Martial arts films aren’t generally known for their gripping stories, but a rare few of them can break the mold of the genre with genuinely fantastic narratives alongside thrilling action. For the most part, martial arts films have a lot of leeway when it comes to their stories, with exciting hand-to-hand fight scenes being the main draw for genre audiences. That said, some of the best fight scenes in the history of martial arts cinema come from films with brilliant narratives that complement the action.
Martial arts movies with great stories come in several varieties. Often, the period setting of martial arts films allows for some fascinating political and cultural drama that springs from the relevant movements or historical events of the time in which they occur. In other cases, the lovingly choreographed action is used as an emotional vehicle for two characters. They discuss their relationship, mirroring the intimacy of other areas of life with the intimacy of combat.
10
Last Hooray for Chivalry
1979
A 1970s Hong Kong martial arts film from John Woo’s filmography, Last Hooray for Chivalry makes the most of the Ming Dynasty setting and notable performances. The plot revolves around a distinguished swordsman, courtesy of Ti Lung, who is tasked with taking revenge on behalf of a disgraced nobleman. From there, it’s up to Lung’s character to gather a powerful team of warriors to help him on his quest.
Along the way, the swordsman must face all manner of threats to his livelihood, from rival duelists to devious political manipulators. It’s fascinating how Woo is able to marry political intrigue and heady disquisitions on the meaning of chivalry with some of the best swordplay ever seen in a kung fu film. Both for his intense battles with blades and for his thoughtful reflections on chivalry as a code of ethics, Last Hooray for Chivalry There’s a lot to celebrate.
9
Five deadly poisons
1978
It’s rare when martial arts film narratives intersect with other more traditional narrative structures, like romance or horror. So it’s easy to see why Five deadly poisons became one of the most popular kung fu films of its time, plunging a typical detective mystery into thrilling martial arts battles. The film centers on Yang Tieh, a kung fu student who, due to his master’s last wish, is asked to find each of his former students and examine how they used his teachings, taking them down if they stray into the path of evil.
Each of the five deadly poisons has its own nickname based on a venomous or venomous animal and a unique kung fu technique to back it up, bringing some creative new twists to the film’s kung fu battles. They also have their own delicate role to play in the film’s overarching mystery, with a deliciously evil final villain who brings all the smug satisfaction of a typical thriller antagonist. Even the most cynical detractor who dismisses kung fu films as mindless action can easily find something to enjoy in the intricate web of deception. Five deadly poisons weave.
8
Ip Man
2008
In fact, all Ip Man the franchise qualifies for the title of martial arts film with the best balance between drama and action. Essentially prestige cinema wrapped in a generous helping of incredibly fast-paced kung fu action, Ip Man stars Donnie Yen as the titular character in his most famous role to date, playing the real-life revolutionary and wing chun practitioner with deft skill. Taking place during the Japanese occupation of China, the film sees Ip go from a downtrodden worker to an inspiring symbol of Chinese cultural victory.
The first Ip Man sets a precedent for the rest of the series by exploring the possibilities of kung fu as a valuable cultural cornerstone for the Chinese people, even in their darkest moments. It helps that the actual fight choreography is top-notch, with Yen making wing chun look like the martial arts style to end all others. Ip Man is a triple threat that works as a character study, a political period drama, and an all-around action film all at the same time.
7
Pousada Dragão
1967
Not all the best kung fu action films with a beating narrative heart necessarily have to come from China, as proven by the Taiwan film Pousada Dragão in 1967. The film revolves around the children of a Governor Yu, placed in grave danger after their father is politically defeated by a clever eunuch at court. It’s up to a team of four martial artists to save them from the wrath of the secret police at the legendary Dragon Gate Inn, on the edge of China’s borders.
The political intrigue behind the conflict Pousada Dragão is quite prototypical for the wuxia subgenre, with the film being one of the most important in establishing such conventions from the beginning. Even though the mission to rescue the Governor’s innocent children is simple, the tension that Pousada Dragão is capable of keeping seeds of genuine uncertainty in a difficult plot. Of course, the martial arts sword fighting also rivals some of the Shaw brothers’ later work in Hong Kong in its complexity, complementing the atmospheric story.
6
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
2000
The film that put martial arts films on the map in terms of serious critical evaluation, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is still such a revered title in Hollywood and beyond for good reason. The wuxia epic is set in 19th century China, telling the story of the revered blade Green Fate, a magical sword of great power. When the sword and its techniques are stolen by the daughter of the powerful Governor Yu, it is up to two seasoned warriors to stop her youthful wrath.
There are many sensitive themes explored in the meandering narrative of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, from gender roles to turbulent romance and the slow poison of cynicism. The spirited Jen eventually becomes as tired as the blade she wields, leading to a tragic ending that feels almost Shakespearean in its depth. Of course, it helps that the film has some of the most impressive wire-fighting sequences ever conceived, including one of the best sword fights in the history of martial arts cinema in Jen vs.
5
Come drink with me
1966
Written by the same director of Pousada DragãoKing Hu, Come drink with me is another story of aggressive female fighters and delicately dangerous swordplay that results in one of the greatest wuxia films of all time, bar none. Once again, the son of a local governor is kidnapped, only this time his rescuer is none other than his own sister, the mysterious and highly decorated swordswoman, Golden Swallow. It’s up to Golden Swallow to navigate an army of deadly bandits with a little help from an undercover Shaolin master and some fellow warriors.
As one of the earliest progenitors of wuxia films as they are known today, Come drink with me doesn’t deserve any credit in the martial arts cinema space. However, his graceful fight sequences, more like delicate dances than brawls, are still considered something special today. The revolutionary commentary on femininity as it relates to combat is also an important aspect of the story, which is virtually unprecedented for such a historic film.
4
The prodigal son
1981
As if martial arts films don’t have enough of a reputation as shallow spectacle, martial arts comedies are even harder to chalk up as narratively rich experiences. That being said, The prodigal son it breaks that mold as a martial arts comedy with a poignant message. Rich slacker Leung Chang is a shy martial arts student who considers himself a powerful fighter, only to discover that his rich father has been paying his opponents to lose on purpose.
This shocking discovery sends Chang into a spiral of introspection, vowing to apply himself and genuinely learn kung fu from a true master. Despite the silliness one might expect from such a premise, which certainly comes into play, The prodigal son becomes surprisingly dramatic, with a compelling inner journey that also delves into yet another deconstruction of Chinese gender norms. Of course, the cheeky humor and brilliant fight scenes cement the film’s place as a genuinely excellent story that also delivers excellent surface spectacle.
3
Drunk Master II
1994
The prodigal son isn’t the only martial arts comedy with a heart of gold worthy of consideration for even elite story connoisseurs. Simply billed as Drunk Master in the United States, Drunk Master II continues the story of Wong Fei-hung after his drunken boxing-style training in the first film. After a mix-up, Wong finds himself in possession of a valuable Chinese artefact sought by England’s occupying forces, leading to a hopeful confrontation with the ruling class.
Once again, the choreography, slapstick and comedic timing expected from one of Jackie Chan’s strongest films are very good. But beneath the veneer of comedy and kung fu is a heartfelt message about inaction versus pacifism and standing up to a hostile occupation government, especially notable for the casting of the British consul as the exploitative villain. The strength of the Wong family is also a rich, beating heart that drives the narrative, always at the forefront of Wong Fei-hung’s actions.
2
Everything everywhere at the same time
2022
Not every martial arts film that succeeds based on its story as well as its action is such a legacy film. Everything everywhere at the same time has been a fairly notable release in recent years, winning valuable awards like the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2023 Oscars. The film follows Evelyn, a tired mother and co-owner of a laundromat who is suddenly thrown into an adventure of silly proportions that spans the multiverse, while another version of his daughter seeks to consume the universe into oblivion.
Everything everywhere at the same time deserves its recognition for several reasons. The physical comedy, the joke possibilities opened up by the multiverse concept, and the impressive fight sequences with common household objects all have their own appeal as thrilling crowd-pleasers. But it’s Evelyn’s moving journey of kindness in the face of nihilism, as well as her delicate relationships with her loved ones, that keep the film so highly rated, and rightly so.
1
House of Flying Daggers
2004
Another wuxia epic deserving of critical praise, House of Flying Daggers is a difficult film to dissect due to the breathtaking beauty of its visuals. Widely known for its visual splendor, even though House of Flying Daggers had a miserable story, it would have been worth suffering for the jaw-dropping stunts and unrealistic cinematography alone. Fortunately, there’s a surprisingly deft and solid narrative hidden beneath the flashy images of House of Flying Daggers, one that doesn’t get enough credit for the film’s success.
The film is set during the collapse of the Tan dynasty, with a Tang assassin being sent to infiltrate and destabilize a rebel group growing in power, the titular House of Flying Daggers. However, intrepid police officer Jin soon falls in love with one of his enemies. Complicating matters further is the scorned affections of another member of the House of Flying Daggers, creating a deadly love triangle that results in a tragic ending. One of the strongest and darkest novels in martial arts film history, the epic calamity of House of Flying Daggers should not be underestimated.