Martial Arts Action backdrop

Martial Arts Action movies

Fight-first action where choreography matters: duels, tournaments, mastery arcs, striking, grappling, and clean technique.

Reign of Assassins

1. Reign of Assassins

Action Adventure Martial Arts Action Adventure Epic
6.8
20101h 57min

Overview

Set in ancient China, Zeng Jing is a skilled assassin who finds herself in possession of a mystical Buddhist monk's remains. She begins a quest to return the remains to its rightful resting place, and thus places herself in mortal danger because a team of assassins is in a deadly pursuit to possess the remains which holds an ancient power-wielding secret.

Themes

Revenge and loyalty, False appearances, Pursuit and concealment, Identity masquerade, Power and possession, Transformation and reinvention

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Karate Kid

2. The Karate Kid

Action Adventure Drama Family Martial Arts Action
6.3
20102h 20min

Overview

12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

Themes

Cultural adjustment pressures, Outsider belonging struggle, Authority versus aggression, Mentorship through discipline, Humility through practice, Trauma shaping mentorship

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Undisputed III: Redemption

3. Undisputed III: Redemption

Action Thriller Crime Drama Martial Arts Action
7.4
20101h 36min

Overview

Russian inmate Boyka, now severely hobbled by the knee injury suffered at the end of Undisputed 2. No longer the feared prison fighter he was, he has declined so far that he is now good only for cleaning toilets. But when a new prison fight tournament begins - an international affair, matching the best fighters from prisons around the globe, enticing them with the promise of freedom for the winner - Boyka must reclaim his dignity and fight for his position in the tournament.

Themes

Power dynamics in confinement, Profit-driven competition, Trust forged under stress, Deception in sport, Coercive system, Resilience under restraint, International rivalry

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

True Legend

4. True Legend

Action Fantasy Martial Arts Action Epic Fantasy
6.4
20101h 55min

Overview

Su Qi-Er, a wealthy man living during the Qing Dynasty who loses his fortune and reputation as a result of a conspiracy against him. After being forced out onto the streets, Su dedicates his life to martial arts and reemerges as a patriotic hero known as the "King of Beggars."

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Power and governance, Revenge costs, Mastery through hardship, Identity through adversity, Colonial upheaval

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ninja Assassin

5. Ninja Assassin

Action Adventure Thriller Martial Arts Action Revenge Thriller
6.3
20091h 39min

Overview

Ninja Assassin follows Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.

Themes

Power and secrecy, Loyalty under coercion, Duty vs autonomy, Secret society control, Justice through violence, Trauma and training

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Crows Zero II

6. Crows Zero II

Action Adventure Crime Comedy Martial Arts Action
7.2
20092h 13min

Overview

Genji and his victorious G.P.S. alliance find themselves facing down a new challenge by the students of Hosen Academy, feared by everyone as 'The Army of Killers.' The two schools, in fact, have a history of bad blood between them. And the simmering embers of hatred are about to flare up again, burning away any last remnants of the truce they had so rigorously observed until now.

Themes

Rivalry between schools, Gang codes under pressure, Friendship tested by violence, Ambition and status pursuit, Destructive loyalty, Power struggles and truces

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Filmin
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Blood and Bone

7. Blood and Bone

Action Crime Thriller Drama Martial Arts Action
6.7
20091h 33min

Overview

In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Trust under pressure, Loyalty under threat, Crime and ambition, Power under coercion, Survival in underground fighting

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Kung Fu Panda

8. Kung Fu Panda

Animation Family Comedy Action Adventure
7.6
20081h 30min

Overview

When the Valley of Peace is threatened, lazy Po the panda discovers his destiny as the "chosen one" and trains to become a kung fu hero, but transforming the unsleek slacker into a brave warrior won't be easy. It's up to Master Shifu and the Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- to give it a try.

Themes

Destiny vs self determination, Mentor pressure and growth, Kung fu tradition vs adaptation, Belief as empowerment, Belonging through teamwork, Perseverance through doubt

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Forbidden Kingdom

9. The Forbidden Kingdom

Action Adventure Fantasy Martial Arts Action Adventure Epic
6.5
20081h 44min

Overview

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

Prophecy and choice, Quest vs fate, Loyalty under danger, Time-era clash, Immortality vs humanity, Duty over personal safety

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Never Back Down

10. Never Back Down

Drama Action Martial Arts Action Underdog Sports
6.5
20081h 53min

Overview

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

Peer pressure and acceptance, Discipline vs aggression, Underground fighting culture, Trauma shaping motivation, Mentorship under strain, Control through training

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.