The Best Martial Arts Fight Scenes in Movies
Action films have changed a lot over the years. CGI, explosions, and intense shootouts have swept through Hollywood, often taking the place of the practical effects and intricacies that action scenes were once rooted in.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean true hand-to-hand fights on film are gone – or forgotten! Plenty of movies, old and new, showcase high-level martial arts to depict a battle between two or more opponents. And who doesn’t love a tense, realistic fight while enjoying a film or TV show? Check out some of the best martial arts fight scenes in movies, covering the old, the new, and showcasing various disciplines, styles, and emotions.
Top 10 Martial Arts Fights in Movies
The Way of the Dragon (1972) – Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris
Isn’t this a perfect way to get started? Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris are two pioneers who brought martial arts to the big screen. Their duel in The Way of the Dragon is a back-and-forth slugfest, highlighted by numerous kicks with some punches thrown in for good measure. The end of the fight shows Lee’s characters attacking pressure points and ending the iconic battle between two legends. This showdown between Jeet Kune Do and Tang Soo Do/Karate does not disappoint.
Ip Man (2008) – Ip Man vs. 10 Men
This classic martial arts fight scene takes place in the film during the Japanese invasion of China. Donnie Yen’s Yip Man looks to avenge the death of his friend, challenging 10 Karate black belts to fight him all at once. One by one, he takes down each opponent with brutal punches and kicks. His Wing Chen expertise allows him to walk away unscathed as everyone lies beaten around him.
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) – Ethan Hunt and August Walker vs. Lark Decoy
The Mission: Impossible franchise is full of iconic scenes, and this is up at the top. Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill’s characters battle it out with a stunt double and Wu Shu Champion, Liang Yang. There are a series of elbows, kicks, throws, and even use of impromptu weapons. The fight – which destroys a men’s restroom – highlights how you can be outnumbered and smaller than your opponents, but keep up in the end.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) – John Wick vs. Two Shinobi
The John Wick franchise has so many spectacular fights that it’s hard to pick just one, but we’re partial to this fun side battle. The Baba Yaga faces off against two of the main antagonists’ students before the 1-on-1 duel. They give him the ultimate respect throughout, allowing him to stand up when he’s been knocked down. Using only his belt, the legendary mercenary takes on the two highly skilled fighters who are armed with knives. He uses a variety of Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and striking techniques, showing them the legend is real.
Drunken Master II (1994) – Jackie Chan vs. Ken Lo and Ho-sung Pak
Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung puts together one of the most unique fights in cinema. Facing off in a 1v2 (mostly just against Ken Lo), Chan applies the Drunken Boxing method – simply put, imitates the movements of a drunk man. He goes up against Lo’s Taekwondo and deals with Park adding fire into the mix. He then proceeds to become intoxicated in an unorthodox way, establishing his prowess and finishing up the flashy fight in style.
Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006) – George “Iceman” Chambers vs. Yuri Boyka
Michael Jai’s George Chambers is sent to a Russian prison to take on fighting champion Yuri Boyka. In this battle, he is fighting for his freedom. The bout starts with each using plenty of Kickboxing and Boxing techniques. Nevertheless, Chambers’ mentorship from a fellow inmate provides him the grappling skills necessary to gain the upper hand, ending the intense fight with a damaging leg lock. The action scene serves as one of Jai’s most exciting fights in his acting career.
Shang-Chi (2021) – Shang-Chi vs. Death Dealer
Through all the CGI fights and superpower-driven battles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they still managed to put together an all-time hand-to-hand fight in 2021. And it only makes sense that it was during Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, a film whose title character is known as the Master of Kung Fu in the comics. During this faceoff, each character shows their strong martial arts skills with and without a weapon. The kicks, punches, and slick choreography sets it at the top of the MCU’s hand-to-hand fights.
Flash Point (2007) – Donnie Yen vs. Collin Chou
We have a second Donnie Yen fight on the list. Yen shows his versatility against Collin Chou with a style that’s notably different than what he put on display during his 1 vs. 10 battle in Yip Man. In Flashpoint, we get to watch the two use high-level Jiu-Jitsu to battle it out. The BJJ heavy fight begins to incorporate more strikes, elbows, and knees as the two proceed to tear apart the crumbling environment with their battle. Few fights use as many martial arts disciplines as this showdown.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Jen vs. Shu Lien
Few fights in cinema or media history use weapons better than Jen vs. Shu Lien. Jen is mastering the powerful Green Dragon sword when Shu Lien takes her on as tensions are rising. The two duel as Shu Lien uses countless weapons to attack but is continuously faltered by Jen’s sword skills. They battle it out with Jen proving victorious, no matter how many times Shu Lien grabbed a new weapon to fight. The weapon choreography is arguably the best you can find!
Fist of Fury (1972) – Bruce Lee vs. The Hongkou Dojo
Once again we have a classic Bruce Lee, and once again, we have a one-man army scene. Lee takes on a whole Japanese dojo, starting with a series of kicks, throws, and punches. He then takes hold of a pair of nunchucks and no one has a chance. One by one they all go down and finally, he confronts the master. After a brief back and forth, Lee defeats him and makes a statement to the dojo. It’s easy to understand why so many say that Lee is the best!
Honorable Mentions
This list could go on for days – nearly everyone probably has their own personal list and would call out some snubs that were left off of the ten films noted above.
There are so many different action scenes that capture the art of martial arts. And sometimes it goes beyond great choreography. The narrative could be just as impactful – or even more so – than the small details of the fight. We can see a respect or anger between two opponents, or a determination to never give up against a herculean foe.
Here’s some other great action scenes, some even animated, that tell a deeper story, show a will to never quit, or are just plain out cool.
Rocky (1976) – Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed
Is this fight realistic based on how a professional Boxing match looks? No. Is the choreography amongst the best in film? Not exactly. So why is it here? Few scenes perfectly capture a martial artist’s will to never give up and keep fighting as Rocky Balboa does against Apollo Creed. If you ever need an extra boost to get in the gym or put in extra drill work, turn on this classic!
Kill Bill: Vol 1 – The Bride vs. The Crazy 88’s
Now, this scene is probably a little over the top. But in true Quentin Tarantino fashion, it works! Uma Thurman as Beatrix “The Bride” Kiddo takes on a gang of swordsmen in her pursuit of revenge. Her sword skills and superior blade overwhelm the entire group in a scene that’s shocking, chaotic, and unforgettable. She then takes on Lucy Liu’s character O-Ren Ishii, in a 1-on-1 sword battle, in another fight that deserves to be on this list.
Naruto Shippuden (2014) – Kakashi vs. Obito
Keep in mind, this is a fight where super powers and animation come together. But that hardly means it can’t be a great martial arts duel! The hand-to-hand combat coupled with the storytelling of two friends turned enemies brings everything together in a tight knot. It’s one of the best fights that the iconic series has provided fans over the years.
Enter the Dragon (1973)– Bruce Lee vs. Han
Bruce Lee is here again of course. The “Hall of Mirrors” scene has become iconic in Hollywood. Many action films have paid tribute to the setup with the protagonist having to decipher which mirror is real and which are illusions. This all started with Enter the Dragon, where Lee takes down the main antagonist using his wits.
Batman vs Robin (2015) – Batman vs. Talon
This list wasn’t going to continue without Batman. After all, it’s Batman! In this animated film, watch Bruce Wayne take on Talon, the lead soldier in the underground Gotham organization The Court of Owls. The martial arts masters battle it out with a series of kicks, blocks, and punches in the bat cave just after the Dark Knight took on a swarm of soldiers alongside Nightwing. The entire scene outside of the 1v1 gets to see Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and even ALFRED get in on the action!
Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014) – Captain America vs. Winter Soldier
This is arguably one of the best hand-to-hand fights in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe – two super soldiers battling it out with a complex history in one of the franchise’s most acclaimed films. The scene delivers tight choreography, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and impressive weapon mastery.
Black Widow (2021) – Natasha Romanoff vs. Yelena Belova
There’s nothing like a battle between siblings. This fight scene features two sisters who also happen to be two of the world’s best assassins. The fight does a great job of showing their skills while capturing the complex emotions of a sibling dispute. They combine their skills with the environment for a fun, brief fight scene that ends with a happier reunion.