Martial Arts Action backdrop

Martial Arts Action movies

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

Chocolate

1. Chocolate

Action Crime Martial Arts Action Organized Crime
6.9
20081h 33min

Overview

Zen, an autistic teenage girl with powerful martial arts skills, gets money to pay for her sick mother Zin's treatment by seeking out all the people who owe Zin money and making them pay.

Themes

Violence and coercion, Caregiver burden, Crime and family loyalty, Debt driven survival, Empowerment through discipline, Vulnerability and protection

Available on

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

Crows Zero

2. Crows Zero

Action Comedy Crime Martial Arts Action Organized Crime
7.0
20072h 10min

Overview

The students of Suzuran High compete for the King of School title. An ex-graduate yakuza is sent to kill the son of a criminal group, but he can't make himself do it as he reminds him of his youth.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Loyalty under pressure, Violence as social currency, Rival factions at school, Ambition and ascent, Group formation and recruitment

Available on

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

Sword of the Stranger

3. Sword of the Stranger

Action Animation History Martial Arts Action Anime
7.7
20071h 43min

Overview

Pursued by formidable Chinese assassins, young Kotaro and his dog run into No Name, a mysterious stranger who gets pulled into the chase. The unlikely companions form a bond over saving the dog from a poison attack, but chaos erupts when the assassins find Kotaro, and No Name must face his past before a horrible fate is met again.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Identity through disguise, Betrayal and survival, Duty vs personal cost

Available on

Crunchyroll
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Undisputed II: Last Man Standing

4. Undisputed II: Last Man Standing

Action Crime Thriller Drama Martial Arts Action
7.1
20061h 33min

Overview

Heavyweight Champ George "Iceman" Chambers is sent to a Russian jail on trumped-up drug charges. In order to win his freedom he must fight against the jailhouse fighting champ Uri Boyka in a battle to the death. This time he is not fighting for a title, he is fighting for his life!

Themes

Loyalty and betrayal, Corruption and control, Power dynamics in confinement, Exploitation for profit, Confinement endurance, Survival through discipline

Available on

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

Fearless

5. Fearless

Drama Action Martial Arts Action Historical Drama
7.6
20061h 43min

Overview

After going through a series of tragic events in his life, martial arts master Huo Yuanjia returns to Tianjin and must fight four international soldiers, in order to safeguard his nation's pride.

Themes

Patriotism under pressure, Mercy over revenge, Exile and return, Ambition and downfall, Friendship and loyalty

Available on

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

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

6. Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Action Martial Arts Action
6.8
20051h 47min

Overview

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

Duty vs desire, Forbidden love, Political manipulation, Honor code pressure, Rival clan feud, Concealed loyalties

Available on

Amazon Video
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Protector

7. The Protector

Action Crime Drama Thriller Martial Arts Action
7.0
20051h 45min

Overview

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

Law enforcement pressure, Duty versus lineage, Elephant guardianship, Local political corruption, Transnational crime, Gang violence, Survival through combat

Available on

Apple TV
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Seven Swords

8. Seven Swords

Action Drama Martial Arts Action Historical Drama
6.1
20052h 32min

Overview

In the 17th century, seven swordsmen join their forces to save the villagers from a manipulating General who bans martial arts.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Ban on martial arts, Elite group resistance, Loyalty under oppression, Dynastic power struggles, Collective defense against tyranny

Available on

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

Azumi 2: Death or Love

9. Azumi 2: Death or Love

Action Martial Arts Action
6.2
20051h 48min

Overview

Young assassins Azumi and Nagara continue their mission to prevent a civil war. In their hunt for Masayuki Sanada, who is protected by both an army and a dangerous clan, they meet Ginkaku, a person who shows a remarking resemblance with former friend Nachi.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Duty vs attachment, Deception and espionage, Spy within the ranks, Warfare and honor


Unleashed

10. Unleashed

Action Crime Martial Arts Action Organized Crime
7.0
20051h 43min

Overview

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

Violence as spectacle, Coercion and control, Exploitation by crime networks, Trauma and memory recovery, Found family amid violence, Identity under concealment

Available on

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