The 10 Best Fighting Movies To Watch
Does Your Favourite Martial arts Film Make This List?
Kung Fu Hustle (2010)
7.7 IMDB
In Shanghai, China, in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious ‘Axe Gang’. Meanwhile, residents of a squalid housing complex defend their turf at all costs.
Kung Fu Hustle blends insane choreography, mature comedy, and an engaging story all into one memorable package. It’s refreshingly original and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Raging Bull (1980)
8.2 IMDB
A biopic of famed boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.
Directed by Martin Scorsese. Robert DeNiro runs away with the role of Jake LaMotta, the fierce and troubled championship boxer. The film drips with style, and it’s easily a top-5 boxing movie.
The Raid (2011)
7.6 IMDB
A S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
The Raid perfectly walks the fine line between brutal and excellent fight choreography, and extremely compelling narrative. The protagonist is a practitioner of Pencak Silat, a Southeast Asian martial art. Silat employs strikes using every part of the body, grappling, throws, and traditional weapons.
This film is incredibly violent.
Ip Man (2008)
8.0 IMDB
During the war between China and Japan, a Japanese official notices Ip Man, a Wing Chun expert, and his skills. He asks him to train the Japanese in the art of Wing Chun for self-defence.
Ip Man is a biopic of Bruce Lee’s mentor, Ip Man. It’s a plot driven martial arts movie, that features some exceptional fight choreography, and it even has numerous sequels (though they start to get gratuitous after the 2nd installment).
Warrior (2011)
8.2 IMDB
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.
It’s a MMA film that plays with the heavy tone of family issues, as well as containing some convincing MMA fight scenes. The best part is it doesn’t insult your intelligence like a lot of MMA films.
The Raid 2 (2014)
7.9 IMDB
The Raid 2 (2011) follows the same protagonist as the last film. “Only a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force.”.
Everything The Raid (2011) did well, this film does better. Including: car chases, large scale gang wars, weapon warfare.
Cinderella Man (2005)
8.0 IMDB
The story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer who came back to challenge for the heavyweight championship of the world.
Taking place during the great depression, Cinderella man is a drama/success story boxing movie, James J. Braddock must fight for his family’s survival, culminating in an intense confrontation with the infamous Max Baer.
Based on true events.
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
7.3 IMDB
It literally is Kung Fu football. Stephen Chow (same director as kung fu hustle) directs a fun, action filled, goofy martial arts film with some half decent narrative themes. It’s a good watch, some of the CGI has aged badly, but it’s great for a beer with friends. It even has some musical scenes.
The premise sounds cheesy, but it’s seriously a good film.
Ip Man 2
7.5 IMDB
The titular IP Man migrates to Hong Kong in 1949 to propagate his Wing Chun martial art.
IP Man must deal with the retaliation of other martial arts practitioners, as well as the discrimination coming from the British occupants of Hong Kong. IP Man 2 is slightly more exaggerated than the first film, but still a must watch.
Million Dollar Baby
8.1 IMDB
Million Dollar baby follows Maggie Fitzgerald, a determined boxer with rudimentary skills, as she looks to earn her shot at a world title fight under the tutelage of her coach (played by Clint Eastwood).
Eastwood acted in and directed this film, and his themes about family, poverty, determination and achievement really shine through. It’s a thoughtful film which will have you at the edge of your seat, laughing, and crying in the space of 2 hours.
Mathew is a UK based combat sports writer. His work can be found in MMAKnockout and Heavy on UFC. Contact Mat via [email protected]