Enter the Dragon stands tall as a milestone in martial arts cinema. Its explosive arrival ignited a kung fu frenzy across America in the 1970s and 1980s, catapulting Bruce Lee into worldwide fame. The film’s iconic tournament brought together a roster of fierce fighters, blending styles in a way that foreshadowed today’s mixed martial arts. From Jim Kelly’s electrifying swagger to Lee’s lightning-fast moves and magnetic charisma, every character leaves a lasting impression as they battle for supremacy.
Like any cinematic trailblazer, Enter the Dragon inspired a wave of imitators eager to capture the same tournament magic. Sure, there are legendary films like The Karate Kid, but the fight scenes never quite outshine those in Enter the Dragon. Even the thrilling film Five Fingers of Death saves its tournament showdown for the finale. I could go on about my own guilty pleasures, from Superfights to Mortal Kombat, but let’s stick to the best of the best, with the understanding that The Best of the Best ironically doesn’t make the cut. The movies on this list feature a tournament as a central plot point, while also delivering fights on par with the impressive action of Lee’s classic.
‘Warrior’ (2011)
The Best MMA Sports Movie of All Time
Warrior is about two estranged brothers, Tommy (Tom Hardy) and Brendan (Joel Edgerton), who are skilled fighters. When they enter a massive 16-man, winner-take-all $5 million middleweight MMA tournament called Sparta, they confront their traumatic family history while preparing for and competing in the most physically grueling event of their lives.
Warrior features several intense fights before the tournament even starts, like Brendan scrapping in low-end bouts for extra cash. However, the central tournament drives much of the narrative, with Tommy and Brendan each facing intense fights. Tommy is a master of brute-force knockouts, while Brendan is a tactical grappler who wins with submissions. The build-up to fights like Brendan vs. Koba is fantastic and pays off with an excellent Kimura submission.
However, the real standout battle is the physical and emotional war Tommy and Brendan wage as they face off in the tournament finale. Money was on the line, and the action was as top-notch as anything Lee could offer, but the real victory lies in a hard-fought family reconciliation.
Warrior
- Release Date
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September 9, 2011
- Runtime
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140 Minutes
‘Master of the Flying Guillotine’ (1976)
A Quentin Tarantino Favorite and Ode to Decapitations
Master of the Flying Guillotine is technically a sequel to One-Armed Boxer, both directed by and starring Jimmy Wang Yu. The plot follows Fung-sheng Wu-chi (Kang Chin), a blind assassin who uses a unique weapon: the flying guillotine, a razor-lined hat attached to a long chain. After learning that the One-Armed Boxer killed his disciples, he goes on a decapitation-filled revenge mission to ensure the heads will roll.
While the plot doesn’t revolve around a martial arts tournament, the One-Armed Boxer tries to use an event to lie low while being hunted. This leads to an extended section where audiences are treated to an eclectic array of fighting disciplines and weaponry, like the 3-section staff, Thai boxing, and even a yoga master.
The blind assassin eventually interrupts the proceedings, racking up a few kills as his quest for vengeance continues. While the main characters don’t have to take part in the tournament, it still offers one of the most memorable sequences in Master of the Flying Guillotine, and the various styles on display help it rival Enter the Dragon.
‘Fearless’ (2006)
An Eclectic Display of Jet Li’s Talent
Fearless is unique in several ways. It’s a biographical drama following Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), a legendary Chinese wushu master, through a narrative centered on a martial arts tournament. It tells a moving story of a man blinded by pride and humbled by a loss that spurs change. While the plot has emotional weight, each fight is uniquely entertaining.
The theatrical cut differs slightly and features four main fights, while the director’s cut restores a fifth. Li puts on an epic display of his disciplines, even using the 3-section staff to perfection. The theatrical cut shows him facing a British boxer, a Spanish fencer, a Belgian lancer, and an Irish wrestler. The director’s cut also includes a fight with Beicha, a Muay Thai kickboxer. Fearless is a moving film, and the action feels like top-tier talent carrying Lee’s Enter the Dragon legacy into a new era.
‘Bloodsport’ (1988)
The Movie That Made Jean-Claude Van Damme an Action Star
The movie that launched Van Damme’s career is still one of his most beloved films. Bloodsport follows U.S. Army Captain Frank Dux (Van Damme) as he goes AWOL and travels to Hong Kong to compete in a secret fighting tournament called the Kumite. Frank quickly sees the tournament’s brutal realities after setting a record for the fastest knockout and running afoul of the reigning undefeated champion Chong Li (Bolo Yeung).
One key element Bloodsport borrows from Enter the Dragon is its emphasis on fighter relationships, similar to Lee’s use of the characters played by John Saxon and Jim Kelly. Frank shares a strong bond with American wrestler Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb), heightening the emotional stakes as tensions rise. The film was built as a showcase for Van Damme, and each fight tops the last, giving audiences some of his most iconic kicks, splits, and groin punches. The showdown with Chong Li remains an all-time classic.
Bloodsport
- Release Date
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February 26, 1988
- Runtime
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92 minutes
- Director
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Newt Arnold
‘Undisputed III: Redemption’ (2010)
The Best Entry in a Fantastic Franchise
The Undisputed franchise is wild, as the first film is the worst in the series. The second movie follows the same fighter but adds MMA to his boxing, shifting the franchise’s trajectory and focus. Undisputed III: Redemption lives up to its title, as the series starts following Yuri Boyka (Scott Adkins), the villain of the second movie. Boyka is also the star of the fourth film, which is great, but my favorite is the third, with its diverse, high-energy tournament.
The movie takes place in a prison where Boyka is nursing injuries from Undisputed II. When a fighting tournament is organized, Boyka brutally takes down every opponent, even when those running the show try to rig it with a steroid-enhanced fighter. Boyka gets a brutal KO victory against Jean Dupont, a skilled French opponent, but he also relies on submissions, defeating Rodrigo Silva’s capoeira in the semi-finals with a triangle choke. From the evil organizers to the eclectic bouts, Undisputed III has everything a tournament fight movie should. The third film is never the best in the series, but as I said, the Undisputed franchise is wild.
‘Lionheart’ (1990)
One of Van Damme’s Most Underrated Movies
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Jean-Claude Van Damme as Lyon “Lionheart” Gaultier in Lionheart Universal Pictures -
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Lyon “Lionheart” Gaultier in Lionheart Universal Pictures -
Brian Thompson and Deborah Rennard in Lionheart Universal Pictures
Lionheart follows Lyon Gaultier (Van Damme), a soldier in the French Foreign Legion stationed in East Africa. When he learns that his brother was killed, he abandons his post and travels to America to aid his brother’s family and find out what happened. He meets Joshua (Harrison Page), a street-smart hustler who quickly becomes Lyon’s manager after introducing him to an underground bare-knuckle fighting circuit where they can make fast cash.
The film pits Lyon against several skilled opponents, letting Van Damme’s skills shine. The movie features unique fight locations like the swimming pool arena and the parking garage brawl, making it feel like video game stages. As always, those pulling the strings are up to no good, with Lyon kicking his way up the ranks to prove he can’t be bought.
Lionheart does an exceptional job building the myth around Attila (Abdel Qissi), who is positioned as Lyon’s final opponent and seems sure to kill him in the fight. Van Damme delivers his signature action, with the underground fighting and family stakes adding an emotional layer to a personal favorite that I feel is often underrated.
Lionheart
- Release Date
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June 7, 1990
- Runtime
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105 minutes
- Director
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Sheldon Lettich
‘Man of Tai Chi’ (2013)
The Only Movie Keanu Reeves Has Directed (So Far)
Man of Tai Chi follows Tiger Chen Lin-Hu (Tiger Chen), a deliveryman and skilled Tai Chi practitioner. Though he was taught Tai Chi’s traditional meditation and self-discipline, he secretly competes in tournaments, catching the attention of Donaka Mark (Keanu Reeves), a callous security tycoon who runs illegal underground fights streamed to wealthy elites.
Chen was part of Yuen Woo-ping’s stunt team that worked with Reeves for The Matrix films, which led to their collaboration on Man of Tai Chi. Reeves stepped into the role of Donaka Mark to boost the film’s star power. Still, I’m convinced Reeves wanted to play Mr. Han in Enter the Dragon, and this was as close as he could get.
Tiger puts on a lightning-fast display, taking down several opponents throughout the movie. I’m partial to his two-on-one bout during the tournament, but it all leads to an epic showdown between Tiger and Mark. The film follows Tiger’s arc as he loses his way and becomes an aggressive fighter, and the final bout shows him finding his true power without the animosity. Plus, whenever you see Reeves flex his martial arts talents, you’re in for a good time.
‘Unbeatable’ (2013)
The Best MMA Movie You Probably Never Heard About
Unbeatable follows two fighters seeking to prove themselves. Ching Fai (Nick Cheung) is a disgraced former boxing champion hiding from loan sharks in Macau, while Lin Si-qi (Eddie Peng) is a skilled fighter trying to prove himself to his alcoholic father. Si-qi convinces Fai to become his mentor and trainer, and they form a strong bond as they prepare for the Golden Rumble tournament.
The tournament features an eclectic mix of MMA fighters, and Si-qi wins several intense bouts with Fai by his side. A devastating injury forces Si-qi out of the tournament, but the movie isn’t over yet, with Fai coming out of retirement to fill in. Unbeatable is a unique film that follows two distinct protagonists who find redemption through an action-packed tournament, but it also features hard-hitting emotional beats that elevate the combat. It’s likely one of the most underrated MMA movies ever made, and the action and moving drama easily rival Enter the Dragon.
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