Abheet Gupta 
Chinese martial arts and the wuxia genre have seen a tremendous dip in recent years, with modern action films focusing more on realistic, gritty, and violent combat—titles like The Raid series and Kill Bill have dominated the scene with their raw brutality and intense choreography. While these films are brilliant in their own right, it’s time to take a moment and appreciate the martial arts movies that still carried the torch of the genre into the 21st century.
The late 20th century was a golden era for martial arts cinema, with legendary names like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Gordon Liu leading the charge. But even in the 21st century, we have been blessed with some amazing Chinese martial arts movies. The following is a personal ranking of the Top 10 Chinese Martial Arts Movies of the 21st Century—your list may differ, so take this as a celebration of the genre rather than a definitive ranking.
10. Twilight of Warriors: Walled In (2024)
Best Action Sequence: The Final Battle vs. King
In an era where wuxia has become increasingly rare, Twilight of Warriors: Walled In felt like a stunning return to form, mixing epic grounded storytelling with fantasy action. Featuring one of the most overpowered villains since Kung Fu Hustle’s The Beast, the movie delivers some of the most spectacular hand-to-hand combat in recent years.
9. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Best Action Sequence: Team Shaolin vs Team Evil
One of the most creative martial arts movies ever made, Shaolin Soccer uniquely blends wuxia elements with sports, making for an over-the-top yet thrilling experience. The only reason it ranks lower is that it primarily uses football as a medium for martial arts, rather than featuring traditional one-on-one fight sequences.
8. The Grandmaster (2013)
Best Action Sequence: Ip Man vs. Gong Er
While Donnie Yen’s Ip Man series is far more commercially popular, Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster stands tall as a visually poetic and emotionally powerful saga about Ip Man’s journey and the tragic life of Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi). With stunning cinematography and intricately choreographed battles, it’s a film that transcends the genre.
7. Hero (2002)
Best Action Sequence: Nameless vs. Sky
Perhaps the most beautifully shot wuxia film ever, Hero is a mesmerizing martial arts ballet that blends breathtaking visuals with a compelling story about loyalty, betrayal, and power. Zhang Yimou’s direction turns each fight sequence into an artistic masterpiece, with the Nameless vs. Sky battle being a standout in terms of both cinematography and storytelling.
6. House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Best Action Sequence: The Bamboo Forest Fight
Zhang Yimou followed up Hero with another visually enchanting wuxia film, featuring an intensely emotional story and dazzling action sequences. The bamboo forest fight remains one of the most stunning martial arts battles ever put to screen, blending movement, music, and visuals seamlessly.
5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Best Action Sequence: Bamboo Forest Sparring
A world-renowned masterpiece, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon introduced wuxia cinema to a global audience, winning multiple Academy Awards. The film blends philosophy, romance, and breathtaking action, with Zhang Ziyi’s duel in the bamboo forest being an iconic martial arts sequence.
4. Ip Man (2008)
Best Action Sequence: Ip Man vs. 10 Japanese Black Belts
The movie that propelled Donnie Yen to global fame, Ip Man masterfully tells the story of Bruce Lee’s legendary mentor, blending historical drama with thrilling fight sequences. The moment where Ip Man single-handedly takes on 10 Japanese fighters is one of the most electrifying fight scenes in modern martial arts cinema. The film went on to become an iconic martial arts franchise with 3 sequels and one spin-off and as it happen, IP Man 5 is already under works.
3. Shadow (2018)
Best Action Sequence: The Entire Final Battle
Blending gritty realism with classic wuxia, Shadow is a gorgeously stylized, blood-soaked epic. It takes the philosophy and artistry of Zhang Yimou’s earlier works (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) and injects a darker, more intense tone. The final battle is a stunningly choreographed, brutal showdown that redefines wuxia storytelling.
2. Fearless (2006)
Best Action Sequence: Huo Yuanjia vs. Tanaka
Jet Li’s farewell to the wuxia genre, Fearless is a deeply personal and emotional martial arts journey that showcases the philosophy behind fighting. The final duel against Tanaka is not only a thrilling display of skill but also a powerful moment of redemption and honor.
1. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Best Action Sequence: The Blind Harpists vs Three Masters
No film blends fantasy, humor, and kickass martial arts action quite like Kung Fu Hustle. Featuring some of the most creative fight sequences ever choreographed, it remains a timeless martial arts masterpiece. The blind assassins sequence is one of the most visually unique and exhilarating martial arts moments in cinematic history.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
While the golden age of wuxia and martial arts cinema has faded, the 21st century has still gifted us with some of the finest martial arts spectacles ever made. From visually poetic masterpieces like Crouching Tiger and Hero, to high-energy action spectacles like Ip Man and Kung Fu Hustle, the genre remains alive through these gems.
Although modern action cinema is shifting toward gritty realism, there is always hope for a wuxia renaissance. With recent releases like Twilight of Warriors: Walled In proving that the spirit of martial arts films is still alive, we can only hope that future directors continue to push the boundaries of action, storytelling, and cinematic artistry.
What are your favorite Chinese martial arts films of the 21st century? Let us know in the comments!
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