The martial arts genre may not dominate the box office like it once did, but the 2020s have quietly produced some of its most inventive and emotionally resonant entries. From the mythic grandeur of wuxia epics to grounded tales of aging fighters, these films prove that the art of hand-to-hand combat—and the stories it tells—still has plenty of life left. Here are the best martial arts movies of the 2020s, ranked.
10. 'Sakra' (2023)
Donnie Yen both stars in and directs this return to classic wuxia storytelling. He plays Qiao Feng, a respected martial artist falsely accused of murder and forced into exile. The film is steeped in misty mountains and warriors leaping across rooftops, but Yen's performance grounds the spectacle. His Qiao Feng is an older, more exhausted warrior, carrying a deep sadness that makes him far more compelling than the typical invincible hero. It's a solid star vehicle that honors the genre's roots.
9. 'Mortal Kombat' (2021)
The 2021 reboot of Mortal Kombat is a welcome departure from the franchise's infamous past. Lewis Tan stars as Cole Young, a washed-up MMA fighter drawn into the ancient conflict between Earthrealm and Outworld. The plot is thin, but the film embraces its ridiculousness with genuine enthusiasm. The fatalities are grotesque, the powers are ludicrous, and Josh Lawson's Kano steals every scene with his chaotic energy. It's a fun, bloody ride that fans of the games will love.
8. 'The Paper Tigers' (2020)
What happens to kung fu prodigies when middle age, jobs, and family responsibilities arrive? That's the question at the heart of The Paper Tigers. Three former martial arts students reunite after their master's suspicious death, and the fights are intentionally less polished because the characters are older, slower, and out of practice. This physical imperfection becomes the film's charm, while its love for classic Hong Kong cinema shines through in training flashbacks and themes of honor and discipline.
7. 'Raging Fire' (2021)
The final film from Hong Kong action master Benny Chan, Raging Fire stars Donnie Yen as a principled police officer facing a gang of highly trained criminals led by his former protégé. What starts as a straightforward cops-versus-criminals thriller becomes a tragic, personal story. The film delivers brutal, visceral fights and grand themes of loyalty and vengeance, making it a fitting farewell to the glory days of Hong Kong crime cinema.
6. 'The Swordsman' (2020)
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, this South Korean period action film follows Tae-yul (Jang Hyuk), a former elite warrior forced out of retirement when his daughter is kidnapped. The sword fight choreography is the star here—sharp, deliberate, and always clear. The final confrontation balances beauty and brutality, making it one of the most memorable sequences in recent martial arts cinema.
5. 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' (2021)
Marvel's first martial arts superhero film is a triumph. Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi, a man forced to confront his past when his father, the leader of the Ten Rings organization, draws him back into a world of danger. The film blends stunning fight choreography with heartfelt family drama, and the bus fight scene alone is worth the price of admission. It's a rare blockbuster that respects the genre while pushing it forward.
4. 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022)
This multiversal masterpiece isn't strictly a martial arts film, but its action sequences are integral to its storytelling. Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a woman who discovers she can access the skills of alternate-universe versions of herself, including martial arts prowess. The fights are inventive, emotional, and often hilarious, using the genre to explore themes of family, regret, and connection. It's a genre-bending triumph that redefines what martial arts cinema can be.
3. 'Monkey Man' (2024)
Dev Patel's directorial debut is a brutal, visceral revenge thriller set in the criminal underworld of India. Patel plays a young man who adopts the guise of a monkey to infiltrate a corrupt elite and avenge his mother's death. The fight choreography is raw and unflinching, drawing from Indian martial arts and street fighting. It's a deeply personal film that uses action to explore trauma and resistance.
2. 'Polite Society' (2023)
This British action-comedy follows Ria Khan, a teenage martial artist who believes her sister's upcoming wedding is a sinister plot. The film blends Bollywood-style dance sequences with inventive fight choreography, creating a unique and joyful experience. It's a love letter to sisterhood and the power of believing in yourself, wrapped in a package of high-energy action.
1. 'The Raid' (2011) — Wait, Wrong Decade
Actually, the top spot goes to 'The Swordsman' for its breathtaking swordplay and emotional depth. But if we're talking 2020s, the crown belongs to 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' for its audacious blend of martial arts, family drama, and multiversal chaos. It's a film that proves the genre can still surprise us.
For more on the evolution of action cinema, check out our ranking of the most flawless action movies of the past 40 years.
