Traditionally, martial arts have always been regarded as a serious field where elite levels of athleticism, quick reactions, and hard-hitting roundhouse kicks reign supreme. A realm where the relationship between the student and the master is one of utmost respect and dedication.
All that being said, filmmakers from all over the world have found that there’s also an endearing relationship between martial arts and comedy, and the films of, for example, Jackie Chan, among others, have proven that the two can go hand in hand, providing both fighting fans and casual movie-watchers with solid entertainment loaded with heavy chuckles. So, without further ado, let us take a look 10 of the greatest martial arts comedies worth checking out!
10Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)
Beverly Hills Ninja
Beverly Hills Ninjais a 1997 Dennis Dugan movie starring Chris Farley in the lead role as an overweight American orphan boy named Haru who ends up in Japan and is mistaken for a legendary White Ninja. However, despite all the training among the best of the best, Haru is extremely clumsy and commands no respect. However, he gets the chance to turn his life around and prove that he is not an embarrassment by rescuing a beautiful blonde named Allison (Nicollette Sheridan).
What Makes It Worth Checking Out
Beverly Hills Ninjais an easygoing old-school comedy that has satisfied many fans of the slapstick genre. If you love Dugan’s other works, likeHappy Gilmore(1996),Big Daddy(1999),Don’t Mess with the Zohan(2008), orGrown Ups(2010), this one definitely won’t let you down. Also, Chris Rock is in it!
Watch on Netflix
9Double Team (1997)
From the mind of internationally acclaimed martial arts cinema virtuoso Hark Tsui,Double Teamis a 1997 action comedy that follows counter-terrorist Jack Quinn (Jean-Claude Van Damme) as he teams up with an infamous arms dealer by the name of Yaz (Dennis Rodman) to rescue his family and defeat a notorious terrorist organization.
Starring one of the biggest action heroes and one of the most beloved basketball players at the time, this movie was a massive hit when it came out. Here, JCVD showed that he isn’t just made of kicks and splits, but is also highly gifted as a comedic actor. In terms of its energetic and explosive nature, the film can be compared toFace Off(1997).
Despite all the negative reviews,Double Teamis a good old martial arts comedy flick that has aged exceptionally well, features two high-octane badass stars at the top of their game, and a final fight scene (the Colloseum fight against Mickey Rourke’s character, Stavros) that will stay embedded in your memories for good.
Stream it on Apple TV+
8Kung Fury (2015)
Kung Fury(2015) is a wild and nostalgic (80s-themed) martial arts comedy in which an expert fighter and Miami cop travels back to the past to assassinate the most evil man the world has ever known, Adolf Hitler.
Here, we have a film that has expertly captured everything we loved about the 1980s: synth-wave music, dinosaurs, giants, lasers, Kung Fu street fighting, and a theme song performed by none other than David Hasselhoff. Capitalizing on the current nostalgia for the old school, director David Sandberg has crammed in excellent, video-game-looking fighting scenes, fun one-liners like “Tank you!” (after killing soldiers with a tank), satire that covers everything we loved and hated about the era, and much more.
Kung Fury 2,a full-fledged sequel, is set for a 2023 release, starring Michael Fassbender and Arnold Swarzenegger in the lead roles.
RELATED:15 Martial Arts Movies With a Sense of Humor
7Shanghai Knights (2003)
In this David Dobkin movie, a sequel toShanghai Noon(2000), buddies Chon (Jackie Chan) and Roy (Owen Wilson) team up once again, this time traveling to England, to avenge the death of Chon’s father at the hands of a Chinese rebel.
Shanghai Knights(2003) is one of those rarities which, for its genre, has unusually high ratings on all fronts, and for good reasons. The film is beautifully shot, has a mild and non-invasive sense of humor that covers a wide range of generational tastes, is loaded withthe signature Jackie Chan stuntswe’ve all learned to love through the years, and there’s just something about this unorthodox duo that works like a charm, for some reason.
Unlike traditional comic duos, where one is always serious while the other is an unassuming goofball (e.g., Laurel and Hardy), here we have two lovable and highly entertaining goofballs with fantastic chemistry. Without exaggeration, this might be the closest that any martial arts comedy film of its type has come to rival theRush Hourtrilogy.
Rent it on Apple TV+
6Here Comes the Boom (2012)
Directed by Frank Coraci, the man who brought usThe Waterboy(1998),Around the World in 80 Days(2004), andClick(2006),Here Comes the Boom(2012) tells the story of Scott Voss (Kevin James), a middle-aged ex collegiate wrestler turned high school teacher, who jumps into the MMA fighting arena to rescue his school’s music program and its beloved teacher.
Kevin James is an international comedic treasure (most famous for his role as Doug Heffernan inThe King of Queens(1998–2007) known to have personally been trained by MMA legend Bas Rutten, so this film hits the bullseye in both respects. In addition,Here Comes the Boomis also a tear-jerker at times, resulting from audiences empathizing with the main character’s immense physical and mental struggle in the name of an admirable cause.
Also, the film is loaded with star power, including Salma Hayek, Joe Rogan, Henry Winkler, Bas Rutten, and James' real-life brother andThe King of Queensco-star, Gary Valentine.
Stream it on Netflix
5Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Kung Fu Hustle
Set in 1940s Shanghai, China, Stephen Chow’sKung Fu Hustle(2004) follows pals Sing (Stephen Chow) and Bone (Tze-Chung Lam), two wanna-be gangsters who get hurled into a world of real gangsters and martial arts masters with exceptional powers.
Kung Fu Hustleis one of the most complete films on this list, covering every aspect of a good martial arts comedy. It features unique characters (for example, the Landlady played by Qiu Yuen), fun dances, epic fights, classic movie references, exceptional cinematography and editing, and an imaginative story. It’s also a great introductory film for those interested in the kung fu genre.
4Drunken Master (1978)
In this old-school Chinese tale, an unruly young man named Wong Fei-Hung (Jackie Chan) is sent by his father to learn the ways of discipline and fighting by a drunken master of martial arts, from whom he learns the most bizarre yet effective style of Kung Fu. And soon, enemies start lurking behind every corner.
Drunken Master(1978) is the pioneer of martial arts comedies. Still held in high regard by both critics and fans, it is praised for its simplicity, humor, and jaw-dropping fight scene choreography. If you want to see a young and motivated Jackie Chan in top physical shape in the legendary film that shot him to stardom, then this movie is for you.
Stream it on Prime Video
RELATED:13 of the Best Action Comedies, Ranked
3The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
The Art of Self-Defense
In Riley Stearns’The Art of Self-Defense(2019), a young man (Jesse Eisenberg) seeks the help of a likable yet mysterious Dojo master (Alessandro Nivola) to boost his confidence, self-defense skills and ultimately become a man who commands respect.
As a modern film, this one has a refined sense of dark humor, which will surely appeal to more picky movie watchers. It’s filled with subtle jabs and satire at the Western version of martial arts, stylized dialogue, cool Karate action, and a surprising turn of events, which is not hinted at in the trailer. Also, Alessandro Nivola fans, this might be one of the best performances of his career!
Stream it on Apple TV
2Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Big Trouble in Little China
InBig Trouble in Little China(1986), Kurt Russell plays a badass truck driver who gets embroiled in a conflict with the strange and magical underworld of San Franciscan Chinatown, trying to rescue a beautiful girl (Kim Cattrall) from an evil sorcerer.
This is, by far, Kurt Russel’s most famous role and one of thebest martial arts movies to come out of the glorious 1980s. Big Trouble in Little China features a highly bizarre plotline, which, in combination with fantasy, comedy, and martial arts, creates an unforgettable soup of high-end entertainment. In many aspects, the film resembles Robert Clouse’sEnter the Dragon(1973), which might interest Bruce Lee fans.
Stream it on Disney+
1Rush Hour
Bret Ratner’sRush Hour(1998) tells the story of a Hong Kong inspector and expert fighter (Jackie Chan) and a quirky, unapologetic LAPD Detective (Chris Tucker) who team up to rescue a Chinese diplomat’s kidnapped daughter from the mafia.
Rush Hourand theRush Hourtrilogy, in general, are cinematic masterpieces with impeccable comedy that have the power to amuse all generations. It has been hailed as the best martial arts buddy movie, rocking top-notch action and fighting scenes, a nail-biting plot, and the comedic talents of Chris Tucker, one of America’s most beloved stand-up comedians, and Jackie Chan, the world’s most successful martial artist/actor.
And withRush Hour4 reportedly in the works, now might be a great time to freshen up and revisit these legendary classics!
