The trailer for the upcoming Monkey Man promises a treat for fans of martial arts and action flicks. Coming out of India, the film is a slick, stylish thriller that follows a young man (Dev Patel) who, inspired by the monkey demigod Hanuman, swears to safeguard the weak from the tyranny of organised crime.
Throughout the years, amazing martial arts movies have appeared from all corners of the globe and it’s exciting to see brand new cultures getting in on the craze. Just from the trailer, we see Hindu mythology woven into the film’s story and visuals, featuring creepy looking demon masks and a story directly inspired from ancient Hindu myth. For readers looking forward to Patel’s directorial debut, here are ten of the most impressive, violent, and stylish martial arts films to get you ready for the upcoming Monkey Man.
1. Fist of Fury (1972)
When Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee) returns to Shanghai to discover that his master has been murdered, he sets out to catch the killer, while a rival Japanese dojo begins to harass his fellow students.
In many ways, Fist of Fury is one of the original martial arts hits, with Lee himself as the original martial arts superstar. While time may not have been kind to some of the film’s performances, the central action at its core hasn’t aged a day. Lee’s unmatched fighting energy is captured perfectly and watching him take on armies of karate students is just as spellbinding as it was back in the 70’s.
2. Ong-Bak (2003)
When the head of a sacred Buddha statue is stolen from a village in rural Thailand, Ting (Tony Jaa) volunteers to travel to Bangkok in search of the missing relic. He discovers that it has fallen into the hands of the crime-lord Komtuan (Suchao Pongwilai).
Ong-Bak isn’t just a martial arts film — it’s a film for martial artists. While it may be light on plot and acting, the film serves as a showcase of some mind-boggling levels of physical mastery. You can’t help but be amazed by Tony Jaa’s demon-like Muay Thai skills. His unique, often bizarre fighting style is a sight to behold. Whether he’s launching himself at his opponent like a comet or sending out knees, elbows,
and kicks with lightning speed, every collision hits with the kind of impact that makes you wonder whether the stuntmen didn’t deserve a raise.
3. Extraction (2020)
Netflix sleeper hit Extraction sees Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake, a tortured mercenary, as he tears a bloody path through Bangladesh to rescue the kidnapped son of a crime lord. The mission turns into chaos when Tyler is double-crossed by his employers.
Extraction may be the most viscerally violent film on this list. Its vision of crime-infested Bangladesh is bleak and ruthless. The combat is one incredible set piece after the next, with more than enough to satisfy even the most hardcore action movie fans. It also boasts a well-told story, rare for such an action-driven film, and a pace that keeps a breakneck momentum going right up until the credits.
4. The Raid (2011)
When a police raid on a slumlord’s apartment block goes awry, Rama (Iko Uwais) finds himself and his fellow officers trapped inside with an army of machete wielding thugs. With no escape and a bounty out for their heads, Rama’s only hope is to fight his way to the top of the building.
When The Raid first appeared, it felt like a watershed moment for martial arts cinema. As furious as it is gory, This incredible independent film out of Indonesia is a white knuckle thrill ride through hell. Iko Uwais is absolutely lethal in the lead role and, with the aid of flashy modern filmmaking techniques and some incredible performances (Yayan Ruhian as Mad Dog steals show), this tight potboiler is about as ruthless as it gets.
5. John Wick (2014)
It might be an obvious choice for the list, but seeing Dev Patel in the trailer for Monkey Man, with the long hair, beard, and black suit, tearing his way through shiny neon-lit nightclubs, it’s hard not to think of Keanu Reeves’ legendary ex-hitman as an influence.
When a group of thugs break into the home of a lonely widower, they beat him, steal his car, and kill his dog. The victim turns out to be a legendary assassin who comes out of retirement to exact revenge.
Stylish, savage, and wonderfully ambitious, John Wick triggered the birth of a franchise that successfully set a new standard for Hollywood action films. With a star studded supporting cast (John Leguezamo, Ian McShane, Willem Defoe) it’s hard not to find something to enjoy about this modern classic.
6. Hero (2002)
When Quin, the king of ancient China, is approached by a mysterious warrior, he hears the tale of how the man saved his life from three assassins.
One of the better entries in the ‘wire-fu’ genre of action films, Hero feels weightier and more epic in scope than most other martial arts films. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film that the Chinese film industry ever produced and every dollar (or yuan) is on screen. With sweeping battle action sequences, an all star cast of Hong Kong legends (Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Tony Leung, to name a few), Hero is a must see for any fan of Hong Kong action cinema.
7. Hardcore Henry (2015)
When the amnesiac Henry is resurrected with a cybernetically enhanced body, he embarks on a mission to save his wife from the clutches of a telekinetic psychopath who commands an army of mercenaries. What makes Hardcore Henry stand out is that the whole film is captured through Henry’s robot eyes and every scene was shot from a first-person perspective with a Go-Pro head rig.
If it sounds pretty wild, that’s because it is. The film has an incredible amount of fun with its wacky premise. Henry jumps from one brilliant first-person set piece to the next. All of the bloodsoaked violence is made all the more exciting with the clever execution of the film’s POV shooting style. Parkour chases, shootouts, high speed tank and motorcycle fights – and a hand-to-hand murderspree set to Queen for the film’s climax – the film hits the throttle from minute one and doesn’t let go.
8. Police Story (1985)
In Police Story, Chan is a rookie detective chasing to clear his name after he’s framed for the murder of a dirty cop, fighting his way across Hong Kong through a seemingly endless series of incredible stunts and fight scenes.
Police Story takes its cues from old school slapstick and vaudeville, particularly the films of Buster Keaton. Police Story dazzles with one hilarious stunt after the next, and woven into every punch, kick, jump, and fall is a healthy dose of visual comedy. Whether it’s the goofy clumsiness of Jackie’s fighting style or the death defying stunts he pulls off with seemingly effortless grace, the film justifies its lack of grit with more than enough punch to its action.
9. Blood and Bone (2009)
Blood and Bone follows Michael Jai White as ex-marine (and human weapon) Isaiah Bone. Following a stint in prison, Bone ventures to Los Angeles to join an underground street fighting ring. Things are complicated when he gets tangled up in a series of mob murders that put his loved ones in danger.
Admittedly, Blood and Bone might not be the most impressive film on this list – many of the MMA and pro wrestling athletes that make up the cast can’t act nearly as well as they can fight – but the film is a much more savage take on the typical martial arts movie. White matches his leading man charisma with his sheer physicality and his fight scenes are a marvel of choreography. It’s a light, low calorie film, for sure, but it delivers on what makes it special and doesn’t waste time with anything else.
10. Ip Man (2008)
As Japanese Imperial forces occupy China, Ip Man, a famous Wing Chun martial artist, must leave his city and fight to protect his fellow citizens as the threat of total invasion looms.
The name of the game for Ip Man is speed. Donnie Yen takes on his opponents with lightning fast strikes and ‘blink and you’ll miss them’ snap kicks. Thanks to a combination of incredible choreography and clever use of cranked up framerates, the combat in Ip Man is breakneck. Yen himself is a towering figure in every film in the series, from the original to Ip Man 4 (2019). He carries himself with the grace and poise of a Wing Chun master. It’s an absolute treat to watch Yen’s blur of furious fists beat down fighter after fighter.
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