Martial Arts is not only great for the body, but it also embodies human culture. This can be seen in the martial arts movies that have come out over the years, which show decades upon decades of incredible choreography. But there are so many martial art fans that it can be a little overwhelming for the casual viewer.
Showing just a hint of what the Martial Arts genre is capable of, here are the 10 best Martial Arts movies based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - 97%
Starting off this list is the classic film by Ang Lee. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a story that takes place during the Qing Dynasty. A warrior gives his lover his sword, however, things go awry when it is stolen.
The movie was praised for its amazing martial art battles, incredible set pieces, and drama that was well-liked by critics and fans alike. It went on to win a wide variety of awards and became one of the many films that made Ang Lee world famous.
Yojimbo - 97%
Yojimbo is a 1961 Samurai film that tells the tale of a wandering Ronin who arrives at a small town that is being fought over by two crime lords, both of whom are attempting to hire the powerful former Samurai.
The film went on to become extremely influential both for action films and went on to change the industry forever.
The Twilight Samurai - 99%
Another Samurai movie, this film came out in 2002 and was directed by Yoji Yamada. The film follows Seibei Iguchi who gets recruited as a bureaucrat. Although he is able to live a decent life supporting his mother, over time things start to get worse and worse.
The film was praised for its muted colors and its authentic Japanese architecture. It also went on to win 12 Japanese awards including Best Director for Yamada.
Fist Of Legend - 100%
Directed by Gordon Chan, Fist of Legend is a remake of the classic Fist of Fury film starring Bruce Lee. Chen Zhen is now played by Jet Li and it follows the character as it deals him fighting back against the Imperial Japanese Army. As they are stationed in China.
The film was a massive success, with the movie-going on to influence a variety of martial art films including The Matrix. Later it got a sequel called Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen.
The Man From Nowhere - 100%
The Man From Nowhere is a South Korean action thriller directed by Lee Jeong-beom. Following a mysterious person, he goes on a murderous rampage when someone he has cared about gets kidnapped. The film was praised when it got released and was noted for its brutality.
The film went on to get a variety of awards from 2010 to 2011. It was also the last acting appearance of Won Bin, who plays the main character.
Seven Samurai - 100%
Another film created by Akira Kurosawa, the Seven Samurai is a film that takes place during the Sengoku period. A village hires seven ronin samurai in order to defend them against bandits stealing their crops.
Similar to Yojimbo, the film is utterly legendary as it influenced a variety of American movies. Examples of elements of Seven Samurai is present in films like Blade Runner, Three Amigos, and The Avengers.
The City Of Violence - 100%
A South Korean action film that came out in 2006, the movie was directed by Ryoo Seung-wan who also stars in the movie.
The City of Violence is about friends who reunite after twenty years following the death of their friend. Two of them, Tae-Su and Seok-hwan, go out of there way to investigate, resulting in an incredibly bloody story that wowed critics and film viewers alike, gaining numerous nominations and awards.
Sanjuro - 100%
Yet another Akira Kurosawa film, this film is actually a sequel to the Yojimbo film described earlier. Originally an adaptation of Hibi Heian, the success of Yojimbo brought the character into this film. The end result was a satisfying film that surpassed the original's Tomatometer score.
One thing to mention is that the choreography was so good that it was used as an example in the 1989 manual This Is Kendo.
Samurai Rebellion - 100%
Samurai Rebellion is a 1967 Japanese period drama directed by Masaki Kobayashi. Set during the Edo period, Isaburo Sasahara has to fight against his clan when he puts his beliefs over an order. Now fighting for his son and daughter in laws union.
Samurai Rebellion is a strong yet tragic film that gives good action as it does emotion. The movie was also known for its music due to its use of having actual traditional Japanese instruments. The movie went on to get a variety of awards including Best Director and Best Film.
The Bride With White Hair - 100%
Finally, the last film on this list is The Bride With White Hair. Coming out in 1993, the film was directed by Ronny Yu and revolves around Zhuo, who is ordered to protect China from a cult while falling in love with a woman who was a member of that same cult.
The main focus of the film according to Yu was that it is a lover's struggle between fate and duty, making it very similar to the classic story of Romeo & Juliet. The movie was praised for its visual presentation, with action that was incredibly satisfying.