Known for its sizable catalog of films,Tubihas several entertaining martial arts movies that are worth checking out —and the best part is, they’re all available to stream for free. Over the years, Tubi has gradually gained recognition for its large selection of movies spanning a great number of genres. Due to the wide collection of films, users may feel overwhelmed when scrolling through Tubi, as it’s not always easy to find a movie guaranteed to satisfy.
Unavoidably,there are a fewbad martial arts movieson the streaming service.However, among the weaker assortment of films are amazing martial arts movies that are a must-watch and a staple in the subgenre of action films. Such films are headed by some ofthe best martial arts directorsand stars of all time, from classics such asDrunken MasterandIp Manto newer films likeThe Swordsman.
Ong Bak 3
Cast
Ong Bak 3, released in 2011, is the concluding chapter of the Thai martial arts trilogy starring Tony Jaa as Tien. Following the harrowing events of the previous film, Tien must recover from severe injuries and reclaim his warrior spirit to confront his enemies. Directed by Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai, the film explores themes of redemption and destiny, blending traditional Muay Thai techniques with spiritual elements.
The start of theOng-Bakmartial arts film seriesin 2003 is how Tony Jaa broke out as a martial arts actor, and the third movie in the series is available to watch for free on Tubi.Ong Bak 3picks up where the previous film left off and sees Tien (Jaa) train with Master Bua (Nirut Sirijanya), recovering from the injuries he endured in captivity. After building up his strength, Tien is prepared to face those who caused him to suffer.
Compared to the other films in theOng Bakseries, the third installment isn’t as engrossing or action-packed as earlier entries.
Ong Bak 3has a bit of a slower pace and Jaa’s dramatic acting abilities aren’t as refined as other action stars.Compared to the other films in theOng Bakseries, the third installment isn’t as engrossing or action-packed as earlier entries, making it a movie that’s most suitable for those already familiar with Tien’s previous adventures.
9The Swordsman (2020)
Directed by Choi Jae-hoon
Most popular martial arts movies originate from Hong Kong,but several greatmartial arts films from South Koreaare just as entertaining and are worth checking out. One of these films isThe Swordsman, which tells a familiar story about a retired fighter getting back into action to save a loved one. The film is set in the Joseon era and follows extraordinary swordsman Tae-yul (Jang Hyuk), who is now living a secluded life away from conflict.
However, that’s only until Tae-yul’s daughter is kidnapped.From the costuming to the set design, the historical setting of the film is quite convincing and does an effective job of immersing audiences in the world on screen. ThoughThe Swordsman’s story has been told countless times before in other martial arts movies, the South Korean film has enough unique components to stand on its own, making it an engaging watch for longtime martial arts fans and beginners alike.
Lionheart
Lionheart (1990): Lionheart follows Lyon Gaultier, a deserter from the Foreign Legion who arrives in the USA to discover his brother gravely injured and his sister-in-law struggling financially. To provide support, Gaultier enters perilous underground fights, navigating the dangers of the clandestine world to secure needed funds.
Differing from many of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s other commercially successful films,Lionheartshows a gentler side of the actor by incorporating a compelling family drama amidstthe street fighting martial arts. Van Damme leads the movie as Lyon Gaultier, a man who competes in illegal street fighting to support the widowed wife and child of his late brother.Like many of the actor’s films,Lionheartis full of exciting fight scenes, and it further establishes Van Damme as a reliable action lead.
After its release,Lionheartearned mostly negative critical reviews, and it’s certainly not Van Damme’s best film.
Still, it holds up well and continues to be enjoyed by audiences years later. The story is solid, and, as previously mentioned, its blend of familial themes and gritty martial arts sets it apart from Van Damme’s other work.
Bloodsport
Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in the martial arts movie Bloodsport as a fictional version of the real-life Frank Dux, a U.S. Army officer who participated in a secret underground martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. Directed by Newt Arnold, the 1988 action film helped establish Van Damme as a Hollywood star.
Introducing the skills of Jean-Claude Van Damme to the world on a larger scale is the filmBloodsport. Van Damme leads the film as Frank Dux, a real-life martial artist who claims to have won a secret tournament in the ’70s known as Kumite. Though Dux’s story has since been disputed, the martial arts film remains an entertaining watch as its greatest strength is its action sequences and Van Damme’s athleticism.
In terms of its story,Bloodsportdoesn’t differ much from the great martial arts films that came before it,and Van Damme’s acting contributes to much of the film’s negative critical response. Still, there’s no denyingBloodsport’s impact on the action subgenre. The film helped reignite interest in martial arts movies and the promising box office numbers showed such films' potential to draw audiences to the theaters was far greater than anyone might’ve thought of before.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a 1994 martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, featuring Michelle Yeoh as the titular character, a skilled fighter who defends her village from bandits while managing her tofu business. Donnie Yen co-stars, adding depth to this action-packed narrative set during the Ming Dynasty. Themes of gender roles and empowerment are prevalent, as Wing Chun challenges societal norms with her formidable combat skills.
Yim Wing-chun is a famous figure in Chinese legends, and she’s credited as being the first master of themartial arts stylederived from her name. InWing Chun, Michelle Yeoh plays Yim, and the film sees her as the only person in her village able to fight off bandits.Yeoh is an invaluable part of the film, as she proves to be a talented, athletic performer and is extremely likable on screen.
While Wing-chun is fighting off the bad guys, she’s also being pursued by her childhood best friend, Leung Pok-to (Donnie Yen).
Wing Chunsimultaneously works as a martial arts film and a romantic comedy at times.While Wing-chun is fighting off the bad guys, she’s also being pursued by her childhood best friend, Leung Pok-to (Donnie Yen). However, the rom-com aspects of the film never take away from the inspiring action choreography. Most of the action scenes are executed with wires, but there’s plenty of familiar hand-to-hand combat and weaponry found throughout the film as well.
Fist of Fury
Fist of Fury is a 1972 martial arts film directed by Lo Wei and starring Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen. Set in 20th-century Shanghai, the film follows Zhen as he seeks to avenge his master’s death and defend the honor of the Chinese people against foreign oppression. The movie showcases Lee’s martial arts prowess and explores themes of nationalism and resistance.
Though there have been severalFist of Furysequels and remakes made throughout the years, few can compare to the original led by Bruce Lee.The martial arts film follows Chen Zhen (Lee) as he defends Chinese citizens against taunting and mistreatment by others, all whilst seeking out the person responsible for the murder of his kung fu master, Huo Yuanjia. Despite having a narrative played out in hundreds of other martial arts films,Fist of Furystill stands apart from others in the genre.
Lee is a strong lead, and both the film’s action sequences and passionate tale of revenge are entirely convincing, making it easy for audiences to be engaged with the film from start to finish. The year beforeFist of Fury’s release,Lee landed his first leading film roleinThe Big Boss, which was a box office success and propelled the actor into higher levels of stardom.The box office record set by the 1971 film was eventually beaten byFist of Fury, which cemented Lee as a powerful action star.
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, directed by Lau Kar-leung, follows the story of the Yang family, betrayed by a corrupt official allied with the Mongols. After most male members are killed, the surviving brothers, Fu Sheng and his sibling, face turmoil, leading one into madness and the other to seek solace in a Buddhist temple.
Based on a collection of Chinese folklore and novels,The Generals of the Yang Family,The Eight Diagram Pole Fighteris easily one ofthe Shaw Brothers' best films of the 1980s.Following the violent ambush of the Yang family, only two sons remain, portrayed by Gordon Liu and Alexander Fu Sheng.Laying out such a tragedy early on in the film,The Eight Diagram Pole Fighteris considerate enough to warn audiences about the emotional journey they’re about to enter.
Liu and Fu Sheng —in his last film role due to his untimely death before filming began— deliver moving performances that capture the differing ways their characters react to such a devastating loss.The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, also known asThe Invincible Pole Fightersoutside of Hong Kong,has captivating portrayals of trauma and revenge, with the latter headed by Liu’s character. The fighting in the movie is brutal, well-choreographed, and likely to stick with audiences for quite some time.
Ip Man
Directed by Wilson Yip, Ip Man is a biographical martial arts film starring Donnie Yen as Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor to Bruce Lee. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the film depicts Ip Man’s efforts to protect his community and preserve his martial arts traditions despite the atrocities of war.
Earning widespread acclaim upon its release,Ip Manwould evolve into a series of filmsthat lasted for a decade.While every additional film in the series —each of which is also available to stream on Tubi— improved upon its action choreography and a captivating story looselyinspired by the real-life eponymous martial arts icon, it’s the first one that’s become a staple martial arts film.Ip Manpresents the life of its titular protagonist (Donnie Yen) before he went on to become an inspirational master of Wing Chun.
Ip Manand Yen’s leading performance helped popularize Wing Chun and brought more attention to the famous icon.Ip Manisn’t intended to be a fully accurate historical film about the real martial artist. However, audiences still walk away from the movie with a clear understanding of his proficiency in martial arts thanks to Sammo Hung’s choreography and Yen’s real-life athleticism.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow is a 1978 martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Starring Jackie Chan as Chien Fu, the story follows a mistreated janitor who learns the art of Snake Kung Fu from an old master. This newfound skill empowers him to stand up against bullies and defend his school from its enemies. The film is notable for its combination of action and humor, establishing Chan’s trademark style.
Jackie Chan has been acting since the early ‘60sand has grown into a martial arts icon.Chan is known for his athleticism and his tendency to perform his own stunts. However, the martial arts actor is also well-known for his comedic martial arts films, which combine stunning fight choreography with absurd slapstick humor. The film that first established this tone of Chan’s career wasSnake in the Eagle’s Shadow.
In the film, Chan plays an orphan who learns the style of Snake Kung Fu from its last surviving master (Yuen Siu-tien).The film has a compelling story that’s easy to invest in and features an inventive and amusing mix of choreographed fight scenes that helped make Chan a star.Snake in the Eagle’s Shadowprovides a strong foundation for the actor to build upon with his kung fu comedy style, which he further developed inDrunken Master.
Drunken Master
Drunken Master is a martial arts film featuring Jackie Chan as a mischievous young man who is sent to train under a rigorously unorthodox old beggar. Released in 1978, it follows his journey to mastering the Drunken Fist fighting style amidst comedic and action-packed encounters.
Setting a precedent for the many martial arts comedies that followed,Drunken Masterconfirmed Jackie Chan’s status as a popular Hong Kong actor and set the tone for much of his later work.The film tells a fictionalized story of Beggar So (Yuen Siu-Tin) and Wong Fei-hung (Chan), the latter having been portrayed in martial arts films numerous times.Throughout the film, the two build a rapport with one another, influencing the teacher-student dynamics seen in many following films, anime, and video games.
So teaches Fei-hung the drunken fighting style, which is wildly unpredictable and lends itself well to the film’s humorous tone. Today,Drunken Masteris seen as one of the best martial arts comedies of all time. Like much of Chan’s filmography,Drunken Masterimpresses audiences with its quick and inventive fight choreography, while simultaneously eliciting laughter thanks to Chan’s adept comedic timing.
