The Best Martial Arts Movies of the 1990s

Key Takeaways

Martial arts films of the 90s focused on storytelling, and choreography, and resisted CGI.
Films like The Matrix set high standards for martial arts movies with iconic fight scenes.
Jackie Chan shines in the 90s with action-comedy hits like Drunken Master II and Rumble in the Bronx.

As a diehard fan of martial arts films since my teenage years spent watching kung fu movies at the local cinema in Hong Kong, I can confidently say that the 90s was an incredible era for these action-packed flicks. From the high-flying acrobatics to the heart-pounding fights, each of these films showcased the best of martial arts cinema, and they still hold up today.

Since the 1960s, martial arts movies have garnered some level of popularity in the Western world, yet it was during the 1990s that the genre truly broke into mainstream culture. This era witnessed the emergence of legendary martial artists such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan, while Hollywood made significant attempts at the genre with blockbusters like “Rush Hour” and “The Matrix” achieving massive box office success.

1990s martial arts films are distinguished for their heightened emphasis on narrative, a departure from earlier ones, and their reluctance to embrace CGI. With their meticulously crafted fight sequences and top-notch cinematography, these films have proven surprisingly timeless compared to the action movies that followed, which heavily relied on CGI.

10 Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor (1991)

Tomatometer: 80%, Popcornmeter: 63%

Director: Jackie Chan
Runtime: 80 Minutes
Release Date: July 18, 1997

In the 1990s, Jackie Chan was quite a busy bee, and it’s only fitting that we kick off our list with one of his most profitable films. Known as “Original Armour of God“, this film isn’t particularly innovative but is often viewed as a more comedic, action-packed spin on the greatest Indiana Jones adventures. Jackie Chan continued to build upon this concept in his 1997 sequel where his character, Hawk, embarked on a quest for golden treasure hidden within the vast expanse of the Sahara desert.

The movie surpassed the success of its predecessor, which was one of Hong Kong’s all-time top earners, by amplifying its appeal even further, given that Chan had been severely injured during the production of the initial film. Regrettably, the series lost momentum after this point, and the third chapter, known as CZ12, was disappointingly poor. While not particularly original, Operation Condor provided 90s viewers with amusing humor, stunning martial arts displays by Chan, and exhilarating stunts.

9 Rumble In The Bronx (1996)

Tomatometer: 81%, Popcornmeter: 65%

The Best Martial Arts Movies of the 1990s

Director: Stanley Tong
Release Date: February 23, 1996
Runtime: 87 Minutes

In recent times, Jackie Chan is often associated with martial arts films in the Western world, but this wasn’t always the case. Although he had been acting in Asian movies since the 1960s, it was mainly during the mid to late 90s that he gained significant recognition in the West. The movie “Rumble in the Bronx” is particularly noteworthy as it helped establish Chan’s fame beyond Asia. In this film, Jackie Chan portrays a Hong Kong police officer who relocates to New York and confronts several motorcycle gangs.

To put it straight, “Rumble in the Bronx” didn’t bag the Best Picture Award. The storyline was pretty straightforward and mainly served as a pretext for Chan to beat up a horde of faceless goons. However, what truly saved this film were its stellar fight choreography and Chan’s impeccable comedic timing. Much like many movies from the ’90s, labeling it as art could be pushing it, but let me tell you, “Rumble in the Bronx” is a fantastic choice for a fun, action-packed movie night.

8 The Tai-Chi Master

Tomatometer: 83%, Popcornmeter: 84%

Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Release Date: November 19, 1983
Runtime: 96 Minutes

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that “The Tai-Chi Master” sets itself apart from the first two movies I’ve seen in this genre. This classic martial arts film, masterfully directed by the legendary Yuen Wo-Ping, takes us on an adventure following two former Shaolin monks who once shared brotherhood. However, their friendship is tested when they find themselves on opposite sides of a rebellion against the government.

This movie might seem overly dramatic at times, but it offers a blend of action and comedy. Despite appearing to cater solely to martial arts enthusiasts, it has a wide range of appeal. To add to its allure, it features both Jet Li and a young Michelle Yeoh. Given her impressive filmography, it’s significant that this movie is one of Michelle Yeoh’s finest performances.

7 The Matrix (1999)

Tomatometer: 83%, Popcornmeter: 85%

Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Release Date: March 31, 1999
Runtime: 136 minutes

Speaking about the 90s top martial arts movies, it’s nearly impossible to avoid mentioning The Matrix. This film, starring Keanu Reeves, can be considered one of his finest works. In essence, The Matrix was the Wachowskis’ tribute to the martial arts films they were fond of during their childhood. It’s a unique blend of science fiction and martial arts that not only boosted the appeal of kung-fu in Western culture but also sparked interest in bullet time cinematography and gun-fu, which are now well-known techniques.

Back in the ’90s, The Matrix stood out as a game-changing film that left an indelible mark on cinema. Its impact is still felt today, and it set such a high standard for sequels – but unfortunately, none have managed to reach those heights. Now, some martial arts purists might take issue with the liberal use of gunplay alongside the martial arts, but let me tell you, the fight scenes in this movie were meticulously crafted by the legendary Yuen Wo-Ping. To make it authentic, many of the actors spent months learning actual combat skills, not just pretending to fight. This film sparked some deep philosophical discussions about reality among gamers like myself – a testament to its enduring influence.

6 Drunken Master II (1993)

Tomatometer: 85%, Popcornmeter: 88%

Director: Chia-Liang Liu, Jackie Chan
Release Date: February 3, 1994
Runtime: 102 Minutes

As a die-hard Jackie Chan fan, I find myself constantly grappling with the question of which movie of his stands out as the best. However, there’s a compelling case for “Drunken Master 2.” The film truly shines in its breathtaking fight sequences that leave you on the edge of your seat.

Similar to numerous other Chan films, “Drunken Master” skillfully combines humor and action in an exceptional manner. While the film’s humor might be a tad silly for some tastes, there’s no arguing with Jackie Chan’s comedic talent, and the historical backdrop is convincingly portrayed. However, it’s the action sequences that truly shine. Not only does the movie boast some of the best fight scenes from the 90s, but these battles could very well be among the greatest ever filmed. The scene where Won Fei-hung leaps onto a bed of hot coals is undoubtedly a timeless classic. In terms of martial arts mastery, Jackie Chan was at his absolute best in this film.

5 Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)

Tomatometer: 89%, Popcornmeter: 85%

Director: Lam Ngai Kai
Release Date: October 5, 1991
Runtime: 91 Minutes

One of the more unconventional films on this roster is “Riki-Oh: The Legend of Ricky,” which boasts a tongue-in-cheek tone and embraces the ridiculous. This film narrates the tale of Riki-Oh, an exceptionally skilled martial artist with extraordinary abilities, who ends up in prison unjustly. With a price on his head, he must navigate both the brutal inmates and the corrupt officials within the prison to stay alive.

As a gamer, I gotta say, watching Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky feels like stepping into an ultra-violent arcade game. Louis Fan’s character tears through adversaries with such intensity that it’s hard to look away. The action is raw and unapologetic, dripping with so much gore that the film borders on the fantastical. It’s a unique blend of dark comedy, martial arts, and prison drama that provides the perfect escape for those seeking a brainless, adrenaline-pumping experience, where the bad guys get their just desserts in the most extreme ways imaginable.

4 Once Upon A Time In China (1991)

Tomatometer: 90%, Popcornmeter: 88%

Director: Tsui Hark
Release Date: August 15, 1991
Runtime: 134 Minutes

In another phrasing: “Once Upon A Time In China” combines elements of martial arts cinema and historical drama. While it has a more solemn tone compared to other films on this list, it’s equally captivating. Set in 19th century China during the Qing dynasty, it’s one of numerous martial arts movies that portray the life of the legendary fighter Wong Fei-hung.

Back in the ’90s, I stumbled upon a movie that truly stood out – “Once Upon A Time In China.” This was where the legendary Jet Li first made a significant impact on my screen. Unlike many martial arts films of that era content with just being entertaining, this one had some serious teeth, particularly in its portrayal of China’s colonization history.

3 Iron Monkey (1993)

Tomatometer: 91%, Popcornmeter: 86%

Director: Woo-ping Yuen
Release Date: September 3, 1993
Runtime: 90 Minutes

The movie titled “Iron Monkey” is arguably the most debated on our list. At first glance, the storyline appears straightforward: Donnie Yen portrays Wong Kei-Ying, a character assigned to track down the masked warrior known as Iron Monkey, who’s been causing trouble for the wealthy upper class. Additionally, the film offers a creative depiction of the childhood experiences of another character we’ve previously mentioned, Wong Fei-hung.

The movie gained immense popularity in Hong Kong as its narrative critiqued the region’s class disparities and the historical mistreatment of marginalized communities. Regrettably, Hollywood chose to modify the film for Western viewers, erasing any potentially contentious elements, turning it into a more conventional martial arts production. Remarkably, despite being toned down, the movie ranked as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1993 in the U.S., largely due to Yuen Wo-Ping’s breathtaking action choreography.

2 Police Story 3: Supercop (1992)

Tomatometer: 93%, Popcornmeter: 75%

Director: Stanley Tong
Release Date: July 4, 1992
Runtime: 96 Minutes

Contrary to its somewhat cringe-worthy title, Police Story 3: Supercop showcases exceptional quality. With Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh in starring roles, it features the character Chan Ka-Kui partnering with policewoman Jessica Yang (Michelle Yeoh) to combat a Hong Kong drug syndicate. Essentially, it’s an engaging martial arts buddy cop movie that thrives on the chemistry between its leads and the impressive action sequences.

As a longtime fan of action films and martial arts movies, I must say that watching “Supercop” was an absolute delight. Growing up in a household where Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh were regular fixtures on our television screen, it brought back memories of my childhood spent glued to the set, marveling at their breathtaking stunts and mesmerizing martial arts skills.

1 Fist Of Legend (1994)

Tomatometer: 100%, Popcornmeter: 92%

Director: Gordon Chan
Release Date: December 22, 1994
Runtime: 103 Minutes

Revamping a genre-pioneering masterpiece is generally a daring endeavor, particularly when the initial production featured an iconic, sorrowful figure like Bruce Lee. For those not acquainted with either rendition of the movie, Fist of Legend revolves around a promising martial arts student who embarks on a journey to seek vengeance for his master, who perished in battle against an adversary he should not have encountered. In contrast to many 90s martial arts films, Fists of Legend is primarily concerned with narrating this single tale and avoids the comedic undertone and excessive action sequences that characterize numerous similar productions from the era.

Is it on par with the original? That’s up for debate. After all, following in Bruce Lee’s footsteps is no easy task. However, Jet Li delivers a remarkable performance in this film, and the action scenes enhance rather than detract from the narrative. Interestingly, Li and Yuen Woo-ping opted to minimize wirework, which lends a sense of authenticity to the movie that showcases Li’s physical prowess as well as the raw talent of the original Bruce Lee. As a self-contained film and a tribute to Bruce Lee, Fist of Legend is widely recognized as a martial arts cinema classic.

2024-11-11 16:34