30 Best Chinese Action Movies
Chinese movies are most famous for their action movies and in this article we are bringing you the best Chinese action movies of all time. We will be updating the article as new movies come out.
A lot of movies on this list have multiple sequels, so we will try not to include them on this list, but will link to their watching orders in the article. So, without further ado, check out our list of the best Chinese action movies and choose your next watch.
The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)
Every few hundred years, the most powerful demon on earth—a snake demon—awakens, and the Yin-Yang Masters are summoned to the capital. Meanwhile, the Princess of the realm has her own plans, as she conspires to claim the demon’s power.
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
An American teenager obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics stumbles upon a fantastic thing in a Chinese pawn shop: he finds the legendary weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior Monkey King.
With the lost relic in his hands, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself in ancient China where he joins a group of warriors, masters of martial arts who are on a mission to free the captive Monkey King.
Ip Man (2008)
The film focuses on the life and work of Ip Man who allegedly lived in the city of Foshan during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s.
He is one of the wealthiest men in town and gives the impression that he has no need for additional work other than devoting his entire life to the painstaking practice of the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun…
Rise of the Legend (2014)
In order to break into the biggest gang in the city, Wong Fei Hung must bring the head of the leader of the “North Sea” gang. When he completes that task, he slowly and internally destroys the “Black Tiger” gang, which cooperates with foreigners and treats its workers very badly.
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Hong Kong circa 1973. Lee, a member of a Shaolin Temple, is a master of the physical and spiritual disciplines of the martial arts, and is being visited by Braithwaite, a British law officer. Lee has been invited to a tri-annual martial arts tournament held on an island owned by Han, a reclusive billionaire who was once a member of the Temple but has now become a renegade.
Braithwaite believes Han uses his tournaments as cover for narcotic and prostitution activities. Lee reluctantly agrees to enter the tournament, but his reluctance to confront Han disappears when a Shaolin monk reveals that during the previous staging of this tournament, he and Lee’s sister were accosted by several toughs led by Han’s personal bodyguard, an American named O’Hara.
Red Cliff (2008)
China, 208th year. Despite the country being ruled by Emperor Han Xian Di, China is divided into many warring states. Ambitious prime minister Cao Cao uses the emperor as a puppet and goes to war with the western kingdom of Xu ruled by the emperor’s uncle Liu Bei. The prime minister’s ultimate goal is to wipe out all the kingdoms and become the emperor of a unified China.
Liu Bei sends his military advisor Zhuge Liang as an envoy to the southern kingdom of Wu to persuade its ruler, Sun Quan, to join forces. There he meets Viceroy Zhou Yu, whom he befriends despite this fragile alliance. Upon learning that the two kingdoms had formed an alliance, Cao Cao sent an army of eight hundred thousand soldiers and two thousand ships, hoping to kill two birds with one stone.
Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang will have to rely on their mutual wisdom to destroy a much stronger opponent.
Brotherhood of Blades (2014)
During the Ming Dynasty, when incessant fighting brought the empire to the brink of collapse, Wei Zhongxian, the corrupt leader of the so-called “eunuch society”, loses power when the young ruler abdicates. Not long after, he becomes the first target for execution. Three brothers from Jinyiwei – Lu Jianxing, Shen Lian and Jin Yichuan were assigned to kill him, and Wei’s adopted son Zhao Jingzhong is behind the plan.
The three brothers are very close to each other; each of them has their own dream, but money comes first. But one mistake reveals that they are only pawns in a dangerous game that reveals a series of secrets, intrigues and deadly consequences.
Drunken Master (1978)
The only one who could teach him the greatest secrets of kung fu was a drunk teacher. Young Wong Fei Hong (Jackie Chan) is sent to train in martial arts with his uncle, a master who is known for the huge amounts of wine he drinks, as well as for the fact that he often injures his students during training.
Wong Fei Hong decides to run away from such a teacher, but during his escape, he is beaten by a hired assassin. Embarrassed, angry and eager for revenge, Wong returns to his drunken teacher, ruefully admitting that he needs his help.
The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)
Set in the Second Phase Offensive of the Korean War, “The Battle at Lake Changjin” tells an epic historical tale: 71 years ago, the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) entered North Korea for battle.
Under extreme freezing conditions, the troops on the Eastern Front pursued with fearless spirit and iron will, as they courageously fought the enemy at Lake Changjin (also known as Chosin Reservoir). The battle was a turning point in the Korean War and demonstrated the courage and resolve of the PVA.
Hero (2002)
Third century BC, China. The king of the Qin kingdom wants to conquer the other six kingdoms and unite them into a powerful, unified state under his rule. The other kingdoms resist this and their best warriors try to assassinate King Qin.
A nameless warrior arrives at the royal palace claiming to have killed all three of the most dangerous assassins – Broken Sword, Flying Snow and Sky. The king asks him to tell him how he killed each of them, and with each new story he lets the Nameless One closer to him…
Dragon (2011)
Liu Jinxi lives a quiet life with his wife in a small, remote village. His life will change when he kills two thieves who tried to rob a village store. Detective Xu Bai-Jiu discovers that one of the robbers is a wanted criminal.
Liu hit the robber with a skillful blow to the temple, and if done well, that blow can kill the opponent. There are only three men who know how to execute that shot in a championship, and apparently, the calm Liu is one of the three.
Kill Zone (2005)
Chan, an articulate senior detective nearing the end of his career, is taking care of the daughter of a witness killed by ruthless crime lord Po. Martial arts expert Ma is set to take over as head of the crime unit, replacing Chan who wants an early retirement.
Fearless (2006)
At the peak of success and fame, the master of Eastern martial arts Huo Yuan Jia (J. Li) recalls his childhood: even as a boy, he was fascinated by the combativeness and skills of his father, also a famous master Hua Endi.
As the boy was asthmatic, his father did not want to teach him his science, but, motivated by a great desire to become like him, little Huo began to train on his own, secretly observing his father and his fighters.
One evening, his father died by allowing his opponent to wound him, to spare his life. Vowing to avenge his father, Huo Yuan Jia devotes himself to the mission and becomes the best master in Tianjin, his native Chinese province, and then beyond…
Seven Swords (2005)
In the early 1600’s, the Manchurians have taken over the sovereignty of China and established the Ching Dynasty. While many nationalist revolts still brew within the martial artists’ community, the newly set-up government immediately imposes a Martial Arts Ban, forbidding the practice of martial arts altogether in order to gain control and order.
Wind Fire (Sun Hong-Lei), a surrendered military official from the previous dynasty, sees this as an opportunity to make a fortune for himself by helping to execute the new law. Greedy, cruel, and immoral, Wind Fire ravages North-western China, and his next goal is to attack the final frontier, Martial Village.
Fu Qingzhu, a retired executioner from the previous dynasty, feels the need to put a stop to this brutality and sets out to save Bowei Fortress. He brings Wu Yuanyin and Han Zhiban from the village with him to Mount Heaven to seek help from Master Shadow-Glow, a hermit who is a master of swords and leads a group of disciples of great …
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
The Chinese city of Canton in the second half of the 19th century, in one of the most difficult periods of Chinese history. Having suffered defeat in the opium war, the country only formally retained its sovereignty, while it is actually ruled by influential foreign companies and their domestic representatives.
The Chinese are mercilessly exploited and impoverished, and foreigners introduce electricity, the telegraph and new ideas into the country that are often at odds with Chinese tradition. In the time of expansion of firearms and traditional martial arts remain on the sidelines, and one of the few who perseveres with them is the wise Wong Fei-Hung (J. Li), a philosopher, doctor and master of martial arts.
With his students, he also formed a local security service that maintains order in the city, and this service represents an increasing nuisance to gangsters and foreign traders such as the treacherous and greedy slave trader Jackson (J. Isgar).
Police Story (1985)
Chan Ka Kui (Jackie Chan) is a Hong Kong police officer who is successful in his job. Namely, during the operation, Chan manages to catch a drug dealer who is powerful in mafia circles.
Considering that with the arrest of the mobster, Chan gained a powerful enemy, his business life will change a lot. Namely, the drug dealer will set him up for the murder of another policeman, and Chan will now have to clear the stain from his name and prevent his girlfriend from leaving him.
14 Blades (2010)
A kung fu thriller set during the Ming Dynasty and centered on a secret service agent (Donnie Yen) in the emperor’s court who is betrayed and then hunted by his colleagues.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Amidst the chaos of pre-revolutionary China in 1940 Shanghai, the downtrodden Singh (Stephen Chow) seeks to raise his status in hopes of joining the elite and ruthless Ax gang. When he tries to extort money from a local in a crowded apartment complex called the Pig, his comical attempts at intimidation draw the Ax gang into the fray.
The inhabitants of Svinjec find themselves in a dilemma and have to fight for their lives, and some legendary masters of martial arts will show themselves. Singh must now face his own mortality to discover the true nature of the kung fu master.
Reign of Assassins (2010)
Zeng Jing is trying to start a new life after betraying her gang and hiding in an abandoned shrine. The story, set in ancient China, follows the life of Zeng Jing, a skilled assassin who decides to become a Buddhist monk. Due to a turbulent past and a secret that could turn the whole situation around, they will find themselves in mortal danger…
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Sande, a diligent student and the son of the owner of a famous fish market, rebels against the occupiers who kill his family and escapes to Shaolin among monks and excellent kung fu experts with the intention of learning this ancient skill and passing it on to his oppressed people.
But learning kung fu is not easy, and especially becoming a master of kung fu. Stubborn and persistent Sande passes all the grades and becomes one of the best students, but when he presents his idea to the monks about spreading the knowledge of kung fu among the people, he does not get support…
Fist of Legend (1994)
After returning home to occupied Shanghai after years of studying abroad, Chen learns that his beloved teacher has been killed in battle against a member of the Japanese Black Dragon Clan. Chen embarks on a heroic, solitary journey to uncover the real killer, a journey on which he will clash with Japan’s most dangerous fighters.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2002)
Place and time: China, 19th century. The legendary warrior, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), got tired of the long-term search for the killer of his teacher and decided to dedicate himself to the spiritual side of martial arts.
On his way to a friend to whom he intends to leave his famous sword, “Green Courage”, Li Mu Bai meets his old love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), a warrior to whom he has never expressed his true feelings. The reunion is interrupted by the brazen theft of a sword, which is stolen by the young Jen (Zhang Ziyi).
She proves extremely talented in martial arts, but drawn to the power of the sword, Jen slides towards the dark side of the art. The conflict with Yu Shu Lien is inevitable, and even Li Mu Bai can no longer stand aside.
Firestorm (2013)
A storm is heading to the city, and with it comes another occurrence so destructive, it vows to bring down everything it touches. A crew of seasoned criminals led by the notorious Nam (Hu Jun), armed with high-powered weapons, pulls off another smooth and violent armored car heist in broad daylight in a crowded street. Whoever tries to get in their way, they will show no mercy.
This puts the police force to shame and humiliation. A hardboiled senior police inspector Lui (Andy Lau), hot on the trails of Nam and his tight crew, determines to put an end to this madness that causes the lives of innocent people. But he soon comes face to face with the cruel reality that the usual police tactics are too futile to send these armed thieves behind bars.
Extreme crime requires extreme justice, even if it means crossing his moral line. Tou (Lam Ka Tung), an ex-con desperate to leave his criminal past behind, volunteers to be Lui’s snitch in exchange for a fresh start with his girlfriend Bing (Yao Chen). But little does he know what hellish situation he’s getting himself into.
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)
The film is set three years after Dragon’s Landing, when Master Jade has disappeared and a new land has emerged almost from the ashes – full of scoundrels hoping to resurrect a lost city buried deep in the desert.
Project A (1983)
At the beginning of the 20th century, a gang of Chinese pirates destroyed the Chinese war fleet. The proud commander of the fleet, an old admiral (H-S. Lau), and his sailors were assigned to the police units. This is very bad for the Navy as it traditionally does not get along with the police, especially its arrogant Commander Chi (H-S. Kwan). Young Navy Lieutenant Dragon Ma (J. Chan) clashes with Chi.
He goes through unpleasant police training with his sailors and after much trouble becomes a police cadet. Rival police special agent Tin Tze (Y. Biao) takes Dragon on his first undercover operation in which Dragon Ma arrests a gangster powerhouse. The corrupt police free the gangster and Dragon Ma, disappointed and furious, leaves the police force. He meets an old friend, a trickster and smuggler Fai (S. Hung), who persuades him to steal weapons and resell them to pirates, but Dragon ruins the operation.
Fei convinces Dragon that there is a traitor in the police ranks who is responsible for the destruction of the naval fleet. Dragon returns to the police and manages to unite the navy and the police in an action to destroy the pirates and their leader Lor Sam Pau (D. Wei), who are hiding on an island where they are holding kidnapped hostages…
Armour of God (1986)
Jackie is a former popular singer turned treasure hunter. His former girlfriend Lorelei was kidnapped by a criminal sect that wants to get the so-called God’s armor, according to the tradition of armor used by the forces of good in the fight against the forces of evil. God’s armor consists of five pieces, two of which are in the hands of the sect, and the other three are in the possession of the rich collector Bannon.
The cult leaders ask Jackie to get them the other three pieces, and he does so at the request of Lorelei’s current fiance and his former friend Alan. Jackie and Alan convince Bannon to lend them his three pieces of God’s armor to save Lorelei, promising to return them undamaged, joined in action by Bannon’s daughter May…
Dragons Forever (1988)
Jackie Lung (Jackie Chan) is a successful lawyer and as such is hired by a factory in trouble. Namely, it came under fire from those who want to prohibit it from illegally disposing of waste chemicals from its plants, which cause pollution. Jackie falls in love with a beautiful activist who wants to stop the operation of the factory, so with the help of his friends Luke (Sammo Hung Kam-Bo) and Timoty (Biao Yuen), he decides to investigate why the factory is so unpopular.
Even twenty years later, the action acrobatics filmed in “Dragons Forever” look amazing and serve as a template for many action movies being filmed today. The fighting scenes are so impressive that most Hollywood action blockbusters can only look with envy and admiration at what Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo and Biao Yuen perform in this cult Hong Kong masterpiece.
Warriors Two (1978)
Mr. Tsan is a doctor and master of Wing Chun who can trace his martial lineage back to the style’s founder. He is grudgingly persuaded by Fei Chun, his lead student, to teach kung fu to Cashier Hua, a patient hiding out at his residence. Hua had previously overheard a businessman named Mo and several of his men plotting to take over the town by killing the head of the town.
Unfortunately, Hua made the mistake of warning Mo’s wormy henchman, Master Yao and a trap was set that nearly cost the poor cashier his life. Whilst in hiding, Hua sends Fei Chun to warn the town head. Ignoring the advice, the town head is later attacked by Mo’s men, although it is unclear whether he escapes or is killed after a protracted fight.
Meanwhile, Tsan runs Hua through an elaborate series of Wing Chun training sessions before he falls victim to a vicious trap set by Mo who has learned of Hua’s whereabouts. With nothing left to lose, Hua, Fei Chun, and Tsan’s niece split up to use specific Wing Chun styles against Mo’s leading fighters. Trouble mounts when it is discovered that Fei mixed up the fighter’s names and each of Tsan’s students have to improvise in order to win against their opponents.
As the Light Goes Out (2014)
The bond of brotherhood is always stronger when you can be pitched into a life and death situation at any time and the only thing that gets you through the inferno is the trust that your brother will have your back. The firefighters of Hong Kong’s Pillar Point division who are expecting a quiet night to see off their retiring chief find their faith in each other stretched to the limits when a small fire at a liquor warehouse threatens to plunge the whole of Hong Kong into darkness if it spreads to a nearby power plant supplying natural gas.
Politics, rivalry, and suspicion all come into play when dubious decisions are made, warnings are ignored and colleagues start to fall. Can the Pillar Point brotherhood survive the night, if not the fire, with their trust in each other intact?
Iron Monkey (1993)
The film is a fictionalized account of an episode in the childhood of the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung and his father Wong Kei-ying, and their encounter with the “Iron Monkey”. In 1996, a separate film titled Iron Monkey 2 was released, but it is unrelated to the 1993 film.
