Martial Arts movies

An Eye for an Eye: courage and authority, and why this 1981 movie still matters.

Lone Wolf McQuade: heroism and parents protecting their children, and why this 1983 movie still matters.

A teenager, a handyman, and the long, strange apprenticeship that taught a generation how to stand up for themselves.

American Ninja: family and courage, and why this 1985 movie still matters.

Invasion U.S.A.: fear and authority, and why this 1985 movie still matters.

Police Story: freedom and authority, and why this 1985 movie still matters.

The Last Dragon: courage and power, and why this 1985 movie still matters.

The Protector: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1985 movie still matters.

A swaggering trucker, ancient sorcery and a Chinatown that hides a very odd basement — this is John Carpenter being playful and dangerous at the same time.

A seaside sequel about duty, dancing and learning when not to fight.

Above the Law: freedom, and why this 1988 movie still matters.

Black Eagle: courage and parents protecting their children, and why this 1988 movie still matters.

Kumite, loyalty and a very particular kind of 80s machismo.

Best of the Best: mortality and lifespan and family, and why this 1989 movie still matters.

Kickboxer: heroism and courage, and why this 1989 movie still matters.

Stoic bouncer, small-town chaos and very particular rules about where to throw a punch.

A grieving cop, a misused time machine and the kind of moral choices you can't rewind.

A story about duty, disguise and a young woman who refuses to be what everyone expects.

Martial arts, fast talk and a missing consul’s daughter — friendship is the surprising action.

Three women, a lot of wirework and one very loud sense of fun.

Li Mu Bai wants to give up the sword. The movie refuses to let him.

Jackie Chan’s calm in the storm: loyalty, laughs and the odd very civilized punch.

A yellow jumpsuit, a long list of enemies and one woman who refuses to be finished.

A road of broken vows, samurai schooling and a very particular kind of motherhood.