10 Best American-Made Martial Arts Movies
The best American martial-arts movies, ranked.
Originating in China at the very beginning of the 20th century, martial arts action movies have been a revered and often emulated genre since their inception all those years ago. With some of the earliest fight scenes filmed in black and white in complete silence, the art form has made its way into the cultural zeitgeist over many years. While already hugely popular in Asia, many early films were dubbed and shown in the West, gaining legions of devoted fans along the way.
Ultimately, Hollywood took note, and began making their own versions of these popular stories. Now, different styles of martial arts films are some of the most lucrative and impactful of all, spawning huge franchises and making stars of their talented casts. The fight scenes are thrilling, the stakes grow higher with each production, and visual effects have crept in to put a new spin on an ancient technique. While the quality of these films may vary substantially, some American-made films that take inspiration from kung-fu movies capture the essence of their inspiration with a dose of Western flair.
10 Never Back Down (2008)Directed by Jeff WadlowYour RatingNever Back Down Release Date March 4, 2008 Runtime 115 minutesMovies like Never Back Down movie follows the familiar trajectory of martial arts movies by focusing on finding strength and discipline in the realm of martial arts. Sean Farris' Jake is a troubled youth who has a history of fighting and has a short fuse. As he moves to a new school, he gets on the radar of a rather vicious and violent bully, who ends up humiliating him in a fight. However, through the wisdom and guidance of Djimon Hounsou's character, Jake is able to channel his anger into a more productive and measured approach to fighting.
There is a very well-executed training montage, some thrilling fight sequences, and the classic underdog trope that works well within the realm of both the teen and action genre. The supporting cast includes Cam Gigandet and Evan Peters, who make the most of their time on screen. Sometimes it's comforting to take in a movie that mixes pure entertainment with some light messages of positivity, and Never Back Down does just that.
9 Warrior (2011)Directed by Gavin O'ConnorYour RatingWarrior Release Date September 9, 2011 Runtime 140 MinutesA gritty and violent drama, Warrior follows the treacherous relationship between two brothers who end up facing each other in a mixed martial arts tournament. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgetron play the estranged siblings, and both actors bring a lot of depth and layers to characters that could easily be one-dimensional. The subject matter is also quite lofty, as it tackled domestic abuse and alcoholism, as well as a fractured family unit.
The fight scenes in the movie are very realistic and brutal, and serve as an emotional outlet for the characters as opposed to just being there for no reason. Nick Nolte was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the abusive father, and is part of some very powerful scenes between the troubled brothers. The film holds an impressive 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is a prime example of how realism and tragedy can be woven in with impressive fight scenes and physicality.
8 Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)Directed by Isaac FlorentineYour RatingWarrior Release Date September 9, 2011 Runtime 140 MinutesMichael Jai White leads this violent sequel, which has become a cult classic among fans of the genre. With a combination of boxing and MMA, the fight scenes are not only elaborate, but very graphic, and it's clear how much training has gone into their execution. While the story may seem overly simplistic, with a brutal underground fighting ring run by corrupt prison guards, sometimes that can be enough. The straightforwardness of the stakes makes it much easier to follow, and lets the focus go to the rivalry and the on-screen combat.
Scott Adkins plays the champion villain, Yuri Boyka, who is widely revered for his impressive skills and physicality. The fight scenes between him and the main protagonist, George Chambers, are a gripping highlight of this classic underdog movie. Seeing Chambers' fighting style evolution is great to watch and even though the movie wasn't released theatrically, it gained a dedicated audience. It even led to another sequel that focused on Boyka's story even further.
7 Kickboxer (1989)Directed by Mark DiSalle and David WorthThe 1980s were rife with brutal action films and saw the rise of Jean-Claude Van Damme as a bona fide martial arts star. He is in top form, showcasing his impressive abilities, which include his fluid flexibility and penchant for splits. A classic tale of revenge, Kickboxer sees Kurt Sloane try to avenge his brother who was paralyzed in a fight with one of the most intimidating villains of the genre, Michel Qissi's Tong Po. The training sequences are satisfying, and shot with great attention to detail, and the movie is a classic for a reason.
Each fight makes audiences feel the pain that the characters experience in a visceral way, and the final showdown is one for the ages. The cultural impact of the film is huge as it influenced the genre for many years to follow. It's also one of Van Damme's most well-known roles and should be seen just to experience him at the top of his form. It also happens to feature one of the most memorable dance scenes in movie history curtesy of the muscles from Brussels himself.
6 The Last Dragon (1985)Directed by Michael SchultzYour RatingThe Last Dragon Release Date March 22, 1985 Runtime 109 minutesThis movie focuses on the mystical lore often associated with the spirituality of martial arts. A common thread in many movies of the genre, The Last Dragon embraces it with humor and heart. As Leroy Green's quest for the "Glow" takes him through a journey of empowerment and self discovery, set against a very '80s backdrop of colorful fashion and funky music. The mix of pop culture and impressive fighting are what made the movie such a lasting part of cinema history.
Then there's the flamboyant villain, Julius Carry's Sho'nuff Julius Carry, who is equally menacing and comedically brilliant. It's always a sign of a memorable bad guy if they have their own catchphrase, and this particular antagonist has become a favorite of fans of the genre. The dated visual effects only add to the atmosphere of this martial arts classic, with the "Glow" looking particularly striking so many years on. With 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear that the film has found its audience.
5 Bloodsport (1988)Directed by Newt ArnoldYour RatingBloodsport Release Date February 26, 1988 Runtime 92minutesJean Claude Van Damme
Leah Ayres
Jean-Claude Van Damme had '80s audiences in a chokehold with his various high-octane roles. In Bloodsport, he plays Frank Dux who competes in one of the most brutal underground tournaments, called Kumite. Here, fights to the death occur often, as the most skilled martial artists take on opponents from all over the world. The film's title certainly sets the tone for what's in store, as the battles on-screen are filled with blood and gore as the stakes are life and death.
It's one of the quintessential films of the genre, incorporating no-holds-barred fight sequences and seemingly never-ending action. Dux's motivation is to honor his sensei's legacy, while his main rival is a heartless brute with unlimited strength and dirty tactics. Forest Whitaker co-stars in this classic action movie, which set the bar for many more to follow.
4 The Karate Kid (1984)Directed by John G. AvildsenYour RatingBloodsport Release Date February 26, 1988 Runtime 92minutesJean Claude Van Damme
Leah Ayres
A huge cultural phenomenon, The Karate Kid manages to blend a classic coming-of-age story with the underdog tropes that so deeply resonate with audiences. It features unforgettable scenes like "wax on, wax off" and introduces the world at large to the crane kick. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita are an iconic pairing of sensei and student, and Mr. Miyagi's legacy lives on through Daniel in Cobra Kai. It's their relationship that brings a lot of heart to the film, and makes audiences root for the heroes.
William Zabka's Johnny Lawrence and Martin Kove's John Kreese are just some of the more iconic characters to come out of the franchise, which was responsible for a huge increase in the popularity of the martial art form. It holds 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and made over $90 million on an $8 million budget. The impact of The Karate Kid can be felt to this day. It spawned three sequels, a remake, a spin-off series and, with another sequel on the way, sees no signs of slowing down.
3 The Matrix (1999)Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly WachowskiYour RatingThe Matrix Release Date March 31, 1999 Runtime 136 minutesKeanu Reeves
Laurence Fishburne
This revolutionary film changed the course of cinema in many ways. From its advanced visual effects, to the concept of a reality that's not quite as it may seem, there were many aspects of it that had a huge cultural impact. The fight scenes were just one of the ingredients that made The Matrix so special. Taking known martial arts techniques and presenting them in a futuristic and mind-bending way was new to so many audiences, and introduced them to a world they'd never experienced before.
The success of The Matrix led to the production of three cinematic sequels (The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003, and The Matrix Resurrections in 2021) as well as several tie-ins, such as The Animatrix in 2003.
Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss are a trio that everybody rooted for. Hugo Weaving is one of the most feared antagonists in modern cinema as Agent Smith. The film was an instant cultural touchstone, and its fighting sequences have been mimicked and recreated many times over. The film has a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, won four Oscars and made nearly half a billion dollars at the box office.
2 Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003)Directed by Quentin TarantinoYour RatingKill Bill Release Date October 10, 2003 Runtime 111 minutesDavid Carradine
Michael Madsen
Tarantino is well-known for paying homage to genres that inspired him, and he has showcased that throughout his filmography. The Kill Bill films are a tribute to iconic martial arts films of years gone by, and he introduced viewers to something new, beautiful, and exciting. While the fight scenes are thrilling and bloody, he puts his very own twist on how they're presented. Many of his choices are inspired by classic Asian cinema but with a big dose of his own brand of humor and storytelling.
From Uma Thurman's iconic yellow jumpsuit which was inspired by Bruce Lee, to the use of black and white during a particularly bloody battle, Quentin Tarantino pays tribute to all those films that had inspired him. The animated manga sequence is also a masterful way of telling a story in an unexpected way. The movie was a big box office and critical success, and has a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its legacy lives on as fans old and new revisit it regularly on streaming.
1 Enter the Dragon (1973)Directed by Robert ClouseYour RatingEnter the Dragon Release Date August 19, 1973 Runtime 102 MinutesBruce Lee
John Saxon
Starring the biggest martial arts film star of all time, Enter the Dragon is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential films in the genre. Bruce Lee plays a secret agent tasked with infiltrating a criminal gang through an underground fighting ring. The reason the story sounds familiar is because of how much of an impact this film had on every martial arts film that came after it. From the tournament setting to the stunning choreography, this film has been studied frame by frame for over 50 years.
It was a huge success, cementing Bruce Lee as one of the biggest action stars of the time and introducing him to a global audience. Bruce Lee's fight scenes in Enter the Dragon showcase his unrivaled skills, charisma and stage presence make him so enthralling to watch to this day, and it's no wonder many filmmakers have wanted to emulate the magic of this film for decades. It has an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes but, more importantly, remains the cornerstone of the genre, holding up as a template that works time and time again.
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