Martial Arts movies are one of the most beloved niches of the action genre, and the 1990s was a standout decade for these projects. Including both intricately crafted and moving portraits of complex characters and downright cheesy movies that are fun until the very end, the diversity of these films provides something for all audiences. The best martial arts movie performances won’t be found in these films. However, plenty of icons of the genre take on fun comedic roles that allow them to show off a sillier side of their personalities.
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However, no matter how much humor is added to the story, this never takes away from the explosive action onscreen. Many of these are great martial arts movies for beginners because of the comedic elements and the characters who don’t take themselves too seriously. Letting loose and watching films that allow the viewers to relax and enjoy themselves while still presenting incredible fight sequences is what these types of projects are for. Longtime fans of martial arts movies and newcomers will appreciate everything these movies have to offer.
10 The Legend (1993)
Directed by Corey Yuen
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Jet Li stars as Fong Sai-Yuk, and this name is also used as an alternate title for the 1993 action-comedy The Legend. Full of disguises, mistaken identity, and romance, The Legend sees Li’s Sai-Yuk enter a competition to win the hand of his beloved, but in a moment of confusion, he throws the match, convinced that the woman he loves is not the one he would marry. Though everyone lives happily ever after by the film’s end, the characters have to jump through a few hoops to get there.
Siao is one of several skilled and strong female characters in this memorable comedy.
Jet Li’s best fight scenes in martial arts movies demonstrate why he is such an iconic figure to this day. Most of the plot is merely a vehicle to allow Li to show off his incredible skills, but this is why it’s so enjoyable to watch The Legend today. Additionally, Li is far from the only notable martial artist and performer in the film, as his costar, Josephine Siao, who plays his mother, is a force of nature. Siao is one of several skilled and strong female characters in this memorable comedy.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Legend / Fong Sai-Yuk (1993) |
89% |
84% |
9 One Man Army (1994)
Directed by Cirio H. Santiago
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One Man Army ActionCrime
One Man Army, released in 1994, features Jerry Trimble as a kickboxing champion confronting corruption in a small town. To investigate his grandfather’s death, he must dismantle criminal networks led by local officials, exposing illicit activities including smuggling, gambling, and prostitution while facing a shocking personal revelation.
Release Date February 21, 1994 Runtime 79 minutes Cast Jerry Trimble , Melissa Moore , Dennis Hayden , Rick Dean , Yvonne Michelle , Henry Strzalkowski , Helen McNeely Director Cirio H. Santiago Writers Daryl Haney
Jerry Trimble leads One Man Army, a lesser-known addition to the genre that ticks all the boxes of a campy and fun Martial Arts movie. Trimble’s character, also named Jerry, is on a quest for vengeance that will pit him against fighters of all skills and force him to uncover the truth about his grandfather’s fate. With fantastic stunts and a character who’s driven by old-fashioned rugged individualism, One Man Army pits Jerry against every possible villain and elevates him to an almost god-like status.
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Related 10 Campy Martial Arts Movies With Ridiculous Fight Scenes
While many martial arts movies have serious plots, there are other campy films in the genre that include chaotic, cheesy, and ridiculous fight scenes.
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Fast-paced, propulsive, and under an hour and a half, it’s easy to sit down and burn through One Man Army, smiling the whole time. Though it’s of its time and its elements are dated, this doesn’t change how fun and exciting One Man Army is, even when the stunts are exaggerated. Witnessing the campy effects is what makes One Man Army so memorable. There’s little more entrancing than getting swept away in this type of low-budget action flick that doesn’t get made today.
8 Wing Chun (1994)
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
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Wing Chun TV-14ActionComedyDrama
Wing Chun is a 1994 martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, featuring Michelle Yeoh as the titular character, a skilled fighter who defends her village from bandits while managing her tofu business. Donnie Yen co-stars, adding depth to this action-packed narrative set during the Ming Dynasty. Themes of gender roles and empowerment are prevalent, as Wing Chun challenges societal norms with her formidable combat skills.
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*Availability in US Release Date March 24, 1994 Runtime 96 minutes Cast Michelle Yeoh , Donnie Yen , King-Tan Yuen , Catherine Yan Hung , Waise Lee , Norman Chu , Chui Ah-Fai , Pei-Pei Cheng , Zhihui Chen , Liu Hen , Yue-Qiu Hou , Guo Jia-Qing , Xian-Quan Kong , Foo-Wai Lam , Xiaozhou Li , Jin Mao-Heng , Chaai Ming Director Woo-ping Yuen Writers Elsa Tang , Wing-Fai Wong Expand
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Considered one of the best Martial Arts movies directed by Yuen Woo-ping, Wing Chun is also frequently discussed as a highlight of Michelle Yeoh’s career. Yeoh plays Yim Wing-chun, the young woman defending her village against the invading bandit brothers, Flying Monkey and Flying Chimpanzee. Donnie Yen plays opposite Yeoh as Pok-to, her childhood sweetheart, who later joins her in her quest to defeat the bandits and rid the village of them forever. Though many people doubt Wing-chun because she’s a young woman, she proves herself to be the most formidable warrior in the area.
Though
Wing Chun
has a great story and fun fight scenes, it’s Yeoh who makes it worth watching.
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Today, Yeoh is best known for her more serious roles in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and her recent foray into sci-fi with Everything Everywhere All At Once. However, the iconic movie star cut her teeth with projects that are a little more out there and let her have fun. Even this early in her career, it was clear that Yeoh had the chops to lead any film. Though Wing Chun has a great story and fun fight scenes, it’s Yeoh who makes it worth watching.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Wing Chun (1994) |
N/A |
73% |
7 American Samurai (1992)
Directed by Sam Firstenberg
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American Samurai Action
American Samurai is a 1992 action film that follows two adopted brothers torn apart by a family heirloom. When one becomes involved with a yakuza drug cartel, the other seeks reconciliation, leading them to a deadly Turkish arena where they must confront skilled swordsmen from around the globe.
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*Availability in US Release Date January 1, 1992 Runtime 94 minutes Cast David Bradley , Mark Dacascos , Rex Ryon , Valarie Trapp , John Fujioka , Rocky McDonald , Ron Vreeken , Dion Lam Dik-On , Antony Szeto , Aryeh Moskona Director Sam Firstenberg Writers John Corcoran
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Brother is pitted against brother in American Samurai, an explosive movie that stars David Bradley and Mark Dacascos as Drew and Kenjiro. The pair are adoptive brothers trained by their samurai father, but when Drew proves to be the superior fighter, Kenjiro can’t take the jealousy and turns to a life of crime. Years later, they’re put in each other’s paths when Drew is investigating a kidnapping that leads him directly to Kenjiro’s crime ring.
American Samurai is a classic example of a Westernized take on the martial arts genre, and though there are some unavoidable white savior themes, the meat of the story is about action above all. In terms of plot and stakes, American Samurai leaves a lot to be desired, but enough tension is created by the familial bonds that the fights between Drew and Kenjiro are iconic. There’s plenty of gore and over-the-top violence to keep audiences engaged in American Samurai.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
American Samurai (1992) |
N/A |
33% |
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6 Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)
Directed by Alan Mehrez
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Bloodsport 2: The Next Kumite RActionMartial ArtsSports
Bloodsport 2: The Next Kumite features Daniel Bernhardt as Alex Cardo, a martial artist who must endure rigorous training to prepare for an underground fighting competition after being wrongfully imprisoned. Directed by Alan Mehrez, this sequel to the 1988 film Bloodsport explores themes of redemption and honor through intense combat sequences and traditional martial arts philosophy.
Release Date March 1, 1996 Runtime 86 Minutes Franchise(s) Bloodsport Cast Daniel Bernhardt , Pat Morita , Donald Gibb , James Hong Director Alan Mehrez Writers Jeff Schechter Studio(s) F.M. Entertainment , International N.V. Expand
Bloodsport, the 1988 action movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, is one of the top-tier cheesy martial arts films of the 1980s and was popular enough to warrant quite a few sequels. Including one of the best Jean-Claude Van Damme movie fight scenes, Bloodsport inspired the slightly less iconic Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite, starring Daniel Bernhardt as the newcomer Alex Cardo. Though Bernhardt doesn’t quite have the star power of Van Damme, he’s still a worthy successor and carves out his own niche.
Thanks to Master Sun, Cardo learns more about martial arts and rises through the ranks of the competition.
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Some critics and audiences might consider Bloodsport II to be even better than the original, thanks to the long and arduous final fight scene. The entire movie revolves around Cardo’s imprisonment and his being forced to fight his way to freedom against some of the fiercest possible enemies. James Hong costars as Master Sun, Cardo’s mentor and only friend, and their dynamic adds an element of emotional stakes to the violent main plot. Thanks to Master Sun, Cardo learns more about martial arts and rises through the ranks of the competition.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996) |
N/A |
41% |
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5 Drunken Master II (1994)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
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Drunken Master II RActionComedy
Drunken Master II is a martial arts film directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung. Set in early 20th century China, the story follows Wong Fei-hung as he employs his unique style of drunken boxing to combat corrupt officials and foreign agents smuggling valuable artifacts. The film is renowned for its intricate choreography and traditional kung fu elements.
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*Availability in US Release Date February 3, 1994 Runtime 102 Minutes Cast Jackie Chan , Lung Ti , Anita Mui , Felix Wong , Chia-Liang Liu , Ken Lo , Kar Lok Chin , Ho-Sung Pak Director Chia-Liang Liu , Jackie Chan Writers Edward Tang , Man-Ming Tong , Kai-Chi Yuen , Rod Dean
Often described as the movie that catapulted Jackie Chan even further into international fame, Drunken Master II is considered even more of a masterwork of action-comedy than its 1978 predecessor, Drunken Master. Based on the premise that Chan’s character, Wong Fei-hung, is able to perfectly execute a style of martial arts only when he’s had a few drinks, Drunken Master II already has a hilarious and unexpected premise. However, Chan’s incredible fighting style and comedic timing elevate the entire project.
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The film wasn’t released in the U.S. until 2000, but this didn’t stop it from being an instant hit and from already being considered one of the best Martial Arts movies of the decade in Asia. Though there are plenty of aspects of Drunken Master II that lean into the cheesy and campy elements as a comedy, it should simultaneously be taken seriously as a pivotal addition to the genre. While some cheesy movies are remembered for being subpar, Drunken Master II proves that fun and over-the-top comedy can accompany brilliant filmmaking.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Drunken Master II (1994) |
85% |
88% |
4 Police Story 3: Supercop (1992)
Directed by Stanley Tong
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Police Story 3: Super Cop RActionCrimeThriller
Police Story 3: Super Cop features Jackie Chan as a Hong Kong detective collaborating with Michelle Yeoh’s character, a Chinese agent, to dismantle a notorious drug cartel. Released in 1992, the film blends action and comedy as the duo navigates dangerous missions to apprehend the drug lord.
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*Availability in US Release Date July 4, 1992 Runtime 95 minutes Cast Jackie Chan , Michelle Yeoh , Maggie Cheung , Josephine Koo Mei-Wah , Kenneth Tsang , Yuen Wah , Bill Tung , Philip Chan , Kelvin Wong , Ailen Sit Chun-Wai , Lo Lieh , Mars , Shum Wai , Hon Yee-Sang , William Duen Wai-Lun , Cheng Ka-Sang , Chan Ging-Chi , Chan Man-Ching , John Wakefield , Ken Lo , Rocky Lai Keung-Kun , Kong Miu-Deng , Lam Chi-Tai , Chan Sek , Lam Foo-Wai Director Stanley Tong Writers Edward Tang Expand
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Bringing together Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh was a stroke of genius for Police Story 3: Supercop, a movie that demonstrates just how visionary a sequel movie can be. Maggie Cheung is also featured, coming back as May, a role that she played in the franchise’s first two installments. In many ways, Supercop is Chan’s film, as he’s the star that made Police Story possible, but it’s ultimately an ensemble project that wouldn’t work without the chemistry of the lead characters.
Related The 10 Best Martial Arts Cop Movies, Including Police Story
Police offices have been integral to martial arts cinema for decades, with a major boom in this genre of filmmaking taking place during the 1980s.
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The long, twisting, and slightly convoluted plot is an element of Supercop that lends itself to the more cheesy side of the genre, but that doesn’t mean the project skimps on action. One of the most enduring parts of movies like Police Story 3: Supercop is the fact that Chan and Yeoh do their own stunts and are so skilled at their crafts that they can mix things up and experiment on set. This allows for funny and unexpected moments that draw viewers in and make them want to spend time with the over-the-top characters.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) |
93% |
75% |
3 Double Impact (1991)
Directed by Sheldon Lettich
Double Impact RActionCrimeDocumentaryDramaThriller
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*Availability in US Release Date July 31, 1991 Runtime 109 minutes Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme , Geoffrey Lewis , Alonna Shaw , Corinna Everson , Philip Chan , Alan Scarfe Director Sheldon Lettich Writers Sheldon Lettich , Jean-Claude Van Damme , Steve Meerson , Peter Krikes
Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the twin brothers Chad and Alex Wagner, reuniting with the director of Bloodsport in Double Impact, one of the most outlandish contributions to Van Damme’s career. The brothers don’t get along, and after being raised separately their whole lives, neither wants to make room for the other. However, their father believes if they team up, they can take down a crime boss and get revenge for the murder of their mother many years ago.
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While Van Damme does his best to make Alex and Chad seem like unique individuals, seeing him in a room with himself can get a little silly throughout Double Impact. Fortunately, both brothers are skilled fighters and know how to utilize their surroundings to get the upper hand on their opponents. Though there’s still plenty of hand-to-hand combat, action scenes with guns and weapons do play a large role in Double Impact. As a film, Double Impact never tries to be anything but a wild ride of adventure.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Double Impact (1991) |
33% |
43% |
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2 Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)
Directed by Lam Ngai Kai
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Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky RAction
Riki-Oh, possessing superhuman strength, uses his martial arts to overthrow corrupt officials in a brutal private prison where inmates are treated as slaves in the future 2021.
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*Availability in US Release Date October 5, 1991 Runtime 91 Minutes Cast Louis Fan Siu-Wong , Gloria Yip Wan-Yee , Yukari Oshima , Frankie Chin Chi-Leung , Kôichi Sugisaki , Wong Kwai-Hung , Tetsuro Tamba , Chang Gan-Wing , Fan Mei-Sheng , Wong Kwok-Leung Director Lam Ngai Kai Writers Lam Ngai Kai
For audiences looking for violence and gore, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky is the perfect title. Based on the manga of the same name, Riki-Oh is a brutally violent film that doesn’t shy away from splattering blood and guts all over the screen. While this style of Martial Arts movie isn’t for everyone, the heavy stylization works for Riki-Oh. The protagonist, Ricky, played by Fan Siu-wong, goes through almost comical levels of torture and physical exertion after being sent to a corrupt private prison where the inmates and wardens try to kill him.
It doesn’t matter what the antagonists throw at him; Ricky is virtually impervious to all harm, while the people around him die in grotesque and extreme ways.
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However, Ricky, like any good Martial Arts protagonist, has a superior strength and skill that makes him appear almost otherworldly in battle. It doesn’t matter what the antagonists throw at him; Ricky is virtually impervious to all harm, while the people around him die in grotesque and extreme ways. Though there is a kernel of social commentary at the heart of Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, the movie is ultimately concerned with its almost slapstick level of graphic action, which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991) |
89% |
85% |
1 Mortal Kombat (1995)
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
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Mortal Kombat rActionAdventure
1995’s Mortal Kombat is the first attempt to translate the famous MK video game franchise to the big screen. It features Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage receiving help from Lord Raiden in order to defeat Shang Tsung and stop Outworld from defeating Earthrealm one final time. After a controversial sequel, the 2021 reboot started its story from scratch.
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*Availability in US Release Date August 18, 1995 Runtime 101minutes Franchise(s) Mortal Kombat Cast Robin Shou , Christopher Lambert Director Paul W. S. Anderson Writers Paul W. S. Anderson Studio(s) New Line Cinema Expand
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Though film and television adaptations of video games are treated with more respect and notoriety today, the first Mortal Kombat movie didn’t reach this level of respect. Despite this, it was a smash hit at the box office because of how well it captured the joy of playing the game. It’s fun to revisit early attempts at bringing these types of narratives to life, and the 1995 Mortal Kombat is well aware that it can’t compete with truly visionary martial arts movies, leaning into the cheesier elements.
With over-the-top characters and a rather outlandish storyline, Mortal Kombat is a genuine thrill ride but doesn’t provide the blood-soaked fun of some of its contemporaries. Mortal Kombat is a film that can be watched by older and younger audiences alike, making it a great introduction for viewers getting into Martial Arts movies for the first time. With time, Mortal Kombat has developed a cult following of audiences who love its campy and intricate aesthetics and sometimes melodramatic performances.
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|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Mortal Kombat (1995) |
47% |
58% |