Martial arts moviesfeature some of the most memorable moments in cinema history, yet there are many great franchises the average viewer has never even heard of, let alone seen. While Americanclassics likeThe Karate Kidand Hong Kong favorites such asIp Manhave broken through with mainstream viewers, so many classic series have slipped through the cracks.
For those looking to go beyond the classics and delve a bit deeper, there’s a whole world ofunderrated kung fu movies, forgotten hidden martial arts gems, and lesser-known releases from major stars to check out. Whether it’s wuxia period stories, journeys of B-movie ninjas, or underground prison fighting tournaments, there’s a wealth of underseen franchises out there.
While none of these series will be immediately familiar to the average viewer, the truth is they were popular enough to gain several sequels, and mostboast devoted cult followings. So if you’re ready to go beyond the usual suspects,these under-the-radar franchises will be a great place to start and broaden your martial arts movie horizons.
7The Sentimental Swordsman (1977 - 1982)
3 Movies
The Sentimental Swordsmanwas a Hong Kong wuxia franchisethat, although not as well-known today, started with one of the highest-grossing movies in the Shaw Brothers Studio’s catalog. With Ti Lung as Little Flying Dagger Li, the original movie followed a righteous swordsmaster who has lost everything, being thrown into a conspiracy to paint him as a treacherous masked assassin.
Based on Gu Long’sXiaoli Feidaoseries of novels, the 1977 film was followed by the even more successfulReturn of the Sentimental Swordsmanbefore a third, in-name-only sequel,Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman, was released. With plenty of fast-paced action, period-accurate costumes, and a whole lot of style, this wuxia franchise deserves more attention from modern viewers.
6American Ninja (1985 - 1993)
5 Movies
The B-movie martial arts classicAmerican Ninjahasn’t maintained the same kind of enduring cultural relevance as other 1980s releases likeThe Karate Kid. However, this story of a young man named Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff), a quiet drifter-turned-soldier who discovers his hidden mastery of ninjutsu, remains a cult favorite for its over-the-top action and campy spectacle.
Dudikoff returned for the sequelsAmerican Ninja 2: The ConfrontationandAmerican Ninja 4: The Annihilation.American Ninja 3: Blood Huntintroduced a new protagonist (David Bradley) and leaned into sci-fi territoryinvolving a virus and genetically enhanced cloned ninjas, whileAmerican Ninja 5was a direct-to-video release with a loose connection to the rest of the franchise.
5Undisputed (2002 - 2017)
3 Mainline Movies & 1 Spin-Off
Undisputedis a rare example of a series that got better as it went on. While the first film with Wesley Snipes as a prison boxing champion fighting the convicted heavyweight champion was enjoyable, this series really kicked into gear whenScott Adkins joined the cast as the psychotic Russian boxer Yuri BoykainUndisputed II: Last Man Standing.
Whether it was facing off against Michael Jai White playing the framed boxer George “The Iceman” Chambers or battling his way through a prison tournament inUndisputed III: Redemption, Boyka quickly became a fan-favorite antihero. This led to the spin-offBoyka: Undisputed, which explored this character’s redemption outside of his prison cell.
4Kickboxer (1989 - 2018)
5 Mainline Movies & 2 Rebooted Installments
While much of the legacy aroundJean-Claude Van Damme’s early career often focuses on his role as Frank Dux inBloodsport, we should not forget just how great he was inKickboxer. With Van Damme as Kurt Sloane, a man seeking revenge against the kickboxing champion who killed his brother, this was an excellent showcase of his genuine fighting skills.
Jean-Claude Van Damme actually returned to theKickboxerfranchise in 2016 inKickboxer: Vengeance, this time playing a new character named Master Durand. Van Damme reprised this role in 2018 inKickboxer: Retaliation.
Kickboxerwas a hit at the time and was one of the first mainstream films to introduce Muay Thai to a global audience, and it kickstarted a franchise with four sequels and even a remake in 2016. However, despite the incredible legacy of this franchise, the sequels rarely get the credit they deserve for expanding on the Sloane family history.
3Best Of The Best (1989 - 1998)
4 Movies
Best of the Bestreceived almost universally negative reviews when it was released back in 1989, with critics dismissing it as yet anotherRockyclone that borrowed heavily fromThe Karate Kid. However, this story of an American team facing off against South Korean fighters explored the importance of athletes working together in a way those other films didn’t.
This negative reception meantBest of the Bestisn’t as well-known as other similar franchises, but it still gained three sequels, all featuring Phillip Rhee portraying Tommy Lee. As the series progressed, it shifted away from tournaments towards stories of personal revenge that blended melodrama with action-thriller elements. Though never critically successful,Best of the Bestboasts a loyal fan base.
2The Street Fighter (1974)
3 Mainline Movies & 2 Spin-Offs
While video game enthusiasts will be familiar with the arcade gameStreet Fighter, not many will knowThe Street Fighter. This 1974 martial arts film released several sequels and spin-offs in quick succession, withReturn of the Street Fighter,The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge, and theSister Street Fighterspin-off series all also released in 1974.
The Street Fighter
Cast
The Street Fighter follows Takuma Tsurugi as he confronts government forces, the police, the mafia, and an international kidnapping ring targeting a wealthy heiress. Released in 1974, this film highlights Tsurugi’s battles amidst a complex web of power struggles.
The Street Fighterseries featured plenty of fast-paced action, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and a grindhouse aesthetic. Despite being a cult classic franchise, many modern martial arts fans have not watched this foundational series and are unaware of the incredible back catalog of kung fu films during the 1970s that extend well beyond the works of Bruce Lee.
1Iron Angels (1987 - 1989)
TheIron Angelsseries is a little-known franchise within the Hong Kong girls-with-guns action movie subgenre. Telling the story of a crimefighter organization hired to topple a dangerous drug-smuggling ring of ruthless female martial artists,this franchise was co-written and directed by Teresa Wooand was packed with high-octane action sequences and plenty of violence.
Iron Angels
Iron Angels is a 1987 action film featuring a law enforcement task force confronting a criminal empire led by Yeung. As the Angels navigate corporate intrigue and a bullion heist, they embark on a mission to rescue a captured colleague, leading to a climactic showdown with Yeung’s forces.
Also known simply asAngelsor theTin si hang dungseries,Iron Angelsreceived two sequels that got increasingly outrageous as the girls came to Malaysia and Thailand and got involved with more deadly plots. With great action throughout, it’s a shame that theIron Angelsfranchise isn’t as well known as other girls-with-guns series likeYes, Madamor the works of Cynthia Rothrock.
