Best Martial Arts Movies of the Nineteen Eighties

Many martial arts fans consider that the Nineteen Eighties was the golden age for the genre. Movies from this decade featured incredible choreographed fights with Asian actors, opening the best way for all the subsequent generation of martial artists. The success of actors like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Biao Yuen helped create an area in Hollywood for Asian people starring in lead roles.

For individuals who need to see what this era of martial arts cinema was all about, try the flicks below. Some have been forgotten within the many years since their release, but are greater than price revisiting today.

8 Yes, Madam! (1985)

One Of Michelle Yeoh’s Earliest Lead Roles

• Director: Corey Yuen
• Release Date: November 30, 1985
• Original Movie Title: Huang Jia Shi Jie
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Yes, Madam! stars Michelle Yeoh (known for her good performances in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Every little thing All over the place All At Once) in certainly one of her first roles within the Nineteen Eighties. The movie was highly successful and a breakthrough for Yeoh, who won Best Latest Performer, while the movie was nominated in Hong Kong for Best Motion Choreography.

Fans praised the frenzy that the movie delivered within the motion scenes by the 2 female leads, which brought a fresh side to martial arts movies from the Nineteen Eighties. The film tells the story of two inspectors on the lookout for two thieves involved in a murder. The fight sequences on this movie were performed by Yeoh and her co-star Cynthia Rothrock without much intervention or stunts, making it more fun to observe.

7 The Shaolin Temple (1982)

Launched Jet Li’s Profession As A Martial Artist

• Director: Hsin-Yen Chang
• Release Date: January 21, 1982
• Original Movie Title: Shao Lin Si
• Streaming: —

Shaolin Temple was certainly one of Jet Li’s first movies, which helped launch his profession as a martial artist. The plot centers around a young kid (played by Jet Li) who’s on a journey to get revenge for his father’s death. He starts to learn Shaolin Kong Fu from monks on the Shaolin Temple. Nonetheless, he must make a vow to never commit murder.

The movie was directed by Hsin-Yen Chang, who released two additional movies, the comedy-action Kids From Shaolin and Fist From Shaolin. These Shaolin-themed movies brought international recognition to Shaolin Kong-fu.

6 Wheels On Meals (1984)

A Mix Of Comedy & Motion By The Unmatchable Jackie Chan

• Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
• Release Date: August 17, 1984
• Original Movie Title: Fai Caan Che
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Wheels On Meals is a movie with choreographed fight sequences starring the trio of Jackie Chan, Biao Yuen, and Sammo Kam-Bo Hung. This movie, which was shot in Barcelona, stands out because Jackie Chan is thought for not using stunt doubles, making it more entertaining to observe his fight scenes.

The plot of Wheels on Meals centers around two friends who own a food truck and find themselves in the course of an investigation of a kidnapped woman. The talented Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, who also stars within the movie, has directed many other successful martial arts movies, like IP Man and Project A.

5 Project A (1983)

A Memorable Scene In Which Chan Falls Down From A Clock

• Director: Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
• Release Date: December 22, 1983
• Original Movie Title: ‘A’ gai wak
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Here’s one other iconic movie with the good trio of Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, and Biao Yuen. The motion scenes of Project A are memorable, and a few fans consider the Nineteen Eighties was the golden era for Jackie Chan.

The plot tells the story of a police officer (Chan) who’s defending the town from pirates since the military is unable to. Remembered because of his character’s fall from the clock, this movie delivers a combination of action-comedy, as expected from Chan’s movies.

4 Clan of the White Lotus

The Journey Into Defeating The White Lotus Clan

• Director: Lieh Lo
• Release Date: January 1, 1980
• Original Movie Title: Hong Wending San Po Bai Lian Jiao
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Directed and starring Lo Lieh, Clan Of The White Lotus tells the story of a fighter who seeks revenge on the White Lotus Clan after the killing of his family members. The clan’s leader has invincible strength and kung fu skills, so the story’s protagonist must go into rigorous training before facing him.

The movie is praised for its choreographed fight scenes that show traditional martial arts techniques. Even today, it stays a memorable and influential movie with regards to the genre.

3 The Karate Kid (1984)

A Ceaselessly Classic Karate Movie

• Director: John G. Avildsen
• Release Date: October 25, 1984
• Original Movie Title: The Karate Kid
• Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+

The Karate Kid, directed by John G. Avildesen, is a classic movie featuring Ralph Macchio and the martial artist icon Pat Morita. The plot centers around Daniel Larusso (Macchio), who, after moving states, is bullied by a gaggle of children who’re highly trained in karate.

Easily rewatchable, this movie is an award winner for Best Iconic Film and an Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Pat Morita). This Karate film isn’t nearly Karate; it carries messages of discipline, self-respect, and inner strength to all its viewers.

2 The Prodigal Son (1981)

A Kung-Fu Classic

• Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
• Release Date: December 22, 1981
• Original Movie Title: Baai Ga Jai
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

This martial arts movie tells the story of the titular Prodigal Son (played by Biao Yuen), who goes on a journey of learning Kung Fu from an actual master. It stars a few of the perfect actors of the Nineteen Eighties: Biao Yuen, Ching-Ying Lam, and the director and author, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung.

This film is widely considered among the finest Kung Fu movies ever made. A mixture of comedy, motion, and choreographed fighting scenes ends in an entertaining and authentic martial arts movie.

1 The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)

A Shaw Brothers Masterpiece