Someone like Jackie Chan would be a good exception to this category. Although he is a master martial artist, he usually relies on more technical and non-lethal combat styles. Nevertheless, he remains an icon, and Jackie Chan still has upcoming martial arts movies. Beyond the household names, there are still a number of actors in the genre with an extremely brutal style of fighting.
10 Michael Jai White
Known For: Blood and Bone (2009), Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)
Although Michael Jai White holds black belts across seven different areas of martial arts, his cinematic fighting style always seems to be very head-on. White often employs a gung-ho, street fighter approach while incorporating knowledge of established techniques. He doesn't need to perform any flashy flips or dodges to take down his opponents. Instead, he typically relies on his brute strength and combinations to get the job done. In Blood and Bone, White's ruthlessness is on a whole other level.
One of White's attackers in
Blood and Bone
is the late Kimbo Slice, a decorated UFC fighter, boxer, and mixed martial artist.
The opening scene shows Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) in prison, cornered by fellow inmates. In a quick sequence, Bone brutally takes down his attackers, stabbing the first assailant (Kimbo Slice) in the neck. He isn't afraid to use nearby objects to deal lethal blows, and he doesn't hesitate when it comes to pummeling the opposition.
9 Gordon Liu
Known For: Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984), The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Gordon Liu is a certified legend in the genre. He originally made his name through movies created by the Shaw Brothers, boasting impressive martial arts performances. Even though he already had a fully realized career throughout the 70s and 80s, his roles of Jonny Mo and Master Pai Mei in the Kill Bill franchise made him all the more famous.
Related
Gordon Liu has left an impressive legacy in kung fu filmmaking, with both obscure and well-known titles showing off his martial arts and acting skill.
Liu tends to have a wide range of fighting styles, but in particular projects, he is especially unforgiving. Although he tends to be patient with his strikes, he isn't afraid to take down multiple enemies with fatal blows. In the final scene of the Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984), Yang Liu-Lang (Gordon Liu) viciously takes down a group of barbarians using only bamboo shoots. As the attackers approach him, he propels the sticks in different directions, impaling and slashing his opponents violently.
8 Chuck Norris
Known For: The Delta Force (1986), The Way of the Dragon (1972)
Chuck Norris' martial arts prowess is so legendary that he literally became a living meme. Before entering the world of Hollywood, he had already learned and mastered a number of different fighting styles. Norris appeared in many action movies during the 1980s, solidifying his status as an epic fighter and star.
Whether it be fighting off terrorists or evil ninjas, he is always relentless during the pursuit of his opponents.
Norris' brutality is less about his lethal blows, but instead revolves around his sheer endurance and physicality. In his films, Norris often fights off a large volume of attackers at once using nothing but his hands and feet. Whether it be fighting off terrorists or evil ninjas, he is always relentless during the pursuit of his opponents. Although he appears in countless films that showcase his combat abilities, he demonstrates a consistent lack of evasiveness. Norris always seems to be on the offensive, clashing with his enemies until they are finished.
7 Stephen Chow
Known For: Kung Fu Hustle (2004), Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Stephen Chow presents an interesting example of martial arts brutality. He is often referred to as a filmmaker who reinvented the format of the martial arts genre. As both an actor and a director, Chow is often at the forefront of his films, presenting a wide range of fighting techniques. However, his movies often carry a more comedic and campy tone. Despite their absurdity, Chow's combat scenes boast a ferocious style.
In Kung Fu Hustle, Sing (Stephen Chow) fights off an entire army of gangsters and annihilates them. The film is a cult classic, and there is confirmed to be a Kung Fu Hustle sequel. In what seems like an impossible battle, Sing doesn't hold back, sending countless opponents through walls and stomping their feet into the concrete. It's meant to be exaggerated, but it makes his fighting all the more relentless. Defying gravity with his punches, Sing makes his opponents fly into the air as they drop like flies.
6 Iko Uwais
Known For: Merantau (2009), The Raid 2 (2014)
Iko Uwais is an Indonesian martial arts movie star who often doesn't get enough credit, considering how excellent his fight scenes are. His first movie, Merantau, established success for later films like The Raid. Uwais employs the Indonesian martial art known as Silat, which incorporates tenants of both armed and unarmed combat.
Iko Uwais was the 2005 national champion for the Silat demonstration category when he was just 22 years old.
Uwais' fighting style is fast-paced and downright aggressive. He doesn't stop when his opponent is merely down — he makes sure they won't be able to retaliate. Additionally, his techniques aren't over the top, but are efficient when it comes to inflicting damage. These qualities are highly apparent during his brawls in The Raid 2. Frequently snapping necks, throwing elbows, and using head kicks, Uwais doesn't hold back by any means. Better yet, he is resourceful with surrounding objects to help aid him during combat, embodying the Silat style.
5 Tony Jaa
Known For: The Protector (2005), Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
Tony Jaa is a Thai martial artist who first made his appearance on the silver screen in the 2003 action film Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior. He helped pioneer the Thai action film genre and brought attention to the Muay Thai fighting style. In competitive martial arts, Muay Thai competitions are as tough as they come. It's all about exchanging blows quickly, incorporating bone-breaking leg kicks, fists, elbows, and knees.
It's difficult to watch and even harder to listen to, but it exemplifies Jaa's bloodthirsty techniques.
The brutal nature of Muay Thai combat is reflected in his theatrical performances. Tony Jaa appears in many movies, but some of his most ruthless scenes are found in The Protector. In one scene, Kham (Tony Jaa) fights off countless assailants and violently breaks the bones of anyone who dares to touch him. It's difficult to watch and even harder to listen to, but it exemplifies Jaa's bloodthirsty techniques.
4 Donnie Yen
Known For: Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010)
As an actor, filmmaker, and martial artist, there is no doubt that Donnie Yen has carved out a significant position in the genre. He originally became involved in combat training at a young age, studying traditional Chinese martial arts. When it comes to fighting, Donnie Yen effectively walks the line between merciless and reserved.
He has had substantial roles in several modern movies, but in the context of martial arts, the Ip Man franchise is Yen's greatest achievement. It's hard to recognize Ip Man's brutality because his moves always seem so effortless. He is often on the defensive, countering his opponent's advances. However, once he has created the opportunity, he attacks with his successive chain punches that drive the enemy into submission. It's almost amusing to watch as Ip Man delivers an absurd number of blows to his foe that is already on the ground.
3 Jimmy Wang Yu
Known For: Golden Swallow (1968), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
Jimmy Wang Yu was a Hong Kong-Taiwanese martial arts movie star who was a prominent figure of the genre during the 1960s and 1970s. Much like Gordon Liu, Yu engaged in several early collaborations with the Shaw Brothers that brought him to stardom. Considering his wide range of styles, it's hard to categorize Yu as an overtly brutal fighter. However, certain films demonstrate his cold-blooded nature when it comes to martial arts.
In particular, Yu's role as Silver Roc Hsiao Peng in the 1968 film Golden Swallow proves that he cuts to the chase in some moments. In the epic fight scene against the evil clan, Peng wastes no time. When the leader questions him, he swiftly kills him with a thrown dart. As the scene continues, Peng uses his sword to cut down the rest of his opponents. Swinging his blade, he effectively takes out each attacker with a single blow in a ruthless fashion.
2 Bruce Lee
Known For: The Way of The Dragon (1972), Fist of Fury (1972)
Bruce Lee was without a doubt the most famous martial artist in cinema history. Considered the grandfather of many fighting techniques, Lee popularized the nunchucks and created his style of fighting known as Jeet Kune Do. His approach to combat was very complex, but he always maintained a fast pace with head-on tactics during his combat.
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Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris had a legendary showdown in Way of the Dragon, but did they fight in real life (and how did they first meet)?
Given his filmography, there are countless examples of his brutality on screen. He was a very audible fighter, screaming as he aggressively slapped, kicked, and punched opponents with ferocity. In one of the most famous showdowns in the genre,The Way of The Dragon shows Tang Lung (Bruce Lee) and Colt (Chuck Norris) duke it out. During their epic fight, the two push it to the limit and show off their wide range of techniques. Lung ultimately kills Colt by snapping his neck, brutally ending the battle.
1 Steven Seagal
Known For: Out For Justice (1991), Above the Law (1988)
Steven Seagal is perhaps the best example of sheer martial arts brutality. His characters are unique in the sense that the fight scenes are never really involved. Seagal is most associated with the fighting style of Aikido, a Japanese martial art. Aikido's main principle focuses on using the opponent's energy against them, and this makes sense given the nature of Seagal's combat.
There are only two films in which Seagal is bested in a fight scene:
Machete
(2010) and
China Salesman
(2017).
There are plenty of Steven Seagal movies that demonstrate his application of martial arts and Aikido. However, there are trends across his different projects. Usually, it doesn't take more than a single blow to defeat any potential attackers. For example, in Out For Justice, Gino Felino (Steven Seagal) effortlessly takes out several men in a bar, disabling each of them with punches and a cue ball. When it comes to Seagal, the fight is expected to be over as quickly as it begins.
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