10 Best Action-Packed Martial Arts Movies on Prime

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In a movie, nothing beats the thrill of watching characters engage in intense fistfights and high-impact kicks, accompanied by dramatic sound effects. What makes it even more appealing is that no legal repercussions are involved. These types of movies often place a greater emphasis on hand-to-hand combat over other forms of action like chases, explosions, or shootouts. There’s an extensive range of subcategories within the genre of martial arts films, which includes wuxia, kung fu, karate, martial arts action comedies, jidaigeki, gun-fu, and samurai films.

If you’re fond of martial arts films, you might discover numerous options on the popular streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video. These movies span from decent to outstanding, but the following selections are particularly noteworthy due to their high-octane action – a key characteristic that makes the genre captivating. Regardless if the adversaries merely exchange brief words before engaging in combat or have well-defined motivations, you’re sure to appreciate every moment of it.

10
‘Martial Law’ (1990)

Sean Thompson, a character portrayed by Chad McQueen in the series “Martial Law“, is a tough-as-nails Los Angeles police officer who often opts to deliver punishment from both sides before making an arrest. His determination to mete out justice intensifies when a merciless crime lord brainwashes his younger brother. To execute his tasks effectively, he seeks aid from his partner, Billie Blake, played by Cynthia Rothrock. This paves the way for an exhilarating display of buddy cop action.

Don’t Mess with Family

In a simpler, more conversational tone:

This movie, Martial Law, might not be the most complex action film out there, but it certainly packs a lot of emotion. It was a massive hit not just in America, but also in Asia, where it left audiences absolutely thrilled.

Steve McQueen’s memorable, energetic portrayal of the L.A. cop put him in the running for the top action stars of that time. And Cynthia Rothrock’s powerful performance as the protagonist’s friend was nothing short of spectacular, with its trademark fiery intensity.

9
‘Rage of a Ninja’ (1988)

It’s common for people to strive for excellence at their chosen tasks, but sometimes they can push themselves too hard in the process. This is exactly what happens in the story of “Rage of a Ninja“. In this tale, we find an ambitious ninja who goes to great lengths to obtain a guidebook that promises him the title of the “Ultimate Ninja.” However, achieving such a lofty goal is not as simple as it sounds.

Fighting for Greatness

In this action movie masterfully directed by Godfrey Ho, you’ll find an enjoyable blend of heartfelt emotions and gravity-defying stunts that would make Superman himself take notice. Martial arts enthusiasts will be thrilled, too. While it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, it delivers the classic action we’ve come to expect – a sprinkling of fights, some tense moments, and a storyline that moves along nicely. You might even wish there was more of it!

8
‘The Protector’ (1985)

In the film titled “The Protector“, Jackie Chan plays the role of Billy Wong, a New York City cop who embarks on a journey to Hong Kong to save an abducted heiress from a ruthless drug lord. Unlike other films starring Chan, this one navigates through darker territories, featuring intense gunfights and action sequences that are particularly violent.

Chan’s First Attempt at Breaking into the American Market

In a surprising twist, the satirical portrayal of crime and corruption seamlessly crosses international borders with Jackie Chan in tow. Even a New York police officer might not recognize it, but as you delve deeper into this action-packed narrative, the humor becomes increasingly apparent. The absurdity of chainsaw-wielding villains gains traction when everyone involved takes their roles seriously and the threats they face are significant.

7
‘Ip Man 2’ (2010)

In the sequel, Ip Man, portrayed by Donnie Yen, embarks on another phase of his martial arts odyssey titled Ip Man 2. Here, he encounters obstacles as he establishes a school. The most formidable adversary he faces is not just the British colonial officials but also their favored combatant, Twister (Darren Shahlavi), who demean Chinese martial arts as subpar. This sets the stage for a battle of cultural values.

Much Better than the First Film

In the Ip movie series, Donnie Yen proved to the world that he’s extraordinary, and we eagerly anticipate his appearances in the John Wick series. He skillfully portrays a character who is persuasive, vengeful, and caring simultaneously. The martial arts scenes in Wing Chun have never been more enthralling, all due to the masterful choreography by Sammo Hung. The rest of the cast delivers impressive performances as well; you’ll believe they’ve worked together for years.

6
‘Lone Wolf McQuade’ (1983)

In this rephrased version, the movie Lone Wolf McQuade revolves around the character J.J. McQuade, a hardened Texas Ranger who commands both fear and admiration from those around him. Consequently, it becomes clear that arms dealer Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine) is in for trouble when he decides to abduct McQuade’s daughter.

McQuade Texas Ranger

This 80’s action movie showcases one of Chuck Norris’s top fight scenes and is essentially a delightful tough-guy spectacle. It excels as both an engaging law enforcement narrative and a thrilling martial arts adventure. Clearly, Chuck’s character dominates much of the screen time, and his intense, moving portrayal solidified his position among the decade’s top Hollywood stars; however, the rest of the cast holds their own. He may prefer solitude, but consider yourself invited to Lone Wolf McQuade.

5
‘The Assassin’ (2015)

In the heart of 9th-century China, during the Tang Dynasty, the story of The Assassin unfolds. The tale revolves around Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi), a skilled assassin who has been meticulously trained to eradicate corrupt officials from society. Following a failed mission, she is assigned a new task: the elimination of her former lover, Tian Ji’an (Chang Chen), a powerful military governor. This assignment serves as a trial of her unwavering allegiance. Will she carry out this act or will her feelings for him prevail?

Giant Dilemmas

This farewell for director Hou Hsiao-hsien is not just a heartfelt homage to the art of filmmaking, but also an intimate exploration of the boundaries between professional and personal life. After winning Best Director at Cannes, Hou retired, yet he left us with a movie that is visually captivating and masterfully choreographed. Try as you may, you won’t find any flaws in this film. It’s innovative, briskly-paced, and filled with unexpected twists.

4
‘Triple Threat’ (2019)

In the movie titled “Triple Threat“, a highly skilled assassination team is given the mission to eliminate Chinese billionaire heiress Xiao Xian, played by Celina Jade. However, as they are on the verge of executing their assignment, an unforeseen complication emerges. A band of professional fighters, consisting of Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Tiger Hu Chen, have arrived to safeguard her instead.

Expendables Lite?

In a clever move, director Jesse V Johnson assembled many of the action world’s unsung heroes in a single film, and it truly was an excellent decision. Among them are Scott Adkins and Michael Jai White, ensuring non-stop excitement. The action switches between gunfights and close combat frequently, approximately every few minutes, so get ready to feel the impact of Triple Threat.

3
‘13 Assassins’ (2010)

13 Assassins is a film that revolves around thwarting evil individuals from amassing greater influence. In this story, the tyrannical Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu (portrayed by Gorō Inagaki) is targeted for an influential position within the Shogunate Council. Due to widespread knowledge of the potential turmoil that would ensue, 12 samurai and a hunter are tasked with taking him out.

Naritsugu Must Fall

In the style of no other director than Takashi Miike, this martial arts film is a grim and gritty spectacle. It graphically portrays the political corruption and moral decay prevalent during Japan’s Edo period. The movie also offers numerous exciting fights, culminating in an unforgettable, extended final battle that lasts an impressive 45 minutes. This riveting assassin movie is not to be missed!

2
‘Drunken Master’ (1978)

In the movie “Drunken Master,” Jackie Chan’s character, Wong Fei-hung, fails to meet his father’s expectations. As a result, his father enrolls him in training under the Drunken Boxing master, Beggar So (Yuen Siu-tien). Initially dismissive of this training, Fei-hung changes his mind when an assassin humiliates him. He decides to learn the unconventional fighting style and later uses it to confront his adversary once more.

A Cinematic Milestone

Drunken Master transformed Jackie Chan into the humorous martial artist we recognize today by giving his characters, Fei-hung and Beggar So, exaggerated personalities. These characters were based on real martial artists, but the film’s appeal lies in its comic portrayal. The cultural influence of this movie is significant as it popularized the student-teacher dynamic in martial arts cinema and served as a catalyst for numerous anime, manga, and video game adaptations.

1
‘Kickboxer: Retaliation’ (2016)

In his first role, Jean-Claude Van Damme portrayed Kurt Sloane in the initial movie. However, for Kickboxer: Retaliation, he switched roles and took on the character of Master Durand, the trainer. This change was necessary because this film isn’t a conventional sequel. Instead, the storyline resumes directly from where the original ended, with Kurt Sloane being incarcerated, then compelled to battle an enormous 6’8″ and 400-pound fighter.

Van Damme’s Still Got It

As a die-hard fan, it’s heartening to see action legends like Van Damme often grapple with subpar scripts throughout their careers. Yet, in this film, he’s been given top-notch material by Dimitri Logothetis, which is nothing short of exciting! The film stands out with its brilliant choreography and captivating cinematography. Even I was taken aback when Mike Tyson proved his acting prowess beyond the “Hangover” series – the supporting cast is nothing short of phenomenal!

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2025-03-23 22:06