Martial Arts Action backdrop

Martial Arts Action movies

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

House of Flying Daggers

1. House of Flying Daggers

Adventure Drama Action Survival Adventure Historical Drama
7.5
20041h 59min

Overview

In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.

Themes

Rebellion dynamics, Corrupt government pressure, Prison break intrigue, Dagger power games, Romantic loyalty tension, Deception under siege

Available on

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

Zatoichi

2. Zatoichi

Adventure Drama Action Martial Arts Action Adventure Epic
7.4
20031h 56min

Overview

Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Protection money coercion, Revenge and justice, Gang violence and control, Duty to protect, Hidden identity tension

Available on

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

Azumi

3. Azumi

Adventure Drama Action Thriller Romance
6.7
20032h 8min

Overview

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

Assassination as duty, Mission of murder discipline, Swordplay mastery, Mass murder burden, Collective action vs individual choice, Ninja fighter ethos, Romance under siege


Ong-Bak

4. Ong-Bak

Action Crime Martial Arts Action Undercover Sting Crime
7.1
20031h 45min

Overview

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

Loyalty under pressure, Crime and corruption, Betrayal and deception, Honor under duress, City vs village tension, Fate and choice

Available on

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

Undisputed

5. Undisputed

Action Drama Crime Martial Arts Action Prison Crime
6.1
20021h 36min

Overview

Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. When these two giants collide in the same prison, they fight against each other disputing who is the real champion.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Power dynamics in confinement, Spectacle of prison sport, Deception and rumor, Competition and control, Inmate economy and profit

Available on

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

Kung Pow: Enter the Fist

6. Kung Pow: Enter the Fist

Comedy Action Parody Martial Arts Action
6.2
20021h 21min

Overview

A movie within a movie, created to spoof the martial arts genre. Writer/director Steve Oedekerk uses contemporary characters and splices them into a 1970s kung-fu film, weaving the new and old together. As the main character, The Chosen One, Oedekerk sets off to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of kung-fu legend Master Pain. Along the way he encounters some strange characters.

Themes

Power and vulnerability, Mentorship and training, Revenge after loss, Deception through spectacle, Spoof and meta humor, Loyalty and romance

Available on

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

Kiss of the Dragon

7. Kiss of the Dragon

Action Crime Thriller Martial Arts Action Narcotics Crime
6.6
20011h 38min

Overview

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

Drug smuggling conspiracy, Police corruption pressure, Framed for murder, Betrayal under surveillance, Surveillance manipulation risk, Prostitute involvement exposure

Available on

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

Yamakasi

8. Yamakasi

Action Crime Drama Martial Arts Action Heist
6.1
20011h 30min

Overview

Yamakasi - Les samouraïs des temps modernes is a 2001 French movie written by Luc Besson. It demonstrates the skills of the Yamakasi, a group of traceurs who battle against injustice in the Paris ghetto. They use parkour to steal from the rich in order to pay off medical bills for a kid injured copying their techniques.

Themes

Economic precarity, Systemic failure, Urban inequality, Illicit fundraising, Community solidarity, Vigilante ethics

Available on

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

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

9. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Adventure Drama Action Romance Martial Arts Action
7.9
20002h

Overview

Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Duty vs personal desire, Honor and chivalry, Intergenerational conflict, Loyalty and betrayal, Power over artifacts

Available on

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

Romeo Must Die

10. Romeo Must Die

Action Crime Thriller Martial Arts Action Organized Crime
6.1
20001h 55min

Overview

Two warring gang families (one African-American, the other Chinese) maneuver for bragging rights to the Oakland, California, docks. Hang Sing and Trish O'Day uncover a trail of deceit that leaves most of the warring factions dead … or worse!

Themes

Deception and coercion, Wealth and influence, Gang conflict and extortion, Family loyalty vs greed, Property driven leverage, Violence as control

Available on

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