Kung fu movies might not be as popular as other genres like Western or sci-fi, but they still have a loving and dedicated fanbase and a decades-long tradition behind them. From their birthplace, Hong Kong, kung fu movies have moved throughout the world both when it comes to garnering fans and also when it comes to production—since modern kung fu movies aren’t necessarily always made in Hong Kong.

The one element that makes a kung fu movie what it is are, of course, the fight sequences. Without these carefully choreographed scenes, the movie in question would simply be a noir, a crime thriller, or a period piece. The fight scenes are the true pillar of this cinematic genre, and modern kung fu movies perfectly slot into this tradition by offering plenty of them for fans everywhere.

10

Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In (2024)

Directed By Soi Cheang

Based on the novel City of Darkness by Hong Kong author Yuyi, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was an incredible success upon its release in the first half of 2024. It soon became a critical and box office darling, being both selected to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival and also one of the highest-grossing domestic movies of all time in its native Hong Kong.

Part of what makes Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In so attractive to audiences is undoubtedly its careful fight choreography, which shines in a series of scenes that are both incredibly entertaining to watch while also furthering the plot along—exactly what all good fight scenes should be. The story of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In follows a troubled young man in 1980s Hong Kong, who begins to truly find himself once he enters the infamous Kowloon Walled City and encounters the criminal gangs that essentially run the enclave.

9

The Brink (2017)

Directed By Lee Chun-fai

There are few narrative premises that warrant a movie full of masterful fight scenes like a reckless police officer stubbornly stopping at nothing to chase and arrest the object of his latest investigation. In the case of The Brink, said officer, Sai Gau, is willing to go after his prey, smuggler Shing, even if it means commandeering a ship and sailing after him.

The clashes Sai Gau and Shing have throughout the film are all brutal, brilliantly choreographed, and gritty fight scenes where the two characters really get to know each other, like all lifelong nemeses are bound to do, through their flurry of fists, kicks, and spins. The Brink’s fight choreography shines so much throughout the movie’s runtime that it was nominated in the Best Action Choreography category at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards.

8

Bursting Point (2023)

Directed By Dante Lam

Bursting Point incorporates some elements that are typical of noir movies into its plot about a duo of officers, anti-narcotics inspector Bond Sir and policeman Jiang Ming, who put together a plan to hunt and take down a ring of drug traffickers. As the operation progresses, and they dive deeper into their covers, the clear lines between right and wrong begin to blur.

Bond Sir and Jiang Ming are allies, then rivals, then allies again. Their fight scenes shift with where their characters are at that given point in the story. First they fight side by side together and then against one another, always surrounded by explosions, gun fights, or car chases. Breaking Point’s fight choreography wasn’t just nominated at the latest Hong Kong Film Awards—the 42nd edition, which took place in 2024—but also won for Best Action Choreography.

7

Raging Fire (2021)

Directed By Benny Chan

Another Best Action Choreography winner, this time from the 40th edition of the Hong Kong Film Awards, Raging Fire is the last movie of legendary kung fu director Benny Chan. Raging Fire, which was released posthumously, was Chan’s final work before his death in 2021 and the last of a long filmography of successes, including a number of movies starring Jackie Chan.

The story of Raging Fire follows inspector Cheung Sung-bong as he sets on the trail of former inspector Yau Kong-ngo, who has a long-standing grudge against Cheung and would like nothing more than to get his revenge on him. The various clashes between the two are deeply rooted in reality, perfectly blending the phenomenal physical feats that audiences are used to seeing in kung fu movies with a sense of realism that does wonders for everyone’s suspension of disbelief.

6

Ip Man 4: The Finale

Directed By Wilson Yip

Ip Man 4: The Finale, as the тιтle suggests, is the fourth and currently last movie in the Ip Man series, a long-standing and much-beloved franchise in modern kung fu cinema history. The whole series is loosely based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the Wing Chun form of kung fu who operated mostly in the first half of the 20th century—and who was famously Bruce Lee’s master.

The movie is set in the United States, unlike most kung fu movies which take place in Hong Kong, where Ip Man moves in the Sixties. While the setting might be different than the norm when it comes to this particular genre of movies, Ip Man still has plenty of fight scenes to make anyone’s watch entertaining. Its biographical undertones also make it quite unique when considering the usual sub-genres that are used throughout most of the canon of kung fu cinema.

5

The Swordsman (2020)

Directed By Choi Jae-hoon

While Hong Kong is the undisputed home of the genre, modern kung fu movies are produced in a variety of other countries and can be just as good as those produced in Hong Kong. The Swordsman is a perfect example of this. Set in Korea during the Joseon era, the story follows Tae-yul, one of the King’s bodyguards and the best swordsman in his service—until his sword shatters during a duel and the King releases him from his service.

From there begins a tale of redemption and revenge as an older Tae-yul tears through Joseon to look for his kidnapped daughter and regains his honor along the way. The fight scenes in The Swordsman are all engaging and spectacular, playing out on a big scale. They’re ultimately perfect for anyone who enjoys a good fight scene but would like to see a sword thrown in every once in a while.

4

Monkey Man (2024)

Directed By Dev Patel

Dev Patel’s directorial debut—which was saved from studio interference by director Jordan Peele—Monkey Man takes all the tropes that make kung fu movies what they are and sets them against the backdrop of modern-day India, where protagonist Kid works as a night waiter and dreams of exacting terrible revenge on the corrupt police chief who murdered his mother when Kid was a child. In the meantime, he fights in an underground rink wearing the monkey mask of the deity Hanuman.

Monkey Man is filled with brutal, thrilling fight scenes that are perfectly choreographed but do not shy away from just how raw hand-to-hand fighting actually is. All have something that makes them unique, from particular neon lightning to a fight that takes place in a kitchen and so uses everything that could be found in one. Monkey Man also hits another staple of kung fu movies by having its leading man tirelessly train in the second act, so that he is truly ready for the final showdown the third act will bring.

3

Paradox (2017)

Directed By Wilson Yip

Paradox, the third installment of the SPL anthological film series, gained praise left and right upon its release and also swept the nominations at that year’s Hong Kong Film Awards, winning the Best Actor, Best Sound Design, and especially Best Action Choreography awards. The story follows police inspector Lee Chung-chi, who travels from Hong Kong to Pattaya, in Thailand, to search for his teenage daughter after she is reported missing during a school trip.

Paradox has plenty of fight scenes to go around that happen as Lee tears through Pattaya with the help of two local police officers. They grow more brutal as Lee grows more desperate about the fate of his daughter and crosses almost every line possible in seeking his revenge. As it should always happen in a good kung fu movie, everything culminates in Lee’s final duel with his nemesis, American gangster Sacha.

2

The Night Comes For Us (2018)

Directed By Timo Tjahjanto

Produced in Indonesia, The Night Comes For Us is probably one of the goriest kung fu movies produced in recent years. While blood and violence are a quintessential part of this genre, The Night Comes For Us takes it one step further and doesn’t shy away from any consequence of the terrible violence taking place during its runtime.

It makes for a harrowing and yet incredibly compelling story that is about violence on its surface, of course, but also about its consequences and the desperate struggle to survive. The movie reflects on all this by following main character Ito, a member of the South East Asian Triad crime syndicate, who decides to save a young girl from a village that he and his fellow gang members have mᴀssacred. This choice sets his entire former organization after him and his young charge, Reina.

1

Sakra (2023)

Directed By Donnie Yen

Based on the novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by author Jin Yong, Sakra is a wuxia-flavored kung fu movie set in the time of the Song and Liao empires, which were powers in China from the 10th to around the 13th century. It follows orphan Qiao Feng as he grows to become a martial arts master and attempts to clear his name after being accused of the murder of his adopted parents.

Sakra’s director Donnie Yen also stars as main character Qiao Feng, whose quest for redemption is filled with obstacles and enemies at every corner. This makes the fight scenes frequent and thrilling, since they’re all a matter of life, death, and honor. The fact that the movie is a period piece also adds some stunning visual elements to its fight sets, from swishing costumes to unique locations for Qiao Feng to defeat his enemies in.