10 Martial Arts Movies That Became Hidden Franchises You Didn't Know About

Martial arts flicks, much like successful movies across all genres, tend to generate sequels. However, these spin-offs can be overlooked by all but the most devoted fans. It’s become a common pattern that sequels don’t usually match the quality of their precursors, and as they move further from the original films, their quality often decreases. In the realm of martial arts cinema, it’s sometimes challenging to identify that popular movies have been transformed into entire series.

Martial arts sequels often exhibit peculiar traits that become apparent later on, explaining why they are not widely known. Frequently, the primary stars who drive the popularity of a specific martial arts franchise fail to reprise their roles in sequels, especially for the first follow-up films. Moreover, many martial arts sequels deviate significantly from the original storylines. These peculiarities prevent numerous martial arts film series that originated with classic movies from being easily identified as part of a franchise.

10. Kickboxer

Spawned A Series Of Seven Films

One of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s first films, “Kickboxer,” holds a cherished spot in the hearts of many martial arts film enthusiasts. In this movie, Van Damme plays Kurt Sloane, the main character who is determined to avenge his brother after Tong Po, a renowned fighter, cripples him during an intense match. While it might be somewhat misleading, “Kickboxer” showcases the martial art of Muay Thai, as this film was one of the earliest martial arts productions to focus on this specific fighting style.

As a cinephile who’s seen it all, I must clarify that the “Kickboxer” series is more than just a martial arts film; it’s an action-packed saga consisting of a staggering seven movies, with the original being a standout. The sequels might not have garnered as much attention due to the absence of Jean Claude Van Damme in any of them. However, Michel Qissi reprised his role as Tong Po in “Kickboxer 2: The Road Back.” Instead, subsequent films introduced David Sloane, portrayed by Sasha Mitchell, another member of the Sloane clan.

9. Shaolin Temple

Is Actually A Trilogy

Jet Li, famously known as a screen icon for exhilarating hand-to-hand combat sequences, gained widespread recognition partially due to the impact of the 1982 film “Shaolin Temple“. In this movie, Li portrays a novice Shaolin Monk grappling with his vows of peace due to his fierce thirst for vengeance against a cruel warlord who was responsible for his father’s death. The storyline may resonate with other classic martial arts films such as “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin“, but it remains captivating nonetheless.

Initially thought to be a standalone film, the Shaolin Temple was in fact the first installment of a loosely connected trilogy. The sequel, titled Shaolin Temple 2: Kids from Shaolin, shifted focus to smaller child warriors hailing from another Shaolin temple. Interestingly, Jet Li reappeared as a different character in this series. The trilogy culminated with Martial Arts of Shoalin in 1986, featuring Li once again as a new Shaolin monk. Lastly, the 2011 film Shaolin, led by Jackie Chan, is actually a remake of the original Shaolin Temple.

8. Tai Chi Master

Had A Little-Known Sequel

Jet Li’s movie catalog isn’t limited to just the Shaolin Temple series; another lesser-known sequel is found in the Tai Chi Master. This film, although not as widely recognized, showcases Li brilliantly and follows the tale of two warrior brothers who were once inseparable but diverge significantly in their life choices, leading to a bitter enmity. The movie highlights the mysterious strength of Tai Chi, featuring notable actors like Michelle Yeoh alongside Li.

Three years on, I found myself immersed in a new chapter of the saga, titled “Tai Chi Boxer.” Unlike the subsequent sequels of “Shaolin Temple,” the legendary Jet Li wouldn’t make an appearance this time. Instead, we were treated to a lighter, romantic comedy spin-off. Remarkably, two familiar faces graced the screen once more – Lau Shun and Yu Hai. However, they donned new roles, stepping into characters distinct from their original ones. Given its marked departure from the initial storyline, it’s no surprise that “Tai Chi Boxer” remains a relatively unknown sequel in the series.

7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Nearly Had Its Legacy Ruined

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” released in 2000, is a legendary martial arts film that has left an indelible mark on cinema. Even people who aren’t familiar with the genre recognize its name. The movie, which tells the story of a thief named Jen Yu stealing the magical Green Destiny Blade, is a masterpiece in both criticism and choreography, boasting stunning visuals, intricate wirework, and captivating cinematography. The high acclaim that “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” receives is not without merit.

It’s not surprising that the less frequently seen sequel, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny,” released 16 years after the original, struggles to shine in comparison due to its mastery. Starring Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh returning to their roles, the film had the potential for success as a direct sequel focusing on a new powerful sword. Regrettably, critics pointed out awkward performances in English, slow-moving pace, and action that failed to live up to the original’s brilliance as reasons to almost tarnish the franchise’s reputation.

6. Drunken Master

Was Actually The Sequel To An Equally-Great Original

As a movie enthusiast, I find “Drunken Master” an intriguing example of identity mix-ups in the world of cross-cultural martial arts cinema translations. The film often recognized as “Drunken Master” stands out as one of Jackie Chan’s finest works, with him portraying the charmingly clumsy yet mysteriously skilled Wong Fei-hung. In this story set in the early 20th century, he takes on British rulers who are attempting to steal valuable Chinese cultural treasures. What many may not realize is that this film is actually a sequel in its own right.

In the United States, the original “Drunken Master” movie wasn’t distributed. Instead, “Drunken Master II” was promoted as “Drunken Master,” causing widespread confusion because it overlooked the existence of an earlier film featuring Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung. The authentic first “Drunken Master” is a compelling origin tale about the character’s mastery in the unconventional art of drunken martial arts, which unfortunately got lost amidst localization mix-ups.

5. The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin

Inspired A Confusing Trilogy

Previously mentioned, the Shaolin Temple wasn’t the sole kung fu movie set in a Shaolin monastery, where a new monk wrestles with resolving his past conflicts against a ruthless regime while adhering to his newly embraced religious commitments. Among the most renowned representations of this unique subcategory within martial arts films is “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin,” which catapulted its lead, Gordon Liu, into stardom. This movie essentially portrays an arduous training sequence that eventually leads to Liu’s character instructing ordinary people in the art of Shaolin martial arts.

The film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was followed by Return to the 36th Chamber, where Gordon Liu reappears as a distinct character, although another actor assumed his original role as San Te. To add to the confusion, Liu portrays an undercover monk pretending to be San Te in the second film, but then resurfaces to play San Te sincerely in the third installment, Disciples of the 36th Chamber. It’s possible that these seemingly deliberate casting choices are why the sequels to the 36th Chamber series remain relatively obscure.

4. Ong-Bak

Is Solid Enough As A Series

In contrast to the Kickboxer movie that popularized Muay Thai on a national scale, it wasn’t until 2003’s Ong-Bak that a genuine Thai film showcased the true mastery of this combat style to unsuspecting viewers. As the breakout success in Tony Jaa’s career, Ong-Bak stands out for its straightforward yet impactful storyline. In the movie, Jaa plays Ting, a villager from the countryside who is a Muay Thai prodigy. He embarks on a mission to recover the stolen head of the revered Ong-Bak Buddha statue, which had been taken by ruthless criminals.

In a marked shift, the sequel titled “Ong-Bak 2” serves as a prequel set in 15th-century Thailand, starring Jaa as Tien, a skilled fighter. This film depicts Tien learning Muay Thai to seek revenge for his parents’ death. Moving forward, “Ong-Bak 3” carries on the narrative of Tien, implying that the “trilogy” is essentially a prequel duology with tenuous connections to the initial martial arts saga.

3. The Protector

Birthed A Seldom-Seen Sequel

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can attest that Tony Jaa’s martial arts masterpiece, Ong-Bak, isn’t the only one to inspire a sequel, although the duology of The Protector (known in its native Thai as Tom-Yum-Goong) didn’t quite reach the same level of success. In this film, just like in the original, Tony Jaa showcases his exceptional Muay Thai skills to protect something precious to Thailand – this time, it’s not a statue’s head, but the revered war elephants of the Thai King, under the watchful eye of Jaa’s character, Kham.

In The Protector 2, the storyline remains quite similar to its predecessor, with one of Kham’s cherished elephants being taken captive again. But unlike before, this time it’s Kham who becomes the main target. The villains use the elephant as a means to compel Kham into performing a perilous political assassination. Despite not offering much opportunity for innovation, The Protector 2 maintains plenty of Tony Jaa’s signature high-octane action sequences, making it a worthwhile sequel that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

2. Fist Of Fury

Had Six Children Between Sequels And Remakes

Known for his immense impact on martial arts films and cinema overall, Bruce Lee managed this despite having only a few completed movies under his belt before his untimely death. One of these, interestingly, had six sequels – some were spin-offs, others reboots or direct continuations of the initial storyline. To give an example, the movie “Fist of Fury” follows Lee’s iconic character Chen Zhen as he stands up against Imperial Japanese forces in its narrative.

The first sequel was launched a short while following Bruce Lee’s demise, with the original director, Lo Wei, drawing on the original’s legacy by featuring a character resembling the hero and actress Nora Miao as the primary love interest. Later films expanded upon Chen Zhen’s storyline, including Donnie Yen’s adaptation of Fist of Legend. Although it may be challenging to link all these movies together, they all bear a connection to the original Bruce Lee film.

1. Bloodsport

Created A Legacy Of New Kumite Tournaments

Jean-Claude Van Damme may have captured audiences with “Kickboxer,” but it was really “Bloodsport” that signaled his initial triumph as the lead actor in a martial arts film. In “Bloodsport,” Van Damme portrays Frank Dux, a former U.S. Army Captain skilled in ninjutsu who is unwittingly drawn into the treacherous underworld of an ultimate martial arts competition known as the Kumite. Remarkably, even though it was one of his early works, “Bloodsport” remains among Van Damme’s best performances.

Similar to Kickboxer and Bloodsport, these action films have an uncommon lineup of sequels that Jean-Claude Van Damme didn’t participate in. Instead, the subsequent movies expand on the story of the Kumite with different main characters, including a female rendition of the brutal underground fighting arena in Lady Bloodfight. A reboot of the original martial arts film has been stuck in development limbo for quite some time, suggesting that this classic action series could finally receive the attention it deserves as a multi-part franchise.

2025-06-01 23:19

10 Martial Arts Movies That Became Hidden Franchises You Didn’t Know About