The fascination with fighting is something that seems to be embedded in the human genome. Whether it’s a spectacular MMA fight, a thrilling boxing match, or even just a fistfight on the streets, we as animal species can’t help but watch and feel the excitement of the fight as it unfolds. So naturally, the movie industry has produced a few films on the subject of combat. If you are looking for some of the best fighting movies, we have included a combination of martial arts, boxing, karate, and everything in between.
However, if you want to expand beyond martial arts, we have compiled some of the best sports movies you should check out.
Never Go Back Down (2008)
When a high school drama meets a fighting movie, you’ll be sure to find Never Back Down mainly sitting alone in this unusual genre. The story follows a frustrated and argumentative teenager named Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) as he arrives at a new school. After all, it takes an attractive turn for him to be seduced by an underground combat club. Naturally, he ends up with a personal illness that can genuinely overwhelm him with the training of veteran martial arts.
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Main characters: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard
Operating time: 113 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.6
Bloodsport (1988)
If you're looking for an action-packed 80s action movie, Bloodsport might be just what you want. Military Captain Frank Dux is entirely on his way to AWOL and is heading to Hong Kong to champion a secret art competition. Wars are brutal, and there is no guarantee of survival within any of these wars. Like Jean-Claude Van Damme's relaxing role, this movie is a great way to dig up the roots of an action star.
Director: Newt Arnold
Main Characters: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres
Operating time: 92 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.8
Fighting Group (1999)
In one of David Fincher's best movies (based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel), some young and aggressive men decide the best way to solve their problems by disputing with each other and rejecting social norms. Aside from causing social unrest to the frustrated young people in the community (except for the moral solution of the story in the end), the movie has some excellent writing and a fantastic ending. In one of Brad Pitt’s best works, he is somehow charming, disgusting, loving, and awesome all at the same time, commenting on public expectations and the views of young men in some way meta at times.
Director: David Fincher
Main Characters: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Bread
Operating time: 139 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.8
Real Metal (2011)
While not your typical boxing movie, Real Steel has all the elements of a good thing but has the splendor of a sci-fi movie. First of all, he has Hugh Jackman as a struggling boxer who stumbles upon some of his untapped talents. If this is starting to sound more like all the under-the-box movies, you're probably right. The big difference with Real Steel is that the untapped talent is an old, discarded robot. So if you are looking for an anti-robotic movie, this one should be at the top of your list for sure. You can also check out many action movies on Netflix for similar films.
Director: Shawn Levy
Main Characters: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo
Operating time: 127 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.1
Install The Dragon (1973)
Widely regarded as one of the best movies of 1973 and one of the best art movies, Enter The Dragon is Bruce Lee's best movie of all time. And it is the entire last film he appeared in before his death that same year. With the beauty categories taken from the James Bond franchise and the blaxploitation movement just beginning, Lee joins James Minton Kelly and John Saxon to take over the criminal empire. Scholars have always interpreted the film as a masterpiece of post-colonial Asia, but if that’s beyond your head, just sit back and enjoy the well-chosen combat scenes and the beauty of the ’70s.
Director: Robert Clouse
Main characters: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly
Operating time: 102 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.7
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Winning four Oscars from actor/director Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby is about a veteran boxing coach named Frankie (Clint Eastwood) who gave his life in the ring, paying almost everything else in his life. When Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) walked into her gym looking for a coach, Frankie refused because she didn’t think much of boxing women. He won’t take the answer, though, and as Frankie trains him to be a strong fighter, they both develop an emotional bond that will shape them for the rest of their lives.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Main Characters: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Operating time: 132 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.1
Karate Kid (1984)
.Although not as spectacular as the UFC fights or other forms of martial arts, karate was widespread in the '80s and beyond. Karate Kid was a big part of it.
You must be logged in to post a comment.