Top Ten Greatest Fight Movies
By Krystal Clark
Channing Tatum’s latest film Fighting will hit theaters. It’s a film by Dito Montiel, who also directed the actor in the 2006 indie drama A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. The story focuses on a young man who hustles and participates in underground street fights to score extra cash. After watching the aggressive trailer for the flick I began thinking about some of my favorite fight films and how this one would compare. I’ve compiled a list of what I consider the Top Ten Greatest Fight Movies of all time. Take a look, discuss, and most importantly enjoy!
10. Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator is a bare bones type of fight film. It takes you back to one of the earliest examples of fighting as a sport. A cruel sport, but still a sport. Russell Crowe gave an Oscar winning performance as an army general turned slave who fights to avenge the death of his wife and son. Although the best part about this scene is Joaquin Phoenix’s tongue. Where did that thing come from?
9. 300 (2006)
Speaking of old school fighting. 300 is a live action war film adapted from the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name. It features a lot of stylized action sequences but plenty of gore. In the film a group of 300 Spartans go up against several armies more than 10 times their size. Sure this movie introduced us to Zack Snyder’s slow motion obsession, but it also taught us a valuable lesson. If you plan to dine in hell, you’ll have to fight to get to the table.
8. The Streetfighter (1974)
Oh Sonny Chiba. The Asian action star who some regard as the “not so pretty” version of Bruce Lee, is one of my favorite martial artists. I quickly acknowledged him for his own fighting style when I saw him in The Streetfighter. He’s lean, mean, and very angry… all the time. He’s definitely no Lee because when Chiba fights, he fights dirty.
7. Bloodsport (1988)
Bloodsport was the film that introduced me to Jean Claude Van Damme, and his infamous split kicks that he faithfully does in every movie. In the film he starred as Frank Dux, an American martial artist who travels to Hong Kong to participate in a deadly underground tournament called The Kumite. I loved the fact that Van Damme was playing an American, yet once again he spoke with a perfect Belgian accent. But the film isn’t about acting, its about fighting. In this case he fought, he won, and most importantly he lived to tell about it.
6. Drunken Master II (1994)
This film is probably one of Jackie Chan’s most famous in both the U.S. and overseas. His use of the famous “drunken boxing” fighting style is popular in Chinese lore, and has been imitated in several films. How many people do you know can drink the ”joy juice,” and turn into a martial arts master? In the sequel to the 1978 original, the fight at the end between Jackie Chan and Ken Lo always sticks out like a sharp kick to the face.
5. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Uma Thurman and Quentin Tarantino teamed up again in a big way with the Kung Fu homage, Kill Bill Vol. 1. Thurman stars as The Bride, a woman who survives a murder attempt by her lover Bill played by David Carradine. Consumed by anger she goes through strenuous training in martial arts so she can successfully knock off everyone who had a hand in the plot have her killed. And of course at the top of her list, is Bill. The best part about this scene. The music and the close ups. Thank you Tarantino.
4. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
Another movie that has strong female characters is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This film was directed by Ang Lee and starred Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and a then unknown Zhang Ziyi. With some of the most beautifully choreographed fight scenes I’ve ever seen this film had to make the top five. I love the fact that it shows two strong women with athleticism that can rival any man in the action genre. In typical fashion Yeoh shows why she has been a mainstay in action films for nearly 20 years.
3. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a major marker in for sci-fi, action films. Before it’s release in 1999 audiences had never seen the combination of extensive wire work, traditional martial arts, and rotating camera angles used in such a capacity. What’s not to love in this film. The fight scenes are in a league of their own. This movie made being a computer geek, bad ass! With several breathtaking action sequences to choose from the most notable one features Neo (Keanu Reeves) and the infamous back bend that left us breathless.
2. Enter the Dragon (1973)
Let’s give credit to where credit’s due. Bruce Lee was the pioneer who taught American filmmakers what choreographed fight scenes should look like. If it wasn’t for Lee we would be stuck watching stiff fist fights, hoping at some point a kick get’s thrown in. All of Lee’s films are dear to me, but I have a special place in my heart for Enter the Dragon. It was the first Kung Fu filmed produced by a major Hollywood studio and it featured bit appearances by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung.
1. Fight Club (1999)
I know the first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about it, but I have too! When this film was released in 1999 it blew audiences away by introducing them to Tyler Durden. Directed by David Fincher, the film stars Edward Norton as a dissatisfied white collar worker who joins an underground fight club with Durden (Brad Pitt). What happens when a generation of men feel suffocated, and conflicted by society? They go back to the basics. They destroy, they attack, they fight!
What’s so great about this scene is how simple it is. No tricks, fancy footwork, or special effects. Just men being men.
What films do you think should or shouldn’t have made this list?
Monday, April 20, 2009 9:02PM
It is hard to argue with many of these choices. I would have to say that Crouching Tiger is definitely my number one. I have an outdoor movie screen business on Kauai, and at least once every two or three months I set up the screen so that me and some friends can watch it. The first time I saw it, I was giddy at the sight of every frame, and every fight scene.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:36AM
The alley fight from They Live. Classic, gritty yet cartoonish brawl. "Put on the damn glasses!"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 12:38AM
Great list, so glad to see "Bloodsport" on there: oddly enough, my favorite childhood movie…
Thursday, April 23, 2009 2:40AM
Sorry, a top 10 list that ranks The Matrix above Fist of Legend doesn't have a lot of credibility.
Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:27PM
where is no retreat no surrender, should be on 1.
Friday, October 9, 2009 4:45PM
Another movie to count on is Ong Bak series starring Tony Jaa. The fight scenes are just awesome specially part 3 which a sure delight to watch.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:49PM
'infamous' and 'famous' don't mean the same thing.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 7:25PM
jet li should be in there somewhere. one of my fave movies is the warriors
Sunday, November 8, 2009 1:28AM
im with you their that was a awsome movie
Saturday, December 12, 2009 8:40PM
Ching goo.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:39AM
ninja assassin
Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:23PM
WHERES ROCKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyyy
Saturday, February 13, 2010 1:39PM
ninja assassin and blood and bone
Sunday, February 14, 2010 7:48PM
okay well those are some pretty good movies but i say bloodsport is number one on the list but im wondering why jet li’s movie Unleashed should be somewhere there and if you wanna talk to me hit me up
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:49PM
Blood.And.Bone.2009
Fearless.2006
Ninja.2009
Ong Bak.2003
Tom Yum Goong.2005.(Ong Bak 2)
Ong.Bak.2.2008
Ninja Assassin.2009
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 1:03PM
never back down………………….best movie ever…..just see the trailer…….
Sunday, March 14, 2010 7:26PM
you mean Twin Warriors
Friday, March 26, 2010 3:22PM
ong bak 2 and bruce lee is the best fight movies ever…
Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:22PM
yeah i don't seem to find undisputed in the top 10 list
Monday, July 12, 2010 10:31AM
dude i think you have to see undisputed 2 and 3… scott adkins is the shit
Monday, July 19, 2010 11:09PM
you seem to have left out the real #1 fight movie ever ROCKY you also left out ROCKY 2, ROCKY 3, ROCKY4 ,ROCKY 5, and ROCKY BALBOA!
Friday, August 20, 2010 1:30PM
what about the firm man best movie ever XD
Sunday, August 22, 2010 10:08PM
Have you seen any other fighting movies??
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 12:51PM
Great fight in SHANE between Alan Ladd and Ben Johnson. Good fights in BARFLY with Mickey Rourke. Nice fight between Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston in THE BIG COUNTRY. Good knife fight in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY between Ernest Borgnine and Montogomery Clift. Clift fights John Wayne in RED RIVER.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 7:42PM
never back down rules!!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 3:45PM
Never back down was the best movie in the world i gave it 11 out of 10
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 9:38AM
undisputed 2 and 3 best fight movies ever awesom man
Sunday, February 13, 2011 1:57AM
Bloodsport nice movie …..<3
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:31PM
Undisputed 2 and 3 is the best ever<3!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:32PM
Undisputed 2 and 3 and blood and bone is the best<3
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 4:45PM
rocky sucked ass
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 6:19PM
TOP 5:
————————-
1- The Protector
2- Undisputed 3
3- Blood Sport
4- Blood and Bone
5- Undisputed 2
Monday, March 21, 2011 2:47PM
In Hell- Claude van dam
Wrong bet- Claude van dam
Both Great Fight movies compared to these!
Thursday, May 5, 2011 10:43PM
Yes Of course.
Saturday, May 7, 2011 6:32AM
Never Back Down… Mixed martial arts rule all, submissions, muay thai, grappling, jiu jitsu… Fight Club put to sleep.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 11:10AM
fuck you
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 12:41AM
the one who made this list dont know shit about fight movies! wheres flashpoint with donnie yen? wheres ip man? wheres ong bak and many more to quote.
Monday, July 18, 2011 5:04AM
danny the dog is crazy shit
Sunday, August 7, 2011 7:39AM
you all NOOBS! I'll tell you what to watch! Crows Zero (1,2) is THE BEST FILM EVER MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 27, 2011 2:00PM
Never Back down <3
Monday, September 12, 2011 1:55PM
Fight Club is not a fight movie, bitch.
Monday, September 26, 2011 5:41PM
yes it is you fuck tard
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 5:45AM
ong bak 1,2,3
Saturday, November 19, 2011 4:56AM
thats right……………..u r the man
Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:11PM
Definetely Never Back Down is the one missing!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 8:15PM
You guys are so wrong Micheal jai white is the baddest dude that ever walked
Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:59AM
blood and bones
Sunday, January 8, 2012 4:01PM
does any one know the name of this movie? All these boxers have to fight eachother to save someone they love to the death. every hit it shows like a little xray thingy of the breaks. I forgot the name of it.?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:03PM
i rate to 1. Rockey , 2. enter the dragon 3. blood sport
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:36AM
ong bak 2 is shit only good ong bak is ong bak 1
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:37AM
all rockies are shit
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:46AM
ong bak 2 is shit only good ong bak is ong bak 1