Shaw Brothers Martial Arts Ranked (so far)
by bloodfx-1 | created - 14 Sep 2015 | updated - 25 Sep 2018 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
R | 116 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A man studies kung fu at the Shaolin Temple to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Lieh Lo, Yue Wong, Chia-Yung Liu
Votes: 18,374
2. The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Not Rated | 98 min | Action, Drama
Mongols with the help of an insider, ambush the influential Yang Family, defenders of the dynasty. The Mongols must hunt down all Yang survivors so their insidious plot to overthrow the dynasty will not be uncovered.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Sheng Fu, Lily Li, Kara Wai
Votes: 3,559
3. Five Fingers of Death (1972)
R | 104 min | Action, Drama, Romance
As two martial arts schools prepare for an important tournament, one school's master is a dishonorable man, and to ensure his son wins the title, he hires three Japanese samurais, who target the rival school's best fighter.
Director: Chang-hwa Jeong | Stars: Lieh Lo, Ping Wang, Hsiung Chao, Chin-Feng Wang
Votes: 4,013
4. Dirty Ho (1979)
R | 103 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A prince enlists a thief to serve as his bodyguard to protect him from assassins.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Yue Wong, Chia-Hui Liu, Lieh Lo, Hou Hsiao
Votes: 1,480
5. Triple Irons (1971)
R | 98 min | Action, Drama
Lei Li lost his right-arm in a sword duel with the master of a martial arts school, long ago. Now, he is able to defend himself well with just his left arm, and kung fu techniques. That he ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: David Chiang, Ching Lee, Lung Ti, Feng Ku
Votes: 1,742
6. Five Elements Ninjas (1982)
R | 107 min | Action, Drama
A Chinese martial arts school is infiltrated and destroyed by ninjas. Tian Hao survives the massacre and seeks to uncover the trickery of ninjutsu in order to beat the Five Element Ninjas and avenge his family.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Tien-Chi Cheng, Tien-Hsiang Lung, Meng Lo, Michael Wai-Man Chan
Votes: 3,184
7. Heroes of the East (1978)
R | 105 min | Action, Comedy
A Chinese man (Liu) marries a Japanese woman through an arranged marriage and manages to insult all of her Japanese martial arts family by issuing a challenge to her that is misinterpreted ... See full summary »
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Yuka Mizuno, Yasuaki Kurata, Naozo Kato
Votes: 2,666
8. My Young Auntie (1981)
Not Rated | 121 min | Action, Comedy
Cheng Tai-Nan (Kara Hui) is an honest and faithful servant of a dying patriarch who wants nothing more than to protect his vast wealth from his selfish, conniving nephew, Yung-Sheng. ... See full summary »
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Liang Liu, Kara Wai, Hou Hsiao, Lung-Wei Wang
Votes: 941
9. Fists of the White Lotus (1980)
PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Drama
The monk Hung Wen-Ting fights against the evil priest White Lotus.
Director: Lieh Lo | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Lieh Lo, Lung-Wei Wang, Kara Wai
Votes: 2,070
10. Holy Flame of the Martial World (1983)
85 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
A brother and sister seek vengeance for the death of their parents.
Director: Chun-Ku Lu | Stars: Leanne Lau, Siu Chung Mok, Jason Piao Pai, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 476
11. Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
R | 101 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
The sixth and final pupil of a dying martial arts teacher is instructed to find the teacher's five former pupils and defeat any evil ones that are among them.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo
Votes: 7,983
12. The Lady Hermit (1971)
105 min | Action, Drama
Martial arts star Cheng Pei pei and versatile director Ho Meng hua were a great team, who elevated this tale of a virtuous swordswoman's revenge on the Black Demon who injured her to one of the best of both their careers.
Director: Meng-Hua Ho | Stars: Pei-Pei Cheng, Lieh Lo, Szu Shih, Hsieh Wang
Votes: 428
13. Return of the Bastard Swordsman (1984)
95 min | Action
Wudang is in trouble again, with both Dugu Wu Di planning to attack the Wudang temple and an interloping group of martial artists from Japan waiting in the background.
Director: Chun-Ku Lu | Stars: Norman Chu, Leanne Lau, Kuan Tai Chen, Alex Man
Votes: 195
14. Come Drink with Me (1966)
Not Rated | 95 min | Action, Crime
Bandits kidnap a governor's son and demand their imprisoned leader to be set free in exchange. The governor's daughter, a skilled martial artist, is sent to rescue him, but eventually finds herself overmatched and in need of assistance.
Director: King Hu | Stars: Pei-Pei Cheng, Hua Yueh, Chih-Ching Yang, Hung-Lieh Chen
Votes: 4,927
15. Bastard Swordsman (1983)
89 min | Action, Mystery
Hsu Shao-chiang stars as a veritable "Spider-Swordsman" - master of the "Silkworm Style" - in this eye-filling, mind-bending martial arts phantasmagorical which truly warrants the description: "unforgettable."
Director: Chun-Ku Lu | Stars: Norman Chu, Tony Liu, Jung Wang, Leanne Lau
Votes: 440
16. Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
R | 109 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A band of killers from an ailing kung fu and magic society are sent on a manhunt for a former member of the society, whose bad mouthing threatens its existence.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Liang Liu, Chia-Yung Liu, Kara Wai, Hou Hsiao
Votes: 1,851
17. The One-Armed Swordsman (1967)
R | 115 min | Action, Drama
A noble swordsman, whose arm had been chopped off, returns to his former teacher to defend him from a villainous gang of rival swordsmen.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Jimmy Wang Yu, Chiao Chiao, Chung-Hsin Huang, Yin-Tze Pan
Votes: 3,622
18. Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)
R | 99 min | Action, Comedy
When thugs prey upon innocent factory workers, a small-time scammer trains for revenge by studying the moves of Shaolin temple monks.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Lung-Wei Wang, Hou Hsiao, Lun Hua
Votes: 4,239
19. Crippled Avengers (1978)
R | 104 min | Action, Drama
Three men who have been physically disabled by an evil warlord and his physically-disabled son become friends and learn kung fu so that they can seek revenge with help from an elderly martial-arts teacher and his mentally-disabled pupil.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Kuan Tai Chen, Feng Lu, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo
Votes: 3,001
20. Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
R | 94 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
In ancient China, Zhi Ming trains at the legendary Northern Shaolin temple to avenge the death of his father at the hands of a nefarious magistrate.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Jet Li, Jianqiang Hu, Qiuyan Huang, Zengyin Cao
Votes: 2,588
21. Buddha's Palm (1982)
93 min | Action, Fantasy
The Buddha's Palm, a technique by which an ordinary hand is transformed into a formidable force. Ku, a blind recluse living in a cave, knows its secret, which proves to be as much a blessing as a curse as it attracts all manner of mayhem.
Director: Taylor Wong | Stars: Tung-Shing Yee, On-On Yu, Kara Wai, Alex Man
Votes: 389
22. The Avenging Eagle (1978)
R | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Chi Ming-sing is a former disciple of a gang run by overlord Yoh Xi-hung. Yoh's disciples hunt Chi relentlessly as he travels on a soul-searching journey. He comes to the aid of a seemingly... See full summary »
Director: Chung Sun | Stars: Sheng Fu, Lung Ti, Feng Ku, Lung Chan
Votes: 1,037
23. Martial Club (1981)
R | 110 min | Action, Drama
Wong Fei-Hong and his once-rival, now friend, find themselves and their martial arts schools pitted against a rival school which uses a Kung Fu expert from the North to do their dirty work.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Kara Wai, Te-Lo Mai, Hou Hsiao
Votes: 618
24. Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
R | 100 min | Action, Drama
Hong Hsi-Kuan devotes years to mastering Tiger style Kung Fu in order to defeat the evil priest Pai Mei. His wife, who is an expert in Crane style Kung Fu, has a feeling training in only one style won't be enough.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Kuan Tai Chen, Lieh Lo, Yue Wong, Lily Li
Votes: 1,893
25. Shaolin Intruders (1983)
Not Rated | 89 min | Action, Drama
Shaolin Temple becomes suspect when several clan leaders are robbed and killed by the deadly Shaolin Palm technique.
Director: Chia Tang | Stars: Tung-Shing Yee, Jason Piao Pai, Phillip Ko, Yu-Po Liu
Votes: 408
26. Death Duel (1977)
90 min | Drama, Action
The Third Master (Erh Tung Sheng, aka Derek Yee, in the role that launched his career) is considered to be the greatest sword master of the day. His displays of skill and strength bring ... See full summary »
Director: Yuen Chor | Stars: Tung-Shing Yee, On-On Yu, Ping Chen, Yun Ling
Votes: 626
27. Return of the One-Armed Swordsman (1969)
R | 105 min | Action, Adventure
After defeating The Long-Armed Devil and his armies, our nubbed hero has been living in retirement as a farmer, but circumstances causes him to come out of retirement and take on The Eight ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Jimmy Wang Yu, Chiao Chiao, Chia Essie Lin, Feng Tien
Votes: 1,442
28. Invincible Shaolin (1978)
R | 98 min | Action, Drama
Critically acclaimed director Chang Cheh has The Five Venoms turn Shaolin fighters as they challenge the authority of the evil Chings in Invincible Shaolin. Per usual, the fights will knock your socks off.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Feng Lu, Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 1,273
29. The Boxer from Shantung (1972)
Unrated | 134 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Leaving the poverty of his life in Shantung to seek fortune in Shanghai, The Boxer is instead drawn into a world of corruption, gang warfare and evil... Where his only protection is his famed fighting technique.
Directors: Cheh Chang, Hsueh-Li Pao | Stars: Kuan Tai Chen, Li Ching, David Chiang, Mario Milano
Votes: 1,487
30. Masked Avengers (1981)
R | 92 min | Action, Drama
The masked gang have created a menace, killing many people, now it is up to Philp who once worked for the masked gang to destroy them.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Siu-Ho Chin, Sheng Chiang, Ke Chu
Votes: 795
31. Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985)
90 min | Action, Comedy
Gordon Liu Chia-hui reprises his famous Monk San Te role as he tries to support and protect Shaolin her Fang Shih-yu who purposely attacks corrupt Ching officials. Fights by legendary action director Liu Chia-liang are to die for.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Hou Hsiao, Chia-Hui Liu, Lily Li, Jason Piao Pai
Votes: 2,185
32. Challenge of the Masters (1976)
R | 97 min | Action, Drama
Teenager Wong Fei-hung is sent to train in the art of hung gar kung fu from his father's teacher, Luk Ah-choy. With training complete, Wong must fight an assassin and regain the honor of his school.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Kuan Tai Chen, Yue Wong, Lily Li
Votes: 833
33. Infra-Man (1975)
PG | 90 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Princess Dragon Mom and her mutant army have risen, and only Infra-Man can stop them.
Director: Shan Hua | Stars: Danny Lee, Terry Liu, Hsieh Wang, Man-Tzu Yuan
Votes: 2,266
34. Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)
R | 116 min | Action, Comedy
A disgraced former Kung Fu expert makes a living as a merchant with the help of a hot headed friend. When the men are harassed by gangsters, the merchant decided to teach his friend monkey boxing so they can defend their business.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Liang Liu, Hou Hsiao, Kara Wai, Lieh Lo
Votes: 1,161
35. Brothers Five (1970)
109 min | Action, Drama
A young woman sets out to reunite feuding brothers to take out a gang of killers who have murdered their father.
Director: Wei Lo | Stars: Pei-Pei Cheng, Han Chin, Yi Chang, Yuen Kao
Votes: 247
36. Cat vs Rat (1982)
97 min | Action, Comedy
One of Liu Chia-liang's classics,.Cat VS Rat is almost a full-scale slapstick comedy, as well as a tailor-made showcase for the "odd couple" of Alexander Fu Sheng and Cheng Shao-chiu. Their... See full summary »
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Sheng Fu, Adam Cheng, Kara Wai, Hou Hsiao
Votes: 175
37. The Twin Swords (1965)
100 min | Adventure, Drama
Expect plenty of hard-edged action in The Twin Swords in which Jimmy Wang Yu and Chin Ping play a couple who stumbles on to a kidnapping plot at the Red Lotus Temple. Will they be able to foil the bad guys?
Director: Teng-Hung Hsu | Stars: Ping Chin, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bo-Bo Fung, Lieh Lo
Votes: 131
38. Descendant of the Sun (1983)
84 min | Action, Fantasy
Yuen of the celestial has gathered sun light and practiced for 500 years, and now becomes immortal. He descends to the world to prevent the black snake monster from scourging. The insidious... See full summary »
Director: Yuen Chor | Stars: Tung-Shing Yee, Cherie Chung, Fei Ai, Chi-Ping Chang
Votes: 99
39. Golden Swallow (1968)
R | 109 min | Action, Adventure, Romance
The indomitable martial arts team of director Chang Cheh and stunt choreographer Liu Chia-liang continues the compelling saga of Golden Swallow from King Hu's Come Drink with Me in this ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Pei-Pei Cheng, Jimmy Wang Yu, Lieh Lo, Hsin-Yen Chao
Votes: 860
40. Hero (1997)
R | 97 min | Action, Drama
Corey Yuen's remake of Chang Cheh's Boxer From Shantung sees Taiwanese Japanese heart-throb Takeshi Kaneshiro as Ma Wing-jing, a worker from Shantung who rises to the top of the Shanghai triad ladder.
Director: Corey Yuen | Stars: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Biao Yuen, Jessica Hester Hsuan, Wah Yuen
Votes: 815
41. Temple of the Red Lotus (1965)
95 min | Action, Drama
Jimmy Wang Yu plays a young kid who heads off to Dragon Valley to meet the childhood friend who was promised as his bride. When he gets there, he finds that the family of the bride might ... See full summary »
Director: Teng-Hung Hsu | Stars: Ping Chin, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bo-Bo Fung, Ivy Ling Po
Votes: 224
42. Ma fung gwai kuen (1979)
R | 92 min | Action, Comedy
When young Tieh Chiao San is sent by his dying father to live with a former kung fu colleague in the town, he accidentally gets into trouble when messing with a gang running a snake-oil ... See full summary »
Director: Chi Lo | Stars: Kara Wai, Kar-Yung Lau, Jui-yi Liu, Ha Huang
Votes: 85
43. Killer Constable (1980)
Not Rated | 98 min | Action, Drama
Righteous constable Leng Tian-Ying has a fearsome reputation of killing criminals without remorse. But after being assigned to track a gang that robbed the imperial treasury, he comes to find that his reputation is being used against him.
Director: Chih-Hung Kuei | Stars: Kuan Tai Chen, Feng Ku, Jason Piao Pai, Tsui-Ling Yu
Votes: 515
44. The Magic Blade (1976)
Not Rated | 86 min | Action, Drama
Don't miss this one it is excellent. Chinese sword masters pair up to fight off yet another villain for the deadly PeacockDart. The ending is eye popping don't miss this one. Shaw Brothers come thru yet again
Director: Yuen Chor | Stars: Lung Ti, Lieh Lo, Li Ching, Ni Tien
Votes: 892
45. Full Moon Scimitar (1979)
PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
Inspired from a famous martial arts tale, a young swordsman becomes obsessed with sword supremacy and challenges another kung fu master, where everything begins.
Director: Yuen Chor | Stars: Tung-Shing Yee, Ming-Chuen Wang, Jung Wang, Meg Lam
Votes: 156
46. Little Dragon Maiden (1983)
TV-14 | 96 min | Action, Fantasy, Romance
Little Dragon Maiden mixes the old with the new to create pure golden magic as kung-fu fighting veterans Chen Kuan-Tai and Lo Lieh join relative newcomer Leslie Cheung in a far-out swordplay love story that rocks.
Director: Shan Hua | Stars: Leslie Cheung, Jing-Jing Yung, Kuan Tai Chen, Leanne Lau
Votes: 358
47. Human Lanterns (1982)
99 min | Horror, Action
A psychotic craftsman pits two rival Kung-Fu masters against each other while designing special lanterns from a disturbing source.
Director: Chung Sun | Stars: Tony Liu, Kuan Tai Chen, Lieh Lo, Ni Tien
Votes: 1,101
48. You xia qing (1984)
88 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
Du Meng Fei fresh out of Kung-Fu training, finds himself caught up in a 20 year conflict between the evil Thunder Gang Chief Leng Tian Lei and the Dragon Sect. Lei seeks his missing daughter and will kill anyone who gets in his way.
Director: Tak-Cheung Tang | Stars: Kenny Ho, Kara Wai, Rosamund Kwan, Jason Piao Pai
Votes: 84
49. Pursuit of Vengeance (1977)
93 min | Action, Drama
Master of the "swordplay thriller" genre, Chu Yuan and renowned kung-fu choreographer Tang Chia tell the fabulous tale of the "Fastest Swordsman in the World" facing the "1000 Face Devil" and no less than seven murderers.
Director: Yuen Chor | Stars: Lung Ti, Tony Liu, Lieh Lo, Paul Chang Chung
Votes: 144
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