The 10 biggest rivalries in martial arts films

Martial arts films have had a huge impact on the cultural zeitgeist since they first hit the screen, creating some iconic rivalries in the process. THE best martial arts movies they have transcended decades, broken boundaries, and impacted most other styles of film in one way or another. From the wuxia classics, the rise of kung fu in the 70s and 80s, as well as the modern MMA scene, these films have produced many stars and supervillains.

Rivalries in martial arts films have been as fascinating as they have been brutal. Iconic fights such as Bruce Lee x Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan x Ken Lo and Michelle Yeoh x Ziyi Zhang gave life to battles that made the audience feel the emotion in every roundhouse kick. While a period drama may rely heavily on dialogue, and a comedy requires jokes and sight gags, martial arts films can convey the same plot and backstory through the way the main antagonists face off against each other.

10

Warrior (2011)

Tommy Conlon x Brendan Conlon

Set in the brutal world of MMA fighting, Warrior stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, who play deeply estranged brothers. The root of their rivalry is realistic in a relatable way, as it concerns a difficult family history and painful past. Tension with his abusive alcoholic father (Nick Nolte) and the tragic death of his mother at a young age shaped the men in different ways and drove a huge wedge between them.

They enter the same tournament for very different reasons and end up facing each other in the final confrontation. The battle is extremely harsh and bloody, but the wildest parts of the fight come from the raw emotion and underlying love they still feel for each other. All the pent-up anger and feelings of guilt come to the surface with every punch, clinch and choke. This rivalry is fascinating for its complexity, as the audience feels empathy for each brother. So when the final blow comes, there’s a lot at stake for everyone.

9

Bloodsport (1988)

Frank Dux x Chong Li

Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the most prolific action stars in history, having starred in classics such as Universal Soldier, Hard targetand Kickboxer. But it was Blood sport which started it all and gave the audience the fierce rivalry between Frank Dux (Van Damme) and Chong Li (Bolo Yeung).

The main protagonist’s heroic upbringing and his opponent’s untamed ruthlessness make him a more straightforward choice when it comes to choosing who to root for, but it’s a fun ride nonetheless. Set in a no-holds-barred martial arts tournament in Hong Kong, each action scene features some impressive moves and a thrilling array of shots.

When Dux and Li finally come face to face, their disdain for each other is palpable.. Dux wants to avenge his friend who was brutally beaten by Li, who in turn has a deep desire to win at any cost. Chong plays dirty, blinding his opponent with a salt capsule mid-fight. This leads to a very satisfying return to a technique Frank learned from his sensei. He fights blindly and wins spectacularly.

8

Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

Jim McQuade vs. Rawley Wilkes

This film mixes martial arts with a Western twist, rooting the story in deep American culture. With Chuck Norris facing off against David Carradine, the two usual on-screen personalities take center stage. McQuade (Norris) is a heroic Texas Ranger who protects and serves his community, while Wilkes (Carradine) is a bandit who kills innocent people.

Seeing two martial arts greats face off is always a pleasure, and their tense scenes together don’t disappoint. With much of the film featuring various types of weapons, the confrontation is hand-to-hand combat, allowing rivals to show off their impressive skills. McQuade is about to be defeated when Wilkes threatens his daughter. A switch is thrown and a new wave of energy washes over him. The characters’ classic archetypes and a welcoming air of simplicity in their reasoning make this rivalry great to watch.

7

House of Flying Daggers (2004)

Leo x Jin

In this beautiful tale of intrigue and deceit lies a love story for the ages. Former partners turn into rivals when Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and Leo (Andy Lau) end up falling in love with Xiao Mei (Ziyi Zhang). The story demands a lot of attention from the viewer with many twists and turns and cases of mistaken intentions. The chemistry between the three leads is electric, providing a believable love triangle that culminates in a tragic yet epic fight.

The film culminates in a stunningly filmed sequence that is both thrilling and moving. Using the same storytelling techniques that prevail throughout the film, the fight reflects the story of this complex and emotional rivalry and has a very tragic ending.

6

Everything Everywhere at Once (2021)

Evelyn Quan Wang vs. Jobu Tupaki

Written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything everywhere at the same time dominated the awards circuit and took audiences on a weird and wonderful journey through the multiverse. The plot may be nearly impossible to explain, but at the heart of the story is a complicated relationship between a mother and her daughter. The film is a genre-defying mix of drama, comedy and science fiction, with a heavy dose of spectacular martial arts.

The fight scenes are a visual feast for the eyes, with Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis delivering powerful performances across the board. After traveling through several worlds and facing each other in almost all reality shows, when the public finally discovers the true identity of the “big bad”, it becomes clear that the final fight between the rivals will be exciting. He works on all levels.

5

House on the Road (1989)

James Dalton x Brad Wesley

One of Patrick Swayze’s most memorable films, road house, sees him take on the role of James Dalton, a martial arts expert hired as a bouncer at a very rowdy and dangerous bar. The small town is under the rule of ruthless Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), who doesn’t appreciate Dalton’s particular brand of law and order.. As Wesley takes increasingly extreme measures of intimidation, he threatens those close to him and pushes James to his limit.

The last straw comes when Dalton finds his friend Wade Garrett (Sam Elliot) murdered on Wesley’s orders. What follows is a wave of revenge filled with brutal fights and lots of bloodshed, as Dalton fights his way through all of Wesley’s henchmen. The visceral hatred that fuels his actions can be felt in every punch and every defeated opponent. He shows that he is the better man by sparing his rival’s life, but the townspeople he protects end up finishing the job for him.

4

The Matrix (1999)

Neo vs. Agent Smith

Keanu Reeves is a true action star with many successful franchises under his belt, and The Matrix The films are responsible for some of the most revolutionary martial arts sequences in history. The Wachowskis introduced the world to the red and blue pill versions of reality, bringing with them reality-altering fight scenes and a sense of uncertainty whenever a black cat passes by twice. Reeves’ Neo is the chosen one and faces the ruling robots, represented by an endless army of agents. The most cruel and persistent of all is Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).

Smith is a big part of Neo’s story and represents the other side of the coin. The fight scenes between the two antagonists are simply incredible and happen not only in the first film, but also in the other two direct sequels and 202. The Matrix Resurrections. From dodging bullets in slow motion to the final showdown where Neo finally wins the system, each time these rivals face off, the results leave audiences horrified.

3

The Karate Kid (1984)

Daniel LaRusso x Johnny Lawrence

A film that brought martial arts to a younger audience, The Karate Kid offers a more relatable type of rivalry. When Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) moves from New Jersey to Los Angeles, he makes an enemy of local bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Whether they’re fighting over a girl (Elizabeth Shue), who has a bigger ego, or competing against each other in the All Valley Karate Tournament, these two don’t like each other.

It could be argued that they were both right or wrong in their own ways and that they intimidated each other, but the contempt on each side was apparent. Although the film’s message is about how karate teaches moderation and honor, the confrontation between the two is still a long time coming. With another subplot of rivalry between Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and John Kreese (Martin Kove), the audience finds themselves rooting against the ways of Cobra Kai, despite what Barney Stinson had said in how I Met Your Mother. Having spawned several sequels, remakes and a spin-off, this is where it all began.

2

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

John Wick x Caine

Keanu Reeves showcases an impressive array of fighting skills in the John Wick franchise, as he faces his many enemies and their henchmen. While it could be argued that it all started with what happened to his dog, the reasons for John going on a four-film (and counting) rampage are much more complex and layered. His fight against the system he was unwittingly part of brings him face to face with many rivals.

In John Wick: Chapter 4, that rival is Caine (Donnie Yen). Fellow assassin, this intimidating character is a formidable opponent even with impaired vision, and the fight scenes between the two are electrifying. Viewers are terrified whenever Caine encounters any of Wick’s allies, and their final battle at the Sacre Coeur in Paris is one of the best in the entire franchise. Although it is a relatively recent film compared to the classics of the genre, John Wick: Chapter 4 has already left its mark.

1

Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 (2003/2004)

The Bride vs. Bill

Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2brought martial arts to a whole new audience. Quentin Tarantino had an audience of fans, some of whom had never seen this type of film, but gained great appreciation for the genre. In this two-part story, Uma Thurman’s character embarks on an epic journey of revenge, leaving death and destruction in her wake. Known only as The Bride, she fights the likes of Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu and Michael Madsen to finally get to Bill (David Carradine).

Both films take audiences on a journey through the Bride’s past, while also providing plenty of backstory and context for each supporting character. Each opponent she faces is a piece of the puzzle of what happened to her, and each stunning fight scene is spectacular and important to the story.

Through clever use of flashbacks and non-linear storytelling, the Bride’s mission to avenge the bloodbath on her wedding day leads her to her former mentor and partner. Their final fight is satisfying to watch on both an emotional and visual level. This rivalry includes elements of mysterythe thrill of the chase and some awesome action.