The Best Martial Arts Comedy Movies

Key Takeaways

Bruce Lee revolutionized action cinema with martial arts, setting the stage for intricate stunts today.
Martial arts comedy movies blend humor with skilled fight choreography, featuring stars like Jackie Chan.
Unique films like
Kung Fu Hustle
and
Shaolin Soccer
by Stephen Chow combine kung fu tropes with comedy.

As a lifelong fan of martial arts cinema, I must say that these films are nothing short of spectacular! From the legendary Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung to the modern-day masterpieces of action, comedy, and they just never get old.

Bruce Lee significantly

Martial arts films aren’t limited to intense tales of revenge. They also offer humor, featuring resilient yet unfortunate characters or cleverly using their own stereotypes for comedic effect. Stars like Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow have successfully showcased this side of martial arts movies, which we can appreciate in these hilarious martial arts comedy films.

10 The Magnificent Butcher

IMDB Score: 7.2/10

Director: Yuen Woo-Ping
Release: December 1979
Cast: Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-Hing, Yuen Biao

In this version, the movie titled “The Magnificent Butcher” revolves around Lam Sai-Wing, a butcher who learned from the renowned folk hero Wong Fei-Hung. Similar to his mentor, Lam’s life story is steeped in both legend and truth, making for intriguing films. For instance, in this tale, he finds himself embroiled in a conflict between two opposing kung fu schools, wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

One of Sammo Hung’s earliest and most notable films is also recognized as one of his best. Sammo Hung, a prominent figure in Hong Kong cinema known as one of the Three Dragons alongside Yuen Biao and Jackie Chan, demonstrated his versatility in this movie. He was not only renowned for his unexpected agility given his size but also his ability to excel in both comedic and dramatic roles. The film, “The Magnificent Butcher,” amply illustrates this dual talent of his.

9 Big Trouble In Little China

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%

Director: John Carpenter
Release: July 1986
Cast: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, James Hong, Victor Wong

People don’t usually think of John Carpenter when the term ‘kung fu’ gets brought up, yet he always wanted to make a martial arts movie and got his chance in 1986 when he made Big Trouble in Little China, where bragging truck driver Jack Burton ends up trying to stop the evil sorcerer David Lo Pan from breaking his curse and unleashing his might on the world.

To put it another way, Jack is essentially tagging along in the story, adding humor to the mix as Wang Chi, attorney Gracie Law, and the amiable sorcerer Egg Shen guide the narrative. The film initially struggled during its premiere, but found success among enthusiasts on VHS, who admired its mockery of macho 80s heroes and martial arts acrobatics. Similarly to Wheels on Meals, it spawned a renowned video game series, which built upon its foundation and took things to another level.

8 Armor Of God 2: Operation Condor

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

Director: Jackie Chan
Release: February 1991
Cast: Jackie Chan, Carol Cheng, Eva Cobo de Garcia

In some instances, this game may be recognized due to its appearance in Angry Video Game Nerd’s Chronological Confusion video. Originally titled “Armor of God 2: Operation Condor”, it was distributed differently in various regions. In certain territories, it was released as a standalone movie called “Operation Condor,” while in others, it was marketed as the prequel to its predecessor, eventually being known as “Operation Condor 2: Armor of God.” Interestingly, the only main character from “AoG” (Armor of God) is Jackie Chan’s treasure hunter.

Essentially, this movie can be compared to a Chinese adaptation of the Indiana Jones series, where our protagonist is commissioned by the United Nations to unearth a secret stash of Nazi gold buried in the Sahara, aided by their geologist named Ada. Although it may not have achieved the same level of fame as its sequels or prequels, it’s widely considered superior due to its faster pace and improved humor. Chan delivers convincing performances both in his dialogue exchanges and fight sequences alongside his co-stars, making this film a standout among his other works. In essence, “OC” is an overlooked gem that deserves more attention from fans of action-adventure films.

7 Drunken Master

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

Director: Yuen Woo-Ping
Release: October 1978
Cast: Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-Tin, Hwang Jang-Lee

As I delve deeper into the world of Ip Man films, it feels like they’re turning their lead character into something almost supernatural with each new installment – a bit strange considering Ip Man was indeed a real individual, famed for teaching Bruce Lee the art of Wing Chun kung fu. Nevertheless, he isn’t the first to spawn such a cinematic legacy. The life of Wong Fei-Hung, a physician and master of Hung-Gar, is an intriguing blend of truth and folklore that Chinese cinema has reinterpreted in numerous ways.

In “Drunken Master,” Jackie Chan skillfully depicted a character who was arrogant yet had a golden heart. His father arranged for him to learn humility through the art of drunken kung fu from Beggar So-Chan. This lesson proved effective when he encountered the antagonist, Yim Tit-San, who was a lethal assassin. The film played a significant role in launching Chan’s career and stands out among his later, more tamed roles in Western productions.

6 Wheels On Meals

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81% (Popcornmeter)

Director: Sammo Hung
Release: August 1984
Cast: Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung

Leaving “Wheels on Meals” out of the initial list of martial arts comedy movies would be considered a significant oversight. This film is often regarded as one of the best showcasing the Three Dragons, and it also stands as a strong candidate for the title of Jackie Chan’s finest work. The story revolves around two food truck operators in Barcelona, who assist their detective friend Moby in protecting a jewel thief from a criminal organization.

The fight sequences are renowned for their skillful coordination, encompassing perfectly timed stunts and striking combat scenes, particularly against kickboxer Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez. The humor is robust as well, featuring Chan poking fun at Biao’s unrequited affection, and both actors playing off the inept cop character played by Hung. It became a highly anticipated film for martial arts movie enthusiasts, and even left its mark on video game history when the creator of future Street Fighter, Takashi Nishiyama, used Wheels on Meals characters to create Kung Fu Master, the first side-scrolling beat ’em up.

5 Black Dynamite

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

Director: Scott Sanders
Release: October 2009
Cast: Michael Jai White, Salli Richardson, Arsenio Hall

In my perspective, when it comes to martial arts, China and East Asia are like mecca for many enthusiasts. However, not everyone discovered kung fu through legends like Lee, Chan, or Li. Instead, they might have been introduced to it via the world of blaxploitation cinema, which flourished simultaneously with kung fu movies, resulting in gritty but still captivating films that were as cool as a refreshing cucumber on a hot summer day.

In a nod to that time period, the main character of Black Dynamite embarks on a lone crusade against the gang responsible for his brother’s death. However, he soon uncovers a wider plot involving mass poisoning that endangers black communities nationwide. This film is a humorous tribute to movies like Black Belt Jones and Dolemite, but with an affectionate touch, effectively combining humor by, as the director puts it, being “a bit too cool.

4 Mr. Vampire

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Director: Ricky Lau
Release: November 1985
Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Ricky Hui, Chin Siu-Ho

Instead of being a collection of the most notable action comedies starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao, this list includes several martial arts comedies that became blockbusters even without these actors on screen. For instance, Sammo Hung served as the producer for the critically acclaimed “Mr. Vampire,” where Taoist priest Master Kau and his apprentices face off against a jiangshi, a type of Chinese hopping vampire, which is terrorizing people and attempting to kill or transform them.

As a gamer, I found myself utterly captivated by this film that seamlessly blends humor, drama, and action. It delivers on every front, leaving no stone unturned. From the slapstick humor to the clever dialogue, and the unexpected miscommunications, it’s packed with laugh-out-loud moments and witty banter. But don’t be fooled by the laughter, there are some intense kung fu fights, heart-pounding scares that’ll make your skin crawl, and even a hint of romance as a ghost develops feelings for one of Master Kau’s disciples. If you’re tired of the typical Western vampire tropes, this fresh spin on the mythos will certainly pique your interest.

3 Shaolin Soccer

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Director: Stephen Chow
Release: July 2001
Cast: Stephen Chow, Ng Man-Tat, Danny Chan Kwok-kwan

This list wouldn’t be whole without acknowledging Stephen Chow, a director who is almost essential for fans of kung fu action. His films are brimming with references and humorous takes on traditional themes from Chinese cinema. For instance, in “Shaolin Soccer”, he creatively blends Shaolin-style stunts with commonplaces found in sports movies.

The film features an assortment of vibrant underdogs, striving to promote Shaolin kung-fu by showcasing their soccer abilities against the unsubtly named Team Wicked. Facing long odds and a biased referee, they demonstrate their value with extraordinary, almost fantastical, performances. This exhilarating movie doesn’t shy away from excessive elements, providing an entertaining rollercoaster ride for its audience.

2 Kung Fu Hustle

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Director: Stephen Chow
Release: December 2004
Cast: Stephen Chow, Yuen Qiu, Danny Chan Kwok-kwan

If audiences aren’t fond of the sports parody in Shaolin Soccer, Chow instead focuses on traditional kung fu themes in Kung Fu Hustle. The story unfolds in the 1940s, where an aspiring gangster named Sing encounters more than he expected when he attempts to extort money from Pig Sty Alley, a run-down neighborhood populated by numerous martial arts masters.

In a turn of events, his peculiar actions inadvertently draw a notorious criminal group, known as the Axe Gang, to the neighborhood. This predicament finds Sing caught between the temptation to ally with the Axe Gang and standing up to defend the alleyway from them. Similar to Shaolin Soccer, it blends over-the-top stunts, captivating fight scenes, and humor through clever misdirection and intentional parodies, such as the seemingly ordinary yet incredibly powerful landlady residing in the alley.

1 Police Story

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Director: Jackie Chan
Release: December 1985
Cast: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung

In simpler terms, “Drunken Master” launched Chan’s career as a leading actor, but it was “Police Story” that catapulted him to superstardom. His portrayal of an unfortunate detective fighting for justice against a wrongful murder accusation gained legendary status due to the movie’s most daring stunts, all executed by Chan himself. These included halting a bus with a single shot and gliding down electric wires in a mall (which left him with injured hands, as shown in the end credits outtakes).

As a devoted fan, I can say that this movie, particularly Police Story, stands out from the usual action flicks of its era. Instead of portraying the typical maverick hero who manages to skate past reprimands or keep working even after being let go, Chan experiences setbacks such as demotion, public embarrassment, and a truly grueling desk job due to his unorthodox methods. These trials only serve to make him more relatable, drawing us in as the stakes escalate and Chan’s detective role becomes increasingly significant.

2024-11-22 16:35