Martial arts films are much more than mere sports dramas; they have evolved into a unique genre by blending with fantasy elements. We have gathered a collection of seven films originally made for the Chinese market that have since become classics in international cinema. Prepare to explore the captivating realms of fantastical worlds infused with an Eastern flair.
Content
- Hero
- House of Flying Daggers
- Shang-Chi and the Legent of the Ten Rings
- Curse of the Golden Flower
- Shadow
- Dragon
- Reign of Assassins
Hero
IMDb: 7.9/10
2002, Action, Adventure, Drama
China, Hong Kong, PG-13
Director: Yimou Zhang
Top cast: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung
Hero takes us back to a time when China faced great turmoil, with the country divided into warring states. Suddenly, a man emerges with the ambition to conquer his neighbors and unite them into a single empire under his rule. The future emperor knows that his opponents will try to eliminate him, so he seeks out a skilled protector known as Nameless. To confront the would-be unifier, masters of martial arts — Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Sky — are sent to challenge him. Will they be able to defeat Nameless and thwart the unification of the country? Hero is a film you won’t want to miss, not just for its breathtaking fight scenes but also for the stunning landscapes of China. It was filmed in the provinces of Gansu, Zhejiang, Inner Mongolia, and Sichuan.
House of Flying Daggers
IMDb: 7.5/10
2004, Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
China, Hong Kong, PG-13
Director: Yimou Zhang
Top cast: Ziyi Zhang, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau
The imperial police have sent a secret agent on a mission to find the leaders of the rebel movement and gain their trust. As the seasoned agent becomes acquainted with the daughter of the rebel leader, he finds himself caught in a trap. House of Flying Daggers is filled with stunning fight scenes. For instance, the climactic battle scene was filmed in Ukraine during an autumn snowfall.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
IMDb: 7.4/10
2021, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
USA, PG-13
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Top cast: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is Marvel Studios' bold step into the world of Eastern legends. The story tells of the powerful warrior Xu Wenwu, whose fate is inextricably linked to the mysterious Ten Rings. With the boundless power of this artifact, he conquered countless enemies and created a shadowy empire, influencing the course of human history for centuries. But even the mightiest of hearts can be bruised by the arrows of love. A meeting with a beautiful warrior from the hidden village of Ta Lo changed his life, giving him a family and seemingly peace. However, the past won't let go. When an assassination attempt is made on his son Sean, who leads a quiet life, the secrets of the past rise to the surface, drawing him into a vortex of deadly intrigue.
Curse of the Golden Flower
IMDb: 7.0/10
2006, Action, Drama, Romance
China, Hong Kong, R
Director: Yimou Zhang
Top cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou
The events of Curse of the Golden Flower transport us to 10th-century China. When the emperor returns from a long campaign, he is met with a cold reception from the courtiers and even his own son. It seems the empress is plotting a conspiracy behind his back. The court is rife with romantic and political intrigues, and the emperor senses that there are plans to overthrow him. His instincts are confirmed when, during the traditional autumn festival, the palace is filled with soldiers. In the square, thousands of crushed golden flowers lie stained with treacherous blood. Curse of the Golden Flower is a remarkable film that made history as the most expensive Chinese film at the time of its production, featuring elaborate costumes that could weigh over 40 kilograms.
Shadow
IMDb: 7.0/10
2018, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, History, War
China, Hong Kong, Not Rated
Director: Yimou Zhang
Top cast: Chao Deng, Li Sun, Ryan Zheng
China is once again mired in intrigue and power struggles. During the Three Kingdoms period, Commander Zi Yu oversteps his bounds by challenging General Yang, who has captured and holds the city of the Pei state. The emperor disapproves of such audacity and strips the commander of his privileges. Only the wife of the dying Yu knows that for the past year, a trained double known as Shadow has been acting in place of her husband, while the real Yu is imprisoned, plotting his schemes. Shadow is a new film by Zhang Yimou that captivates viewers with its atmosphere from the very first moments. The mood is dark and foreboding, accentuated by a relentless downpour that adds to the overall gloom. The film features stunning locations, including the palace of a Chinese lord, dungeons, a Chinese town, a gorge, a waterfall, and a bamboo forest. Its visual style is inspired by guohua, a traditional Chinese painting technique that employs ink and watercolors on silk or paper.
Dragon
IMDb: 7.0/10
2011, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sport
Hong Kong, China, R
Director: Peter Ho-Sun Chan
Top cast: Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tang Wei
Dragon features a familiar storyline: an ordinary life is interrupted by an urgent mission to save the world. The plot centers around a humble paper maker who lives a quiet life in a remote village with his wife and two children. One day, however, he is reluctantly drawn into a confrontation with two bandits. The celebration of his victory is short-lived, as it is soon interrupted by the arrival of an investigator. This investigator, a skilled martial arts expert, immediately wonders who this peasant is, capable of defeating two notorious bandits known for their expertise in combat. He embarks on a journey to uncover the true identity of the craftsman.
Reign of Assassins
IMDb: 6.8/10
2010, Action, Adventure
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, R
Director: Chao-Bin Su, John Woo
Top cast: Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo-sung, Xueqi Wang
In Reign of Assassins, the main character, a skilled martial artist, was once an assassin. To leave that life behind, she altered her appearance and embraced a simpler existence — she met a cheerful young man and married him. However, escaping the past is not so easy, as she possesses something many assassins are eager to obtain. This martial arts film surpasses all expectations. It explores the love story of a great assassin who is determined to move on from her past. Yet, it's evident that one cannot simply walk away from their history. Alongside the captivating martial arts, we witness a beautifully unfolding love story.
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