Jimmy Wang Yu was one of the best kung fu movie stars of all time and a true pioneer who helped shape the martial arts genre into what it is today. Long before high-flying wirework and flashy choreography became the standard, Wang Yu brought an energy to his fight scenes that made him an icon. He was also a director, producer, and screenwriter, leaving his indelible mark on the world of kung fu like no one else.

Although ranking his best kung fu movies is no easy task, one of Wang Yu's biggest contributions to cinema is the only martial arts star Bruce Lee wanted to sur.

10 Return Of The Chinese Boxer (1977)

Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu

Despite the title, Return of the Chinese Boxer is not the official sequel to The Chinese Boxer from 1970, which is another movie starring and directed by Jimmy Wang Yu. Still, it stands out as one of Wang Yu's most interesting performances, even though the film has a slight silliness to it. In it, Wang Yu is Tsao Pai Leung, a skilled fighter who is set on warding off an invading group of Japanese warlords.

There are zombies, weird weapons, and a bunch of Matrix-like moves before The Matrix was even a thought.

Don't let the plot summary fool you, as Return of the Chinese Boxer is arguably one of the weirdest martial arts movies ever made. There are zombies, weird weapons, and a bunch of Matrix-like moves before The Matrix was even a thought. Still, those who love unexpected plot twists and downright absurd moments will definitely enjoy this one, if only for Wang Yu's boldness in his approach to the kung fu movie genre.

9 Beach Of The War Gods (1973)

Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu

While Beach of the War Gods might not come to everyone's mind when talking about the best wuxia movies of all time, this 1973 title still deserves all the love it can get. It stars Wang Yu as a fearless warrior who leads the fishermen of a coastal village in a battle to defend their land from invaders. The battles are epic, and even though kung fu isn't front and center in the most traditional way, it still feels gritty and quite convincing.

From hand-to-hand combat and impressive kicks to gorgeously choreographed swordplay, Beach of the War Gods delivers non-stop action you can’t look away from. Notably, the group fights might be the highlight of this wuxia, with each of the villagers bringing something unique to the scene. Wang Yu excelled in both leading and directing the movie, making it no surprise it stands out as some of his best work.

8 The Tattooed Dragon (1973)

Directed By Lo Wei

Unfortunately, not everyone has heard of The Tattooed Dragon. It's one of Wang Yu's finest roles, although not everyone seems to like it as much as some of his other projects. The 1973 film is super straightforward, offering a ton of great action and raw kung fu. Wang Yu plays The Dragon, a mysterious figure who essentially saves an entire town from scam-running mobsters. Moreover, the movie oozes 1970s Hong Kong flair, making for the perfect fusion of atmosphere and action.

As with many similar titles of that time, The Tattooed Dragon relies on bare martial arts to deliver its fight sequences, which is fabulous. Wang Yu's character is brutal in every sense of the word, dropping kicks and punches like it's nobody's business. Furthermore, The Tattooed Dragon offers some seriously amazing kung fu movie techniques that really work in real life, even though they might be tough to replicate for the average person.

7 The Sword Of Swords (1968)

Directed By Cheng Kang

The Sword of Swords is an underrated 1960s Shaw Brothers movie that arguably deserves a spot next to the greats of the era, such as Dragon Inn and Come Drink with Me. Blinded and betrayed by a ruthless villain who murders his family and steals a magical sword, a skilled swordsman (Wang Yu) is left to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. Fueled by vengeance, he sets out on a deadly journey to reclaim the enchanted blade and bring down the man who destroyed everything he loved.

The story is amazing, the sword fights are intense, and traditional kung fu is elevated to a completely different realm in The Sword of Swords. It's the perfect movie for anyone looking to enter the kung fu genre, but also for hardcore fans who would like a fresh take on the action.

6 Golden Swallow (1968)

Directed By Chang Cheh

Golden Swallow is the sequel to the 1966 movie Come Drink With Me. Much like its iconic predecessor, the film stars Cheng Pei-pei, who is considered to be the first female action hero. However, Golden Swallow, despite being named after Cheng's character, focuses more on Silver Roc, who is played by Wang Yu. The movie is an impressively weird mix of great kung fu, a love triangle, and a relentless quest for vengeance.

While the action sequences are notably great, Golden Swallow's story might be even better. Wang Yu's Silver Roc is borderline obsessed with the gentle Golden Swallow, going to worrying lengths to get her attention. As his rivalry with Iron Whip (Lo Lieh) ultimately escalates to the point of no return, director Chang Chen's signature heroic bloodshed aesthetic takes center stage, giving the movie that final poetic touch. Overall, the film is truly stunning in every aspect.

5 Return Of The One-Armed Swordsman (1969)

Directed By Chang Cheh

Following the monumental success of The One-Armed Swordsman, Chang Cheh and the Shaw Brothers Studio sought to capitalize on the film's popularity. Thus, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman was born and hit the screens in 1969. The narrative picks up with Fang Gang (Wang Yu), the one-armed swordsman who has retired from the martial world to lead a peaceful family life. However, he's forced to come out of retirement to face off against a ruthless clan that's terrorizing martial arts schools.

The sequel's success proved audiences' hunger for out-of-the-box characters and paved the way for wuxia classics that came after it.

While it's not really one of those movie sequels that are better than the original, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman is still a must-watch full of relentless action and gorgeous swordplay. Wang Yu reprises his role with ion, effortlessly drawing the viewer deeper into his journey. The sequel's success proved audiences' hunger for out-of-the-box characters and paved the way for wuxia classics that came after it.

4 One-Armed Boxer (1972)

Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu

Not to be mistaken with The Chinese Boxer, One-Armed Boxer is yet another title that was completely brought to life by Wang Yu. However, out of the two, despite being released two years later, One-Armed Boxer is the one that put Wang Yu on the martial arts map on his own accord and redefined the kung fu genre. After leaving the Shaw Brothers Studio, this movie was his answer to the success of his One-Armed Swordsman character.

While it is a product of its time and should be viewed as such, One-Armed Boxer remains an enduring kung fu classic that will never lose its charm. Instead of swordplay, it brings bare-knuckle kung fu in the form of a high-energy, revenge-fueled spectacle, setting the stage for an even crazier sequel. The villains are unnecessarily flamboyant, which is just the right amount for a showdown of epic proportions.

3 Master Of The Flying Guillotine (1976)

Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu

Four years after the release of One-Armed Boxer, Wang Yu brought us Master of the Flying Guillotine, which is one of those old martial movies so bad they're actually great. While it's not really bad in any way, the wild style and unconventional storytelling might not click with mainstream audiences used to modern cinema. That said, any movie buff who appreciates the finer things in filmmaking will likely find this cult classic worthy of the title.

Despite being a sequel, Master of the Flying Guillotine takes things to a whole new level. The villain is a blind Shaolin monk with a deadly flying guillotine, while the rest of the bad guys are equally bizarre, in the best way possible. Featuring a grindhouse martial arts madness that mixes kung fu, exploitation cinema, and even a touch of horror, Master stands out as one of the most insane, stylish, and wildly entertaining martial arts movies ever made.

2 The One-Armed Swordsman (1967)

Directed By Chang Cheh

For those who haven't seen it, The One-Armed Swordsman is basically a kung fu John Wick with a sword. Directed by Chang Cheh, this Shaw Brothers masterpiece tells the story of Fang Gang (played by Wang Yu), who loses his arm in a brutal battle. However, that does not stop him from seeking vengeance, proving that a true martial artist's spirit cannot be broken.

The One-Armer Swordsman was the first Hong Kong title to ever reach HK$1 million at the local box office.

Not only is The One-Armed Swordsman a visually stunning movie with beautifully choreographed fight scenes, but it marked the birth of a never-before-seen hero in the kung fu genre. Fang Gang was the first-ever cinematic martial artist with one arm, laying the groundwork for similar stories, such as Master of the Flying Guillotine. With its intense action and deep character work, it's safe to say that this 1967 title is a pillar of martial arts cinema every kung fu enthusiast should be familiar with.

1 The Chinese Boxer (1970)

Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu

For many, The Chinese Boxer is the best martial arts movie to exist, and we can't help but agree. Also known as The Hammer of God, the film is a cornerstone in Wang Yu's career, which cemented him as the biggest kung fu star of the era. Notably, it was his last project with the Shaw Brothers. Wang Yu wrote the movie, directed it, and starred in it, showcasing his brilliance at every step of filmmaking.

Despite feeling very similar to most of the movies of the era, the plot of The Chinese Boxer does the job. It's simple and effective, and the action is the star of the show anyway. The fights are incredible, to say the least, with Jimmy Wang Yu himself being the ultimate weapon. There are no fancy kicks or flashy acrobatics here, but, instead, a violent carnage of grappling, powerful strikes that feel more than realistic.