23 Years Ago, One of the Biggest Martial Arts Movies Ever Hit Theaters (And Deserves to Be Back On Streaming)

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Hollywood is the world’s biggest and most well-known movie industry, and its popular films often become major global events. While American blockbusters usually get the most attention, many incredibly successful and innovative films come from other countries and become international classics. For example, in 2025, the top-grossing film worldwide was the Chinese animated sequel Ne Zha 2, a rare movie to earn over $2 billion. Interestingly, 23 years prior, another Chinese film captured worldwide audiences and revolutionized the martial arts genre.

Zhang Yimou’s 2002 film, Hero, was a huge success both in China and internationally. It broke box office records in China upon its release and, after a two-year delay, became the first Chinese-language film to reach number one in the U.S. box office, where it stayed for two weeks. Hero earned over $53.7 million domestically and $177 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing non-English language films of all time. The film also received critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

How Hero Solidified Jet Li’s Legacy and Redefined Martial Arts Cinema

Jet Li’s career reached a turning point with the film Hero, establishing him as a major international star. While he’d already appeared in Hollywood films like Lethal Weapon 4 and taken leading roles in Romeo Must Die and Kiss of the Dragon, Hero offered him a chance to shine in a critically acclaimed, large-scale epic. As the most expensive Chinese film made up to that point, it allowed him to deliver a complex performance as the main character, Nameless. After Hero’s success worldwide, Li continued to star in American productions like Cradle 2 the Grave with DMX, but it was Yimou’s film that truly secured his place as a global icon, proving he could excel in both action-packed martial arts and sophisticated, artistic cinema.

The film Hero is a groundbreaking achievement in the wuxia genre and is considered a classic thanks to its stunning visuals and unique storytelling. Like Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon, the story is told from multiple perspectives, each highlighted by a different color scheme. This complex structure, combined with the beautiful cinematography of Christopher Doyle, transforms the film from a simple action movie into a thoughtful exploration of sacrifice, honor, and what it means to be a hero. Because of its artistic merit, Hero deserves wider recognition and should be easier to find on streaming services so a new audience can experience it.

Right now, the film Hero is primarily accessible through Kanopy, but you can also rent or purchase it on various digital platforms.

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2025-10-24 14:40