Martial Arts Action movies
Fight-first action where choreography matters: duels, tournaments, mastery arcs, striking, grappling, and clean technique.
21. Unleashed
Action Crime Martial Arts Action Organized Crime2005•1h 43min
China, France
Director: Louis Leterrier
Vibe
Raised as a slave, Danny is used to fighting for his survival. In fact, his "master," Bart, thinks of him as a pet and goes as far as leashing him with a collar so they can make money in fight clubs, where Danny is the main contender. When Bart's crew is in a car accident, Danny escapes and meets a blind, kindhearted piano tuner who takes him in and uses music to free the fighter's long-buried heart.
Themes
Available on
22. The Protector
Action Crime Drama Thriller Martial Arts Action2005•1h 45min
Thailand
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
Vibe
A young fighter named Kham must go to Australia to retrieve his stolen elephant. With the help of a Thai-born Australian detective, Kham must take on all comers, including a gang led by an evil woman and her two deadly bodyguards.
Themes
Available on
23. The Forbidden Kingdom
Action Adventure Fantasy Martial Arts Action Adventure Epic2008•1h 44min
China, Hong Kong SAR China
Director: Rob Minkoff
Vibe
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
Themes
Available on
24. Never Back Down
Drama Action Martial Arts Action Underdog Sports2008•1h 53min
United States
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Vibe
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
Themes
Available on
25. Ong-Bak
Action Crime Martial Arts Action Undercover Sting Crime2003•1h 45min
Thailand
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
Vibe
When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it.
Themes
Available on
26. Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
Action Martial Arts Action2005•1h 47min
Japan
Director: Ten Shimoyama
Vibe
Even though Gennosuke and Oboro are from rival ninja villages, they are secretly in love. At an annual conference with the Lord, it is dictated that a competition--a fight to the death--will take place between the five best shinobi from each village. Gennosuke and Oboro's love is made even more impossible when they each got picked as the leader of the five to represent their respective villages.
Themes
Available on
Vibe
In war-torn Japan, the Tokugawa Shogun, desperate to restore peace to his people, orders the assassination of the hostile warlords. A beautiful young woman is raised from birth with nine other orphans, to become an assassin. Her name is Azumi, the ultimate assassin.
Themes
28. Kiss of the Dragon
Action Crime Thriller Martial Arts Action Narcotics Crime2001•1h 38min
France, United States
Director: Chris Nahon
Vibe
Liu Jian, an elite Chinese police officer, comes to Paris to arrest a Chinese drug lord. When Jian is betrayed by a French officer and framed for murder, he must go into hiding and find new allies.
Themes
Available on