Getting into martial arts movies can be overwhelming: too many classics, too many sub-genres, and sometimes the story feels like it exists only to connect fights. This beginner list fixes that. These are martial arts films that are easy to follow, fun to watch, and make the action clear—so you understand why people love the genre.
If you’ve ever bounced off martial arts cinema because the fights looked “too fake,” the editing was messy, or you didn’t know where to start, these picks are made to win you back. Great choreography hits different when you can actually see it.
Last Updated: 2025-12-28
Best for: First-time viewers who want must-watch martial arts movies with clear action and strong entertainment value
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: “Where do I start?” / Overlong training arcs / Confusing choreography / Bad dubbing choices / Too much filler between fights
Related Lists: Your Next Step: Martial Arts Movies with Better Story and Better Fights / Must-Watch Martial Arts Classics That Built the Genre / Underrated Martial Arts Gems with Insane Choreography / For Pros: Martial Arts Films with Elite Staging, Rhythm, and Camera Work
Beginner tip: how to watch martial arts movies
If you can, choose original language with subtitles. A lot of older releases have dubs that flatten performances. Also: pay attention to how the camera frames the body. The best martial arts filmmaking doesn’t hide behind shaky cuts—it lets you read the movement.
10 martial arts movies beginners should watch first
1. Enter the Dragon (1973) 🇭🇰
Director/Creator: Robert Clouse
Plot: A martial artist joins a high-stakes tournament on a villain’s island to uncover a criminal operation and settle personal scores.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Max (Availability varies) / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s the cleanest “starter classic”—simple setup, iconic moments, and a legend at the center. You’ll instantly see why Bruce Lee changed everything.
2. Ip Man (2008) 🇭🇰
Director/Creator: Wilson Yip
Plot: In a time of occupation and hardship, a martial arts master is pushed into conflict and becomes a symbol of discipline and resilience.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy) (Availability varies by region)
Why beginners love it: Great story + great fights. The action is sharp and readable, and the emotional stakes make the punches feel like they matter.
3. The Raid: Redemption (2011) 🇮🇩
Director/Creator: Gareth Evans
Plot: A police raid on a crime-run apartment block turns into a locked-in survival battle, with brutal fights escalating floor by floor.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Netflix (Availability varies) / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s “pure action” with zero confusion. If you want to understand modern martial arts intensity, this is the fastest way in.
4. Kung Fu Hustle (2004) 🇭🇰
Director/Creator: Stephen Chow
Plot: A wannabe gangster gets caught in a turf war that reveals hidden martial arts masters—and turns into an over-the-top battle of skills and surprises.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s funny, flashy, and easy to enjoy even if you don’t know the genre. It teaches you the “mythic” side of kung fu in a way that’s pure fun.
5. Police Story (1985) 🇭🇰
Director/Creator: Jackie Chan
Plot: A cop tries to protect a key witness while criminals fight back hard, turning the case into a series of escalating stunts and brawls.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Criterion Channel (Availability varies) / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: Jackie’s action is storytelling. You don’t just watch a fight—you understand it, laugh at it, and then get shocked by how real the stunts feel.
6. Drunken Master (1978) 🇭🇰
Director/Creator: Yuen Woo-ping
Plot: A young troublemaker is trained in an unusual style and learns discipline the hard way, leading to creative, crowd-pleasing fights.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy) (Availability varies by region)
Why beginners love it: It’s playful and easy to follow, with choreography that’s clear and inventive. Great entry point if you want kung fu that feels like entertainment, not homework.
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) 🇹🇼🇭🇰🇨🇳
Director/Creator: Ang Lee
Plot: A stolen sword pulls warriors into a web of love, honor, and revenge, where fights feel like poetry and grief at the same time.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s beautiful and accessible—martial arts as drama. If you want action with emotion and elegance, this is the perfect first step.
8. Fearless (2006) 🇨🇳
Director/Creator: Ronny Yu
Plot: A fighter’s pride leads to tragedy, and his journey toward humility culminates in public matches that test skill, spirit, and identity.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s straightforward, emotional, and satisfying. The fights feel like chapters in a character arc, not random set pieces.
9. The Karate Kid (1984) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: John G. Avildsen
Plot: A bullied teen learns karate from an unconventional mentor, using training and discipline to face fear and stand up for himself.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Where to Watch: Netflix (Availability varies) / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why beginners love it: It’s the most relatable entry point—training, growth, confidence. Even if you’ve never watched a martial arts movie, the story pulls you in.
10. Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003) 🇹🇭
Director/Creator: Prachya Pinkaew
Plot: A young fighter travels to the city to recover a stolen sacred statue, facing brutal opponents with real Muay Thai and jaw-dropping stunts.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / Apple TV (Rent/Buy) (Availability varies by region)
Why beginners love it: The action looks real because so much of it is. If you’ve ever complained that modern fights feel “edited to death,” this is the cure.
What to watch next
If you want stronger storytelling with the fights, go to: Your Next Step: Martial Arts Movies with Better Story and Better Fights. If you want the foundations, go to: Must-Watch Martial Arts Classics That Built the Genre.