What Are The 11 Best Kung Fu Movies?

What Is a Kung Fu Movie? 

How can we define a movie like this? What makes one movie a Kung-Fu movie versus another?

At its core, the Kung Fu film is a subgenre of the broader martial arts film category. It's a genre of action film originating primarily from Hong Kong, renowned for its intricate, often acrobatic, unarmed combat sequences showcasing various Chinese martial arts styles.

These films typically emphasize realistic (though often highly stylized) physical prowess, discipline, and themes of honor, justice, and perseverance.

Kung Fu movies generally focus on hand-to-hand combat and are frequently set in more contemporary periods, though historical settings are also common.

​Key Characteristics of Kung Fu Movies

I find that the best way to identify a genre is to look at the characteristics that make it up. So, let's dig deep into all the titles you're about to look at and see what they have in common.

• Elaborate Fight Choreography: The hallmark of the genre, showcasing specific and recognizable martial arts techniques (e.g., Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Drunken Fist, Shaolin styles).
• Emphasis on Physical Skill: Performances highlight the actors' and stunt performers' athletic abilities and martial arts training.
• Training Sequences: Often a significant narrative element, depicting the protagonist's rigorous journey to master their skills.
• Themes of Morality and Justice: Stories frequently revolve around defending the innocent, avenging wrongdoing, upholding honor, or protecting a martial arts school or tradition.
• Master-Student Relationships: The guidance and wisdom imparted by a Kung Fu master (Sifu) is a recurring motif.
• Distinctive Villains: Often featuring antagonists with unique fighting styles or exaggerated personas.
• Influence of Chinese Opera: Early Kung Fu films drew inspiration from the acrobatics and stylized movements of traditional Chinese opera.

1. Enter the Dragon (1973)

You just cannot argue that this isn't the greatest Kung Fu movie. It's like the one everyone in the world knows exists and many have seen. And it made Bruce Lee the biggest star of his generation.

This U.S.-Hong Kong co-production catapulted Lee to international superstardom and brought Kung Fu into the global mainstream. Its iconic fight sequences and Lee's magnetic presence remain unparalleled.

2. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

A quintessential Shaw Brothers classic. If you didn't know, Shaw Brothers Limited was the largest film production company in Hong Kong, operating from 1925 to 2011.

They made a ton of Kung Fu movies that helped popularize martial arts all over the globe.

This film stars Gordon Liu tells the journey of a young student who masters Kung Fu in the legendary Shaolin Temple. Its detailed depiction of traditional training methods and emphasis on discipline and perseverance became a benchmark for the genre and everyone imitates them today.

3. Drunken Master II (1994) (aka The Legend of Drunken Master)

I think this might be the best Jackie Chan movie. It's mind-blowing what he does with his body in this movie.

This is Chan at his comedic and acrobatic peak. This film showcases his signature blend of intricate fight choreography, slapstick humor, and jaw-dropping stunts. The final fight scene is often cited as one of the greatest in martial arts cinema. I've never seen anything like it.

4. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Is this high for a parody movie? I have no idea, but this homage to all the great Kung Fu movies deserves a spot on this list. And I put it here.

Stephen Chow's unique blend of Kung Fu, comedy, and cartoonish action creates a wildly entertaining and imaginative film. It pays homage to classic Kung Fu tropes while forging its own distinctive path.

5. Fist of Fury (1972) (aka The Chinese Connection)

Another Bruce Lee essential, this film is a powerful expression of Chinese heritage and features some of Lee's most intense and memorable fight scenes, solidifying his status as a cultural icon.

6. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Ang Lee's visually stunning masterpiece brought wuxia (martial arts films often featuring swordplay and fantasy) to a global art-house audience.

Seeing it in theaters changed who I am as a person. It was like a spiritual awakening.

Its poetic storytelling, breathtaking wire-fu, and strong female characters earned it critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.

7. Hero (2002)

Another movie that is best to watch on the biggest screen possible.

Directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jet Li, this movie is a visually spectacular epic renowned for its stunning color-coded storytelling and balletic fight choreography.

8. Ip Man (2008)

Donnie Yen's portrayal of the Wing Chun grandmaster (and Bruce Lee's teacher) resonated with audiences worldwide.

It's a movie I would put on in college all the time just to show people how insane some of the choreography was.

The film is praised for its grounded and impactful fight choreography, highlighting the effectiveness and philosophy of Wing Chun.

Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

This film, starring Jet Li as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei-hung and directed by Tsui Hark, revitalized the Kung Fu genre in the early 1990s and rekindled people's excitement. It's celebrated for its intricate fight sequences, historical sweep, and Li's commanding performance

Police Story (1985)

Look, this list could have been all Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. I stopped myself from adding even more.

This Jackie Chan vehicle is a tour de force of action and stunt work. I mean, stunts you cannot believe, including the famous shopping mall pole slide. It exemplifies his dedication to practical, high-impact action sequences.

Iron Monkey (1993)

Directed by Yuen Woo-ping (the legendary choreographer behind The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), this film starring Donnie Yen is a prime example of the "wire-fu" style that became popular in the 90s, featuring dynamic and acrobatic fight sequences.

More Kung Fu Movies to Check Out 

• Drunken Master (1978)

• Five Deadly Venoms (1978)

• Fist of Legend (1994)

• Fearless (2006)

• Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)

• A Touch of Zen (1971)

• The Raid: Redemption (2011)

• The Big Boss (1971)

• Tai Chi Master (also known as Twin Warriors) (1993)

• Chocolate (2008)

• Five Fingers of Death (also known as King Boxer) (1972)

• Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) (While a Western film, heavily influenced by and pays homage to Kung Fu cinema)

• The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)

• Shaolin Temple (1982)

• Project A (1983)

• Supercop (also known as Police Story 3: Supercop) (1992)

• Knockabout (1979)

• Dragon Inn (also known as New Dragon Gate Inn) (1967 for original, 1992 for remake)

• House of Flying Daggers (2004)

• Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) (Blends many genres, but features significant Kung Fu elements)

• Triple Threat (2019)

• Crippled Avengers (also known as Return of the Five Deadly Venoms) (1978)

• Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)

• One-Armed Swordsman (1967)

• The Avenging Eagle (1978)

• Come Drink with Me (1966)

• Heroes of the East (also known as Shaolin Challenges Ninja or Challenge of the Ninja) (1978)

• Fists of the White Lotus (also known as Clan of the White Lotus) (1980)

• Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)

• Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985)

• The Boxer from Shantung (1972)

• Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)

• Executioners from Shaolin (1977)

• Shaolin (2011)

• The Prodigal Son (1981)

• Warriors Two (1978)

• Legendary Weapons of China (1982)

• Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)

• Magnificent Butcher (1979)

Summing Up The 11 Best Kung Fu Movies

I think Kung Fu movies are entertaining, and such a great addition to the action genre. These are just my opinions, so if you have others to add, I want to hear about them.