Hulu’s martial arts collection spans five decades of bone-crunching action, from Bruce Lee’s lightning-fast strikes to modern fight choreography that redefines what’s possible on screen. Whether you’re craving the philosophical depth of wuxia cinema or the raw intensity of Muay Thai combat, these 10 films deliver everything that makes martial arts movies unforgettable—legendary performances, jaw-dropping stunts, and fight sequences you’ll want to rewatch immediately.
This curated selection balances iconic classics that defined the genre with lesser-known masterpieces that deserve your attention. You’ll discover why certain films became cultural touchstones while others flew under the radar despite featuring some of the most innovative fight choreography ever captured on film. From family-friendly adventures to intense R-rated showdowns, there’s something here for every martial arts enthusiast.
Warrior (2011)
This emotionally charged drama follows two estranged brothers who enter a mixed martial arts tournament, each fighting for different reasons but both carrying deep personal wounds. Tommy Conlon returns from military service in Iraq seeking redemption, while his older brother Brendan faces foreclosure and fights to save his family’s home. Their father, a recovering alcoholic and former trainer, attempts to reconnect with both sons as they navigate their way through brutal competition.
What sets Warrior apart from typical sports dramas is its commitment to authentic MMA techniques and the raw emotional weight each fight carries. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton deliver powerhouse performances that ground the action in genuine human struggle. The film doesn’t shy away from the physical toll of combat sports—every punch, submission hold, and takedown feels consequential. Director Gavin O’Connor crafts fight sequences that serve the story rather than existing solely for spectacle, making each bout a turning point in the brothers’ relationship.
Pro Tip: Watch for the authentic MMA techniques throughout—the production team worked with professional fighters to ensure every grappling sequence and striking combination reflects real mixed martial arts strategy.
The film’s climactic tournament sequences build tension methodically, intercutting between both brothers’ matches while their inevitable confrontation looms. Beyond the octagon action, Warrior explores themes of forgiveness, family loyalty, and the different ways trauma manifests in people’s lives. If you appreciate martial arts movies that balance technical fight choreography with deep character development, this film delivers on both fronts. For fans seeking more intense dramatic content, Hulu offers additional options worth exploring.
Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
This Shaw Brothers production tells the story of Hung Hsi-Kuan, a Shaolin survivor seeking revenge against the Qing Dynasty’s White Brow Pai Mei, who destroyed the legendary temple. The film follows Hung’s marriage to Ying Chun, a martial artist specializing in crane-style kung fu, and their efforts to combine their different fighting styles to defeat an seemingly invincible enemy. Their son eventually becomes the key to unlocking the technique needed to overcome Pai Mei’s iron body defense.
Director Lau Kar-leung brings his expertise as a martial arts choreographer to create fight sequences that showcase genuine kung fu techniques rather than wire-assisted trickery. The contrast between Hung’s powerful tiger-style and his wife’s graceful crane-style creates visually dynamic combat that also serves the narrative—their marriage becomes a metaphor for finding balance between opposing forces. Gordon Liu delivers a charismatic performance as Hung, displaying the physical prowess and comedic timing that made him a Shaw Brothers icon.
The training sequences demonstrate traditional kung fu methodology, showing how practitioners develop specific techniques through repetitive practice and creative problem-solving. Pai Mei’s character, with his distinctive white eyebrows and nearly invulnerable body, became one of kung fu cinema’s most memorable villains—so influential that Quentin Tarantino later incorporated him into Kill Bill Volume 2. The film’s blend of serious martial arts philosophy with entertaining family dynamics creates an accessible entry point for viewers new to classic Shaw Brothers productions.
Fearless (2006)
Jet Li’s final martial arts epic chronicles the true story of Huo Yuanjia, who founded the Chin Woo Athletic Association and became a symbol of Chinese national pride during the early 20th century. The narrative follows Huo’s transformation from an arrogant young fighter obsessed with proving his superiority to a humble martial artist who understands that true strength comes from discipline and respect. After personal tragedy forces him to reevaluate his life’s purpose, Huo returns to challenge foreign fighters who claim Chinese martial arts are inferior.
Jet Li (Huo Yuanjia) brings depth and maturity to what could have been a simple nationalist tale, instead crafting a meditation on the spiritual aspects of martial arts. The film’s fight choreography, designed by Yuen Woo-ping, showcases multiple Chinese martial arts styles including wushu, tai chi, and traditional kung fu forms. Each confrontation carries thematic weight—Huo’s early fights demonstrate reckless aggression, while his later matches show controlled precision and respect for opponents.
Important Note: This film was marketed as Jet Li’s final traditional martial arts role, making it particularly significant for fans of his extensive career in the genre.
The cinematography captures both intimate character moments and spectacular arena battles with equal skill. A mid-film sequence where Huo finds peace in a rural village provides necessary breathing room between action set pieces, allowing the character’s transformation to feel earned rather than rushed. The climactic multi-fight tournament showcases Huo facing fighters from Japan, Britain, and other nations, with each bout highlighting different martial arts philosophies. For those interested in how martial arts cinema evolved to balance action with deeper themes, Fearless represents a pinnacle of that evolution.
Fist of Fury (1972)
Bruce Lee stars as Chen Zhen, a student who returns to his Shanghai martial arts school to discover his beloved teacher has been murdered. When the Japanese dojo responsible insults both his master’s memory and the Chinese people, Chen embarks on a revenge mission that escalates into open conflict between martial arts schools. The film unfolds against the backdrop of Japanese occupation, transforming personal vengeance into a broader statement about national identity and resistance.
Bruce Lee (Chen Zhen) delivers one of his most iconic performances, channeling righteous fury into explosive fight sequences that showcase his revolutionary approach to on-screen combat. Unlike the stylized choreography common in kung fu films of the era, Lee’s movements emphasize speed, efficiency, and realistic striking power. His famous nunchaku demonstration remains one of martial arts cinema’s most memorable moments, combining technical skill with raw charisma that no subsequent actor has quite matched.
Director Lo Wei frames the action within a nationalist narrative that resonated powerfully with audiences facing their own struggles with colonialism and cultural identity. The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the racism and humiliation Chinese people faced during this historical period, giving Chen’s violent retaliation emotional justification. The “Chinese sick man” sign-breaking scene became symbolic of rejecting imposed inferiority, cementing the film’s status beyond mere entertainment.
| Aspect | Fist of Fury | Typical 1970s Kung Fu Films |
|---|---|---|
| Fight Style | Realistic, economical movements | Stylized, theatrical choreography |
| Emotional Tone | Intense, serious drama | Often comedic or lighthearted |
| Cultural Context | Direct engagement with colonialism | Historical or mythological settings |
| Choreography Speed | Emphasized quick, explosive strikes | Slower, more visible techniques |
The tragic ending, with Chen facing impossible odds rather than surrendering, elevated the film beyond typical revenge narratives into something approaching classical tragedy. For viewers exploring martial arts films available on streaming platforms, Fist of Fury remains essential viewing for understanding how Bruce Lee transformed the entire genre.
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)
This breakthrough film introduces Tony Jaa as Ting, a young villager who travels to Bangkok to recover his village’s stolen Buddha head. Armed only with traditional Muay Thai techniques and an absolute refusal to use stunt doubles or wire work, Ting navigates the city’s criminal underworld. The simple plot serves primarily as a framework for showcasing authentic Thai martial arts in ways international audiences had never seen before.
Tony Jaa’s (Ting) athletic abilities redefined what seemed physically possible in action cinema. His use of Muay Thai—incorporating devastating elbow strikes, knee attacks, and clinch work—brought a raw, bone-crunching realism that contrasted sharply with the wire-enhanced kung fu dominating martial arts films at the time. The famous tuk-tuk chase sequence, shot in a single continuous take, demonstrates Jaa’s commitment to practical stunts that put actors’ bodies directly in harm’s way.
Pro Tip: Watch the end credits carefully—they show alternate angles and behind-the-scenes footage of the film’s most dangerous stunts, proving no wires or CGI were used in Jaa’s incredible physical feats.
Director Prachya Pinkaew stages fight sequences in diverse locations—underground fight clubs, bustling markets, ancient temples—each environment adding unique challenges to the combat. The film’s approach to violence is unflinching; you hear every impact, see every wince of pain, and feel the exhaustion building in extended fight sequences. This authenticity helped Ong-Bak revitalize interest in practical martial arts choreography during an era when CGI was increasingly replacing physical stunts.
The cultural specificity of Muay Thai techniques—the ritualistic wai kru dance before fights, the use of traditional music during matches—grounds the action in Thai heritage. While the plot follows familiar revenge-thriller beats, the execution of fight choreography makes Ong-Bak essential viewing for anyone interested in how different martial arts translate to cinema.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s wuxia masterpiece follows legendary warriors Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien as they pursue the stolen Green Destiny sword and confront the mysterious young fighter Jen Yu. Set during the Qing Dynasty, the film weaves together multiple love stories—both expressed and repressed—against a backdrop of martial arts philosophy and personal sacrifice. The theft of the sword sets in motion events that force each character to confront what they’ve denied themselves in service of duty and honor.
Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh bring gravitas to warriors whose unspoken love has defined their lives, while Zhang Ziyi’s breakthrough performance as Jen captures the rebellious spirit of someone refusing to accept society’s limitations. Yuen Woo-ping’s choreography embraces the fantastical elements of wuxia—fighters gliding across rooftops, battling in bamboo forests, and defying gravity—while maintaining emotional authenticity in each confrontation. The wire work enhances rather than replaces genuine martial arts skill, creating a dreamlike quality that serves the film’s romantic themes.
The bamboo forest duel between Li Mu Bai and Jen Yu remains one of cinema’s most visually stunning fight sequences, with warriors flowing through swaying bamboo stalks in a vertical ballet of swordplay. Cinematographer Peter Pau captures the natural beauty of Chinese landscapes—deserts, mountains, forests—making each location feel spiritually significant rather than merely decorative. The film’s success in bringing wuxia to mainstream Western audiences opened doors for numerous martial arts films to find international distribution.
Key Insight: The film’s title refers to the hidden potential within seemingly ordinary people—a central theme that resonates through each character’s journey toward accepting their true desires and capabilities.
Beyond spectacular action, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon explores how societal expectations constrain personal freedom, particularly for women in traditional Chinese society. Jen’s rebellion against an arranged marriage and her pursuit of martial arts mastery challenge conventions that even the heroic warriors accept. For viewers who appreciate films that blend genre elements with artistic ambition, this remains a landmark achievement.
Blade of the Immortal (2017)
Takashi Miike’s adaptation of the manga follows Manji, a samurai cursed with immortality through blood worms that heal any wound. Haunted by the murder of his sister, Manji agrees to protect Rin, a young girl seeking revenge against the sword school that killed her parents. Their journey becomes a sprawling tale of redemption as Manji faces increasingly skilled opponents while grappling with the burden of living indefinitely with his guilt.
Takuya Kimura brings weary charisma to Manji, a warrior who has lived so long that death has become his only remaining goal. The immortality concept allows Miike to stage extraordinarily brutal fight sequences where Manji absorbs catastrophic damage—losing limbs, sustaining fatal wounds—only to regenerate and continue fighting. This supernatural element doesn’t diminish the martial arts choreography; instead, it enables extended combat showcasing various Japanese sword fighting styles and creative weapon designs.
The film features over 200 individual fight sequences, each opponent wielding unique weapons and techniques that challenge Manji’s centuries of experience. From hidden blade users to axe-wielding giants, the variety in combat styles prevents action fatigue across the film’s substantial runtime. Miike’s direction embraces both the manga’s stylized violence and moments of genuine pathos, particularly in exploring how revenge consumes those who pursue it.
The relationship between Manji and Rin evolves from transactional protection into something resembling family, giving emotional weight to the increasingly dangerous confrontations. As they face the Itto-ryu sword school’s masters, each battle reveals more about the complex motivations driving both sides of the conflict. The film’s exploration of whether redemption is possible for someone who has committed terrible acts adds philosophical depth to what could have been simple revenge fantasy. Those interested in Japanese action cinema will find this live-action adaptation honors its source material while creating something distinctly cinematic.
Drunken Master (1978)
This comedy classic stars Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung, a young martial artist whose arrogance and laziness lead his father to send him for training with Beggar So, a master of the unconventional “drunken” fighting style. Initially resistant to the humiliating training methods, Wong eventually embraces the technique and uses it to defend his family’s honor against a deadly assassin. The film established the comedic kung fu formula that would define much of Chan’s career.
Jackie Chan’s (Wong Fei-hung) performance showcases his unique ability to blend acrobatic martial arts with physical comedy. The drunken boxing style—mimicking the movements of an intoxicated person—allows for unpredictable, flowing combat that’s both hilarious and genuinely impressive. Director Yuen Woo-ping (who also plays Beggar So) choreographs fight sequences that emphasize Chan’s flexibility and timing, creating action that entertains through creativity rather than violence.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the “Eight Drunken Immortals” training sequence where Wong learns different drunken styles—each immortal’s technique reflects their mythological personality, adding cultural depth to the comedy.
The training sequences balance humor with legitimate martial arts instruction, showing how difficult techniques require both physical discipline and mental adaptation. Wong’s transformation from spoiled youth to capable fighter feels earned because we see every painful step of his education. The climactic battle against the assassin Thunderleg demonstrates how drunken boxing’s apparent chaos conceals sophisticated strategy and precise technique.
| Element | Drunken Master Approach | Traditional Kung Fu Films |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Comedic with slapstick elements | Serious, dramatic revenge stories |
| Training Sequences | Humorous, emphasizing difficulty | Montages showing rapid improvement |
| Fighting Style | Unpredictable, flowing movements | Direct, powerful techniques |
| Character Arc | Immature youth to disciplined fighter | Already skilled seeking revenge |
The film’s success spawned numerous imitators and established drunken boxing as a distinct subgenre within kung fu cinema. Chan’s willingness to take real hits and perform dangerous stunts without wires or doubles adds authenticity that elevates the comedy beyond mere silliness. For viewers exploring classic martial arts films across platforms, Drunken Master represents the perfect balance of humor and genuine kung fu skill.
The Raid: Redemption (2011)
This Indonesian action thriller follows an elite police squad trapped in a Jakarta apartment building controlled by a ruthless drug lord. Officer Rama must fight his way through thirty floors of criminals, corrupt cops, and deadly martial artists to survive. What begins as a straightforward raid quickly becomes a desperate battle for survival as the team realizes they’ve been betrayed and must rely solely on their combat skills to escape.
Iko Uwais (Rama) demonstrates the brutal efficiency of pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art emphasizing close-quarters combat, joint locks, and devastating strikes. Director Gareth Evans stages fight sequences in claustrophobic hallways, cramped apartments, and narrow stairwells—environments that force fighters into intimate, visceral combat. The camera work captures every impact with unflinching clarity, using long takes that showcase the performers’ genuine martial arts abilities without hiding behind quick cuts.
The film’s relentless pacing rarely allows breathing room, maintaining tension through increasingly intense confrontations. Each floor of the building presents new challenges—machete-wielding thugs, psychotic enforcers, skilled martial artists—building toward a climactic showdown with Mad Dog, a fighter who prefers hand-to-hand combat to guns. The choreography emphasizes realistic consequences; fighters show exhaustion, accumulate injuries, and struggle to continue as damage mounts.
Important Note: The fight choreography required months of training and rehearsal, with actors performing their own stunts to maintain the raw, authentic feel that makes each confrontation feel genuinely dangerous.
The Raid revitalized action cinema by proving that practical fight choreography could compete with CGI spectacle. The pencak silat techniques—incorporating elbows, knees, throws, and weapon disarms—brought a Southeast Asian martial arts style to international prominence. Evans’ direction finds creative ways to stage combat in limited spaces, using walls, doors, and furniture as tactical elements rather than obstacles. Fans of intense action sequences will find this film pushes the genre’s boundaries while honoring traditional martial arts principles.
Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Quentin Tarantino’s revenge epic follows The Bride, a former assassin who awakens from a coma to hunt down the team that betrayed her. The first volume chronicles her pursuit of two members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad—Vernita Green and O-Ren Ishii—while showcasing Tarantino’s encyclopedic knowledge of martial arts cinema. The film functions as both homage to and reinvention of kung fu, samurai, and exploitation films that influenced the director.
Uma Thurman’s transformation into a sword-wielding warrior required extensive training in various martial arts styles, resulting in a performance that honors the genre while creating something distinctly contemporary. The film’s structure allows Tarantino to explore different martial arts subgenres—the suburban knife fight references ’70s grindhouse, the anime sequence pays tribute to Japanese animation, and the House of Blue Leaves massacre celebrates both samurai cinema and Shaw Brothers choreography. Yuen Woo-ping’s fight choreography adapts his signature wire work and weapon combat to Tarantino’s stylized violence.
The showdown with O-Ren Ishii’s forces showcases The Bride fighting through dozens of yakuza members and the elite Crazy 88 gang. Tarantino stages this extended sequence with visual creativity—shifting between color and black-and-white, incorporating silhouettes, and using music from classic martial arts films to enhance the action. The final duel in the snow-covered garden between The Bride and O-Ren becomes a meditation on honor and skill, slowing the pace after the chaotic massacre to focus on pure swordsmanship.
The film’s stylistic choices—chapter breaks, saturated colors, crash zooms, and eclectic soundtrack—create a heightened reality that allows for both brutal violence and dark comedy. Tarantino’s dialogue gives each character distinctive personality beyond their fighting abilities, making confrontations feel personal rather than merely choreographed. The reverence for martial arts cinema history is evident in every frame, from the yellow tracksuit referencing Bruce Lee to the samurai sword mythology borrowed from classic chambara films.
Key Insight: Tarantino spent years studying martial arts films from multiple countries and eras, incorporating specific references that reward viewers familiar with the genre’s history while remaining accessible to newcomers.
For audiences seeking films that celebrate martial arts cinema while pushing creative boundaries, Kill Bill: Volume 1 demonstrates how the genre can evolve without abandoning its roots. The Bride’s journey continues in Volume 2, but this first installment works as a standalone exploration of revenge, skill, and the cinematic language of martial arts. Those interested in martial arts films across different streaming services will find Tarantino’s approach offers a unique Western perspective on Eastern action traditions.
These ten films represent martial arts cinema’s remarkable diversity—from Bruce Lee’s revolutionary realism to wire-enhanced wuxia fantasy, from comedic kung fu to brutal Indonesian action. Whether you’re drawn to philosophical warrior tales or straightforward fight spectacles, Hulu’s collection offers entry points into one of cinema’s most physically demanding and creatively rewarding genres. Each film showcases different martial arts styles, cultural contexts, and approaches to choreography, proving that martial arts movies encompass far more than simple action entertainment.