Top 10 Underrated Martial Arts Movies

undervalued and in some cases even

undervalued and in some cases even unknown these exhilarating films deserve

unknown these exhilarating films deserve

unknown these exhilarating films deserve more respect welcome to watchmojo.com

more respect welcome to watchmojo.com

more respect welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten underrated martial arts

for the top ten underrated martial arts

for the top ten underrated martial arts movies before we begin we publish new

movies before we begin we publish new

movies before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe

videos every day so be sure to subscribe

videos every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list

for more great content for this list

for more great content for this list we’re highlighting some top notch

we’re highlighting some top notch

we’re highlighting some top notch martial arts flicks that may be known in

martial arts flicks that may be known in

martial arts flicks that may be known in certain countries but don’t necessarily

certain countries but don’t necessarily

certain countries but don’t necessarily get all the love and respect they

get all the love and respect they

get all the love and respect they deserve worldwide number 10 duel to the

deserve worldwide number 10 duel to the

deserve worldwide number 10 duel to the death

marking the directorial debut of

marking the directorial debut of prolific director tony ching duel to the

prolific director tony ching duel to the

prolific director tony ching duel to the death pits the greatest swordsman from

death pits the greatest swordsman from

death pits the greatest swordsman from china and japan against each other in

china and japan against each other in

china and japan against each other in well a duel to the death their differing

well a duel to the death their differing

well a duel to the death their differing nationalities aren’t the only thing that

nationalities aren’t the only thing that

nationalities aren’t the only thing that separates these fighters Ching Wan the

separates these fighters Ching Wan the

separates these fighters Ching Wan the champion from China is calm and cool

champion from China is calm and cool

champion from China is calm and cool headed

headed

headed whereas Hashimoto of Japan is a samurai

whereas Hashimoto of Japan is a samurai

whereas Hashimoto of Japan is a samurai who puts his honour above all else of

who puts his honour above all else of

who puts his honour above all else of course these two must put their

course these two must put their

course these two must put their differences aside when conspirators show

differences aside when conspirators show

differences aside when conspirators show up and attempt to fix the fight what

up and attempt to fix the fight what

up and attempt to fix the fight what follows is a slew of over-the-top and

follows is a slew of over-the-top and

follows is a slew of over-the-top and exciting action sequences culminating

exciting action sequences culminating

exciting action sequences culminating with the final showdown between the two

with the final showdown between the two

with the final showdown between the two which we won’t spoil here but we will

which we won’t spoil here but we will

which we won’t spoil here but we will say that each man has met his match

number 9 wing chun starring a young

number 9 wing chun starring a young michelle yeoh as the titular character

michelle yeoh as the titular character

michelle yeoh as the titular character and balancing kungfu with a beautiful

and balancing kungfu with a beautiful

and balancing kungfu with a beautiful love story this film has been a major

love story this film has been a major

love story this film has been a major influence on a number of movies

influence on a number of movies

influence on a number of movies including The Matrix

in fact the Wachowski siblings hired

in fact the Wachowski siblings hired directors when Wu ping as their

directors when Wu ping as their

directors when Wu ping as their choreographer after viewing the

choreographer after viewing the

choreographer after viewing the extraordinary fight sequences of Wing

extraordinary fight sequences of Wing

extraordinary fight sequences of Wing Chun paving the way for some of

Chun paving the way for some of

Chun paving the way for some of America’s most beloved action flicks of

America’s most beloved action flicks of

America’s most beloved action flicks of the 21st century but you can’t beat the

the 21st century but you can’t beat the

the 21st century but you can’t beat the original Wing Chun features a touch of

original Wing Chun features a touch of

original Wing Chun features a touch of comedy and the chemistry between yo and

comedy and the chemistry between yo and

comedy and the chemistry between yo and the acclaimed Donnie Yen is palpable but

the acclaimed Donnie Yen is palpable but

the acclaimed Donnie Yen is palpable but it’s the visual style that ultimately

it’s the visual style that ultimately

it’s the visual style that ultimately leaves its mark on the genre number 8

leaves its mark on the genre number 8

leaves its mark on the genre number 8 Brotherhood of the wolf

at its core Brotherhood of the wolf is a

at its core Brotherhood of the wolf is a historical drama centered on the beasts

historical drama centered on the beasts

historical drama centered on the beasts of jboden

of jboden

of jboden but with a mashing of multiple genres

but with a mashing of multiple genres

but with a mashing of multiple genres including plenty of hard-hitting fight

including plenty of hard-hitting fight

including plenty of hard-hitting fight scenes the film is most definitely

scenes the film is most definitely

scenes the film is most definitely steeped in the martial arts and severely

steeped in the martial arts and severely

steeped in the martial arts and severely underrated though it stars Vincent

underrated though it stars Vincent

underrated though it stars Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci the actual

Cassel and Monica Bellucci the actual

Cassel and Monica Bellucci the actual star at least in terms of the fight

star at least in terms of the fight

star at least in terms of the fight sequences is Mark Dacascos –is money

sequences is Mark Dacascos –is money

sequences is Mark Dacascos –is money the iroquois assistant of the film’s

the iroquois assistant of the film’s

the iroquois assistant of the film’s lead knight grégoire de Falls AK as a

lead knight grégoire de Falls AK as a

lead knight grégoire de Falls AK as a whole Brotherhood of the wolf builds on

whole Brotherhood of the wolf builds on

whole Brotherhood of the wolf builds on a variety of cinematic styles but it’s

a variety of cinematic styles but it’s

a variety of cinematic styles but it’s fight sequences raised this film to

fight sequences raised this film to

fight sequences raised this film to incredible Heights

number seven master of the flying

number seven master of the flying guillotine

guillotine

guillotine [Music]

[Music]

[Music] featuring a one-armed protagonist

featuring a one-armed protagonist

featuring a one-armed protagonist battling a blind assassin this whoosh a

battling a blind assassin this whoosh a

battling a blind assassin this whoosh a film is packed with thrills and some

film is packed with thrills and some

film is packed with thrills and some inventive kills master of the flying

inventive kills master of the flying

inventive kills master of the flying guillotine does not disappoint with its

guillotine does not disappoint with its

guillotine does not disappoint with its unique contraptions and artistic flair

[Music]

[Music] of course we’re talking about the

of course we’re talking about the

of course we’re talking about the makeshift decapitation machine not to

makeshift decapitation machine not to

makeshift decapitation machine not to mention the iconic score and incredible

mention the iconic score and incredible

mention the iconic score and incredible lead performance from Jimmy Wang Yu who

lead performance from Jimmy Wang Yu who

lead performance from Jimmy Wang Yu who also wrote and directed the film despite

also wrote and directed the film despite

also wrote and directed the film despite the fact that master of the flying

the fact that master of the flying

the fact that master of the flying guillotine is relatively unknown in

guillotine is relatively unknown in

guillotine is relatively unknown in North America Quentin Tarantino called

North America Quentin Tarantino called

North America Quentin Tarantino called it one of his favorite films what’s more

it one of his favorite films what’s more

it one of his favorite films what’s more it’s also become one of the most

it’s also become one of the most

it’s also become one of the most influential films of the genre often

influential films of the genre often

influential films of the genre often referred to as the holy grail of 70s

referred to as the holy grail of 70s

referred to as the holy grail of 70s Hong Kong martial arts movies number six

Hong Kong martial arts movies number six

Hong Kong martial arts movies number six lone wolf and cub baby cart at the river

lone wolf and cub baby cart at the river

lone wolf and cub baby cart at the river Styx in this second chapter in a series

Styx in this second chapter in a series

Styx in this second chapter in a series of six films adapted from the manga

of six films adapted from the manga

of six films adapted from the manga series lone wolf and cub the deadly yoga

series lone wolf and cub the deadly yoga

series lone wolf and cub the deadly yoga me and his son de gato have a few

me and his son de gato have a few

me and his son de gato have a few problems on their hands but as a former

problems on their hands but as a former

problems on their hands but as a former executioner with some creative kill

executioner with some creative kill

executioner with some creative kill tactics the wolf manages to officially

tactics the wolf manages to officially

tactics the wolf manages to officially customize the titular baby cart with

customize the titular baby cart with

customize the titular baby cart with blades in order to protect his son on

blades in order to protect his son on

blades in order to protect his son on their journey for vengeance

the relentless fighting and graphic

the relentless fighting and graphic sequences provide for a steady amount of

sequences provide for a steady amount of

sequences provide for a steady amount of heavy-duty entertainment

heavy-duty entertainment

heavy-duty entertainment [Music]

[Music]

[Music] in fact the lone wolf accumulates 37

in fact the lone wolf accumulates 37

in fact the lone wolf accumulates 37 kills and like so many reputable martial

kills and like so many reputable martial

kills and like so many reputable martial arts films there’s a certain poetry to

arts films there’s a certain poetry to

arts films there’s a certain poetry to the inherent madness of it all number 5

the inherent madness of it all number 5

the inherent madness of it all number 5 13 assassins directed by the prolific

13 assassins directed by the prolific

13 assassins directed by the prolific Takashi Miike this film represents the

Takashi Miike this film represents the

Takashi Miike this film represents the antithesis of watered-down martial arts

antithesis of watered-down martial arts

antithesis of watered-down martial arts narratives focusing on the suicidal

narratives focusing on the suicidal

narratives focusing on the suicidal mission of 12 samurais and a wise hunter

mission of 12 samurais and a wise hunter

mission of 12 samurais and a wise hunter 13 assassins transcends the genre

13 assassins transcends the genre

13 assassins transcends the genre through character development visual

through character development visual

through character development visual style and of course the jaw-dropping

style and of course the jaw-dropping

style and of course the jaw-dropping action sequences

amazingly the epic was made for a mere

amazingly the epic was made for a mere six million dollars and while it has

six million dollars and while it has

six million dollars and while it has been well-received by critics the

been well-received by critics the

been well-received by critics the average movie fan probably missed this

average movie fan probably missed this

average movie fan probably missed this one which is a shame considering its

one which is a shame considering its

one which is a shame considering its quality in a world of effects-heavy

quality in a world of effects-heavy

quality in a world of effects-heavy blockbusters 13 assassins is an example

blockbusters 13 assassins is an example

blockbusters 13 assassins is an example of pure filmmaking and storytelling

number four five deadly venoms if you’re

number four five deadly venoms if you’re familiar with the films of Quentin

familiar with the films of Quentin

familiar with the films of Quentin Tarantino then you know all about the

Tarantino then you know all about the

Tarantino then you know all about the deadly Viper assassination squad members

deadly Viper assassination squad members

deadly Viper assassination squad members all of the deadly Viper assassination

all of the deadly Viper assassination

all of the deadly Viper assassination squad

squad

squad he was changsha’s cult classic that

he was changsha’s cult classic that

he was changsha’s cult classic that inspired the Kill Bill Death crew as the

inspired the Kill Bill Death crew as the

inspired the Kill Bill Death crew as the story focuses on the distinct fighting

story focuses on the distinct fighting

story focuses on the distinct fighting styles of five unique warriors all of

styles of five unique warriors all of

styles of five unique warriors all of whom have their own animal-based names

do you see the two even while it’s

do you see the two even while it’s entertaining to see in whom the

entertaining to see in whom the

entertaining to see in whom the protagonists of five deadly venoms will

protagonists of five deadly venoms will

protagonists of five deadly venoms will place his trust

place his trust

place his trust it’s the exceptional fighting techniques

it’s the exceptional fighting techniques

it’s the exceptional fighting techniques that keep the film moving along a

that keep the film moving along a

that keep the film moving along a martial-arts picture that will please

martial-arts picture that will please

martial-arts picture that will please the typical fan of such jean flicks this

the typical fan of such jean flicks this

the typical fan of such jean flicks this one is also suited to genuine admirers

one is also suited to genuine admirers

one is also suited to genuine admirers of the martial arts number three

of the martial arts number three

of the martial arts number three chocolate

for many productions of the martial arts

for many productions of the martial arts genre the primary emphasis is largely on

genre the primary emphasis is largely on

genre the primary emphasis is largely on form and technique and while there are

form and technique and while there are

form and technique and while there are plenty of crazy fights in Pratchett pink

plenty of crazy fights in Pratchett pink

plenty of crazy fights in Pratchett pink cows Thai film chocolate the script is

cows Thai film chocolate the script is

cows Thai film chocolate the script is loaded with narrative drama as well

commencing with a gangland love triangle

commencing with a gangland love triangle the story eventually highlights the

the story eventually highlights the

the story eventually highlights the plight of young Zen an autistic girl

plight of young Zen an autistic girl

plight of young Zen an autistic girl with a particular set of skills

incidentally chocolate toes the line

incidentally chocolate toes the line between the human element and high level

between the human element and high level

between the human element and high level stunts and action with each aspect

stunts and action with each aspect

stunts and action with each aspect working together to create a memorable

working together to create a memorable

working together to create a memorable film albeit an underappreciated one

loosely based on the life of mas oyama

loosely based on the life of mas oyama the creator of the kioku shin style this

the creator of the kioku shin style this

the creator of the kioku shin style this film examines solitude and the effects

film examines solitude and the effects

film examines solitude and the effects of xenophobia in Korea fighter in the

of xenophobia in Korea fighter in the

of xenophobia in Korea fighter in the wind was a massive success but the

wind was a massive success but the

wind was a massive success but the concept of a Korean pilot turned

concept of a Korean pilot turned

concept of a Korean pilot turned Japanese legend hasn’t necessarily

Japanese legend hasn’t necessarily

Japanese legend hasn’t necessarily translated to North American audiences

translated to North American audiences

translated to North American audiences even so the character conflict makes for

even so the character conflict makes for

even so the character conflict makes for an exceptional karate based film and the

an exceptional karate based film and the

an exceptional karate based film and the manner in which joypad all gets down

manner in which joypad all gets down

manner in which joypad all gets down complements the poignant visuals it’s a

complements the poignant visuals it’s a

complements the poignant visuals it’s a martial arts movie for outsiders a film

martial arts movie for outsiders a film

martial arts movie for outsiders a film that touches on themes of both emotional

that touches on themes of both emotional

that touches on themes of both emotional and physical discipline that anyone can

and physical discipline that anyone can

and physical discipline that anyone can relate to before we unveil our number

relate to before we unveil our number

relate to before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable

one pick here are some honorable

one pick here are some honorable mentions

mentions

mentions [Applause]

number one hockey team in the world of

number one hockey team in the world of martial arts honor is everything and

martial arts honor is everything and

martial arts honor is everything and with harakiri director masaki kobayashi

with harakiri director masaki kobayashi

with harakiri director masaki kobayashi explores the false representations of

explores the false representations of

explores the false representations of so-called honorable men when a samurai

so-called honorable men when a samurai

so-called honorable men when a samurai requests an honorable death via seppuku

requests an honorable death via seppuku

requests an honorable death via seppuku or harakiri clan members don’t quite buy

or harakiri clan members don’t quite buy

or harakiri clan members don’t quite buy his story

his story

his story oops too much tissue asme even though

oops too much tissue asme even though

oops too much tissue asme even though multiverse mats that in itself makes for

multiverse mats that in itself makes for

multiverse mats that in itself makes for a unique martial arts plot but as a

a unique martial arts plot but as a

a unique martial arts plot but as a whole harakiri operates on a higher

whole harakiri operates on a higher

whole harakiri operates on a higher level as the implications of the

level as the implications of the

level as the implications of the characters actions reach far beyond the

characters actions reach far beyond the

characters actions reach far beyond the visuals depicted the death scenes are

visuals depicted the death scenes are

visuals depicted the death scenes are undoubtedly shocking and the sword

undoubtedly shocking and the sword

undoubtedly shocking and the sword fights are beautifully choreographed but

fights are beautifully choreographed but

fights are beautifully choreographed but more importantly this is a film that

more importantly this is a film that

more importantly this is a film that will always be relevant given the human

will always be relevant given the human

will always be relevant given the human element and the investigation of the

element and the investigation of the

element and the investigation of the whys and how’s of martial arts tradition

do you agree with our picks check out

do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from watch mojo

these other great clips from watch mojo

these other great clips from watch mojo and subscribe for new videos every day