The Five Best Kung Fu Movies Of The 90s

Alright folks, settle in. We’re about to take a trip down memory lane, a lane paved with flying kicks and dramatic slow-motion punches. We’re talking about the 90s, a glorious decade for Kung Fu movies. Forget your fancy CGI and complicated plots. The 90s gave us pure, unadulterated, awesome martial arts action. And today, I'm going to share my highly scientific, totally unbiased (wink wink) list of the five best Kung Fu movies of that golden era. Get ready to nod your head, maybe chuckle a bit, and definitely want to rewatch these gems.

First up, in a spot that’s probably going to make some purists clutch their pearls, we have Once Upon a Time in China II. Now, before you start typing furiously, hear me out. While Jet Li is a legend, and the first one is great, the sequel just… hits different. It’s got everything. We’re talking breathtaking fight choreography, a story that’s actually interesting without being a headache, and Donnie Yen as a truly memorable villain. His fight scenes with Jet Li are legendary. The choreography is so smooth, it’s like watching a ballet of destruction. And Jet Li, with that stoic intensity, is just pure charisma. The costumes are flashy, the sets are grand, and the action just doesn’t let up. It’s a feast for the eyes and the fighter within us all.

Moving on to number two, we’re diving into a film that redefined the genre for many: Fist of Legend. This is Jet Li at his absolute best. Forget the storylines where he’s always the reluctant hero. Here, he’s a man on a mission, and he’s not messing around. The fights in this movie are brutal, realistic (for a martial arts movie, anyway), and incredibly impactful. Yuen Woo-ping, the legendary choreographer, really outdid himself. Every punch, every kick, every block feels earned. There’s a scene involving a wooden training dummy that’s still studied by martial artists today. It’s a masterclass in cinematic combat. And the story, while simple, has a gravitas that makes you root for Chen Jun. This is pure, distilled martial arts brilliance.

Coming in at a solid number three, and this one’s a bit of a curveball for some, is Iron Monkey. Now, some might argue this belongs higher, and I wouldn’t blame them. This movie is pure fun from start to finish. Donnie Yen plays the titular Iron Monkey, a vigilante who robs the rich to give to the poor. The action is inventive, fast-paced, and utterly exhilarating. The fight scenes are incredibly creative, using props and environments in ways you wouldn’t expect. And the chemistry between Donnie Yen and Yu Rongguang is fantastic. Their final duel? Absolutely epic. It’s got a great sense of humor, a compelling (if slightly predictable) plot, and some of the most joyous and acrobatic fight sequences you’ll ever see. This is a movie that makes you want to jump off your couch and start kicking things.

At number four, we’re going a little darker, a little grittier, with Wing Chun. Donnie Yen again, I know, I know. But the man was on fire in the 90s! This film showcases Michelle Yeoh as the legendary martial artist, and let me tell you, she is a force of nature. The choreography is fluid, powerful, and showcases the practical, efficient style of Wing Chun. It’s not all flashy moves; it’s about devastating effectiveness. The story is charming, with a bit of romance and comedy thrown in, but the action is the star. The fight scenes are incredibly well-executed, and Michelle Yeoh’s presence is captivating. She’s strong, graceful, and utterly believable as a master martial artist. This is a film that proves you don’t need to be the biggest or the strongest to be the most dangerous.

Finally, rounding out our top five, and this might be the most "unpopular opinion" pick of the bunch, is Tai Chi Master. Yes, another Jet Li film. But hear me out! This movie has some of the most unique and visually stunning martial arts sequences in 90s cinema. The incorporation of Tai Chi, with its flowing, circular movements, is just mesmerizing. The fight scenes are like nothing else. Think about the scene with the spinning metal balls – iconic! While the story can be a little melodramatic at times, the sheer creativity and beauty of the martial arts more than make up for it. Michelle Yeoh is also fantastic in this, and their chemistry again is undeniable. It’s a film that dares to be different, and it pays off in spades with its visual spectacle and innovative fight choreography.

So there you have it. My personal, highly questionable, but I think, well-reasoned list of the best Kung Fu movies of the 90s. These films are more than just action flicks; they’re windows into a time when martial arts cinema was at its peak creativity and excitement. They’re the movies that made us believe we could do a roundhouse kick, even if it was just in our living rooms. They’re fun, they’re exciting, and they’re definitely worth revisiting. Now go forth and rewatch them. You can thank me later.