Top 10 Best Kung Fu Movies Ever Made

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is widely regarded as the best kung fu film ever made. Gordon Liu plays San Te, a student who takes refuge in the Shaolin Temple after a failed uprising. His training through the 35 chambers is the heart of the film. Eventually he returns to teach the people kung fu. The film is influential, intense and full of unforgettable action scenes.

For many purists, Fist of Fury is the ultimate Bruce Lee film. Lee plays Chen, who takes revenge for the murder of his master by Japanese oppressors. The film is full of nationalistic anger and unprecedented intensity. The iconic final scene, in which Chen jumps to his fate, made Lee a global star.

Jackie Chan definitively established his name with Drunken Master. He plays a rebellious young man who is trained in the infamous drunken fighting style. The combination of slapstick, acrobatics and perfectly timed fights created a completely new tone within the genre. The film remains a highlight of Chan's career.

Warriors Two is considered one of the most authentic Wing Chun films ever made. Sammo Hung combines precise fighting techniques with a playful story full of misunderstandings. The extensive training scenes and focus on technique make this a favorite among connoisseurs.

In The Prodigal Son, Sammo Hung plays a rich young man who thinks he is a kung fu master, until he discovers that his father is bribing all his opponents. Embarrassed, he decides to train seriously with eccentric teachers. The film excels in realistic combat and humor, with choreography that is still impressive.

Stephen Chow breathed new life into the genre with this outrageous tribute to classic kung fu films. Kung Fu Hustle combines absurd humor, cartoonish action and impressive fight scenes. The film is full of references to old legends and forgotten stars, but at the same time feels modern and accessible.

Iron Monkey is a classic kung fu film full of long training scenes, drawn-out fights and strange humor. In the Shaolin Temple, young Iron develops the Monkey Fist style, which allows him to take on an evil general. The film is exemplary of the seventies: simple story, but endless martial arts.

King Boxer, also known as Five Fingers of Death, was one of the first kung fu films to make a major impact in the West. Lo Lieh plays a young fighter who develops a deadly technique to defend his honor. Quentin Tarantino would later openly refer to this film, which paved the way for the genre's international breakthrough.

Ip Man tells the romanticized life story of Yip Man, the Wing Chun master who would later train Bruce Lee. Set during the Japanese occupation of China, the film shows how Ip Man maintains his dignity despite poverty and humiliation. Historical accuracy is secondary to emotion and spectacle, but that does not make the film any less powerful.

Come Drink With Me is often seen as the quintessential film of the kung fu genre. During the Ming Dynasty, a general's daughter tries to rescue her captured brother from bandits. The film introduced a graceful, almost dancing fighting style that would have a huge influence on later productions. Evil monks, mysterious beggars and long battles form the basis of this historical adventure.