Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time
Kung fu films range from the 1970s Hong Kong classics that made martial arts famous worldwide to modern action films with precise, grounded fighting. This guide covers eight well-known titles in release order, so you can follow how the genre changed from one era to the next.
If you enjoy action with a lot of physical fighting, see our 25 best action movies of all time list.
Eight kung fu movies worth watching
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Robert Clouse directs Bruce Lee in a tournament story set on a private island. It is one of the most influential martial arts films and helped bring kung fu to Western audiences.
Drunken Master (1978)
Yuen Woo-ping directs Jackie Chan as a young fighter who trains in a style inspired by drunken boxing. Its comic timing and acrobatic fights made it a genre favourite.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Tsui Hark's period film follows the folk hero Wong Fei-hung, played by Jet Li. It combines strong fight scenes with a story about the clash between Chinese tradition and foreign influence.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee's wuxia epic mixes martial arts with a romantic drama set in imperial China. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Ong-Bak (2003)
Prachya Pinkaew's Thai action film stars Tony Jaa in a story about a stolen Buddha head. It is known for its live stunts and fighting without wire work.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow's comedy blends kung fu with cartoon-style humour in a Shanghai crime story. Its mix of parody and real martial arts made it an international hit.
Ip Man (2008)
Wilson Yip's film tells the story of Ip Man, the Wing Chun master who trained Bruce Lee, and his life during the Japanese occupation of Foshan.
The Raid (2011)
Gareth Evans's Indonesian action film follows a police team fighting through a tower block full of criminals. Iko Uwais's silat fighting makes it a modern benchmark for martial arts action.