Many martial arts films seek to entertain audiences with more than just their flashy action sequences by incorporating humorous plots, eccentric characters, and over-the-top displays of martial arts. The funniest martial arts movies don’t take their stories or action too seriously, but that isn’t to say audiences aren’t in for a treat in terms of impressive choreography.

While delightfully comedic, these films also include well-orchestrated fight choreography throughout, amazing audiences with their innovation and scale. The stunts and martial arts sequences are performed by some of the action subgenre’s biggest stars, like Jackie Chan. The actor’s filmography is packed with memorable martial arts comedies, many of which have had an influence on the similar types of films that followed. For audiences looking to be entertained by silly martial arts antics, these movies are essential viewing.

8

Mr. Vampire (1985)

Directed by Ricky Lau

Comedy, horror, and martial arts come together in wonderful ways in the Sammo Hung-produced Mr. Vampire. The film draws inspiration from the Chinese folklore creature, the jiangshi, who is a mixed creature comparable to what global audiences know to be zombies and vampires. The horror comedy sees Taoist priest Master Kau (Lam Ching-ying) team up with his disciples to face a threatening jiangshi intent on wreaking havoc on those around them.

While Master Kau has supernatural abilities that aid him in this fight, the supporting figures in his life are less skilled and serve as the film’s comedic relief. Mr. Vampire is a seminal film in the jiangshi genre, as it popularized such movies with audiences around the world and established many of the clichés seen throughout the genre in the following years. The success and cult classic status of Mr. Vampire also resulted in sequel films that are unrelated narratively, but connected through their themes.

7

The Last Dragon (1985)

Directed by Michael Schultz

Earning a mixed response from critics after its mid-’80s release, The Last Dragon is now considered a cult classic, and it’s easy to see why. The film ties together components of action films, comedies, music videos, and romance movies to mostly successful results. The Last Dragon revolves around a young martial artist living in New York City, Leroy Green (Taimak), with aspirations of becoming as seasoned as his idol Bruce Lee.

Throughout The Last Dragon, audiences witness Leroy fight for love and discover a bit about himself along the way. The absurdity of the movie certainly doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s the film’s quirky tone that’s allowed it to garner such a strong following over the years. In the action sequences and characterization of Leroy, it’s clear just how knowledgeable and appreciative those involved with The Last Dragon are of martial arts films.

6

The Magnificent Butcher (1979)

Directed by Yuen Woo-ping

Inspired by the success of Drunken Master from the year before, The Magnificent Butcher features the same legendary Chinese folk heroes, Wong Fei-hung (Kwan Tak-hing) and Beggar So (Fan Mei-sheng). The film sees Sammo Hung’s Lam Sai-wing learn from the two martial artists in an attempt to perfect his kung fu skills. Hung’s physicality is impressive, and his comedic timing makes The Magnificent Butcher a necessary watch for audiences looking to laugh.

While Drunken Master‘s inspired and replicated elements are apparent in Hung’s film, the latter didn’t earn as immediate a positive response. However, The Magnificent Butcher is now viewed positively by audiences and fans of Sammo Hung, and rightfully so. The martial arts comedy has a lot going for it, including thrilling action sequences, a memorable performance from Hung, and, of course, an abundance of comedic moments.

5

Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Directed by Stephen Chow

While he’s often the actor mostly heavily tied to the entertaining mix of genres, there have been quite a few successful martial arts comedies that don’t star Jackie Chan, including Shaolin Soccer. The early 2000s martial arts film sees a kung fu expert and former monk, Sing (Stephen Chow), reunite a group of friends for an intense soccer game in an attempt to introduce Shaolin kung fu to a large audience.

Sing and his teammates are all equipped with superhuman abilities, which elevates the stakes of the final soccer game and produces an exciting and over-the-top display of martial arts. The boldness of the film’s action sequences is balanced out with the heartfelt romance subplot and the charm of the movie’s characters. Throughout the years, the fun mix of sports movie tropes and martial arts has transformed Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer into a beloved cult film.

4

Big Trouble In Little China (1986)

Directed by John Carpenter

John Carpenter and Kurt Russell have teamed up a few times over the years, with their best film together arguably being The Thing. While Carpenter is celebrated and beloved for his work in the horror genre, Big Trouble in Little China is the director’s genuine attempt at making a martial arts movie, and the results are pleasantly amusing. The film follows Russell’s truck driver, Jack Burton, after he gets caught up in a supernatural battle against the villainous sorcerer Lo Pan (James Hong).

Big Trouble in Little China‘s somewhat confusing mix of martial arts, fantasy, and comedy didn’t translate to commercial success at the time of its release, but the film has since gone on to become a cult classic. The film is undeniably funny and can also be appreciated for its unique traits that set it apart from other movies in Carpenter’s filmography.

3

Wheels On Meals (1984)

Directed by Sammo Hung

The trio of Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, and Sammo Hung have starred in a handful of films together throughout the years. Though opinions will differ about which of their on-screen collaborations is the best, the martial arts comedy Wheels on Meals is certainly beloved by the actors’ fans, and for good reason. Though it isn’t often considered one of Chan’s best martial arts comedies, it is still a hilarious action film that provides audiences with a good time.

Wheels on Meals centers around restaurant owners and cousins Thomas (Chan) and David (Yuen Biao), and the adventure they embark on with their friend Moby (Sammo Hung) in an attempt to save a young woman (Lola Forner). The trio of actors’ friendship in real-life plays well within the comedic tone of the movie, though Wheels on Meals is not without its impressive action. The final fight between Chan and Benny Urquidez is considered one of the best fight scenes of the former’s career.

2

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Directed by Stephen Chow

Following Shaolin Soccer from a few years prior, Stephen Chow co-wrote, directed, and starred in Kung Fu Hustle. An even wackier film than Shaolin Soccer, the 2004 follow-up by Chow is completely ridiculous in all the best ways. The film follows an aspiring gangster (Chow) who hopes to join the infamous Axe Gang, and is full of references to other films, and over-the-top, borderline cartoonish, fight choreography supervised by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping.

Kung Fu Hustle‘s pacing and action are energetic and non-stop, but audiences will rarely grow tired of the constant excitement within the movie. This is partly due to the film being incredibly well-balanced with a charming protagonist in Chow’s character, oddball side characters, and a surprising amount of heart. One of the best martial arts films of the 2000s, Kung Fu Hustle has a strong and captivating story and is unabashedly funny at the same time.

1

Drunken Master (1978)

Directed by Yuen Woo-ping

One of Yuen Woo-ping’s best films and an important entry in Jackie Chan’s filmography, Drunken Master is a highly influential martial arts comedy that helped establish the actor as a promising star. Throughout his career, Chan has portrayed martial artist and folk hero Wong Fei-hung numerous times, most notably as Drunken Master‘s fictionalized version of the iconic figure. In the film, Wong learns the ways of drunken boxing from Beggar So (Yuen Siu-Tin).

Drunken Master’s influence is not only apparent in the martial arts comedies that followed, but in the action subgenre as a whole. Regarded as one of the best martial arts movies of the ’70s, the film’s effortless blend of slapstick comedy and precise martial arts choreography has resulted in a positive response from critics and audiences alike. Chan, whose filmography consists of films with a similar tone, is a wildly entertaining protagonist who keeps audiences laughing.