10 Movies & Shows Like Ip Man 4: The Finale

Description: A groundbreaking martial arts film that combines espionage with tournament-style combat, showcasing Bruce Lee's philosophy of martial arts as a way of life.

Fact: It was the first Chinese martial arts film produced by a major Hollywood studio. Bruce Lee passed away before the film's release, making it his final completed work.

Description: A seminal kung fu film that follows a student's rigorous training in the Shaolin Temple, emphasizing discipline, perseverance, and the spiritual aspects of martial arts.

Fact: The film popularized the 'training montage' trope in martial arts cinema. It was banned in China during the Cultural Revolution for its portrayal of Shaolin monks.

Description: A historical martial arts film that follows the adventures of folk hero Wong Fei-hung, blending action with cultural and political themes, much like other films that explore the roots of kung fu.

Fact: The film launched Jet Li to international fame. It was so successful that it spawned five sequels and a television series.

Description: A remake of Bruce Lee's 'Fist of Fury,' this film features Jet Li in a story about national pride and martial arts mastery, with fight scenes that are both technically impressive and emotionally charged.

Fact: The fight choreography was designed by Yuen Woo-ping, who aimed to make the action more realistic compared to traditional wuxia films. It's considered one of Jet Li's best performances.

Description: A masterpiece of martial arts cinema that combines gravity-defying fight scenes with a deeply emotional story, exploring themes of love, duty, and personal freedom.

Fact: It was the first foreign-language film to gross over $100 million in the U.S. The bamboo forest fight scene took weeks to film and required precise coordination.

Description: A beautifully shot wuxia film that blends poetic storytelling with breathtaking martial arts sequences, emphasizing themes of honor, sacrifice, and the deeper meaning behind combat.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Its use of color to differentiate narrative threads is a standout artistic choice.

Description: Showcases raw and intense Muay Thai combat with a strong emphasis on traditional martial arts values, much like the disciplined and honor-bound fighting styles depicted in other martial arts classics.

Fact: Tony Jaa performed all his stunts without wires or CGI, making the action sequences incredibly realistic. The film was a breakthrough for Thai cinema, gaining international acclaim.

Description: Another visually arresting wuxia film that mixes romance with high-flying martial arts action, creating a lush, dreamlike atmosphere filled with tension and beauty.

Fact: The film's peony-filled drum dance scene was choreographed to perfection, blending dance and martial arts seamlessly. It was shot in Ukraine due to its similar landscapes to ancient China.

Description: A visually stunning martial arts film that delves deep into the philosophy and artistry of kung fu, featuring intricate fight choreography and a focus on the legacy of a legendary martial artist.

Fact: The film was in development for over a decade and underwent multiple script revisions to accurately portray the life of Ip Man. It was also the first martial arts film to be shot in the snowy landscapes of Northeast China.

Description: An adrenaline-fueled action film with relentless, brutal fight sequences that highlight the physicality and skill of its performers, much like the intense combat in other martial arts epics.

Fact: The prison yard fight scene was filmed in a real Indonesian prison. The film's action choreography is praised for its realism and complexity.