Taking place during China's Three Kingdoms era, this grand cinematic endeavor directed by Zhang Yimou revolves around a formidable warrior known as The Commander (portrayed by Deng Chao), and his humble doppelgänger, a servant named Jing. As the kingdom of Pei teeters on the edge of war with a rival kingdom, The Commander devises a cunning strategy to deceive their adversaries by utilizing Jing as his "shadow."

Critics and audience expressed their appreciation for Shadow's unique approach to presenting the wuxia genre. It employes an inventive color palette that imparts the essence of Chinese ink painting, instead of turning to the conventional black-and-white scheme. The captivating watch is further enhanced by marvelous action choreography and breathtaking set-pieces set amidst the rain, making it one of the best martial art movies.

Release: 2018

Stars: Chao Deng, Li Sun, Ryan Zheng

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

In Everything Everywhere All at Once, various genres blend together in a way that may cause one to overlook its core essence as a martial arts film. Michelle Yeoh takes on the role of a laundromat owner who embarks on an extraordinary adventure across multiple universes, driven by the mission to vanquish villains, safeguard the world, and fulfill her tax obligations.

The film's stunt choreography, skillfully orchestrated by brothers Andy and Brian Le, pays tribute to numerous iconic kung fu movies. TFurthermore, its ncorporation of amusing fight sequences evokes a sense of homage to the exhilarating and unconventional style found in the works of Jackie Chan, who is renowned for his daring and unconventional martial arts performances. Hence, Everything Everywhere All at Once deserves to be hailed as one of the best martial art movies.

Release: 2022

Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

The Raid 2 picks up shortly after the events of the first film. Our protagonist, Rama (portrayed by Iko Uwais) is an undercover cop on a mission to infiltrate the criminal underworld in Jakarta and expose the pervasive corruption within the police force.

The Raid 1 garnered immediate acclaim, towering over many recent films in its genre. However, The Raid 2 manages to surpass its predecessor in terms of delivering an adrenaline-fueled spectacle, shining lots of spotlight on the Indonesian martial art form known as Pencak Silat.

Audiences have held The Raid movies as a standard of excellence when it comes to martial arts films. The corridor scenes - where our protagonist engages in intense battles with sequential opponents - particularly leaves a long-lasting impacts on viewers, to the point that they have become a reference point for numerous fighting scenes from other movies.

Release: 2014

Stars: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92

In this martial arts film directed by Keanu Reeves, we follow the journey of Tiger Chen, portrayed by Tiger Chen himself, a skilled Tai Chi practitioner who finds himself unexpectedly pulled into the underground world of fighting. Faced with the impending financial collapse of his martial arts temple, Tiger reluctantly ventures into a series of brutal and illicit bouts masterminded by the enigmatic businessman Donaka Mark, played by Reeves.

Reeves's genuine passion for the genre shines through in his directorial approach to "Man of Tai Chi". However, the true standout of the film is fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, renowned for his work on legendary martial arts movies such as Drunken Master and more recently, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy. No wonder the exhilarating action sequences in Man of Tai Chi deliver unexpected thrills and excitement for all of us.

Release: 2013

Stars: Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

Triple Threat unites a remarkable ensemble of martial arts legends, featuring renowned stars such as Tony Jaa from Ong Bak, Tiger Chen from Man of Tai Chi, Iko Uwais from The Raid, Scott Adkins from Boyka, and Michael Jai White from Undisputed. In a fitting comparison, critics aptly referred to the film as "the martial arts equivalent of The Expendables."

The plot revolves around a team of mercenaries who confront a dangerous crime syndicate. Despite its lean 96-minute runtime, Triple Threat packs in numerous elements: intense gunfights, shifting alliances, and tests of loyalty, all leading to an explosive final confrontation. Hence, the movie delivers a thrilling and action-packed experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, making its way onto our movie list.

Release: 2019

Stars: Tony Jaa, Tiger Hu Chen, Iko Uwais

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%