Forget Rush Hour 4, Jackie Chan’s Sequel To Hit 142-Minute Thriller Confirms His Best New Action Franchise

Jackie Chan is one of the most beloved martial arts movie stars, and his filmography is remarkable because it transcends genres. Chan is a talented martial artist, but he’s also a stuntman. His action scenes are often as much about how he uses the environment as they are about trading blows.

Jackie Chan also has multigenerational appeal and has been a mainstay in action cinema for decades. Fans of 70s kung fu movies may know him best as Wong Fei-Hung in Drunken Master. Chan played Keung in Rumble in the Bronx, and even casual moviegoers know him as Chief Inspector Lee in Rush Hour.

The Rush Hour films are adored for many reasons. Chan teams up with Carter (Chris Tucker), an unpredictable LAPD detective, and the pair have incredible on-screen chemistry. The franchise also stands out among similar series because it’s lighthearted and laugh-out-loud funny. Fans of Jackie Chan’s stunt work won’t be disappointed, and the movies are accomplished comedy action films even if you’re less interested in the physical feats.

It’s no surprise that Rush Hour fans are waiting for news about its fourth installment. However, the actor has also worked on numerous projects in China, and one of those recent Jackie Chan movies is set to become a franchise itself. It may be grittier and more violent than audiences familiar with Rush Hour are used to. Still, it remains an exceptional action movie, with jaw-dropping parkour, and Chan is as charismatic as ever.

The Shadow’s Edge Delivers Great Jackie Chan Action – And Its Sequel Should Too

A massive fiery explosion in a building in shadows edge

The Shadow’s Edge was released in 2025, with a sequel reportedly in the works. The movie introduces us to a skilled group of young thieves. They use a combination of high-flying martial arts and parkour, but they also have far more high-tech tools at their disposal. One member of the group is a professional hacker who uses the police force’s own technology against them.

The authorities decide to call in a retired expert officer, Wong Tak-chung (Jackie Chan), to help bring the group down. He assembles a young task force, teaching them surveillance and fieldwork without relying so heavily on technology that could expose them. Tak-chung also discovers that the group has links to a mysterious criminal mastermind known as The Shadow (Tony Leung Ka-fai), who has eluded the police for years.

Jackie Chan’s character is a great mentor, but he can still fight, and he’s the highlight of several incredible action scenes. One particular brawl in a claustrophobic apartment is a big highlight. Leung’s action scenes are also incredible as almost futuristic technology clashes with old-school training.

Without delving into spoilers, The Shadow’s Edge does have a satisfying conclusion, but it leaves the door wide open for a sequel. It’s too early to say when The Shadow’s Edge 2 will release, but production officially began in October 2026.

You Might’ve Missed A Lot Of Jackie Chan’s Recent Performances

A man in armor fighting multiple opponents in a legend

Jackie Chan has been involved in several newer Western releases, including Karate Kid: Legends. He also starred alongside John Cena in Hidden Strike, which premiered in 2023. Several of Chan’s latest movies have debuted in China. We’ve already covered The Shadow’s Edge, and it’s arguably a must-watch for fans of Jackie Chan movies, even if you don’t enjoy subtitles.

Many of Chan’s recent Chinese movies are quite different from what some Western fans may be used to. A Legend premiered in 2024 and deserves a special mention because it’s a sequel to The Myth, which was released in 2005. Professor Fang (Jackie Chan) is an archaeologist. Ancient relics are discovered during a glacier excavation, and they are significant because Fang has seen them in his dreams.

A Legend tells a story in the present day and another in Ancient China as Fang learns more about the artifacts. Some action scenes set in Ancient China are particularly impressive, with stylish, large-scale battles and personal sword fights. Jackie Chan also starred in Unexpected Family in 2026. It’s a charming comedy, though it’s also very different from what general audiences may be used to, as it doesn’t feature any martial arts.