Angie Ambos
The martial arts genre has been a film industry staple since its inception. From the classic Bruce Lee films of the 1970s to the modern-day blockbusters of today, martial arts movies have entertained audiences worldwide with their intense action sequences and mesmerizing fight choreography. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the greatest martial arts films ever made, exploring the various styles and techniques that make each unique.
These Best Martial Arts movies are not streaming in your country?
Any of our picks not streaming in your country? ExpressVPN unlocks Reelgood and all of your streaming services, giving you access to all movies and TV shows from around the world. Stream them from anywhere with a 30-day money-back trial from ExpressVPN.
- Unblock Streaming with ExpressVPN (3 months free for Reelgood users!)
- Connect to a US or UK server via ExpressVPN.
- Let ExpressVPN run in the background as you watch all of your movies and TV shows, securely and with no throttling or bandwidth limits.
History of Martial Arts in Film
The martial arts genre has a long and storied history in film. It all began in the early days of silent films with The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple, a Chinese epic released in 1928. The movie featured several fight scenes in which the actors performed various martial arts moves, making it the first martial arts film ever made.
From there, the genre began to gain popularity in the East, with films such as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) and Enter the Dragon (1973) becoming huge hits. In the West, martial arts films rose to prominence in the 1980s with the release of films such as The Karate Kid (1984) and Bloodsport (1988). Since then, the genre has steadily increased in popularity, with Hollywood producing several successful martial arts films, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), and The Matrix (1999).
The Different Styles of Martial Arts
One of the most fascinating aspects of martial arts films is the variety of fighting styles that can be seen in them. Each style has its own unique set of techniques and strategies, and the choreography of a fight scene can often tell you a lot about the martial arts style being showcased. Here are some of the most popular styles featured in martial arts films:
Kung Fu: Originating in China, Kung Fu is a form of martial arts that emphasizes traditional Chinese weapons, such as the spear and sword, and various hand-to-hand combat techniques. Kung Fu has been featured in classic martial arts films, such as Shaolin Temple (1982) and Drunken Master (1978).
Judo: A Japanese martial art, Judo uses throws, joint locks, and other grappling techniques to defeat an opponent. Judo has been featured in martial arts films, such as The Street Fighter (1974) and The Karate Kid (1984).
Karate: A martial art developed in Okinawa, Japan, Karate emphasizes using punches, kicks, and other strikes to defeat an opponent. Karate has been featured in several martial arts films, such as The Karate Kid (1984) and The Last Dragon (1985).
Taekwondo: An Korean martial art, Taekwondo emphasizes using kicks, punches, blocks, and counters. Taekwondo has been featured in several martial arts films, such as Best of the Best (1989) and Kickboxer (1989).
Capoeira: A Brazilian martial art, Capoeira combines dance-like movements with martial arts techniques, such as kicks and sweeps. Capoeira has been featured in martial arts films, such as Only the Strong (1993) and The Grandmaster (2013).
The Great Martial Arts Masters
When it comes to martial arts films, the show’s stars are the martial arts masters. These people have mastered martial arts and can put on a spectacular show of skill and technique. Here are some of the most famous martial arts masters featured in films:
Bruce Lee: An icon of the martial arts world, Bruce Lee was a legendary martial artist and actor who starred in several classic martial arts films, such as Enter the Dragon (1973) and The Way of the Dragon (1972).
Jackie Chan: A renowned martial artist and actor, Jackie Chan is best known for his slapstick action comedies, such as Police Story (1985) and Rush Hour (1998).
Jet Li: A world-renowned martial artist and actor, Jet Li has starred in classic martial arts films, such as Hero (2002) and Fearless (2006).
Donnie Yen: A Hong Kong actor and martial artist, Donnie Yen is best known for his roles in Ip Man (2008) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
Conclusion
The martial arts genre has long been a film industry staple, providing audiences with thrilling action sequences and mesmerizing fight choreography. This guide has provided an overview of the various martial arts styles featured in films and some of the most famous masters. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Bruce Lee films or the modern-day blockbusters, there’s something for everyone in the martial arts genre.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings