7 Overlooked Martial Arts Movies That Deserve Way More Love

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Martial arts films are often overlooked when people discuss the best movie genres, and it’s hard to say why. While a few titles like The Karate Kid, Enter the Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ip Man, and The Raid are well-known and highly regarded, the genre actually has a wealth of other excellent films that deserve more attention.

I’m a huge fan of martial arts films, and it breaks my heart when some really fantastic ones get passed over. There are so many gems out there – classics, cult favorites, and even movies you wouldn’t necessarily categorize as martial arts right away. I’ve put together a list of seven that I think deserve way more attention. They really showcase the incredible variety within the genre, and I honestly think you’ll love them if you give them a chance!

7) The Last Dragon

Released in 1985, The Last Dragon is a fun, martial arts-filled musical that initially received mixed reviews but has since become a beloved cult classic. The film centers on Leroy Green, a young martial artist in New York City inspired by Bruce Lee, who is on a quest to master his skills and achieve “The Glow” – a sign of true mastery. His path is blocked by Sho’nuff, a rival martial artist determined to prove his own superiority. Woven into this is a separate storyline involving a local music video jockey, Laura, and a kidnapping plot.

Don’t be put off by the unusual story – The Last Dragon is a genuinely fantastic film. It’s incredibly creative, with amazing action scenes and a fantastic soundtrack – featuring DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” to give you an idea of the vibe! While some parts might feel a little old-fashioned now, it’s still a truly great and surprisingly underrated movie, and Julius Carey’s performance as Sho’nuff, The Shogun of Harlem, is legendary.

6) Equilibrium

Most people remember the movie Equilibrium as a science fiction film, and that’s accurate, but it’s also a significant martial arts movie. It notably invented “gun kata,” a unique fighting style blending gunplay with hand-to-hand combat. While similar styles like “gun fu” appear in Hong Kong action films, the version in Equilibrium is a distinct hybrid created by director Kurt Wimmer.

The action sequences are a standout feature of the film. The fast, flowing fighting style provides a striking contrast to the movie’s dark and oppressive setting – a future where emotions are illegal and people are medicated to stay numb. The story follows Cleric John Preston, played by Bale, who skips a dose of the emotion-suppressing drug and begins to experience feelings, leading him to rebel. While the film is generally bleak and grim, the gun kata – the style of fighting – is surprisingly graceful, almost like a ballet. It’s a visually stunning element in what is already a very strong movie.

5) Black Dynamite

While not the first movie people think of when it comes to martial arts, Black Dynamite is definitely worth mentioning. Released in 2009 and starring Michael Jai White, known for his martial arts skills and role in Spawn, the film playfully spoofs and celebrates the blaxploitation movies of the 1970s. Importantly, it’s also a genuinely well-made and enjoyable martial arts film, earning praise from both critics and audiences.

Okay, so this movie, Black Dynamite, is seriously one of my favorites. It’s about a former CIA agent and Vietnam vet – this guy is a total badass with kung fu skills – who goes on a mission to clean up the streets after his little brother is killed. But it’s way more than just a revenge flick; he stumbles onto a huge government conspiracy. What’s amazing about it is how funny it is, but it’s not just random humor. It perfectly blends parody, satire, and this awesome retro vibe. They lean into the ridiculousness, but it’s all done with such precision and attention to detail. Honestly, it’s a fantastic martial arts movie, but it’s also a brilliant comedy and a really smart send-up of the blaxploitation genre.

4) The Karate Kid Part II

Everyone remembers The Karate Kid Part II, and the Karate Kid series remains popular even today, with a new movie released just last year. Despite this, the 1986 sequel doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves. It’s a rare example of a sequel that’s just as good as the original film, and a standout martial arts movie in its own right.

In The Karate Kid Part II, Daniel joins Mr. Miyagi on a trip to Okinawa after learning about his father’s illness. While there, old tensions resurface between Mr. Miyagi and a former friend, Sato, and Daniel finds himself facing a new opponent in Sato’s nephew, Chozen. Many fans consider the fight between Daniel and Chozen to be the best in the entire Karate Kid series, making it disappointing that this movie isn’t more widely appreciated.

3) Royal Warriors

I’ve been a huge fan of Michelle Yeoh for years, and while a lot of people now know her from recent hits like Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi, Star Trek: Discovery, and especially Everything Everywhere All at Once, and she’s going to be amazing in Wicked, I think it’s easy to forget just how incredible she was in her earlier work. One movie I really wish more people knew about is Royal Warriors – it’s a classic martial arts film and she’s fantastic in it!

Released in 1986, Royal Warriors is an action-packed crime film featuring martial arts. It follows Michelle Yeoh as a police officer who joins forces with an Interpol agent and airport security to stop a group of terrorists and a hijacker. The movie is a thrilling, fast-paced ride filled with car chases, intense violence, and impressive martial arts sequences. Royal Warriors is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.

2) Wing Chun

Okay, let me tell you, Michelle Yeoh is amazing, and that’s why she appears twice on my list! But seriously, Wing Chun is a fantastic film, especially with Donnie Yen co-starring. The movie centers around Yim Wing-chun, played by Yeoh, who learns kung fu not just to protect herself from unwanted attention, but also, ironically, ends up unintentionally pushing away good guys. Thankfully, those skills really come in handy when she has to defend her family’s tofu shop and her whole village from a band of bandits. Things get really complicated when she helps a young widow, putting her directly in the crosshairs of two particularly nasty criminals.

The film includes a romantic storyline and has plenty of lighthearted, funny moments, but Michelle Yeoh’s character, Wing-chun, is the clear focus. She’s self-reliant and often the one doing the rescuing. Overall, it’s a fantastic movie with memorable action scenes, and it feels like a welcome change of pace within the martial arts genre.

1) Kiss of the Dragon

I remember when action movies changed a lot in the late 90s. After The Matrix blew everyone away, it felt like every action film started using tons of wires and special effects to make stunts look incredible – things that used to require highly skilled martial artists. But then, in 2001, Kiss of the Dragon came out and felt different. It was a refreshing return to more classic, straightforward action, and that’s what really made it stand out to me.

This action film, directed by Luc Besson and starring Jet Li, centers around a Chinese police officer who travels to Paris to dismantle a drug operation. However, he’s falsely accused of murder by a crooked cop. Teaming up with Jessica (Bridget Fonda), he must fight for survival and protect her daughter. While the story is good, the movie truly shines with its incredible action sequences and practical fight choreography – a welcome change from heavy CGI. In fact, Jet Li’s fight against numerous police trainees is considered one of the greatest fight scenes ever filmed. It’s a strong film that deserves more recognition.

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2026-02-12 19:14