jet Li's Highly Successful Debut

It Holds the Record For Highest-Grossing Chinese Film Upon Release

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (53)

Jet Li’s debut film in 1982, The Shaolin Temple features his Shaolin kung fu skills. The significance of the film’s impact cannot be understated, as it is still credited as one of China’s highest-grossing films after accounting for inflation, spawned remakes and a TV show, put Jet Li on the map as an actor, and made the Shaolin Temple the tourist destination it is today. The reason the film was so successful was its perfect mix of action, comedy, and romance.

The Shaolin Temple depicts the story of Chieh Yuan as he learns how to fight in order to take revenge for his father’s mentor. Though a story that’s been done before and since, Jet Li’s charm and martial arts prowess elevate the film. Moreover, the variety of traditional weaponry used in The Shaolin Temple adds an authenticity that makes this mung fu film a must-watch.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (54)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

The Shaolin Temple

Action

Martial Arts

Release Date
January 21, 1982

Runtime
95 minutes

Director
Chang Hsin Yen

Writers
Lo Siu-Cheung, Sit Hau

Cast

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (55)

    Jet Li

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (56)

    Hai Yu

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (57)

    Chenghui Yu

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (58)

19 Fist Of Fury Is an Early Classic From Bruce Lee

This Great Kung Fu Movie Carries a Valuable Message

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (59)

Like Fearless, Fist of Fury concerns Huo Yaunjia, who serves as the hero's mentor in need of avenging. Bruce Lee plays his student Chen Zhen, a fictional character who fights his way through all manner of villains on the way to justice. The film alters several historical facts in the name of entertainment, though it also has a surprisingly strong anti-colonial message running through its story.

2:15

Related

15 Best Action Movies Since 2000, Ranked

The action genre has dominated the film industry in the 21st century, spawning a long list of high-octane movies and franchises.

Most of all, it has Lee fitting Fist of Fury's character like a glove, putting the full array of his legendary fighting skills on display in one of his best films. He only played Chen Zhen once, but the character lived on in multiple films after him, starring the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen. The impact of this film is therefore clear to see given the many subsequent films that were inspired by Lee’s portrayal of Chen Zhen.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (61)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Fist of Fury

R

Action

Drama

Martial Arts

Romance

Release Date
September 9, 1972

Runtime
102 Minutes

Director
Lo Wei
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (62)

    Bruce Lee

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (63)

    Nora Miao

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (64)

    Riki Hashimoto

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (65)

    Robert Baker

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Chen Chen returns to his former school in Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While investigating the man's death, Chen discovers that a rival Japanese school is operating a drug smuggling ring. To avenge his master’s death, Chen takes on both Chinese and Japanese assassins… and even a towering Russian.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (72)

18 Project A Cleverly Brought Pirates Into a Kung Fu Film

The Enemy Distinguishes the Film Among the Top Kung Fu Movies

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (73)

In typical Jackie Chan fashion, Project A is a compelling mix of action, comedy, and nerve-wracking stunts. Chan’s character, Dragon Ma, is a member of the Marine Police Force who finds himself at odds with a gang of pirates. Despite this, much of the film takes place on land as opposed to on ships or in the ocean. While fighting the pirates, Ma has to simultaneously combat corruption in the police in this fun crime-based entry into the genre.

Project A is an entertaining medley of comedic action scenes punctuated by impressive stunts, including a fall from a clock tower about 60 ft. above the ground. The chemistry between the characters is another element that makes the film so good, and results in such entertaining fight scenes. The way that Ma and Sammo Hung’s Fei play off each other adds to the amusing atmosphere of the film.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (74)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Project A

PG-13

Action

Comedy

Release Date
December 22, 1983

Runtime
106 minutes

Director
Jackie Chan

Writers
Jackie Chan, Edward Tang

Producers
Leonard Ho, Jessica Chan Pui-Wah

Cast

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (75)

    Jackie Chan

    Sergeant Dragon Ma Yue Lung

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (76)

    Sammo Hung

    Cheuk Yat Fei

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (77)

    Yuen Biao

    Inspector Hong Tin Chi

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (78)

    Dick Wei

    Pirate Chief Lo San Po

Fighting against pirates at the turn of the 20th century, the Hong Kong navy are failing miserably. It's up to Sergeant Lung to take matters into his own hands.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (79)

17 Supercop's Real Star Isn't Jackie Chan

Michelle Yeoh Came Out of Retirement and Stole the Show

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (80)

Jackie Chan's Police Story movies are one of the staples of his career, with four films in the first cycle followed by a two-movie reboot beginning in 2004. The third film, Police Story 3: Supercop is generally regarded as a high point, thanks to another fun script that puts hero policeman Chan Ka-kui undercover to bring down a drug cartel. The star's amazing physical skills and always impeccable stunt choreography are in top form as well.

But Supercop's real draw, however, isn't Chan at all, but his leading lady. Michelle Yeoh retired from acting in 1987 after making a small handful of martial arts movies. She got back into the game in a big way with Supercop, playing Chan's partner and stealing the show from under his nose. Her eye-popping motorcycle landing atop a moving train is the film's unquestioned high point and launched her into international stardom.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (81)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Supercop

R

Action

Comedy

Crime

Thriller

Release Date
July 26, 1996

Director
Stanley Tong

Writers
Edward Tang, Fibe Ma, Lee Wai Yee
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (82)

    Jackie Chan

    Insp. Chan Ka Kui

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (83)

    Michelle Yeoh

    Insp. Jessica Yang - Director of INTERPOL

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (84)

    Maggie Cheung

    May

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (85)

    Kenneth Tsang

    Chaibat

A Hong Kong detective teams up with his female Red Chinese counterpart to stop a Chinese drug czar.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (86)

16 Knockabout Is More Than a Typical Revenge Story

Entertaining Fights Elevate One Of the Best Kung Fu Movies

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (87)

Knockabout is one of the best examples of a well-done revenge story. Yipao is out to take vengeance after his brother, Taipao, was killed by the Jia Wu Dao, their mentor and, unbeknownst to them, a criminal. While pursuing his goal of taking revenge, Yipao comes across a beggar who proves surprisingly adept as a fighter, subsequently asking if he can be mentored by the mentor. Together, they then try to take down Jia Wu Dao for good.

During their training, there are many scenes with creative kung fu choreography, including during the obligatory training montage. The dynamic between the beggar and Yipao also adds some heart to the film, keeping viewers invested in their relationship. When the inevitable confrontation with Jia Wu Dao occurs at the end of the film, it is an appropriately emotional climax, wrapping the film up nicely.

15 Crippled Avengers Is a Bloody Tale Of Revenge And Honor

The Actors' History Led to Incredible Chemistry

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (88)

At the height of their rivalry with Golden Harvest, the Shaw Brothers regularly employed six actors in lead roles (famously called the Venom Mob in the English-speaking world). Crippled Avengers was their third movie together in a year, and their chemistry showed up in the elaborate fight scenes. Undoubtedly, the fact that these actors had frequently worked together led to the impressive fights that they were able to pull off.

Related

10 Best Fights From Iconic Action Movies

Action movie fans want to see brutal brawls on the screen. The best fights in these movies are fast-paced, well-choreographed, and a bit unique.

When four men get maimed at the hands of a tyrant and his clan, Crippled Avengers shows them band together to get revenge or die trying. Director Chang Cheh, often regarded as the "Grandfather of Hong Kong Cinema," used the unusual premise to craft a straight-to-the-chase revenge tale. Crippled Avengers isn't without its faults, but it's everything that makes the kung fu genre great.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (90)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Crippled Avengers

Action

Martial Arts

Release Date
December 20, 1978

Runtime
100 Minutes

Director
Chang Cheh
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (91)

    Chen Kuan-tai

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (92)

    Philip Kwok

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (93)

    Lo Mang

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (94)

    Sun Chien

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Four martial artists go on a journey to seek justice against a tyrannical martial arts master and his son.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (101)

14 The Legend Of the Drunken Master Gave Chan Increased Budget

It Saw Chan's Return To More Traditional Martial Arts Films

By the '90s, Jackie Chan had become a bona fide action movie star. But it was over a decade since he last tried his hand at traditional Chinese martial arts movies. With Legend of the Drunken Master, Chan returned to the basics from Drunken Master, albeit with a bigger budget and over-the-top action set pieces. These bigger set pieces lead to excitement, but other kung fu films have had bigger impact on the industry, leading to The Legend of the Drunken Master landing in the fifteenth spot.

Reprising his role as the famed folk hero Wong Fei-hung from his 1978 classic Drunken Master, Chan upped the ante with his incredible stunt work. The movie's blistering climax, depicting the fight scene between Fei-Hong and Ken Lo's John, took four months to shoot, highlighting the actors' dedication to their craft. The time spent on this scene definitely paid off, though, as the fight is filled with excitement, showcasing the best of each actor’s skills.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (102)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

The Legend of the Drunken Master

R

Release Date
February 3, 1994

Runtime
102 minutes

Cast

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (103)

    Jackie Chan

A young martial artist is caught between respecting his pacifist father's wishes or stopping a group of disrespectful foreigners from stealing precious artifacts.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (104)

13 The Grandmaster Is a Visually Sumptuous Kung Fu Masterpiece

The Cinematography, Acting, And Soundtrack Make a Spectacular Movie

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (105)

Celebrated director Wong Kar-wai is known for his visual poetry. Individual scenes may seem frozen in time, yet they say a lot. On paper, a kung fu movie may not seem suitable for such a venture, especially with the tendency to devolve into weightless action. Nevertheless, The Grandmaster delivers on all levels thanks to its excellent cinematography, acting, and soundtrack.

Starring a stellar lineup of actors that includes Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, and Zhang Jin, The Grandmaster presents a slice of Ip Man’s life, better known as Bruce Lee’s instructor. The choreography seems almost balletic, with powerful performances in front of the camera, wiping away any memory of the movie being in development hell for years. The Grandmaster was worth the wait, becoming one of the top kung fu movies ever.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (106)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

The Grandmaster

PG-13

Action

Drama

History

Release Date
January 10, 2013

Runtime
130 minutes

Director
Wong Kar-wai
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (107)

    Tony Leung Chiu-wai

    Ip Man

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (108)

    Zhang Ziyi

    Gong Er

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (109)

    Chang Chen

    Razor

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (110)

    Zhao Benshan

    Ding Lianshan

WHERE TO WATCH

The story of martial-arts master Ip Man, the man who trained Bruce Lee.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (124)

12 Five Deadly Venoms Is an Action-Packed Spectacle

Unique Visuals Have Stood the Test Of Time

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (125)

Five Deadly Venoms was the first Chang Cheh and Venom Mob collaboration, and it still stands the test of time as a captivating action-thriller. It also brought a unique visual style to the cinematic world of kung fu. Interestingly, the martial arts depicted in the film borrowed their aesthetics from the most toxic animals found in nature: snakes, scorpions, toads, lizards, and centipedes.

Five Deadly Venoms spins a web of murder, conspiracy, and betrayal. The twisting narrative is highly intriguing and immediately captures viewers’ attention. One of the most underrated movies of the genre, its top-notch action choreography remains an exemplary example of a bygone era. Due to the many impressive elements contained within this film, Five Deadly Venoms became a cult classic with its North American release, leaving a wide cultural footprint still found in outside media and music.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (126)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Five Deadly Venoms

R

Action

Adventure

Martial Arts

Release Date
August 12, 1978

Runtime
97 Minutes

Director
Cheh Chang
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (127)

    Sheng Chiang

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (128)

    Chien Sun

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (129)

    Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (130)

    Meng Lo

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

The sixth and final pupil of a dying martial arts teacher is instructed to find the teacher's five former pupils and defeat any evil ones that are among them.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (144)

11 Police Story Is Jackie Chan's Breakout Hit

He Successfully Set the Tone Of His Future Endeavers

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (145)

Jackie Chan established a distinct onscreen identity early in his career, with the likes of Fearless Hyena and the first Drunken Master embracing the comic potential of kung fu. Police Story—and its long string of sequels—helped elevate his profile outside of Asia and paved the way for eventual success in America. The actor himself considers it his best film, playing a policeman falsely accused of murder who must clear his name while arresting the drug lord responsible.

Related

10 Most Over-The-Top Action Movies Ever

From RRR to Deadpool, these action movies are unafraid to get explosive and outlandish to entertain audiences and genre fans.

2

As with most Chan movies, Police Story's details are less important than the actor's signature comedic persona—-drawing as much inspiration from Buster Keaton as Bruce Lee—and the jaw-dropping stunts he and his team execute on camera. The topper is an opening car chase that sees both Chan and a vehicle careening downhill through a shantytown. It still needs to be seen to be believed.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (147)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Police Story

PG-13

Action

Comedy

Crime

Thriller

Release Date
December 14, 1985

Runtime
100 Minutes

Director
Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (148)

    Jackie Chan

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (149)

    Brigitte Lin

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (150)

    Maggie Cheung

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (151)

    Kwok-Hung Lam

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

A virtuous Hong Kong Police Officer must clear his good name when the drug lord he is after frames him for the murder of a dirty cop.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (156)

10 Iron Monkey Is a Showcase for Yuen Woo-Ping

Iron Monkey Is the Pinnacle of Yuen Woo-Ping's Stand-Out Choreography

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (157)

Yuen Woo-ping is best known as a fight choreographer, having created some of the most imaginative and memorable combat scenes in movie history, including Iron Monkey. American audiences know his work best from the first three Matrix movies and the two parts of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Multiple films on this list feature Yuen's fight scenes, and he has also directed dozens of movies in the genre.

The best of them is doubtless Iron Monkey, based on legendary stories of a vigilante kung-fu master who steals from the rich and gives to the poor like Robin Hood. The story is simplistic, and the characters are one-note, but once the fists start flying, Yuen is in his element, and the results are truly breathtaking. Iron Monkey truly displays why Yuen has been recognized as one of the best fight choreographers in the business.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (158)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Iron Monkey

PG-13

Action

Crime

Drama

Release Date
September 3, 1993

Runtime
90 Mins

Director
Yuen Woo-ping

Writers
Elsa Tang Bik-Yin, Tsui Hark
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (159)

    Donnie Yen

    Wong Kei-ying

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (160)

    Yu Rongguang

    Dr. Yang / Iron Monkey

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (161)

9 Flash Point Is a Fantastic Modernization of Kung Fu Movies

Updated Choreography Has Made It a Distinct Entry in the Genre

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (162)

Flash Point is a modern take on a kung fu flick. Following a detective known for his rough actions as takes attempts to take down a gang, Flash Point has plenty of hallmarks of a great police detective film. There are several gun fights, as well as tense scenes as his undercover partner navigates his precarious position as a mole inside the gang. What ultimately defines the movie, though, are the remarkable fight scenes.

The fights in Flash Point have helped define modern kung fu sequences. The last fight of the movie in particular has been commended for its realism, which is the result of a combination of great choreography and clean shots. Flash Point is a refreshing change of pace from older kung fu films, made by those who also know what makes such films so great. Overall, Flash Point is a wonderfully made transition between older and newer generations of kung fu films, bringing everything great while foregoing that which is now outdated.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (163)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Flash Point

R

Action

Release Date
July 26, 2007

Runtime
88 minutes

Director
Wilson Yip

Cast

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (164)

    Donnie Yen

    Det. Sgt. Ma Jun

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (165)

    Louis Koo

    Wilson

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (166)

    Collin Chou

    Tony

  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (167)

    Ray Lui

    Archer Sin

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (175)

8 Once Upon a Time In China Is a Star-Worthy Epic

This Is One Of the Best Depictions of Wong Fei-Hung

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (176)

Many actors have portrayed Wong Fei-hung on the silver screen, but only a few are as iconic as Jet Li in that role. Once Upon a Time in China turned Li into a bankable star overnight and launched a successful franchise. The film was more than just a kung fu movie. It stood the test of time and became a historical classic.

Related

15 Best Netflix Original Action Movies, Ranked

Netflix has made a ton of original films and shows, but some of their best original action movies are films like The Old Guard and Red Notice.

Director Tsui Hark served as producer, director, and writer for Once Upon a Time in China, whose political premise was deeply rooted in the history of late 19th-century China. The movie is end-to-end action as a fearless Jet Li shows off his stunts in acrobatic style while beset with enemies on all sides. Singer George Lam provided the theme music, which remains as memorable and inspiring as Li's kicks.

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (178)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Once Upon a Time in China

Restricted

Release Date
August 15, 1991

Runtime
134 Mins

Director
Tsui Hark
  • The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (179)

    Jet Li

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung fights against foreign forces' plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector.

Powered by
The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (194)

  • Movies
  • bruce lee
  • jet li

Follow

Followed

The 27 Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Ranked (2025)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6605

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.