10 Best Martial Arts Movies of the 2000s, Ranked

Providing expertly choreographed combat sequences, action-packed scenes involving varied preventing abilities primarily of East Asian origin (similar to kung fu, judo, karate, and kendō), and well-written narratives usually involving themes of responsibility, honor, and loyalty, the martial arts style has risen in reputation by the years, and understandably so.

Despite the fact that the style originated a number of years in the past, extra particularly within the late Nineteen Twenties China, it has quickly grow to be a fan-favorite amongst moviegoers across the globe, making its solution to Western cinema by iconic movies like Quentin Tarantino‘s Kill Bill. It is not tough to know the plain enchantment of martial arts movies, and the 2000s have been a very nice decade for the class — it noticed the discharge of many must-see flicks on this class. To have a good time how beloved these movies are, we glance again at the perfect martial arts films of the 2000s, rating them by their leisure worth and the way iconic they’re.

10 ‘The Hidden Blade’ (2004)

Director: Yôji Yamada

Yôji Yamada‘s historic drama set in a time of cultural assimilation throughout nineteenth century Japan, follows a samurai performed by Masatoshi Nagase who faces prejudice attributable to his late father’s actions and should come to phrases together with his previous, which includes a maid and his shut pal.

Initially titled Oni no tsume, The Hidden Blade is a genuinely gripping, although underrated samurai film that advantages from unbelievable enhancing and top-notch cinematography. On high of its participating narrative that meditates on honor, loyalty, and justice, Yamada’s film options nice motion sequences, making for a top-notch entry within the style. This, nevertheless, shouldn’t be the least shocking when contemplating the thoughts behind it — Yamada is among the most famous filmmakers in Japan and worldwide, and his efforts within the film are nothing in need of unbelievable.

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9 ‘Kill Invoice: Vol. 2’ (2004)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Whereas the primary installment of Quentin Tarantino‘s duology is arguably the superior one (although they have been made in the identical manufacturing), Kill Bill: Vol. 2 can be value checking. The 2004 film follows The Bride (Uma Thurman in a career-defining function) as she continues her quest in opposition to her former boss (Jun Kunimura), lover Invoice (David Carradine), bouncer Budd (Michael Madsen), and one-eyed Elle (DarylHannah).

Along with Thurman’s unbelievable efficiency, Kill Invoice Vol. 2 is commonly praised for providing audiences extra perception into the lifetime of the titular character and being a extra cerebral installment than its predecessor. Though all of it involves desire on the finish of the day, there isn’t a denying that Tarantino’s second movie additionally deserves a spot among the many greatest 2000s martial arts movies.

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8 ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)

Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson

Considered top-of-the-line animation films of the 2000s, Kung Fu Panda is a family-friendly film centering round an chubby and clumsy panda (voiced by Jack Black) who’s chosen as a protector of the Valley of Peace. Nevertheless, the reply as to whether or not he matches the function is examined when the valley’s arch-enemy steps into the image.

This Finest Animated Function Academy Award nominee deserves the eye of audiences of all ages, particularly those that get pleasure from martial arts movies. Regardless of being a PG film, it’s a genuinely enjoyable and fascinating film with beautiful animation and memorable characters. The voice appearing can be value noting, and Jack Black actually places his abilities to good use.

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7 ‘Hero’ (2002)

Director: Zhang Yimou

Zhang Yimou‘s 2002 film is thought for its stunning usage of colors, with every body wanting prefer it got here out of a ravishing portray. Hero facilities round a protection officer (Jet Li) who viewers get to know as “Anonymous” and is summoned by the King of Quin and questioned about his success in executing three warriors. Anonymous recounts his story, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in its non-linear storytelling.

Whereas Wuxia fanatics particularly have most likely already seen Hero, it’s nonetheless value mentioning for its iconic standing among the many best 2000s martial arts movies. Whereas the strongest features of the film are the breathtaking cinematography and motion sequences, its outstanding premise and execution make it top-of-the-line in its class.

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6 ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ (2004)

Director: Stephen Chow

Mixing comedy, motion, and fantasy, the trendy and hilarious Kung Fu Hustle is about in Forties Shanghai, China, and focuses on an aspiring gangster who makes plans to hitch the “Axe Gang” when he stumbles right into a slum dominated by landlords who’re truly unbelievable Kung Fu masters in disguise.

Stephen Crow’s film is a wicked fun must-see among martial arts films of the 2000s. Though the stainless humor is presumably what stands out probably the most, there are undoubtedly many options that contribute to its success: from its superb CGI to the way in which it highlights martial arts as a manner for self-improvement, and tarantism vs. individualism, Kung Fu Hustle is most actually a characteristic audiences don’t wish to miss.

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5 ‘Home of Flying Daggers’ (2004)

Director: Zhang Yimou

Not mentioning Zhang Yimou‘s astounding movie on this record can be an enormous omission, because it has cemented a legacy among the many best movies of martial arts ever made. Home of Flying Daggers tells the story of a police captain (Andy Lau) who breaks a captivating member (Ziyi Zhang) out of jail to assist her rejoin her fellows to sudden outcomes.

That includes an empowering feminine protagonist and an engrossing narrative, Home of Flying Daggers is a landmark in martial arts cinema, standing among the many better of the 2000s within the style. On high of being entertaining, it’s a really lovely and stylized film with fascinating manufacturing design. It was understandably chosen as China’s entry for the Academy Award for Finest International Language Film, though it didn’t get a nomination ultimately.

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4 ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Director: Ang Lee

Starring Everything, Everywhere, All At Once‘s now Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh — a unbelievable actor largely identified for her work in martial arts movies — Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is about within the nineteenth century and tells the story of a warrior who goes on a quest to search out her lover’s (Chow Yun-Fats) stolen sword. When the search results in the Home of Yu, the story takes on a unique degree.

From the thoughts of Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi 11-time Academy Award-nominated director Ang Lee, this important martial arts movie undeniably earns a spot among the many decade’s most memorable. Sending out sturdy messages about honor, loyalty, and responsibility (a lot mentioned themes within the style), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an instance of an unbelievable entry within the style.

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3 ‘The Twilight Samurai’ (2002)

Director: Yoji Yamada

Primarily based on the brief story The Bamboo Sword by Shuhei Fujisawa, Yoji Yamada‘s Japanese historic drama set in mid-century Japan stars John Wick‘s unforgettable actor HiroyukiSanada and Rie Miyazawa and illustrates a couple of years earlier than the Meji Restoration. Its plot follows a widower samurai who struggles to steadiness clans and his private life, which incorporates two younger daughters and an aged mom. Within the meantime, his childhood sweetheart steps into the image.

Romance enjoyers might really feel inclined to offer The Twilight Samurai a go, contemplating that it’s a good mixture of the style with martial arts and the romance subplot is genuinely plausible. Moreover, the 2002 additionally gives audiences with a pleasant illustration of rural Japan in struggling instances. Whereas it is arguably extra of a drama than an motion movie, Yamada’s characteristic deserves a nod among the many better of the 2000s.

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2 ‘Ip Man’ (2008)

Director: Wilson Yip

Ip Man takes audiences again to the Japanese invasion of China, depicting the story of a martial artist (Donnie Yen, who additionally starred within the newest John Wick installment) compelled to depart his dwelling when town is occupied. Within the meantime and amidst all of the chaos, he should study a solution to survive together with the remaining members of town.

Wilson Yip’s kung-fu epic is a substantive addition to martial arts cinema, enduring a related title in spite of everything these years for its absorbing, action-packed storytelling and top-tier choreographies. The cherry on high is the truth that the Hong Kong movie is a biopic based mostly on the titular protagonist’s real-life counterpart, who was the grandmaster of the martial artwork Wing Chun and the instructor of iconic martial artist Bruce Lee.

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1 ‘Kill Invoice’ (2003)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Launched to essential and industrial success, Kill Invoice Vol. 1, Tarantino’s unforgettable image has garnered an enormous cult following and have become a fan-favorite amongst cinephiles. On this martial arts epic, audiences are first launched to Thurman’s The Bride, illustrating the start of her quest for revenge after waking up from a coma 4 years after being shot within the head.

It is not obscure Kill Invoice‘s timeless appeal, particularly when it delivers a flawless mix of spaghetti Westerns, revenge thrillers, and excellent martial arts motion sequences. There are certainly many causes to look at the 2000s film as we speak — moreover its lead character simply taking place as one of the vital iconic action heroines in film, the masterful path cements it as a real masterpiece.

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NEXT: 10 Martial Arts Movies That Are Perfect from Start to Finish