All 5 Jet Li Martial Arts Movie Franchises Ranked

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Jet Li, originally named Li Lianjie, has established himself as one of the most iconic figures in martial arts cinema throughout his illustrious 40-year career. With expertise in various traditional kung fu weaponry and his skillful bare-knuckle combat, he has excelled in numerous martial arts forms. As a result, he’s been a dominant presence in numerous films, though not all have received critical acclaim.

Jet Li has made some iconic standalone films, such as the semi-autobiographical “Fearless” and the heart-racing “The Bodyguard in Beijing”, also known as “The Defender”. However, his true strength lies in leading franchises, as demonstrated throughout his career. Regrettably, he often appears in just one film of a series, but his performances are usually the highlight of these collections, so it’s fair to label them as Jet Li franchises, even if he’s only featured in a third of a trilogy.

5. The Tai Chi Master Duology

Started Strong, But Switched Up Too Dramatically

It speaks volumes that even the weakest entries in the Jet Li series offer plenty to appreciate. In the movie Tai Chi Master, they skillfully showcase Jet Li’s expansive repertoire of martial arts styles, casting him as Zoeng Gwanbou, a renowned Taoist and inventor of tai chi. The film delves into the origins of martial arts as Gwanbou finds himself in a heart-wrenching transformation from loyal friend to bitter adversary with his close associate Tienbou, a ruthless martial artist intent on climbing the military ladder through any means possible.

The initial “Tai Chi Master” film is a decent addition to Jet Li’s collection. Though tai chi might be recognized as a gentle, elegant exercise often practiced by elderly individuals in parks, Li portrays it as the strongest martial art ever imagined. Regrettably, the sequel, “Tai Chi Boxer,” suffers from replacing Jet Li with Jacky Wu and focusing more on romance and comedy. While “Tai Chi Boxer” isn’t awful by any means, its inclusion in the “Tai Chi Master” series doesn’t significantly enhance the duology’s overall quality, which falls significantly short of Li’s best work.

4. The Shaolin Temple Trilogy

A Disconnected Handful Of Different Tales

1982’s “Shaolin Temple,” frequently recognized as one of Jet Li’s best works, was innovative in numerous aspects. It marked one of the early significant collaborations between Hong Kong and China in film production. Additionally, it served as the first in a series of shaolin kung fu movies filmed at a real Shaolin monastery. However, perhaps its most significant debut was that it featured Jet Li for the first time, playing a former rebel who transitions to a Shaolin monk, grappling with his moral compass amidst his new religious vows.

In my opinion, the first Shaolin Temple remains one of Li’s finest works, but his inexperience as an actor (but not as a martial artist) is noticeable in certain scenes. For the sequel, Shaolin Temple 2: Shaolin Kids, Li reappeared, albeit as a different character. However, the film’s connection to its predecessor is tenuous at best, with only the setting of a shaolin temple being shared. The storyline in this movie is less complex and more suited for children, focusing on rival families uniting against outlaws.

1986 saw another sequel featuring Li in a fresh role titled “Martial Art of Shaolin.” This film marks the third part of the series, and unlike its predecessors, it presents a much more gripping narrative. Here, Li portrays a monk with a rebellious spirit who seeks revenge against a cruel magistrate who murdered his family. Each movie can be watched independently, but collectively, they lack the seamless flow you’d expect from a true series. Despite Jackie Chan’s stellar performance in “Shaolin Temple,” this trilogy still has rough patches.

3. The Fist Of Legend “Series”

If It Can Even Be Called One

Reviving the classic 1972 film “Fist of Fury,” initially starring Bruce Lee, was no small feat even for the most self-assured martial arts performers. However, Jet Li managed to accomplish this task in “Fist of Legend.” In this film, he assumes the role of Chen Zhen, a character made famous by Bruce Lee, who is known for his fierce fighting style and adherence to Lee’s philosophies. Once more, Zhen seeks vengeance after his master is killed by a Japanese karateka. “Fist of Legend” is a faithful adaptation of this iconic tale, with its unique flair that sets it apart as one of Li’s finest performances.

The movie titled Fist of Legend has an unofficial sequel, strangely named Fist of Legend 2: Iron Bodyguard. This film is a peculiar attempt to capitalize on the fame of its title, using it as a quick money-making scheme. Unbelievably, the movie showcases a Jet Li doppelganger (humorously called “Jet Le” in some credits) squaring off against a character resembling Jean-Claude Van Damme. Unfortunately, this film is little more than recycled footage from the 1974 movie The Bodyguard, significantly tarnishing the respectable reputation of the Fist of Legend franchise and positioning it as a low point in Jet Li’s cinematic legacy.

2. The Fong Sai-yuk Duology

Lovably Chaotic And Sprawling

In addition to being well-known, Fong Sai-yuk, starring Jet Li, stands as an award-winning classic that demonstrated his relevance would continue into the next decade and beyond. As the title character, Li portrays a legendary figure in Chinese martial arts lore, believed to be the founder of the potent kung fu style Hung Ga. This movie features some of Jet Li’s funniest moments, with elements of dramatic irony and mistaken identity adding humor to the breathtaking fight scenes. However, in the closing act, it transforms into a gripping political thriller.

In the narrative I follow, I find myself delving deeper into the subplot as Fong Sai-yuk II and my mother formally become members of the Red Flower Society. Our goal: to challenge the Qing Dynasty. The sequel intensifies the web of political intrigue even further, with action scenes that rival and sometimes surpass those in the original. I engage in fierce battles against a enigmatic Japanese ronin and countless adversaries, all under the direction of Jet Li. Despite their somewhat disorganized and excessive nature, these Fong Sai-yuk films carry an undeniable charm and showcase what many consider to be some of Jet Li’s most impressive fight sequences yet.

1. The Once Upon A Time In China Series

Perhaps The Pinnacle Of Jet Li’s Career

Amongst Jet Li’s most celebrated roles, the initial “Once Upon A Time in China” stands out as it extended beyond three films. This classic film continues to be hailed as one of Li’s greatest achievements, and rightfully so. In this series, Li reprises his role as Wong Fei-hung, a well-known Chinese martial arts hero also depicted in numerous other influential movies like Jackie Chan’s “Drunken Master” duology.

In “Once Upon A Time in China”, Wong Fei-hung is assigned the duty of safeguarding his school and clinic from gangsters. Simultaneously, he grapples with complex emotions towards the daughter of his father’s lifelong friend.

In terms of both its deeply moving human narrative and the mesmerizing spectacle of its stunning stunts, “Once Upon A Time in China” stands not only as one of Jet Li’s finest works, but also as one of the most influential kung fu films ever created. The series, which began with this initial movie, consistently surpasses expectations, even when Li himself doesn’t appear in the fourth and fifth installments. With a powerful opening followed by an enduring legacy spanning five more films, the “Once Upon A Time in China” franchise is undoubtedly one of Jet Li’s greatest contributions to cinema.

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2025-06-01 20:29