Serving as an electrifying cocktail of gripping cinema and hand-to-hand combat, martial arts movies represent one of Hollywood’s oldest and most beloved flavors of film. Since the dawn of time, humans have been coming up with seemingly endless ways to beat each other to a pulp, a state of affairs that has resulted in countless forms of martial arts disciplines. This status quo has translated to the silver screen, with every form of combat sport conceivable brought to life in one manner or another over the years.
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However, many of the genre’s standout entries use a non-specific form of combat that borrows from various disciplines, as opposed to a single martial art. Accordingly, martial arts movies that showcase a specific fighting style aren’t actually as common as one might think, but that’s decidedly not to say that there are none to be had. From the bone-on-bone brutality of Muay Thai to the gentle savagery of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, several standout entries within the genre have paid homage to a specific martial art by consistently showcasing its techniques throughout the movie.
You are watching: 10 Martial Arts Movies That Showcase A Specific Fighting Style
10
Warrior (2011)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Warrior
PG-13
Drama
Action
8.6/10
Release Date
September 9, 2011
Runtime
140 Minutes
Director
Gavin O’Connor
Writers
Cliff Dorfman, Anthony Tambakis
Cast
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-
Joel Edgerton
Brendan Conlon
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Tom Hardy
Tommy Conlon
Warrior is a 2011 sports drama directed by Gavin O’Connor. The film stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as estranged brothers who enter an MMA tournament, each driven by personal motives, which culminates in an emotional confrontation. Nick Nolte plays their father, a recovering alcoholic whose past actions have fragmented the family. The storyline weaves themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family bonds.
Main Genre
Drama
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The greatest MMA movie of all time, bar none, the notion that 2011’s Warrior isn’t the best showcase for its parent martial art seems absurd on the surface. However, while Gavin O’Connor’s acclaimed martial arts drama highlights the devastating efficiency associated with the sport of MMA as a whole, Warrior arguably serves primarily as a showcase for the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Joel Edgerton’s Brendan Conlan consistently leans on his grappling proficiency, allowing him to defeat more powerful and athletic opponents during his fights.
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Winning every fight by way of come-from-behind submission en route to the final of the Sparta tournament, even the devastating knockout power of Tom Hardy’s Tommy Riordan is ultimately overcome by his estranged brother’s jiu-jitsu. Despite Riordan having left all of his previous opponents looking like they’d walked face-first into a wood chipper, Brendan weathers an early storm in the final to win using textbook BJJ moves. Edgerton’s charge utilizes an omoplata lock to dislocate Tommy’s shoulder, before finishing the job off by strangling him into submission with a rear-naked choke.
9
Never Back Down (2008)
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
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Never Back Down
PG-13
Drama
Action
7.9/10
Release Date
March 4, 2008
Runtime
115 minutes
Director
Jeff Wadlow
Writers
Chris Hauty
Producers
Craig Baumgarten
Cast
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-
Sean Faris
Jake Tyler
-
Amber Heard
Baja Miller
Never Back Down follows Jake, a troubled teenager who encounters an underground MMA fight club at his new high school in Orlando. After a defeat by club leader Ryan, Jake seeks mentorship from a seasoned MMA trainer to transform his anger and skills, setting the stage for an inevitable rematch.
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Spawning three sequels despite a measly Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score of 20%, 2008’s Never Back Down decidedly falls into “so bad that it’s actually great” territory. With that being said, it’s still arguably cinema’s most famous movie on the sport of mixed martial arts. Incorporating techniques from various striking and grappling disciplines into one style, MMA has taken the world by storm over the previous decade. While this fan-favorite outing swaps a legitimate setting for an underground fight club, Never Back Down features some surprisingly impressive depictions of the sport despite its inherent cheesiness.
Essentially an MMA version of The Karate Kid, the film’s fight scenes actually do a respectable job of capturing the wild variations of the martial art’s diverse library of techniques, from Muay Thai-style knees in the clinch and wrestling takedowns, to slick jiu-jitsu transitions and vicious ground-and-pound. The movie that inspired a generation of MMA fans, this unashamed crowd-pleaser even ends with a head-kick that would put Leon Edwards to shame.
8
Foxcatcher (2014)
Freestyle Wrestling
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Foxcatcher
R
Drama
Sport
Biography
8/10
7.0/10
Release Date
November 14, 2014
Runtime
134minutes
Director
Bennett Miller
Writers
Dan Futterman, E. Max Frye
Cast
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-
Steve Carell
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Channing Tatum
Foxcatcher is a biographical drama film based on the true story of brothers Mark and David Schultz, two Olympic wrestlers who become part of John E. duPont’s team Foxcatcher as they prepare for the 1988 Olympic games. The union seems promising initially, but a terrifying tragedy soon brings the dream crashing down.
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While 2014’s Foxcatcher may primarily serve as more of a drama than a full-on martial arts movie, it’s one of cinema’s most high-profile examples of a film that revolves solely around the practice of freestyle wrestling; an ancient martial art where the ultimate aim is to throw and pin your opponent to the mat. Bennet Miller’s lauded outing follows the sinister series of events concerning two U.S. Olympic gold medalists, that unfold after they are taken under the wing of an affluent and eccentric wrestling enthusiast.
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Foxcatcher Academy Award Nominations |
Result |
|---|---|
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Best Director |
Nominated |
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Best Actor |
Nominated |
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See more : The Trial Recap & Ending Explained Best Supporting Actor |
Nominated |
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Best Original Screenplay |
Nominated |
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Best Makeup and Hairstyling |
Nominated |
Highlighting the physical and mental demands associated with training and competing in this martial art in sharp relief, Foxcatcher captures the sheer psychological pressure that wrestlers face on and off the mat, even when they aren’t being constantly harangued by a disturbed multimillionaire. A prevalent but highly dangerous practice in the sport, the movie is even notable for depicting the brutalities of weight-cutting through a notably intense sequence that sees Channing Tatum’s Mark Schulz required to lose twelve pounds in ninety minutes.
7
A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)
Muay Thai
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A Prayer Before Dawn
R
Drama
Action
Crime
Release Date
May 24, 2018
Runtime
116 minutes
Director
Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
Writers
Nick Saltrese
Producers
Nicholas Simon, Rita Dagher, Sol Papadopoulos
Cast
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-
Joe Cole
Officer Preecha
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Joe Cole
Billy Moore
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Pornchanok Mabklang
Fame
-
Somrak Khamsing
Suthin
A Prayer Before Dawn is a dramatic film centered on the true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer imprisoned in Thailand. Confronted with a harsh environment of drugs and violence, Moore’s path to survival hinges on participating in Muay Thai tournaments within the prison system.
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While many martial arts movies are renowned for an exaggerated depiction of Muay Thai, few movies have ever captured the visceral intensity associated with the “Art of Eight Limbs” like 2017’s A Prayer Before Dawn. Starring Peaky Blinders‘ Joe Cole, the movie is based on the true story of Billy Moore, a former boxer who discovers the discipline in a deadly Thai prison after being arrested for drug possession. The movie stands out among its peers for its faithful depiction of the sport’s culture, as well as some brutally entertaining fight scenes.
A Prayer Before Dawn features famous Muay Thai fighters, Chaloemporn Sawatsuk and Pimaranlek Sitaran, in supporting roles.
With fighters utilizing slashing elbows and vicious knee strikes in addition to traditional punches and kicks, Muay Thai is an absolutely vicious form of fighting, even when it’s not taking place under a deadly prison ruleset. This state of affairs frequently results in legitimate bloodshed, something that is consistently highlighted by the damage Moore absorbs in his bouts. It’s decidedly not a perfect showcase, with the fights’ pacing failing to mirror that of an actual Muay Thai contest and Cole’s technique coming off as notably basic, but Jean-Stéphane Sauvier’s picture still makes for a great showcase of Thailand’s national martial art.
6
Kickboxer (1989)
Kickboxing
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Kickboxer
R
Action
Thriller
Drama
7.0/10
Release Date
April 20, 1989
Runtime
97 minutes
Director
Mark DiSalle
Writers
Glenn A. Bruce
Producers
Philip M. Cohen
Cast
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-
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Kurt Sloane
-
Dennis Alexio
Eric Sloane
Kickboxer, released in 1989, follows Kurt Sloane on his quest for vengeance in Thailand after his brother, American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane, is paralyzed by Thai champion Tong Po. This martial arts film explores themes of sibling loyalty and determination against formidable adversaries.
Main Genre
Action
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While broadly similar, kickboxing generally doesn’t allow the elbows and knees that are used in Muay Thai. As such, while one would assume that 1989’s Kickboxer would center on kickboxing, the irony that this Jean-Claude Van Damme effort technically revolves around its Thai cousin is not lost on this writer. The martial arts classic follows Van Damme’s Kurt Sloane, a kickboxer who journeys to Thailand in search of vengeance against a Muay Thai fighter who paralyzed his older brother.
…the Belgian’s style in Kickboxer technically isn’t a showcase of any one martial art, but rather a collection of kickboxing techniques that translate to flashy results onscreen.
However, despite being purportedly trained by a master, Sloane’s style bears virtually no resemblance to that of a traditional Thai fighter. JCVD’s charge forgoes the high guard, clinch strikes, and constant forward pressure of the martial art that he is allegedly trained in, favoring an array of fancy kicking techniques and windmilling punches. As such, the Belgian’s style in Kickboxer technically isn’t a showcase of any one martial art, but rather a collection of kickboxing techniques that translate to flashy results onscreen.
5
Raging Bull (1979)
Boxing
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Raging Bull
R
Biography
Sport
Drama
7/10
9.3/10
Release Date
December 19, 1980
Runtime
129 minutes
Director
Martin Scorsese
Writers
Mardik Martin, Paul Schrader
Cast
See All
-
Robert De Niro
-
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Theresa Saldana
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is a 1980 sports drama based on the rise and fall of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta as he strives for success while dealing with his inner demons and his violent temper. Robert De Niro stars as the middleweight champion, with Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, and Nicholas Colasanto in supporting roles.
Main Genre
Biography
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From classic entries like Rocky to more modern standouts like Southpaw and the Creed series, boxing arguably remains cinema’s most well-represented martial art. One of the oldest forms of combat sport, boxing’s relatively simple rule-set of gloved punches above the belt line always makes for an invariably entertaining spectacle. Case in point? People have been watching two fighters beat the brakes off each other in this manner since before the days of Ancient Rome. However, there still hasn’t been a boxing movie that can match Martin Scorsese’s 1980 masterpiece, Raging Bull, for magnetic intensity and heart-pounding ferocity.
Renowned for his preternatural ability to take a punch, LaMotta was renowned for one of boxing’s most famous “iron chins.”
Despite being shot in black and white, this dramatized biography following the life of the eponymous pugilist, Jake LaMotta, captures the brutal breathlessness of high-paced boxing matches with visceral realism. Robert De Niro worked tirelessly with the real-life fighter in preparation, learning to mimic his fighting style and even participating in several boxing fights to lend further authenticity to his performance. To this day, Raging Bull brings the thrill and the agony of the boxing world to life in a manner that no movie has successfully replicated.
4
The Ip Man Franchise
Wing Chun
IP Man
Created by
Edmond Wong, Raymond Wong
First Film
Ip Man
Latest Film
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Summary
The Ip Man film series is a Hong Kong martial arts franchise based on the life of Wing Chun master Ip Man. It stars Donnie Yen and focuses on his journey from Foshan to Hong Kong while facing personal and political challenges. The series includes four main films and a spin-off, grossing over $426 million worldwide.
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Comprising close-quarters attack and defense techniques through redirection and rapid-fire punches, Wing Chun was made famous by Ip Man, the real-life teacher of martial arts icon, Bruce Lee. Accordingly, it’s little surprise that one of the most famous showcases of the popular discipline takes place against the backdrop of Donnie Yen’s Ip Man franchise, a film series loosely inspired by the real-life exploits and life of the martial arts master.
|
Ip Man Franchise Entries by Year |
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score |
|---|---|
|
Ip Man (2008) |
85% |
|
Ip Man 2 (2010) |
96% |
|
Ip Man 3 (2015) |
76% |
|
Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018) |
89% |
|
Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) |
87% |
Throughout the Ip Man franchise’s fight scenes, Yen’s dramatized take on this real-life individual wallops his opponents at close-quarters while seamlessly redirecting their aggression; both classic trademarks of Wing Chun’s style. While he traditionally fights in a much more merciful style throughout the wider series, Ip Man’s iconic beatdown of ten karatekas in the original installment highlights just how deadly this martial art can be when applied in ruthless fashion, with Yen’s charge breaking bones and snapping necks effortlessly.
3
Tai Chi Master (1993)
Tai Chi
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Tai Chi Master
R
Action
Comedy
Martial Arts
Release Date
November 18, 1993
Runtime
96 Minutes
Director
Yuen Woo-ping
Writers
Kim Yip
Cast
See All
-
Jet Li
-
Michelle Yeoh
-
Chin Siu-ho
-
Fennie Yuen
Two friends grow up together in the Shaolin Temple and become great fighters. However, they end up running away from the temple because of their unruly attitudes. Having to live outside the temple, the two friends adapt to the new reality, the financial problems and the tyranny of the exploitative government.
Main Genre
Action
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The efficacy of the Chinese discipline of Tai Chi in modern martial arts is the subject of considerable debate, a state of affairs that has not been helped by numerous videos of alleged “Tai Chi masters” getting completely pulverized by MMA fighters in recent years. Accordingly, it’s somewhat remarkable that it’s still arguably one of Hollywood’s most famous martial arts, with 1993’s Tai Chi Master arguably serving as its most high-profile showcase to date.
The film’s fight scenes depict highly dramatized takes on Tai Chi’s methods for redirecting attacks and using an opponent’s aggression against them, to the point that the unfortunate enemy in question is often sent literally flying as a result.
Led by martial arts icon Jet Li, the movie follows the adventures of two disciples after they are expelled from a Shaolin temple. The film’s fight scenes depict highly dramatized takes on Tai Chi’s methods for redirecting attacks and using an opponent’s aggression against them, to the point that the unfortunate enemy in question is often sent literally flying as a result. Ironically, Tai Chi Master actually does a lot to highlight the discipline’s emphasis on style over substance, with Li devoting an enormous amount of time and energy to twirling his hands in fancy kata movements when he could be fighting instead.
2
Bloodsport (1988)
Karate
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Bloodsport
r
Sport
Action
27
7.6/10
Release Date
February 26, 1988
Runtime
92minutes
Director
Newt Arnold
Writers
Sheldon Lettich
Cast
See All
-
Jean Claude Van Damme
-
Leah Ayres
Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in the martial arts movie Bloodsport as a fictional version of the real-life Frank Dux, a U.S. Army officer who participated in a secret underground martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. Directed by Newt Arnold, the 1988 action film helped establish Van Damme as a Hollywood star.
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Widely regarded as Jean-Claude Van Damme’s finest movie, 1988’s Bloodsport follows Frank Dux, a ninjutsu practioner who finds himself participating in the Kumite; a notorious underground martial arts tournament hosted in Hong Kong. Frequently touted as must-see viewing for fight fans, the movie pays tribute to a host of disciplines across 92 high-paced minutes, with the likes of Muay Thai, kung fu, and taekwondo all on display as the competition unfolds in brutal fashion.
However, despite Dux’s training and description as a ninjutsu practioner, Bloodsport is arguably more of a testament to Van Damme’s original martial art of karate. Holding the rank of second dan black belt in his parent discipline, the “Muscles from Brussels” consistently throws textbook karate techniques to win his fights during the Kumite, from his stiff roundhouse kicks to the body and blitzing punching style, to the visually pleasing hook kicks and spinning attacks that he demonstrates during his flow state.
1
The John Wick Franchise
Judo
John Wick
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.
Created by
Derek Kolstad
First Film
John Wick
Latest Film
John Wick: Chapter 4
Upcoming Films
Ballerina
First TV Show
The Continental
Cast
Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Willem Dafoe, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston, Bill Skarsgard, Mel Gibson, Donnie Yen
TV Show(s)
The Continental
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One of the world’s most elite assassins, John Wick utilizes a vast array of martial arts throughout four movie appearances to date, with a fifth rapidly approaching. While Keanu Reeves’ charge is primarily known for his use of “gun fu” throughout his adventures, the man known as the “Baba Yaga” frequently calls on what is a seemingly endless library of martial arts expertise, demonstrating elite skills in everything from karate and kung fu to sambo and silat. However, Wick is also notable for frequently showcasing one of the most efficient grappling styles in all martial arts; the Japanese discipline of judo.
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Judo traditionally emphasizes throws, pins, and submissions; methods that Wick adds a new fatal element to by incorporating firearms into his techniques. Using his talents as a judoka to redirect hordes of charging enemies, the action genre icon consistently uses classic judo throws and sweeps to land his enemies in compromising positions on the floor, finishing them off in invariably brutal fashion with his fists or weapons once they’re incapacitated.
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Category: Entertainment