Martial Arts movies have been a huge mainstay in the film industry for decades, with Eastern countries dominating the genre, for many years. The rise of Bruce Lee brought new life to the genre between the '70s and the mid-'90s. After this time, the industry saw a general decline with a lack of memorable martial arts movies being released. It wasn't until the late '90s and 2000s that the sub-genre was revived and given new life.

The martial arts sub-genre was never truly as big in Hollywood as with Western Audiences, with many of the movies being dubbed over from Eastern cinema. The sub-genre was generally untapped by Hollywood as they would typically deliver audiences with high-budget, explosive action movies. The late '90s truly changed the game for martial arts in Hollywood with a little film known as The Matrix, which is considered revolutionary in America, as it not only gave audiences the best action movie of the '90s, but it raised the standard of fight scenes in western cinema.

The standard that The Matrix raised, gave life to perhaps some of the best martial arts movies of all time, and possibly the best decade for the sub-genre. But what martial arts movies were the best in a decade of iconic and memorable martial arts films?

Related: Best Martial Arts Movies of The 90s, Ranked

8 Fearless (2006)

Jet Li in Fearless
Edko Films/ China Film Group Releasing

Jet Li kicks butt in this martial arts revenge flick based on the real life story of martial arts master and wushu legend; Huo Yuanjia. As Jet Li's final martial arts epic, the action superstar ends his epic action movie career with a bang in Fearless. Demonstrating his usual frenetic martial arts style, with the movie mainly focusing on hand-to-hand combat, it is also a great showcase of Li's incredible weapon combat. The movie is primarily set in the same or similar location; that being on a tournament like stage. However, every action scene feels unique and different from the last.

7 Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Kung Fu Panda (1)
Dreamworks Animation/ Paramount Pictures

This star-studded, animated motion picture delivers an action-packed, hilarious, and emotional ride. Kung Fu Panda Is praised for its great cast with Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, and Ian McShane being among the many voices we hear in this animated epic. The story is nothing new or original to the genre, but due to the universe the film is set in, the cast's amazing performances and the beautiful and sleek animation, makes Kung Fu Panda still feel unique and fresh.

The action is beautifully animated and well choreographed, making the action scenes feel fluid, seamless and exciting. Focusing on a universe with anthropomorphic animals that are masters at martial arts, gives the movie a creative freedom to give each species their own fighting style and maneuverability, and the filmmakers did just that, giving each species a fighting style which felt perfectly designed for that species of animal.

6 Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Kung Fu Hustle martial arts fight scene
Huayi Brothers/ Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International

Stephen Chow delivers an over-the-top action comedy which defies any laws of nature, gravity, and sense, which is where this movie shines and is what makes it a martial arts classic. Feeling like both a spoof and a love letter to all martial arts movies before it, Kung Fu Hustle has some truly jaw-dropping action scenes, with the movie mainly focusing on its cartoony action and visual effects, which is what gives this movie its critical praise and its cult following.

5 Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)

Uma Thurman wields a sword as The Bride in Kill Bill
Miramax Films

As a homage to the martial arts sub-genre, this hyper violent martial arts movie is a stylistic visual masterpiece, which is why this movie is hailed as one of director Quentin Tarantino's best movies, and one of the best martial arts movies of the decade. Kill Bill Vol.1 is a visual delight, blending in many visual styles very reminiscent of iconic martial arts movies from the past.

Related: Is Kill Bill Two Movies or One? Tarantino has the final answer.

4 Hero (2002)

Hero_JetLi
Beijing New Picture Film

Featuring some of the most visually stunning action set pieces of all time, Hero takes audiences on a visual journey through every single action scene, with its vivid colors, and even lack thereof, this martial arts epic transcends the action genre. The cinematography in every fight is stunning, letting audiences see and feel every single punch, kick and sword swing. Hero manages to demonstrate how the martial arts genre transcends action and violence, by making all the action feel like poetry, and making audiences feel like they are watching a dance.

3 Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)

Ong-bak-Tony-Jaa
Sahamongkol Film International 

Introducing the world to one of the best modern martial artists in cinema; Tony Jaa delivers a ferocious yet elegant display of the Muay Thai martial arts fighting style. The first installment in the Ong Bak series gives some of the best and most brutal demonstrations of martial arts in cinematic history. Not focusing on elegance, stunning visuals, or impressive sword play, instead, this film prides itself on the realism and grounded action scenes of Muay Thai. Tony Jaa, is incredible in his first lead role. Being a real-life martial artist, Tony Jaa brings his expert style to the screen, making all the action scenes feel believable.

2 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien holds a sword and palm out.
Sony Pictures Classics/
Columbia TriStar Film

Hailed by critics, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a beautiful display of both martial arts and storytelling. This is a martial arts movie with a truly encapsulating love story at its heart, with the majestic action set-pieces driving the plot forward, and every action scene having a more emotional and impactful punch. What makes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, so special is that this was one of the most revolutionary action movies of all time. This martial arts extravaganza, is a foreign film that was universally loved by Western audiences, introducing many moviegoers to the very best in the incredible martial arts sub-genre.

Related: Best Michelle Yeoh Movies, Ranked

1 Ip Man (2008)

Donnie Yen Ip Man
Mandarin Films/ Pegasus Motion Pictures

Based on the real life story of the Wing Chun master of the same name; Ip Man is a masterclass in elegant and brutal action scenes with a simple, yet engaging story. Donnie Yen cemented himself as one of the greatest martial artists in cinema with this film. The legendary martial arts superstar brings an extremely frenetic fighting style, realistic yet impressive choreography and an incredible performance which made audiences believe he was born to play the role. The action in this groundbreaking martial arts flick is phenomenal, with every action scene simply being jaw-dropping, and as the movie goes on, the action gets more and more impressive. The action in this movie had never been seen before, making Ip Man another martial arts epic that set the benchmark for how we see action movies today.