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As the format continues to gain traction, here’s our regularly-updated list of upcoming 4K Ultra HD disc releases in the UK.

Sitting alongside our list of upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases (that you can find here), we’re also keeping a calendar for those who support the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc format. As we learn of new UK releases, we’ll add them to this list.

We have started adding shopping links too. We’d be obliged if you clicked on them, as it really helps us in our quest to make the Film Stories project of magazines, website and podcast profitable. We’re a 100% independent publisher, and we quite like drinking coffee.

Welcome to our review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly! Let’s see what went down on this week’s show, which emanated from right here in the UK, in Birmingham…

Match #1: Dragon Lee def. Jd McDonagh The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

When Finn Bálor got caught on the apron with an obvious malicious intent early in the match, the official wasted little time ejecting him from ringside. Although Dominik Mysterio soon took Finn’s place and interfered, Aj Styles emerged from out of nowhere to neutralize Dirty Dom. With the playing field level, Dragon Lee defeated Jd McDonagh with Operation Dragon.

Karate Kid: Legends (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Karate Kid franchise has seen a massive resurgence ever since the release of the acclaimed and widely beloved Cobra Kai sequel series, which aired for six seasons from 2018 to 2025. Not long after Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) returned to the public consciousness, a new Karate Kid film, Karate Kid: Legends, was announced to be in the works.

As the latest chapter in a long-running saga, Legends has a number of references to the prior films that eagle-eyed fans can observe. Here are six easter eggs in the film to watch out for.

6. The Miyagi Family’s Drum

This easter...

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is a series filled with iconic characters, but did you know that quite a few characters were directly inspired by real-life stars? The legendary author was deeply influenced by movies and pop culture.

Through his work, he often paid homage to the martial artists, actors, and icons who influenced and helped with his creative vision. From Bruce Lee to Arnold Schwarzenegger, here is a list of eight real-life legends who left their mark on the world of Dragon Ball.

Anton the Great – André the Giant

Anton the Great is a powerful fighter who appears in the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament and faces Krillin. Anton is also a pro-wrestler,...

Jackie Chan’s first taste of Hollywood sparkle didn’t arrive with the glitz of the late 90s. It showed up quietly in 1980 with The Big Brawl, or Battle Creek Brawl as some knew it. By then, he’d already made out a special place for himself in Hong Kong’s pop culture. He had been charming crowds with his offbeat mix of clownish humor and jaw-dropping acrobatics.

But stepping into the American spotlight was a different kind of dance. The rhythm felt unfamiliar, the moves not entirely his own. The film tried to showcase what made him magnetic, yet something about the fit felt a little off, like slipping into a suit that wasn’t quite tailored for him.

Set in 1930s Chicago yet filmed decades later, it worked with a fairly tight budget, trying to wrap Chan’s wild, unpredictable energy in a neat Hollywood package. That compromise...

Jackie Chan reenacted his role in Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon” at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival.

Chan played a small part in the iconic film. In the past, he admitted Lee accidentally hit him with a stick during a scene – but that didn’t stop him from completing the take.

“I’m no Superman. I am scared,” he admitted. “Before a stunt, I go: ‘Am I going to die this time’?”

During a masterclass at the Swiss fest, he talked about his beginnings.

“That’s a long, long story,” he said. “I was lazy, naughty, I didn’t want to study – that’s why my father sent me to martial arts school. I liked fighting when I was young. Later, he asked: ‘Did you like the school?’ Yes, very much. I could kick the teacher, punch someone – whatever I wanted,” he joked.

Chan started out as a stuntman,...

Lalo Schifrin, the Argentine-American composer who was best known for writing the Mission: Impossible theme, has died. He was 93 years old.

Schifrin died in a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday, June 26th, due to complications from pneumonia.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 21st, 1932, Schifrin was the son of a professional violinist. After studying piano and jazz in his youth — including a span where he was frequently gigging at jazz clubs in Paris — Schifrin’s career reached a new level after he returned to Buenos Aires and formed a 16-piece band that ultimately secured a regular TV spot.

From there, Schifrin had his first interaction with providing music for television, but first took a career detour as the pianist in Dizzy Gillespie’s band, for whom he composed the album Gillespiana. By 1963, though, he was getting offers to compose for Hollywood films and moved to Los Angeles.

In 1965, Schifrin...

Lalo Schifrin, the Argentine-American composer who was best known for writing the Mission: Impossible theme, has died. He was 93 years old.

Schifrin died in a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday, June 26th, due to complications from pneumonia.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 21st, 1932, Schifrin was the son of a professional violinist. After studying piano and jazz in his youth — including a span where he was frequently gigging at jazz clubs in Paris — Schifrin’s career reached a new level after he returned to Buenos Aires and formed a 16-piece band that ultimately secured a regular TV spot.

From there, Schifrin had his first interaction with providing music for television, but first took a career detour as the pianist in Dizzy Gillespie’s band, for whom he composed the album Gillespiana. By 1963, though, he was getting offers to compose for Hollywood films and moved to Los Angeles.

In 1965, Schifrin...

Lalo Schifrin, the Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning composer behind the “Theme From Mission: Impossible,” has died at the age of 93.

The composer’s son Ryan confirmed his father’s death to the Associated Press, adding that Schifrin died Thursday due to complications from pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina-born Schifrin, the son of an orchestral violinist, had an early start in music, training on the piano at the age of six. However, upon entering college, Schifrin opted to study law, but his musical roots ultimately took hold.

Lalo Schifrin, the five-time Grammy-winning composer of the Mission: Impossible theme and six-time Oscar nominated maestro on movies such as Dirty Harry, Cool Hand Luke, and Bullitt, has sadly died at the age of 93. As reported by Variety, the Argentine-American multi-instrumentalist passed away earlier today of complications related to pneumonia.

Born into a musical family in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 21 June, 1932, it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that music was in Boris Claudio Schifrin's blood. His father, Luis Schifrin, was the concertmaster of Buenos Aires' Philharmonic Orchestra, and by the tender age of just six, young Lalo had already begun a six-year course studying piano. Even a spell studying sociology and law at university as a young man couldn't distract Schifrin from his true calling: by the age of 20, Lalo — who had developed a particular love for jazz as a boy — found himself playing piano by night in the...

The Mission: Impossible theme is one of the most iconic (and hummable) pieces of cinematic music. Sadly, it’s been announced that the man behind the classic tune, Lalo Schifrin, is dead. He was 93.

Schifrin told the New York Post in 2015 that it took him just three minutes to create the Mission: Impossible theme, and he did it without seeing any footage from the show. “Orchestration’s not the problem for me. It’s like writing a letter. When you write a letter, you don’t have to think what grammar or what syntaxes you’re going to use, you just write a letter. And that’s the way it came,” Schifrin said. “Bruce Geller, who was the producer of the series, put together the pilot and came to me and said, ‘I want you to write something exciting, something that when people are in the living room and go...

Lalo Schifrin, the six-time Oscar-nominated composer, pianist and conductor renowned for his electric, jazz-infused themes and music for Mission: Impossible, Mannix, Starsky & Hutch and Bullitt, died Thursday. He was 93.

Schifrin, who received an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November 2018, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Los Angeles, his son Ryan Schifrin told The Hollywood Reporter. He lived for the past few decades in a Beverly Hills home once owned by Groucho Marx.

A native of Argentina whose father was the Buenos Aires Philharmonic concert master for more than three decades, Schifrin was trained in the world of classical music before being hooked on American jazz when he was a teenager.

He artfully blended the two genres, and the combustible energy and rhythmic vitality of his compositions were especially well-suited for action-suspense movies and TV shows.

The workaholic Schifrin received Oscar nominations for his scores for Cool Hand Luke...

Lalo Schifrin, the legendary composer who penned the Mission: Impossible theme and did scores for more than 100 other films and TV shows ranging from The Cincinnati Kid, Cool Hand Luke and The Sting II to Dirty Harry and the Rush Hour trilogy, has died. He was 93.

His son, writer-director Ryan Schifrin, confirmed to Deadline that his father died “peacefully” on Thursday morning.

Also a pianist and conductor, Schifrin won four Grammys on 19 career nominations spanning 40 years and was six-time Academy Award nominee for The Sting II, The Competition, The Amityville Horror, Voyage of thye Damned, The Fox and Cool Hand Luke. He received an Honorary Oscar at the 2019 Governor Awards.

He earned three consecutive Grammy noms for the stirring, dramatic, 5/4-time Mission: Impossible theme from 1967-69, and variations of his composition have appeared in all of Tom Cruise’s M:i movies. Among those who worked on version of theme for those films are Hans Zimmer,...

Lalo Schifrin, the composer of some of the most iconic themes in TV and movie history, has died at the age of 93. Active for over seven decades, Schifrin composed scores for films like Bullitt, Dirty Harry, and Cool Hand Luke, but may be most remembered for his indelible theme to the Mission: Impossible TV series, a thrilling piece of music that instantly conjures up images of espionage and suspense. Variety reports that Schifrin died of complications of pneumonia.

Boris Claudio "Lalo" Schifrin was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 21, 1932. The son of a violinist, Schifrin was interested in music at an early age; at 20, he moved to Paris to study at the Paris Conservatory, while playing piano in jazz clubs at night. He returned to Argentina, where he began scoring films before relocating to the United States; he considered the 1964 Jane Fonda thriller Joy House to be his first success.

Can anyone deny that the 1970s were absolutely legendary when it came to action movies? I don’t think so. This was way before anyone even dreamed of CGI, so filmmakers had to get creative with practical effects, death-defying stunts, and good old-fashioned storytelling that would make your heart race.

We’re talking about an era where actors actually performed their own stunts, explosions were real, and car chases involved actual cars flying through real streets. These movies didn’t need fancy computer graphics to blow your mind – they had raw talent, incredible cinematography, and stories that grabbed you by the collar and never let go.

From gritty cop dramas that redefined what heroes could look like to martial arts masterpieces that introduced Western audiences to a whole new world of action, these 15 films aren’t just nostalgic throwbacks – they’re masterclasses in filmmaking that today’s blockbusters are still trying to live up to.

For fans of the action genre, Scott Adkins is one of the best underrated actors in the industry. After doing bit parts in Jackie Chan’s Hollywood ventures, Adkins gained significant fame in the role of Boyka. Adkins then went on to absolutely dominate the field of direct-to-vod releases, occasionally delivering bangers like Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning, Avengement, and One Shot. And while his work was greatly revered by those who watch any and every action film (read: me), it was his turn as Killa Harkan in John Wick 4 that garnered him worldwide acclaim. The same can be said about Marko Zaror. He starred alongside Adkins in several movies and even played the final boss in Sultan, a Bollywood film starring Salman Khan. But it was his role as Chidi in the fourth John Wick film that got everybody to sit up and take notice. Now, Adkins and...

It's very strange that it took so long for Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan to break out in North America. He was a massive star in Hong Kong throughout the 1970s, and his films are exciting and fun. For some reason, though, that success didn't translate very well to American audiences, despite a few tries by major American studios.

In 1980, for instance, Warner Bros. and Golden Harvest teamed up to make "The Big Brawl," a.k.a. "Battle Creek Brawl," an American production that was meant to bring Jackie Chan stateside. "The Big Brawl" starred Chan, playing a gentle restaurateur in 1930s Chicago, who runs afoul of the mob. It co-starred Kristine DeBell, José Ferrer, Mako, Rosalind Chao, and wrestler Hard-Boiled Haggerty. The film was actually a hit, but Warner Bros. was disappointed that it wasn't as big as the recent Bruce Lee film "Enter the Dragon." Chan was...

It can’t be denied that as far as martial arts movies go, the best ones come from Asia, particularly Hong Kong during their action heyday, which was arguably the 70s, 80s and first half of the ’90s. It’s tough to compete with the likes of the Shaw Brothers and the drunken master known as Jackie Chan. That said, martial arts movies were also making a foothold in the States decades ago, thanks mainly to Bruce Lee-mania following the release of Enter the Dragon. Before that movie, very few actors in Hollywood seemed like they were credible martial artists, except maybe James Coburn, a student of Lee’s, who pulled off some pretty good-looking moves in the otherwise silly Our Man Flint movies. Steve McQueen also had training but didn’t use martial arts on screen. Up to then, though, the most notable uses of martial arts in movies usually revolved around Judo,...

In discussion for at least three years, Ang Lee’s biopic about martial arts legend Bruce Lee appears to be struggling to get the go-ahead from Sony Pictures.

A director who’s repeatedly switched genres over his career, Ang Lee hopes to return to the martial arts realm of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with a biopic about Bruce Lee. In a recent interview with Deadline, however, it sounds as though the untitled film is stuck in pre-production.

In his feature about Lee, journalist Mike Fleming Jr says that, at the time of meeting the director, “he is struggling to hit a budget number and a green light from Sony Pictures.”

The Bruce Lee film first became public knowledge in December 2022, when it emerged that Mason Lee – Ang Lee’s son – was to play the legendary martial arts star, who died in 1973 aged 32. It was said at the time that Mason...

Blade Runner, Enter The Dragon, The Goonies and V For Vendetta’s new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbooks have gone up for sale.

The thriving nature of our upcoming disc release lists suggests that physical media is still very much finding its home. The list of upcoming DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray continues to expand, and at the top end of them there’s collectable Steelbooks.

Warner Bros seems to be doing a happy enough trade in them to announce four more of its catalogue titles are getting 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook editions this August. Each will bring together the existing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of the film in question, and – as you’d expect – redeliver it in a limited edition Steelbook case.

The release date for all of these, in the UK, is 18th August 2025. All are still available to order at the time this post was being published.

Bruce Lee’s martial arts classic with 88% on Rotten Tomatoes is a hit on streaming 52 years later. He may have passed away over five decades ago, but the inventor of Jeet Kun Do, who famously taught Chuck Norris how to fight, remains arguably the most iconic of all martial arts movie stars.

But Lee’s influence on popular culture extends beyond the world of martial arts cinema, with everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Eddie Murphy to LL Cool J citing him as an inspiration. As of 2022, Oscar-winner Ang Lee was reportedly developing a biopic of the late movie icon, with his own son Mason Lee taking on the lead role.

Enter The Dragon Is A Streaming Hit 52 Years After Release It Has An 88% Fresh Rating On Rotten Tomatoes

Lee’sEnter the Dragon has again proven its power to enthrall martial arts fans, landing on the streaming charts decades after its initial release.

Mel Novak, the great movie villain known for his slick turns as the sniper Stick in Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, the gangster Blue Eyes in Jim Kelly’s Black Belt Jones and the informant Tony Montoya in Chuck Norris’ An Eye for an Eye, has died. He was 90.

Novak died Wednesday of natural causes at a hospice facility in Granada Hills, his daughter Nikol Conant told The Hollywood Reporter.

In a career that spanned seven decades, the charismatic Novak did lots of his own stunts, as in The Ultimate Warrior (1975), starring Yul Brynner and Max von Sydow. That was one of the four films he made with Enter the Dragon director Robert Clouse.

In his death scene for that post-apocalyptic adventure, “They covered me with peanut butter and sunflower seeds and then put 40 live rats on me,” Novak recalled in a 2018 interview. “I told their trainer, ‘If one of them bites me,...

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s Freaky Tales is an ode to 1987 Oakland rife with references to (and cameos by) various music and sports icons of the city’s underdog era. The film illustrates the eclecticism of Oakland via an anthology of four stories connected by little more than characters from each segment briefly occupying the same spaces as the narrative baton is handed off between teen punks, wannabe rappers, a thumb-breaking debt collector trying to go straight, and Golden State Warriors player Sleepy Floyd (Jay Ellis).

Nakedly wearing its cinematic influences on its sleeve, Freaky Tales suggests Pulp Fiction by way of Repo Man. In the first segment, “Strength in Numbers,” a trio of teenage punksters, high off of seeing The Lost Boys at the Grand Lake Theatre, go to the iconic all-ages music venue Gilman Street, where they catch a set from the punk band Operation Ivy. Throughout,...

In "Snatch," things aren't looking good for bare-knuckle boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) when he loses his fighter to an injury and wants to switch him out for "One Punch" Mickey O'Neil (Brad Pitt). The news doesn't go down well with violent pig-obsessed crime lord Brick Top (Alan Ford), who stands to lose a lot of money from the bets that've already been placed. "I don't care if he's Muhammad 'I'm hard' Bruce Lee. You can't change fighters!" he protests.

A British gangster movie might not seem the most obvious place for a reference to the martial arts movie legend that is Bruce Lee, but it just goes to show how the enduring legacy of the screen icon has infiltrated just about every corner of popular culture. He has also influenced a vast range of directors and actors like Statham, who has become a huge action star in his own...

Sammo Hung has seen it all. From battling Bruce Lee on screen in “Enter the Dragon” (1973) to bossing Donnie Yen behind the camera as the action director of “Ip Man” (2008), the legendary martial artist now wields influence as jury president of this year’s Asian Film Awards. The man who helped define Hong Kong action cinema for generations is now evaluating its future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The 73-year-old action star, whose career spans over five decades, has transitioned seamlessly between acting, directing, and producing, crafting some of the most influential martial arts films in cinema history. When asked about the evolution of martial arts choreography from the classic Golden Harvest days to today’s spectacles, Hung remains philosophical. “I think there’s not much difference. It always evolves with time and evolves with trends,” Hung tells Variety.

Hung’s collaborations with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao have produced countless iconic moments in action cinema.

Even though it has been many years since Bruce Lee's far-too-young tragic death, he continues to intrigue and mystify fans of his legendary work. As a martial artist, actor, and philosopher, Lee used his skill, intellect, and charisma to craft a career that, while relatively short, left its mark. This is why it should come as no surprise that one of our great filmmakers, Ang Lee, has been working on a Bruce Lee biopic for years, and now the director has provided an update on the status of the project.

While speaking with a Chinese outlet, via World of Reel, Lee spoke about his Bruce Lee biopic, following reports that the screenplay was finally done, and the director expressed that it was something that he wanted to get right. The Ice Storm filmmaker said, "It took me several years to figure out how to crack this film and come...

Though they have their roots in Chinese cinema, kung fu movies have become iconic and beloved the world over. From gravity-defying stunts to high-flying kicks, these films have captivated audiences for decades with their mesmerizing style. Some of the best kung fu movies were also responsible for turning now well-known screen legends into household names, such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

The kung fu film genre gained prominence in the early '70s following the waning popularity of the wuxia films, characterized by their supernatural tropes of Chinese myths and legends. As more hard-hitting kung fu action reached the international shores, the martial arts subgenre brought a cultural revolution to cinematic history. Several of these films came to be adored across the globe, but only the best kung fu movies, like Enter the Dragon, have truly withstood the test of time.

Updated on March 4, 2025, by Christopher Raley: Kung fu...

Tubi has repeatedly shown itself as one of the best platforms for viewing movies in an era where streaming services are becoming increasingly popular. Whether it's a classic Western starring John Wayne or a high-voltage action thriller, the streaming platform has it all. Speaking of the latter, Tubi will add some of the genre's best films to its repertoire in February 2025.

From Liam Neeson's iconic Taken to the latest DC live-action feature of one of its most beloved characters, Blue Beetle, the previous month has been quite entertaining for Tubi users. Similarly, the streaming service has planned a number of intriguing action films, including arguably the greatest martial arts film starring Bruce Lee to Denzel Washington's newest entry from a lucrative franchise. So, without further ado, here's a list of every movie that will be available to stream for free on Tubi beginning March 2025.

'Transporter 3'...

After his time on The Green Hornet, Bruce Lee moved to Hong Kong, where he had developed a larger audience, and began starring in the kung fu movies he is best known for. Following the success of these films, Warner Bros. Entertainment produced Enter the Dragon alongside Golden Harvest, officially bringing the genre to Hollywood.

As per Tubi, Enter the Dragon is headed to the streaming service next week. The film will be available to stream on March 1, along with titles like Den of Thieves and The Equalizer. Enter the Dragon will be the third Bruce Lee movie to join Tubi’s expanding catalog.

RelatedThis Divisive MCU Show Failed to Adapt an Iconic Bruce Lee Film by Breaking a Crucial Rule

Bruce Lee has influenced countless martial arts films and shows over the years, but when one MCU tried its hand at it, it failed to take off.

Enter the Dragon...

When it comes to naming films that are the golden standard of martial arts, none nearly comes close to Enter the Dragon. The American-Hong Kong co-production rocked the world in 1973 with its bold, flashy, espionage storyline paired with the legendary Bruce Lee's jaw-dropping action choreography. The iconic kung fu movie, one of the greatest of all time, left a profound impact on cinema and paved the way for another "tournament-style" martial arts flick five years later.

The 18th Asian Film Awards ceremony will be held on Friday, March 16, 2025, at the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. This year, The Awards are honoured to have the legendary Hong Kong filmmaker Sammo Hung as the Jury President. Known as a trailblazer in action cinema, Hung has spent over five decades creating countless iconic works for both Hong Kong and global cinema. Having received the Best Supporting Actor award for Ip Man 2 at the 5th Asian Film Awards and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th Asian Film Awards, Hung expressed his heartfelt gratitude for returning to the Afa stage, sharing his excitement to reconnect with filmmakers and audiences across Asia.

Hung began his artistic journey at the age of 10 under the supervision of Yu Jim-yuen, a renowned Peking opera master. Through intensive training, he honed his skills in Peking opera and martial arts, building...

In many walks of life, a combination of recency bias and genuine progress makes it easy to think that the latest thing is also the greatest thing. However, this thought process doesn't apply to the martial arts movie genre, where a man who died in 1973 continues to be the yardstick all other stars are measured with -- and generally fall short.

Bruce Lee's death at the age of 32 cut short his life but not his legend. It can be easy to forget that his "Bruce Lee era" was just the final, star-making phase of his career. Before breaking through with his English name on "Green Hornet," Lee appeared in 20 Hong Kong movies, often using his Chinese name Lee Jun Fan and stage names like Lee Siu Lung ("Lee Little Dragon"). This means that a true Lee aficionado has plenty of comparatively obscure material to wade through -- from the 1941 film "Golden Gate Girl,...

Bruce Lee was undoubtedly one of the 20th century's most important and influential pop culture figures. Born in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, Lee was a prominent child star who appeared in roughly 20 films between the ages of 6 and 20. Lee returned to the United States and enrolled at the University of Washington in the early 1960s. It was at this time he began teaching martial arts. In 1967, Lee founded Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts style. Around this time, Lee landed a starring role on the American television series The Green Hornet.

During the early 1970s, Lee exploded in popularity thanks to his starring roles in Hong Kong martial arts films such as The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, and The Way of the Dragon. In 1973, Lee starred in the Hollywood-co-produced Enter the Dragon, which became a cultural phenomenon. Unfortunately, Lee passed away at only 32 years old...

Considering the iconic status of Enter the Dragon, it's not easy to find a suitable follow-up that doesn't involve Bruce Lee, but Heroes of the East is one film that can fill that void. Easily the most famous of the five movies that Bruce Lee starred in, Enter the Dragon is credited with helping shape the martial arts genre into what it is today. Its decision to follow three fighters of different backgrounds helped provide the setup for one of the greatest martial arts tournament movies ever made, if not the best kung fu film of all time.

Another film that explores that particular martial arts subgenre is Heroes of the East, a lesser-known release from 1978. Heroes of the East was made by Shaw Brothers, the biggest kung fu movie studio in Hong Kong as well as the main rival of Golden Harvest, the company behind all of Bruce Lee's movies.

Quick Links Game of Death Was the Ultimate Martial Arts Challenge Iron Fist Embraced Classic Martial Arts Films Iron Fist's Lack of Confidence Was His Downfall

Image via Miramax

2017's Iron Fist is far from the top of the list for many fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its Netflix era. The story of Danny Rand leaving K'un-Lun to take back his birthright at Rand Enterprises isn't one that many would be enticed to see out of the gate. But the use of his martial arts skills and the fabled iron fist should've been enough to create a stellar first season. However, the lack of impressive martial arts scenes, a lead that acted more adolescent than many would've liked, and a lack of the iconic Iron Fist suit put the show at a severe detriment that even a more successful second season couldn't fix. Nevertheless, like with all things,...

With most martial arts movies, it's hard to avoid a predictable ending, but Five Shaolin Masters pulls that off perfectly. Most films in the genre, whether it's an old school kung fu movie or something a bit more modern, follow the same basic formula, even if they're stories differ widely. Typically, they culminate in the hero triumphing over the villain in a hotly contested showdown in the closing minutes of the film.

Many of the greatest martial arts movies end in this manner, including Enter the Dragon, Way of the Dragon, Drunken Master, and The Karate Kid. These fights can be intense, well-choreographed, and entertaining even after multiple viewings. But, that's not to say that they keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, wondering who's going to win. In most scenarios, there's no secret who will emerge the victor, even if the hero takes a beating early on.

The "Ip Man" movies represent some of the most fun you can have with the martial arts genre. The franchise is loosely based on the life of the actual Ip Man (or Yip Man), a Chinese martial arts grandmaster who specialized in the art of Wing Chun, and whose most famous student was Bruce Lee, the star of the incredible martial arts action film "Enter the Dragon." The main movies in the property are directed by Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen as the titular character. Yen played Ip Man for more than a decade in-between giving us one of the best "Star Wars" characters ever in Chirrut Îmwe from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," as well as one of the best fights in the "John Wick" films.

So far as martial arts cinema goes, it rarely gets better than the "Ip Man" movies, which manage to actually create...

These stars died before their latest projects were releasedMEGAAdam WestAdam West was set to release his animated Batman film before he died.Mega

On June 9, 2017, Batman star Adam West died at the age of 88 following a short battle with leukemia. Four months later, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released his post-humous animated film Batman vs. Two-Face, in which he voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman's character.

Alan RickmanRickman is best known for playing Professor Severus Snape in the 'Harry Potter' franchise.Mega

Alan Rickman marked his final performance in the 2016 film Alice Through the Looking Glass. The famed Harry Potter actor, who portrayed Professor Severus Snape in the film franchise, died on January 14, 2016, after suffering from cancer. He was 69.

Anton YelchinAnton Yelchin died following a freak car accident.Mega

Anton Yelchin died on June 19, 2016. The then-27-year-old actor, who starred in Star Trek Beyond, was killed in a freak car accident in Studio...

From Alan Rickman to Chadwick Boseman, these celebrated actors tragically passed away before the release of what would become their final films.MEGAAdam WestMEGA

On June 9, 2017, Batman star Adam West died at the age of 88 following a short battle with leukemia. Four months later, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released his post-humous animated film Batman vs. Two-Face, in which he voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman's character.

Alan RickmanMEGA

Alan Rickman marked his final performance in the 2016 film Alice Through the Looking Glass. The famed Harry Potter actor, who portrayed Professor Severus Snape in the film franchise, died on January 14, 2016, after suffering from cancer. He was 69.

Anton YelchinMEGA

Anton Yelchin died on June 19, 2016. The then-27-year-old actor, who starred in Star Trek Beyond, was killed in a freak car accident in Studio City while he was on his way to meet his friends, his publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed at the time.

"It appears...

Martial arts movies have a way of delivering some of the most inspiring stories in cinema. These films, famously and sometimes very obviously, aren’t just about epic fight scenes; they’re about personal growth, overcoming adversity, and finding strength in the most difficult moments. The characters almost always face obstacles, but it's the journey of rising above them that makes the story so compelling.

From House of Flying Daggers to The Karate Kid, some of the greatest martial arts classics show us the power of determination and self-discipline in the most profound way, without sacrificing their often breathtaking visuals. Beyond their entertainment factor, martial arts films teach us that, with perseverance, we can push through tough times. It's the mix of struggle, heart, and eventual success that makes them so inspirational and unforgettable, no matter how much time has passed.

The Protector (2005) Directed by Prachya Pinkaew

Your changes have...

The sports biopic is certainly popular, with movies such as Enter the Dragon, Ali, and I-Tonya proving the genre is one of the best-loved in cinema. For that reason, all eyes are often drawn when the next big sports star is announced to have their story told on screen, with the upcoming tale of Claressa Shields, one already known and adored across the world.

From Grease in a brawler to Kindergarten Cop in a classic survival horror, movies had a habit of unexpectedly popping up in 80s and 90s videogames.

There’s long been a link between movies and videogames. There were the earliest licenced games, such as Atari’s groundbreaking Star Wars cabinet or the same company’s slightly less successful E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial console tie-in.

Then there are games that take inspiration from the themes, production design or plot points of movies; Technos coin-op Renegade, when reworked for its western release, drew on the urban malaise of Walter Hill’s 1979 movie The Warriors, for example. Then there are all the games that have borrowed from the look of the Alien franchise, which are too numerous to mention.

Every so often, though, films used to make unexpected cameos in 1980s and 90s videogames. In some instances, their appearance was so brief,...

The 1970s were a great decade for film, and some classics gripped their audience from the very first scene. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Dario Argento and Steven Spielberg all produced some iconic moments before their stories really got going. There have been great opening scenes in hundreds of movies, but the 1970s may have produced more than the average decade.

Opening scenes can set the atmosphere for a movie from the very first minute, as well as grabbing the audience's attention. Some directors use this opportunity to introduce their main characters in interesting ways, like how The Godfather focuses on Vito Corleone, or how Enter the Dragon gives Bruce Lee a chance to show off his martial arts skills early on. A good opening scene can get an audience on board with a movie in an instant.

The Exorcist (1973) Father Merrin's Expedition Doesn't Fit With The Rest Of...

Bruce Lee was a famed martial arts expert who completed only a handful of films before his untimely death in 1973 at the age of 32. Let’s take a look back at all 6 of his films, ranked worst to best.

Born in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco, CA, in 1940, Lee was raised with his family in Kowloon, Hong Kong. He began appearing in several films as a child, often in small bit roles, but abandoned acting to pursue a career in martial arts.

His hiatus from the screen didn’t last long. In 1966, Lee was cast as Kato in the short-lived television adventure “The Green Hornet,” later making appearances as the character on “Batman.” He played a small role in the mystery film “Marlowe” (1969) as a kung fu fighter who destroys private eye James Garner‘s office before suffering a tragic demise.

Lee became a leading man after returning to...

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Though they have their roots in Chinese cinema, kung fu movies have become iconic and beloved the world over. From gravity-defying stunts to high-flying kicks, these films have captivated audiences for decades with their mesmerizing style. Some of the best kung fu movies were also responsible for turning now well-known screen legends into household names, such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

The kung fu film genre gained prominence in the early '70s following the waning popularity of the Wuxia films, characterized by their supernatural tropes of Chinese myths and legends. As more hard-hitting kung fu action reached the international shores, the martial arts subgenre brought a cultural revolution to cinematic history. Several of these films came to be adored across the globe, but only the best kung fu movies, like Enter the Dragon, have truly withstood the test of time.

Kung fu movies are famous for their dazzling fight scenes in which characters show off their mastery of the martial arts. Considering the majority of onscreen combat is largely choreographed, most of the moves portrayed in these films wouldn't be effective in an actual fight. With that said, some cinematic kung fu techniques are central to the fighting style and have been practiced and perfected by experts in the trade.

Actors like Jackie Chan who still has upcoming movies, showcased many of these moves to the world and gave the genre widespread popularity. Films like Kung Fu Panda 4 took these techniques to another level, adding fictional power elements. In kung fu films, characters frequently use moves that look relatively simple to perform. It's easy to think that the technique might be straightforward to replicate, but it takes years of practice to successfully apply. The fact that these characters can...

Martial arts movies have been a staple genre of Western culture since the 1970s. Pioneers like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan set the standard for epic, fast-paced fight scenes and brought them to the silver screen. Films like Robert Clouse's Enter The Dragon and Yuen Woo-Ping's Drunken Master helped create the world of martial arts cinema that is famous today.

The genre hasn't slowed down since its creation, with many upcoming projects like the long-awaited Karate Kid reboot set to hit screens in 2025. However, certain martial arts movies take themselves more seriously than others. While some plots are centered around character development and realistic fighting applications, other films go the extra mile and focus on downright absurd scenarios. These campy martial arts movies set aside realism and include fighting that is truly ridiculous, but altogether extremely fun to watch.

Dragon Tiger Gate (2006) Clash Of Brothers

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In the world of martial arts cinema, there is certainly a wide range of fighting styles. Stars of the genre typically have common techniques, methods, and manners of combat that are consistent across their movies. In some cases, actors have an especially ruthless take on martial arts. Bruce Lee set the standard for this approach in his classic 1973 film Enter The Dragon.

Someone like Jackie Chan would be a good exception to this category. Although he is a master martial artist, he usually relies on more technical and non-lethal combat styles. Nevertheless, he remains an icon, and Jackie Chan still has upcoming martial arts movies. Beyond the household names, there are still a number of actors in the genre with an extremely brutal style of fighting.

Michael Jai White Known For: Blood and Bone (2009), Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)

Although Michael Jai White holds black belts across seven different areas of martial arts,...

Legendary Hong Kong martial arts star and filmmaker Sammo Hung gave a masterclass at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where at age 72 he demonstrated that while he now uses a cane, his charismatic abilities and innovative spirit remain. Hung held an engaging talk where he shared lessons from over 60 years in the industry developing martial arts cinema.

Born into a performing family, Hung’s journey began with training at Hong Kong’s prestigious Peking Opera school. “The training was very rigorous,” Hung recalled. “We learned fundamental movements so by graduation you could perform nearly any move.” This training laid the groundwork for his future success in martial arts films.

Hung’s film career started early, with his debut at age 9 in the 1960s. A pivotal moment came in 1973’s “Enter the Dragon” where Hung fought Bruce Lee in the opening scene. After Lee’s tragic death, Hung took on choreographing...

In a career that has spanned seven decades, Hong Kong action movie legend Sammo Hung has seen a lot, and moreover, his body has been through a lot. So it wasn’t a surprise to see the 72-year-old use a cane as he took the stage for a masterclass session at the Tokyo International Film Festival. But as he captivated an appreciative audience, the confidence and humor that have seen Hung through his illustrious career in martial arts movies shone bright.

Born into a showbiz family, Hung’s career began as a child actor while at the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera school in Hong Kong. He made his film debut in the early 1960s, aged nine. A slightly grainy, black and white clip of the film showed a fresh-faced boy Hung, to coos from his assembled admirers. “Training at the school was very severe. We learned all the fundamental movements.