The series, now renewed for a fourth season after shifting to Netflix from YouTube during the third, serves as a sequel to the four movies that were released between 1984 and 1994 (barring the 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan). JOIN NOW SIGN IN. He was famous for defeating several fighters from different nations and things like that. At the very least, it's an astounding complement to its source material. Starring Donnie Yen before he became known the world over for his Ip Man franchise, Iron Monkey is a martial arts classic. Animation, Action, Adventure, TV-MA | Some legends tells that he would fight dozens of people at once, and always win. Watch trailers & learn more. Trivia: Christopher Lambert, who headlined the 1986 feature film, appeared in the pilot for the Highlander series. What is it about watching a good old-fashioned fist fight that just does it? lancaster county, ne most wanted. The series explores the life and relationship of friends Ryu and Ken, who were in the process of learning and honing their skills in the art of Ansatsuken, a combat technique with the aim of killing an opponent. I will never stop bringing up this childrens show. On top of that, there's also great storytelling set to a unique aesthetic. Top-rated martial arts actors and stunt performers in Hollywood clamored to get a chance to work with Hung because they knew it was winning the ratings war for its time slot, at least during season one. Although most of the sword fights involved way too much flailing like kids playing with sticks the use of sound effects and rapid technique exchanges created the illusion of pace and power. Martial Arts TV Show #3 - The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber. Takes Down Jeremy Stark (James Hyde) And Saves The Day, The Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers: Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) Attempts To Ruin His Mothers Friendship With Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), 90 Day Fianc Spoilers: Gabriel Paboga Confused By Viewers and Their Hate. All of these things allow him to fulfill his destiny to stop the Wu Lords, who seek to use the Wu Xing to destroy the world. A sequel to the original Drunken Master, The Legend of Drunken Master is jam-packed with well-choreographed action sequences balanced with comedy, as did in the first film. I mean, who else can be credited with creating their own hybrid form of martial arts, not to mention still have a lasting legacy even almost four decades after their death? Trivia:Martial Law lasted just 44 episodes apparently, the star and the second-season producers didn't see eye to eye. Totally free to use. 24 min Finally, the grand masters set aside their differences and formed a governing body, The W For centuries, each of the various martial arts disciplines declared its techniques superior to those of the competing combat arts. Cobra Kai is the hit sequel series to Karate Kid that no one saw coming. WMAC Mastersran on UPN in the late 90s, airing afterDragon Ball Z. | Watch the best Martial Arts TV Shows ever on streaming services, add them to your watchlist now. He also enjoys strategy games, simulators, and anything open world. Using steel-slashing bewitchment and memories of her sinful past, she battles the dregs of the earth to free the innocent from the claws of injustice and tyranny. But there existed no forum in which to prove these claims. For centuries, each of the various martial arts disciplines declared its techniques superior to those of the competing combat arts. Yes, these shows were actually a thing and yes, they obviously ended either a cliffhanger or abruptly. After taking separate paths in life, the two reunite as men in battle; only they're fighting for opposing sides. We love a good series with a mix of the supernatural, and Wu Assassins is just that. Finally, the grand masters set aside their differences and formed a governing body, The World Martial Arts Council to determine the greatest martial artist on earth. Animation, Action, Adventure, TV-MA Banshee brought the blood, bullets, and a surprising amount of heart to a small Pennsylvania town. | Iron Fist tells the story of Danny Rand, a billionaire, and martial arts practitioner. Though the show was met with positive reviews, it was canceled after the second season due to budget concerns. Some things gotta give in this strange new land where success isn't for the weak. Decades after their 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament bout, a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence find themselves martial-arts rivals again. The first show on our list is an adaptation of the 1970s classic series of the same name: Kung Fu (which well also be talking about, dont worry!). It was axed after its third, but fans were delighted to see their favorite blind lawyer turn up in Spider-Man: No Way Home, ensuring that we haven't seen the last of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. It had over-the-top Hong Kong action to the max. For centuries, each of the various martial arts disciplines declared its techniques superior to those of the competing combat arts. But there existed no forum in which to prove these claims. Most of the best series are only on streaming or exclusive channels, but this opens the door for bigger budgets and higher-octane stunt work. 12 Most Influential Martial Arts TV Series in America, Sign up to the Netflix of Martial Arts! These exciting films keep the pace up and the pulse-pounding, with suspense, sci-fi, gangster and crime stories, martial arts movies and more. That said, many fans of Hong Kong cinema were upset with the drastic changes that were made in the North American release of the film, including omitting political context from subtitles and removing entire scenes to cater to the American audience. Thorson's action was the most athletic and energetic she'd run around the sets with dramatized movements, crash through windows and wooden doors, and drop bad guys with neck chops and finger thrusts. But there existed no forum in which to prove these claims. Instead, Chans kung fu brother and fellow Seven Little Fortunes memberSammoHung was cast in the lead role. Accordingly, their Dragon Belt-status would determine the odds and subsequent payoffs (5 to 6, 7 to 4, 3 to 8, 9 to 2, and so on) except during Dragon Star Matches (in which the odds would be 11 to 10). Another must-watch is A Fistful of Stances, a series that captivates viewers with its exceptional choreography and riveting story. Analysis: This Hercules: The Legendary Journeys spinoff lasted 134 episodes. Premise: Four-hundred-year-old Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) of the Clan MacLeod lives in modern society, but he uses an ancient katana to slice, dice and behead ne'er-do-well immortals out to become "the one.". The Japanese fights scenes were influenced by Hong Kong's high-flying "fant-Asia" action, as well as Jackie Chan's choreography from Police Story. Animation, Action, Crime, TV-MA Analysis: The creators of Xena and Hercules injected their brand of fight choreography into this contemporary series by tapping into the spirit of old secret-agent shows like The Avengers, I-Spy and Mission: Impossible. Warrior was the last original program from Cinemax before it stopped production on all originals, and what a show to close out on. There was a lot going into the two seasons of this show that deserves its own piece. David Carradine stars as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s series Kung Fu, which follows a kung fu master born to an American father and Chinese mother. Once Upon a Time in China kick-started the long-running franchise of the same name, which features five feature-length sequels and a TV series of the same name. On a philosophical level, Caine epitomized Shaolin philosophy, perhaps more so than any other character in the history of entertainment. This was a show that had to be made following the success and awesomeness of the 1986 film. He enters training at a Shaolin monastery and eventually becomes a master in martial arts. Animation, Action, Fantasy, TV-MA Enter Kai Jin, a young Chinese-Indonesian chef based out of San Franciscos Chinatown. It also took full advantage of the most familiar ninja weapons. Born August 2, 1960 Danny Zaino, originally from Long Island New York, is a noted American actor, producer, director, TV/radio host and hand to hand combat fight choreographer for the motion . Into the Badlands takes place sometime in a post-apocalyptic future where society has been reduced to a feudal state, and most remnants of life before cease to exist. Martial Arts TV Show #2 - The Return of the Condor Heroes. The film was nominated for eight Hong Kong Film Awards and took home four for Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Action Choreography, and Best Original Film Score. From classic favorites to new releases. The martial arts action here was mainly in the form of swordplay but it featured a few martial artists in notable rolessuch as show lead Adrian Paul. The concept was dope with a series of choreographed fights with championship martial artists. Looking to recapture what he had lost, the thief takes the identity of Lucas Hood, the new sheriff that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have no doubt that all of us have played at least one variation of the Capcom video game at least once in our lives. He picks up on how American detective work goes but will resort to Chinese detective worksteamrolling criminalsto get things done. Ah Sahm, a martial artist from Foshan, China, has just moved to the city in search of his younger sister who he finds more deeply involved in the Tong Wars than he had anticipated. Trivia:Kung Fu had as guest stars many actors who were or would become famous. This series may not have aged well due to the whitewashing and portrayal of Chinese peoples, but it still retains a cult following and earned a more faithful 2021 reboot, which was renewed for a third season earlier this year. Week in and week out, Norris executed spinning backfists, elbow strikes, hooks, crescent kicks and back kicks. Let us know in the comments! | | Carradine stars as Kwai Chang Caine, the orphaned son of an American man and a Chinese woman. Don't miss a single issue of the worlds largest magazine of martial arts. Set some 500 years into the post-apocalyptic future, civilization has regressed entirely into a feudal society where modern technology has all but ceased to exist. One unforgettable example is the heartwarming yet action-packed Love at First Fight, which expertly weaves romance and martial arts into a gripping tale. Upon seizing his goal, the fighter travels to America, where he learns of his familial roots. AMCs Into the Badlands was described by Liz Shannon from IndieWire as a high-octane sci-fi martial arts series where the creators were inventing whole cloth something so unique that nothing could ever possibly follow in its wake. Truly one of the best fighting/action shows of this past century. Trivia: Not only was Lee the first Asian-American to hold an American TV show together but he was also the first Asian-American actor to make the cover of TV Guide. 24 min | Martial Law (1998-2000) Running for two seasons, Martial Law was a detective show starring kung fu film legend Sammo Hung and Arsenio Hall as detectives Sammo Law and Terrell Parker. I will say that in watching it, youll notice a similar progression to. | Set in San Francisco during the 1870s, we find ourselves right smack in the middle of ongoing Tong Wars, which was essentially underground (often violent) disputes between various organizations of Chinese immigrants. When the long-lost sisters meet as teenagers, their parents (Jacke Harry and Tim Reid) agree to move in together to keep the twins in each other's lives, forming a makeshift family. Tai-Chi Master's lighthearted introduction gives way to a tragic, action-heavy drama for the ages. MARK When GOT7 members played and flipped like the martial arts masters in 2014, Mark was the one who showed the most amazing martial arts trick. When Black Belt asked me to draw up this list, I decided to do it right. Talking about martial arts in the entertainment industry no doubt summons a male-dominated slew of names: Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan. While his career has become less high-profile in recent years, roles such as those in The Expendables 2 prove that he still has plenty of moves left. Thanks to martial artists like Jet Li and Donnie Yen, there are a plethora of films made during this wondrous decade that will live on forever. Dive into the life of Ip Man, a legendary Chinese martial artist known for mastering Wing Chun, in this captivating 2013 television series. Four action-packed seasons held as many fight scenes as it could handle. | But once you wrap your head around the story, it becomes one of the most interesting wuxia films ever made. Romance of the White Haired Maiden 1994. As the head of the Jianghu group, the Wuyue Sword Sect takes on the important task of saving the martial arts world . Like the previously mentioned series Warrior, Lees daughter Shannon also served as executive producer of The Legend of Bruce Lee, a biographical account of her fathers life. Specific influences have been traced to the movies Once Upon a Time in China, Swordsman II andBride With White Hair. After becoming the first Occidental ninja master ever, Korean War vet John McAllister (Lee Van Cleef) breaks ninja law and returns to America to find his lost daughter (Demi Moore). read more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp6J7sCdSJM&t=191s. From classic favorites to new releases. The amount of discipline it takes to learn any kind of martial art I dont think I could ever. Double Team Double Team // Trailer // Jean-Claude Van Damme Watch on 547 min 22 min Bruce Lee (Chinese: ; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist, actor, philosopher and filmmaker. Presenting the best, most exhilarating martial arts TV shows ever, these adrenaline-pumping series are guaranteed to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. 42 min It was the October 29 to November 4, 1966 issue. Like the shows before it, Cobra Kai is one part of a major martial arts film franchise: The Karate Kid. Want to hear more from Jessica, Jessica's first fiction novel "Estranged" can be found on Inkitt. | Throughout its 50 episodes, fans and viewers get a deeper view into his life from high school in Hong Kong all the way up to his international success and unfortunate (and way too soon) death. Chameleon: Well that's putting a positive spin on things. While Wing Chun manages to maintain a level of seriousness on its critiques about the treatment of women, there is still a great deal of silliness weaved throughout the film. | TV Shows That Make You Feel Like A Gangster, TV Shows That Make You Feel Like Thomas Shelby, The Best Newer TV Shows With Gay Characters, The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time, The Most Annoying Characters On 'Avatar: The Last Airbender', Ranked, The Best Nickelodeon Cartoons of All Time, The Best Comic Book And Superhero Shows Of All Time. Premise: Six teenagers are recruited by the alien Zordon to fight monsters sent to conquer Earth. It was panned by critics, who took potshots at Norris' acting ability. 9. 2020 - Gamestingr. Nothing was out of bounds. 90's movies have crazy big budgets making them exciting to watch and it's honestly such a cult classic. Running for two seasons,Martial Lawwas a detective show starring kung fu film legendSammoHung and Arsenio Hall as detectivesSammoLaw and Terrell Parker. | There's plenty to love about this HBO Max action joyride, and there will be for the foreseeable future as it's been greenlit for a third season. | The martial arts action here was mainly in the form of swordplay but it featured a few martial artists in notable rolessuch as show lead Adrian Paul. However, the series was given a second wind for a sixth and final season in anticipation ofHighlander: The Raven. What better place to do so than the town where his ex-girlfriend resides? The Young And The Restless Spoilers: Chance Chancellor (Conner Floyd) Plays Hero? As of writing, The CWs Kung Fu is in its first season and has had a promising start. Embark on an epic journey with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where a young hero must harness his elemental powers to save the world from chaos. Filter Sort by Default VIEW: grid Popular Martial Arts TV Shows Have You Seen? Unfortunately, some old friends waited, and hes forced to go into hiding. The second installment in the Swordsman trilogy, Swordsman II is a Hong Kong wuxia film, which loosely translates to martial heroes film. Instead, whats left of society has divided into territories known as the Badlands, where Barons are in charge of their own population of slaves, prostitutes, and soldiers. Analysis: Six years after the success of the film Highlander, this series ran for 119 episodes. As a result, the budgets started to drop as more and more contenders flooded the market, each vying for their own piece of the pie made so famous by films like Bloodsport and Kickboxer. WMAC Masters is an American live-action television show produced by Norman Grossfeld featuring choreographed martial arts fights. Premise: Set in mythological Greece, the series follows Xena (Lucy Lawless) as she searches for her father. Its a classic, and its sad that there was only one season of this live-action adaptation, Mortal Kombat: Conquest. | Hes now in his 50s and well past his prime, with a life that didnt exactly go as planned. and feature Jackie Chan but that fell through. Feast your eyes on the top martial arts TV shows, compiled with factors such as engaging storylines, captivating performances, and jaw-dropping fight scenes in mind. Animation, Action, Adventure, TV-14 However, the series was given a second wind for a sixth and final season in anticipation of. The popular . | Martial arts cinema has a tradition of light-hearted absurdity. That said, the fights and an improvement in storytelling after season one kept this series on TV for a long time. Home; Contact; Blog; Authors; . Shows near the top must be only the best Martial Arts TV series. Highlander: The Seriesstarts off mid, picks things up around seasons three and four before petering out midway through season five which was meant to be the final season. Though now retired, he begins to miss the work that he did both as an actor and a secret agent so he takes the first chance to jump back into the business by starring in a new action film while working as a spy to track down and apprehend a major drug kingpin. July 5, 2015. Updated: January 2023: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Dylan Reber. This was a show that had to be made following the success and awesomeness of the 1986 film. Premise: Exemplifying girl power, Buffy Summers (Sara Michelle Geller) takes on a variety of supernatural opponents in a high-school setting. Is it the desire to see ourselves when a guy pummels goons twice their size? The world over for his Ip Man franchise, Iron Monkey is martial! 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