Top Fighting Movies

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American film directed by David Fincher based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film stars Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. It tells the story of an unnamed narrator who is suffering from insomnia and forms an underground fight club with Tyler Durden, a soap salesman played by Pitt. The two create a violent mission to help men fight back against the materialism and mediocrity of modern life. As the fight club's popularity grows, the narrator soon discovers that Tyler has a hidden agenda, posing a threat to both himself and the members of the fight club. Ultimately, the narrator is left to choose between his own moral and ethical values or following Tyler's path of destruction.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent
Rated R

Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro. It follows the story of Italian-American middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, as he rises through the ranks of boxing, only to experience tragedy and humiliation in his personal and professional life. The film portrays LaMotta's violence and temper, which ultimately take their toll on his relationships with his family, friends, and other associates. Despite his self-destructive tendencies, LaMotta is ultimately able to regain his self-respect and stand proudly at the end of the film. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning two.

From Gavin O'Connor, starring Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison
Rated PG-13

Warrior is a 2011 American sports drama film directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Gavin O’Connor, Anthony Tambakis, and Cliff Dorfman. The film stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as two estranged brothers whose entrance into a mixed martial arts tournament brings them into confrontation with each other. The story focuses on the brothers, Tommy and Brendan Conlon, who are former mixed martial arts (MMA) practitioners. Tommy, a former U.S. Marine, has returned home after serving in Iraq and has been struggling to find work. Brendan is a former UFC fighter and teacher who has been trying to provide for his family, which includes his wife, Tess, and their two children. When Tommy learns of a MMA tournament that offers a prize of $5 million, he decides to enter it, and his brother decides to enter as well. As they both prepare for the tournament, the brothers not only have to face off against each other in the ring, but must also confront the issues that have divided them. Ultimately, the brothers must decide whether to put aside their differences and fight for each other, or for themselves.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags-to-riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated, kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. Rocky, a small-time club fighter, gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship when the scheduled contender is injured. Through his determination and skill, he acquires the respect of the crowd and his woman Adrian. With the help of his trainer, Mickey Goldmill, Rocky fights for his self-respect and an opportunity to prove himself in the ring. The film also stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel
Rated PG-13

Million Dollar Baby tells the story of a determined woman, Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. Though she's laughed at by almost everyone she meets, Maggie is determined to reach her goal with the help of an equally determined boxing trainer and former boxer, Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). With Frankie's guidance, Maggie puts her heart and soul into her training, and eventually earns the opportunity to fight for boxing's world championship. However, a cruel twist of fate changes the course of Maggie's life and leaves Frankie with a difficult decision to make. Million Dollar Baby is a powerful and thought provoking film that explores themes of friendship, redemption and hope.

From Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan, Ka-Tung Lam
Rated R

Ip Man is a 2008 biographical martial arts film directed by Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen in the lead role. The film is about the life of Ip Man, a revered and legendary martial artist from Foshan, China, and his resistance to the Japanese occupation during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Ip Man excels in Wing Chun, a form of Chinese martial arts, and becomes an important teacher and mentor for many martial artists, including the famous Bruce Lee. The film follows Ip Man as he struggles to protect his family and his art in the face of adversity and violence. Despite the overwhelming odds, Ip Man perseveres and ultimately achieves success and recognition for his martial arts prowess.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

"Cinderella Man" is a 2005 drama directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, and Craig Bierko. The film tells the story of Depression-era heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock. Once a promising light heavyweight boxer, Braddock's career is derailed by a broken hand. Reduced to poverty and forced to work at a dockside fish market, Braddock still dreams of getting back into the ring. With the help of Joe Gould, his loyal manager and friend, Braddock makes a triumphant comeback, gaining a shot at the heavyweight title. With the help of his strong-willed wife, Mae, and his three young children, Braddock perseveres in the face of adversity, becoming the underdog champion of the world.

From Ang Lee, starring Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang, Chang Chen
Rated PG-13

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a 2000 martial arts fantasy drama directed by Ang Lee and based on the novel, Iron Knight, Silver Vase, by Wang Dulu. The film follows the story of two Wudang warriors in 19th century China, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien. When Li Mu Bai's sword, the Green Destiny, is stolen, the pair set off on a quest to retrieve it. Along the way, they face off against the legendary female warrior, Jen Yu, who is attempting to gain the sword for a hidden agenda of her own. As their journey progresses, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien discover that the Green Destiny is tied to a complex network of secrets and lies, ultimately leading to a dramatic conclusion.

From Gareth Evans, starring Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara
Rated R

The Raid 2 is the 2014 Indonesian action-crime film written and directed by Gareth Evans. It is a sequel to the 2011 hit The Raid: Redemption, and stars Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle, and Ryuhei Matsuda. The film follows Rama (Uwais), the survivor of the first film, as he is forced to go undercover to take down a powerful gangster from the inside. He infiltrates the crime syndicate and is soon embroiled in a power struggle between two rival gangs. As he is drawn deeper into the criminal underworld, he must stay one step ahead of the police and his former allies, all while trying to keep his family safe. The Raid 2 features some of the most intense and thrilling fight scenes of the decade. Featuring an extended running time and an intense story, The Raid 2 is the perfect follow-up to the the original and a must-see for any action fan.

From David O. Russell, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Rated R

The Fighter is a biographical sports drama film from 2010, directed by David O. Russell. The film follows the story of welterweight boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Both men struggle to pull their lives together and become successful in the boxing world. Micky is guided by his strong-willed mother Alice (Melissa Leo), while Dicky is mentored by his trainer and Micky's manager, brother-in-law George (Amy Adams). Together, the family must overcome a number of obstacles — including Dicky's drug addiction — in order to succeed. Despite their differences, Micky and Dicky rely on each other and eventually rise to the top in their respective careers. As the two men come together, they find redemption and become champions in the world of boxing.

From Ronny Yu, starring Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong, Yun Qu
Rated PG-13

Fearless is a 2006 martial arts action drama directed by Ronny Yu. The film stars Jet Li as Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, who witnessed the death of his father at the hands of foreign fighters and seeks revenge. He eventually travels to Japan to challenge their top fighters in a fight to the death. Along the way, Huo learns about the virtues of martial arts and finds inner peace. The film follows Huo's journey to redemption as he learns to embrace his inner strength and use it to overcome his enemies. The film also contains themes of loyalty, friendship, and honor.

From Gareth Evans, starring Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy, Donny Alamsyah
Rated R

The Raid: Redemption is an action-packed Indonesian martial arts movie directed by Gareth Evans and released in 2011. The film follows a SWAT team as they attempt to take down a criminal gang that has seized control of an apartment building in Jakarta. The team is led by Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie officer being sent in to the mission as a sacrificial lamb. As the team fights through each floor of the building, Rama discovers that the gang leader, Tama (Ray Sahetapy), has been tipped off about the raid and is ready for their arrival. Through a series of intense and violent fights, Rama and his team make their way to the top of the building in order to take out the gang leader and restore order. Along the way, Rama discovers the truth about Tama's motives and learns a valuable lesson about the cost of violence.

From Robert Clouse, starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri
Rated R

Enter the Dragon is a martial arts action film directed by Robert Clouse and starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly. The film follows Lee, a Shaolin martial artist, as he is invited to a martial arts tournament on a mysterious island organized by a powerful crime lord. Lee must confront his personal demons and the criminals who threaten the safety of his friends. With the help of his allies, Lee defeats the villains in an epic battle and liberates the island from evil. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest martial arts films of all time and has been credited with popularizing the genre in the west.

From Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad
Rated PG-13

Creed is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Coogler and Aaron Covington. It is the seventh installment in the Rocky film series, serving as a spin-off and sequel to the Creed films. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson Creed, Apollo Creed’s son and former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) as his mentor. Adonis Johnson Creed is the son of Apollo Creed, the former heavyweight champion of the world who died before Adonis was born. Adonis decides to follow in his father's footsteps, and moves from his home in Los Angeles to Philadelphia, where Rocky Balboa has retired from boxing. Adonis begins training with Rocky to become a professional boxer. With Rocky's help, Adonis begins to gain recognition in the boxing world, and attempts to make a name for himself as he fights his way towards a title bout. Rocky, who is still haunted by the death of his old friend, Apollo, helps Adonis get ready for the fight of his life, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way. The film follows both Adonis and Rocky as they struggle to overcome their pasts and prove to the

From Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Xiaoming Huang, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Lynn Xiong
Rated R

Ip Man 2 is a 2010 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Wilson Yip. The film stars Donnie Yen as Ip Man, a legendary Wing Chun master who is determined to protect his martial art style by defeating any challengers. The plot follows Ip Man as he challenges a corrupt martial arts school in Canton, led by the cruel and powerful Hung Quan (Sammo Hung). With the help of his friend, Master Chen (Simon Yam), Ip Man must find a way to defeat Hung Quan's school and protect the honor of Wing Chun. Along the way, he must also face off against a number of other powerful martial artists, including a British boxer named Twister (Darren Shahlavi). Ultimately, Ip Man manages to win the fight and restore honor to Wing Chun. The film is a sequel to the 2008 hit Ip Man, and was followed by Ip Man 3 in 2015.

From Directors: Chia-Liang Liu, Jackie Chan, starring Jackie Chan, Ho-Sung Pak, Lung Ti, Anita Mui
Rated R

The Legend of Drunken Master is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chia-Liang Liu and starring Jackie Chan. The film is a sequel to the 1978 film Drunken Master. The story follows the character of Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan), a martial arts expert and folk hero of Cantonese origin. Wong is tasked with returning two stolen national treasures to the Chinese government, but in the process has to fight a number of villains. The film is noted for its fast-paced action sequences, including an extended fight scene featuring a drunken style of kung fu. The Legend of Drunken Master was a major success in Hong Kong, and helped to cement Jackie Chan's status as one of the most recognizable stars in martial arts cinema. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and has since developed a large cult following.

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence, Forest Whitaker
Rated R

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From Wei Lo, starring Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, James Tien, Maria Yi
Rated R

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

From Prachya Pinkaew, starring Tony Jaa, Phetthai Vongkumlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Suchao Pongwilai
Rated R

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Young
Rated PG

From Louis Leterrier, starring Jet Li, Bob Hoskins, Morgan Freeman, Kerry Condon
Rated R

From Prachya Pinkaew, starring Tony Jaa, Nathan Jones, Xing Jin, Phetthai Vongkumlao
Rated R