When it comes to movies brimming with excitement and cinematic fun, you can't do better than a good kung-fu film. These oftentimes zany action experiences always offer viewers straightforward plots about revenge or justice that are made exceptional by skilled martial artists, who always amaze them with their timeless talents. They're special films that can often be understood by a child, but are beloved by people of all ages.
Despite being a somewhat legendary genre in cinema, many of the greatest classic kung-fu films are mostly unknown to modern audiences. With so many unbelievable and timeless films in the genre, more viewers everywhere would greatly benefit from seeing more of these cinematic masterworks. Here are 10 of the most underrated classic kung-fu films everyone should see.
The Boxer from Shantung (1972)
If you've seen a martial arts film, you probably know how they generally go. The heroes are defeated by a malicious fighter, which forces them to retreat, so they can train until they can best them in combat and win back their honor. There's nothing wrong with this structure with many films in the genre using the context and fights to make it feel exciting each time, but it is special when it's different, like in Cheh Chang and Hsueh-Li Pao's The Boxer from Shantung.
This film still has great martial arts battles that are motivated by vengeance that are typical of this genre, but its plot plays more like a gangster film. The main character is a wanderer with impressive fighting ability that upon his arrival in Shanghai becomes impressed with a local gang boss and decides he would like to pursue a similar life. What follows is something similar to a Scorsese film like Mean Streets or Goodfellas except with more martial arts fights that make for a great kung-fu film with an all-time final fight fans of the genre are sure to love.
Shaolin Prince (1982)
Kung-Fu films are made all the better when they embrace a multitude of zany ideas. Chia Tang's Shaolin Prince is definitely one of the most insane, that has moments that borderline on becoming a Loony Tunes cartoon in the best way possible. It tells the story of two princes that were separated at birth but are reunited by chance at the age of 23 and must their combined kung-fu mastery to defeat the villainous 9th Prince.
It's a premise you've probably seen in some form somewhere else, but the execution of this film goes beyond anything you've seen. The two heroic princes must contend with magic swords, kung-fu exorcisms, and evil buddhas that make this an impossibly fun watch that all builds to an incredible final fight. An exceptional exercise in silliness that's hard not to love.
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)
While the kung-fu genre is known for many violent and bloody fights, none of them hold a candle to the extreme gore of Lam Ngai Kai's Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky. It's about a man named Ricky that is incarcerated in a futuristic prison that is run by corrupt men and cruel gangs who prey upon the weak and innocent, causing Ricky to rise up to fight against them, resulting in extremely bloody ends.
It can be stressed enough that the film really is an incredibly bloody experience to an absurd degree for what may be one of, if not the most, violent films ever made. It almost feels like the true version of a Mortal Kombat adaptation, with how hilariously over-the-top it can be in its wild kills that leave the walls coated in crimson-red blood. A film that will have viewers wincing as much as it will make them laugh, for a wild martial arts prison film.
Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
An all-time trope in many great kung-fu films is the hero being motivated by revenge for the loss of his home, friends, and master at the hands of an evil martial artist. One of the greatest renditions of this premise, Lau Kar-leung's Executioners from Shaolin, tells that exact story with a few extra twists and turns. It's about a man who swears vengeance on an evil priest, Pai Mei, who killed his master and spends his life preparing to face him, even if it means his death.
The film has inspired many other great martial arts films, Kill Bill being one of the most notable, shown in Pai Mei making an appearance as The Bride's white-bearded master. It is as intense as it is silly, with long, epic fights and strange kung-fu styles that include the villainous Pai Mai suctioning the combatant's feet into his body through his crotch. It's certain to delight and stun viewers looking for a solid classic in the kung-fu genre.
Five Element Ninjas (1982)
Has there ever been a more perfect enemy to fight than a ninja? In what might be the greatest ninja fight ever put to film, Chang Cheh's Five Elements Ninjas stands tall as one of the all-time greats of wild and zany kung-fu cinema, with more than enough ninjas for a perfect time. It's about a young man who swears vengeance on a powerful group of ninjas after they kill his master and take over his dojo, causing him to train under a new master along with three new friends to overcome the Five Elements Ninja Challenge.
The entire thing makes for an unbelievable ride that has the perfect level of over-the-top mixed with deadly seriousness for a great time with the movies. The heroes must fight five different ninja groups, each with their own elemental mastery from water to fire to an almost supernatural effect, yet their defeat could not be more satisfying in every instance. A wonderful kung-fu classic that will have viewers pumping their fists with excitement.
Crippled Avengers (1978)
Where many kung-fu films are noted for their highly capable heroes, Chang Cheh gives us something else with Crippled Avengers. It's about a revered warlord who becomes bitter and cruel after the murder of his wife, causing him and his son to torment the innocent populace he rules over. Four of his victims are crippled by his cruelty with one being made blind, another deaf and mute, another an amputee, and another insane, but they strive to turn their weaknesses into strengths and overthrow the tyrannical villain.
It's among the most impressively choreographed in the genre, with each character performing amazing physical feats with every fight. It's also one of the most inspiring, with our heroes refusing to lie down and die, instead becoming great fighters for justice. One of the all-time great kung-fu films that's a thrilling and fun viewing experience.
Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
There are many great weapons in kung-fu films, but the flying guillotine is probably the most terrifying. In Jimmy Wang Yu's seminal martial arts classic Master of the Flying Guillotine, that weapon is on full display. It's a movie about a blind but deadly master seeking revenge for his fallen students who died at the hands of the one-armed boxer, implementing the use of his chosen weapon the flying guillotine to accomplish his goal.
The film has a deep and powerful influence on many movies in ways most are probably unaware of. One of the film's biggest fans is the great Quentin Tarantino, who often uses the ominous theme song of the blind master in many of his films for his own villains. It's one of those films that feels like a perfect embodiment of the genre, complete with grand tournaments and thrilling one on one fights that make it one of the greatest ever made.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Considered by many to be one of the greatest films from Shaw Brothers production company, Lau Kar-leung's The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a kung-fu masterstroke. After a failed attempt from resistance fighters to overthrow the oppressive Manchu leadership, a young student by the name of San Te studies at the Shaolin temple for five years to one day return and end the reign of the oppressors.
Many martial arts films feature training montages, but this entire movie is a training montage in the best way. Director Kar-leung does so much to make the audience feel San Te's growth as a Shaolin master for the five years he trains, and it makes every achievement that much more satisfying. It almost takes a spiritual angle that results in a cathartic and enriching viewing experience. One not to be missed.
The Five Venoms (1978)
Martial arts meets mystery in Chang Cheh's exceptional The Five Venoms. In a plot that plays like a noir just with more fist fights, a dying master sends his youngest pupil to find his past students and eliminate any who have become evil. Each of these former students' identities is a mystery, but they can be discovered through the specific mastery of their chosen fighting style.
While being a great kung-fu film, it's also a wonderful drama that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. There's no knowing who is who and beyond that who can be trusted as each martial arts master sneaks around attempting to reveal to the others to eliminate them. It's a perfect introduction to the martial arts genre that has something for every kind of viewer.
One-Armed Boxer (1972)
The most underrated kung-fu film that also might be the quintessential film of the entire genre is Jimmy Wang Yu's One-Armed Boxer. This movie has everything you could ever want from a martial arts film, and it's all done to cinematic excellence. The story is about a promising martial arts student whose hotheadedness spurs a rival school of corrupt fighters to seek the destruction of him and his school.
A perfect party film with a built-in game of guessing when and how the hero will lose his arm that no one will ever guess. It also features perfect pacing, engaging fights, and hilarious moments that make for a movie that ranks high among the most fun ever made. A truly great film that deserves to be praised by all, as one of the all-time cult classics.
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