Although there seem to be fewer Kung Fu movies released lately, many of the Kung Fu movies released in recent years have been of excellent quality. These movies feature meticulously choreographed fight scenes and are filled with action and stunts. Some of these modern films are so good that a few years later, they might even be considered Kung Fu classics, like many Kung Fu films from the ’90s.
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Originally associated with Hong Kong, many more traditional Kung Fu movies were created in China. These Kung Fu films created incredible action stars, with countless Kung Fu classics that even include animated films. Still, while the Kung Fu films recognized as classics are generally older, many of the Kung Fu films released nowadays will be contenders for such a title down the line.
10 Raging Fire (2021)
Benny Chan’s Final Film Was A Hit
Directed by the iconic late Benny Chan in his final film, Raging Fire is a police thriller that takes its action sequences to the next level. The fight scenes hit in a way that feels rooted in reality, and Donnie Yen’s performance is another incredible addition to a long career of impactful performances. The story itself is put together with more thought in mind than a lot of cop thrillers, making the final product land where so many films fall flat.
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What makes this film so special is that Raging Fire is the final installment of Benny Chan’s impressive legacy. He is best known for his extensive work on Jackie Chan’s films, including 2011’s Shaolin. This, coupled with the fact that the film is a genuine treat to watch, from its action to its writing, makes Raging Fire a proud contender for a modern Kung Fu classic.
9 The Paper Tigers (2020)
This Indie Film Brings Modern Heart To Kung Fu Films
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Unique compared to many of its big-budget contemporaries, The Paper Tigers is an American indie Kung Fu film that was funded through Kickstarter. The story documents the lives of three talented martial artists who have gone their separate ways. Now middle-aged with lives of their own, they reunite once they find out that their master has been killed.
Related 10 Best Training Scenes In Old School Kung Fu Movies
The training sequence is an iconic part of any Kung Fu movie, and the classics include some of the best scenes with the greatest performances.
The movie itself is quite funny, taking a humorous approach to a genre that so often focuses on gritty action. This does not mean that the movie neglects the action. Instead, the film makes great use of its wacky action scenes, standing in testament to the hard work of people who genuinely love martial arts films.
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8 Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Embraced Kung Fu Movie Culture
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20 8.2/10 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: This film introduces Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Confronted by his past, he becomes entangled with the mysterious Ten Rings organization, which challenges his identity and abilities. Released in 2021, the movie explores themes of family and legacy.
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*Availability in US Director Destin Daniel Cretton Release Date September 1, 2021 Studio(s) Disney , Marvel Distributor(s) Disney Writers Dave Callaham Cast Tony Leung Chiu-wai , Simu Liu , Awkwafina , Ben Kingsley , Meng’er Zhang , Fala Chen , Michelle Yeoh , Yuen Wah , Florian Munteanu , Andy Le , Paul He , Jayden Tianyi Zhang , Elodie Fong , Arnold Sun , Stephanie Hsu , Kunal Dudheker , Tsai Chin , Jodi Long , Dallas Liu , Ronny Chieng , Stella Ye , Fernando Chien , Michael-Anthony Taylor , Zach Cherry , Raymond Ma Runtime 132 minutes Main Genre Superhero Expand
Typically, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the last place someone would go expecting an incredible Kung Fu movie. However, with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, Marvel gave fans something they did not know they needed—a Marvel superhero film that emulates Kung Fu movies. The film introduced the character of Shang-Chi, currently going by the name Shaun, from Marvel Comics into the film franchise, and it did so in a bombastic fashion.
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With incredibly choreographed action sequences and an emotional gut punch of a story, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the better Marvel movies to release after Avengers: Endgame. Although it is a box office Marvel film, it still holds on to the heart that so many Kung Fu films had before it, with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings paying homage to other Kung Fu greats. This level of attention to detail, as well as the care that went into the making of this film, are sure to make it a Kung Fu classic someday in the future.
7 Shadow (2018)
This Chinese Wuxia Film Is A Historical Masterpiece
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Shadow PG-13ActionAdventureFantasyWar
Shadow is a Chinese martial arts film directed by Zhang Yimou, depicting a tale of intrigue and deception during China’s Three Kingdoms period. The plot revolves around a military commander and his doppelganger, who engage in a tactical struggle to reclaim a lost territory. The film is noted for its stylized cinematography and intense action sequences, featuring actors Deng Chao, Sun Li, and Zheng Kai in key roles.
Director Zhang Yimou Release Date May 3, 2019 Writers Zhang Yimou , Li Wei Cast Deng Chao , Sun Li , Ryan Zheng Kai , Wang Qian-yuan , Wang Jingchun , Hu Jun , Guan Xiaotong , Leo Wu Runtime 116 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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Taking place during the Three Kingdoms period in China, Shadow is an intriguing story revolving around military struggle and tactics. The titular Shadow refers to the main character of Jingzhou, who was taken and trained to be the shadow or rather doppelgänger of Commander Ziyu. Although it might not seem like the traditional Kung Fu film on the outside, traditionally categorized as a “Wuxia” historical fantasy, Shadow is incredibly thorough when it comes to its larger-than-life fight choreography and stunning painting-like visuals.
Not only is the film generally beloved by critics and fans alike, but it also won its fair share of awards for categories including art direction and visual effects. This is for good reason. The film is stunning to watch from beginning to end, offering a satisfying story that makes it stand out in a genre filled with incredible films.
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6 Sakra (2023)
Donnie Yen Is Featured In Yet Another Modern Kung Fu Masterpiece
Another film starring Kung Fu icon Donnie Yen, Sakra is based on the novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. This film is about a martial arts master named Qiao Feng who, after being accused of the murder of his adoptive parents, goes on the run. The film continues as he attempts to clear his name and figure out what really happened, only to be foiled at seemingly every opportunity.
Sakra
was nominated for Best Action Choreography at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
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With an engaging story that keeps the reader on their toes throughout the film’s entire runtime, Sakra succeeds not only as a Kung Fu Film, but also as an adaptation of the source material. The fight scenes are frantic, and Qiao Feng, in large part due to Donnie Yen’s performance, really feels like a master of his craft. If anything, this movie should make fans excited about Donnie Yen’s upcoming action films.
5 Triple Threat (2019)
There Is A Perfect Trio At The Core Of This Kung Fu Film
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Triple Threat is a tense action film that blends the use of martial arts with gratuitous firepower. Starring Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Tiger Chen, the film covers the ever-shifting alliances between two operatives who are ex-Special Forces and a man on a quest for revenge. Blending several different fighting styles and the use of some very powerful guns, the three of them set out to exact revenge on Devereaux.
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Related Jackie Chan’s 10 Best Old School Kung Fu Movies, Ranked
Jackie Chan’s old-school kung fu filmography is unrivaled, with such classics as Drunken Master, New Fist Of Fury, and Dragon Fist.
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The chemistry between the three main leads is immediately electric, and as they fight against both each other and their common enemies, the film really comes alive. This perfectly cast trio of actors is the star of the show in Triple Threat, and because of this, the action in the film is consistently elevated. With any luck, these three will star in a movie together once again, noting Triple Threat as the film where it all started.
4 The Swordsman (2020)
This South Korean Martial Arts Film Features Kinetic Swordplay
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The Swordsman is a South Korean action and martial arts film set in a time when South Korea was still a part of the Kingdom of Joseon. The story of The Swordsman begins with Tae-yul, who is considered to be the best swordsman in all of Joseon, even serving as the king’s bodyguard. However, when his sword is shattered in a duel on his king’s behalf, the shards of metal cut his eyes and he is forced to surrender, having failed his king.
The film continues years later as Tae-yul struggles, both with his impending blindness and with the kidnapping of his teenage daughter. His quest to get her back is one filled with action and an award-winning performance by Jang Hyuk as Tae-yul. The swordplay choreographed in this film is perhaps some of the best in cinema as a whole, making The Swordsman an instant classic.
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3 The Night Comes For Us (2018)
Iko Uwais Makes Another Appearance In This Netflix Thriller
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The Night Comes For Us (2018) RActionCrimeThriller
The Night Comes For Us is a 2018 Indonesian action thriller film that follows Ito, a former triad enforcer, who must protect a young girl from a gang of assassins while on the run in Jakarta. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, the film features a high-octane mix of martial arts and gunfights as Ito faces off against his former allies.
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*Availability in US Director Timo Tjahjanto Release Date October 5, 2018 Studio(s) Screenplay Infinite Films , XYZ Films Writers Timo Tjahjanto Cast Joe Taslim , Iko Uwais , Julie Estelle , Sunny Pang , Asha Kenyeri Bermudez Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
This chilling film follows the story of Ito, a regretful member of the South East Asian Triad who, after slaughtering the rest of her village, chooses to save a young girl out of remorse for his actions. When the rest of his gang catches wind of this, Ito and the young girl are essentially sentenced to death and have to fight their way out if they want to survive. The action in this film is truly brutal, unafraid of portraying all the gore that comes with this sort of narrative.
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The Night Comes For Us is an intense watch from beginning to end, constantly leaving the viewer to wonder if Ito and Reina will be safe by the end. The acting in this film is incredibly compelling, taking it from being a run-of-the-mill story about gang activity to a bloody, heart-wrenching story about the victims of this sort of violence. Still, The Night Comes For Us is one of the most brutal action movies ever made, and because of this, it should be watched with caution in mind.
2 Monkey Man (2024)
Dev Patel’s Directorial Debut Is More Than A John Wick Copycat
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10/10 Monkey Man (2024) RActionThriller
Monkey Man is a 2024 action-thriller film directed by and starring Dev Patel. Following his release from prison, a man known as “Kid” makes a living by engaging in anonymous underground fights in a mask where he is beaten down each night. However, after witnessing greed and corruption consuming his city, Kid breaks into the upper echelon of society to find those who destroyed his life and take them down.
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*Availability in US Director Dev Patel Release Date April 5, 2024 Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Dev Patel , Paul Angunawela , John Collee Cast Dev Patel , Sharlto Copely , Pitobash , Vipin Sharma , Sikandar Kher , Sobhita Dhulipala , Ashwini Kalsekar , Adithi Kalkunte , Makarand Deshpande Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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Often described as a John Wick copycat, Dev Patel’s Monkey Man is more than that description might initially make it out to be. The movie revolves around Kid’s singular quest for revenge, desperate to get back at the people responsible for his mother’s horrible death. Starting out both amateur and untrained, Kid grows along with the film, only becoming more lethal as he learns not only about the people he means to kill, but himself as well.
At its core, Monkey Man is a story about the marginalized people of India. Their struggles and the way they are viewed in society are all put on full and often painful display, but despite the grizzly lens that reality places over the film, there is a certain layer of hope laced throughout. Monkey Man is the perfect directorial debut for Dev Patel, who also starred in the film, already cementing it as a modern classic.
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1 Everything Everywhere All At Once (2021)
This Reality-Bending Kung Fu Flick Is About Family
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9.3/10 Everything Everywhere All at Once RAdventureComedyAction
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, a middle-aged laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) is distracted from her financial and family issues by a multiversal crisis. With just her husband (Ke Huy Quan) to support her through the confusion, she must contend with her overbearing traditional father (James Hong), a pencil-pushing auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her emotionally-distant daughter (Stephanie Hsu).
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*Availability in US Director Daniel Kwan , Daniel Scheinert Release Date March 25, 2022 Writers Daniel Scheinert , Daniel Kwan Cast Jenny Slate , Ke Huy Quan , Stephanie Hsu , Harry Shum Jr. , Jamie Lee Curtis , James Hong , Michelle Yeoh Runtime 132 minutes
Absurd and grounded in equal measure, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a crazy adventure about a Chinese-immigrant named Evelyn Quan Wang and the struggles her family faces as it slowly falls apart. However, things become even more complicated when Evelyn is visited by an alternate universe version of her husband, Waymond, warning her of a multiversal threat known as Jobu Tupaki. As the film progresses, the two are thrust into increasingly ludicrous worlds, requiring them to fight against those loyal to Jobu Tupaki.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress
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On the outside, this film is an exciting movie about saving the multiverse. However, beneath all of that, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a film filled with love, showcasing the path towards family healing. Everything Everywhere All At Once highlights kindness, understanding, and the struggles immigrants face in America in a way that is realistic despite the wild premise of the film, showing that Kung Fu movies are still the perfect avenue for exploring such complex themes.