Jackie Chan is one of the most iconic figures in the world of action cinema, renowned for his extraordinary ability to blend martial arts, comedy, and jaw-dropping stunts. With a career spanning over five decades, Chan has redefined the action genre, breaking boundaries with his fearless approach to performing his own stunts and integrating physical comedy into intense fight scenes. His films are beloved for their blend of humor, high-octane action, and heartfelt moments, appealing to audiences worldwide. Whether showcasing his comedic timing or executing complex martial arts choreography, Chan’s films have set the standard for action filmmaking. In this article, we’ll explore ten of Jackie Chan’s most essential movies that every fan should watch. From early kung fu comedies to Hollywood blockbusters, these films capture the essence of Chan’s cinematic legacy and highlight the versatility that has made him a global superstar.
1. Drunken Master (1978)
Drunken Master was a revolutionary film not only for Jackie Chan but for martial arts cinema as a whole. The movie brought about a shift in how kung fu movies were perceived, moving away from the stoic, serious tone of Bruce Lee’s films and introducing a lighter, comedic approach. In Drunken Master, Chan plays Wong Fei-hung, a historical folk hero who, through a series of misadventures, becomes a master of Drunken Boxing, a style of kung fu that involves mimicking the movements of a drunk person. The style not only confuses opponents but also provides unexpected agility and power.
The film’s success can be attributed to the combination of Jackie Chan’s slapstick humor and innovative fight choreography. Unlike traditional martial arts films, Drunken Master uses humor as a key element in the fight scenes, with Chan showcasing his ability to turn seemingly clumsy and random movements into a formidable fighting technique. The fight sequences are intricately choreographed, with Chan delivering masterful timing and acrobatics, which made Drunken Master an international sensation.
Moreover, this film solidified Jackie Chan’s status as a star, particularly in Asia, and proved that martial arts films could be fun without losing their impact. The blend of humor and skill continues to influence martial arts films today, with Drunken Master often cited as one of the best kung fu films ever made.
2. Police Story (1985)
Police Story is widely regarded as one of Jackie Chan’s finest works and is often considered a hallmark of action cinema. The film follows the story of Kevin Chan, a Hong Kong police officer who is assigned to protect a key witness in a case against a notorious crime lord. However, the story quickly spirals into a personal vendetta, forcing Chan to go rogue in pursuit of justice.
What makes Police Story a standout is its non-stop action and groundbreaking stunts. Jackie Chan famously performed all of his own stunts, which pushed the boundaries of what was physically possible in action films. One of the most memorable scenes involves Chan sliding down a pole covered in electric lights in a shopping mall—a stunt so dangerous it resulted in severe burns and multiple injuries.
In addition to the action, Police Story showcases Chan’s adeptness at balancing intense, serious moments with his signature comedic flair. The plot, although familiar in the realm of cop dramas, is elevated by the spectacular set pieces and fight scenes. Each stunt is meticulously planned, and the choreography is seamless, with Chan blending martial arts with everyday objects, from umbrellas to telephones, making the action feel dynamic and spontaneous.
The film’s success led to multiple sequels and a significant rise in Jackie Chan’s international fame. It is considered a must-watch for fans of action cinema and is often taught in film schools for its innovative stunt work.
3. Project A (1983)
Project A is a historical action film set in late 19th-century Hong Kong, where pirates terrorize the South China Sea. Jackie Chan plays Dragon Ma, a coast guard officer who is determined to put an end to the pirate menace. The movie is notable for its elaborate action scenes, including the famous clock tower fall, where Chan replicates a similar scene from a Harold Lloyd silent film—except Chan’s fall was real and resulted in serious injury.
One of the defining features of Project A is its mix of martial arts, action, and slapstick comedy, a combination that became a signature for Chan. The film is packed with creative fight sequences, where Chan and his co-stars use every object around them to fend off enemies. Whether it’s bicycles, chairs, or even barrels, Chan’s improvisation turns each scene into a highly choreographed ballet of chaos.
Project A was also one of the first films to fully utilize Chan’s unique martial arts-comedy fusion, blending spectacular action with comedic moments that appealed to both Eastern and Western audiences. The film was a massive success and paved the way for Chan to take on more ambitious roles as both a director and stunt coordinator. Its international appeal helped solidify Chan’s reputation as a global action star.
4. Armour of God (1986)
In Armour of God, Jackie Chan took on the role of “Asian Hawk,” an Indiana Jones-type adventurer on a quest to recover a set of mystical armor pieces to rescue his ex-girlfriend. This film marked a significant shift in Chan’s career, as he began exploring larger-scale productions and complex stunt work that went beyond traditional martial arts films.
Armour of God is filled with breathtaking action sequences, but the movie is perhaps best known for a stunt gone wrong that almost cost Chan his life. While performing a jump from a cliff onto a tree branch, Chan fell and fractured his skull, resulting in a permanent hole in his head. This near-fatal accident became part of Chan’s legendary status, showcasing his relentless commitment to performing dangerous stunts.
Despite the accident, the film went on to become a huge box-office success, particularly in Asia. The movie’s mix of exotic locales, treasure-hunting adventure, and Chan’s signature fight choreography made it a favorite among fans. Armour of God also featured intricate fight scenes involving swords, kicks, and hand-to-hand combat, all delivered with Chan’s usual flair for timing and improvisation.
The success of Armour of God led to a sequel, Armour of God II: Operation Condor, further solidifying Jackie Chan as one of the greatest action stars of his generation.
5. Wheels on Meals (1984)
Wheels on Meals is a delightful mix of martial arts, action, and comedy, set in the vibrant city of Barcelona. Jackie Chan stars alongside his frequent collaborators Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, as they run a food truck and become entangled in a plot involving a pickpocket and a gang of thugs.
What makes this film a standout in Jackie Chan’s career is its playful tone and inventive fight choreography. One of the most famous sequences is the showdown between Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez, a real-life kickboxing champion. This fight scene is often considered one of the best martial arts battles ever filmed, combining lightning-fast moves, intricate choreography, and high-stakes tension.
The film’s setting in Barcelona allowed for a fresh backdrop for Chan’s action scenes, with him using the city’s streets, buildings, and furniture as tools in his fight sequences. The humor in Wheels on Meals is as important as the action, with Chan using his food truck and kitchen equipment to take down bad guys in hilarious and creative ways.
The chemistry between the three leads is undeniable, and their comedic timing is impeccable. Wheels on Meals is a great example of how Jackie Chan could balance intricate martial arts with slapstick comedy, making it a must-watch for any fan of action films.
6. Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
Rumble in the Bronx is a pivotal film in Jackie Chan’s career, as it marked his true breakthrough in the American market. Set in New York (but primarily filmed in Vancouver), the movie follows Chan’s character, Keung, as he visits his uncle’s grocery store in the Bronx, only to find himself battling a gang that terrorizes the neighborhood.
The film is packed with intense action sequences, with Chan once again performing all of his stunts. One of the most memorable moments involves Chan jumping from one building to another and breaking his ankle in the process. Despite the injury, Chan continued filming, using a cast covered by a sock painted to look like a shoe, demonstrating his incredible dedication to the craft.
Rumble in the Bronx also stands out for its use of everyday objects in fight scenes. Whether it’s refrigerators, shopping carts, or pool tables, Chan turns his environment into a weapon, bringing his unique brand of action to a Western audience. The film’s success in the U.S. helped introduce Jackie Chan to a broader audience and solidified his status as an international action star.
7. Supercop (1992)
Supercop is the third installment in the Police Story series and is often hailed as one of the best action films of the 1990s. The movie sees Jackie Chan reprising his role as Kevin Chan, this time teaming up with a Mainland Chinese police officer, played by Michelle Yeoh, to take down a drug lord.
What sets Supercop apart from other action films is the sheer scale of the stunts. One of the most iconic scenes features Jackie Chan jumping from a helicopter onto a moving train, a stunt that still leaves audiences breathless today. The film also showcases Michelle Yeoh’s incredible martial arts skills, and her partnership with Chan provides a fresh dynamic, as she also performs daring stunts, including a motorcycle jump onto a moving train.
The film’s plot is fast-paced, filled with twists, and anchored by impressive action sequences that never let up. Supercop was a massive hit in Asia and later gained recognition in the U.S. when it was released as Police Story 3: Supercop, further cementing Jackie Chan’s reputation as a master of action cinema.
8. Rush Hour (1998)
Rush Hour was a landmark film for Jackie Chan’s career in Hollywood. Paired with comedian Chris Tucker, the film blends martial arts action with buddy-cop comedy, creating a dynamic that was both fresh and entertaining. Jackie Chan plays Chief Inspector Lee, a Hong Kong detective who travels to Los Angeles to help solve the kidnapping of a Chinese diplomat’s daughter. Tucker plays Detective Carter, a fast-talking LAPD officer who is assigned to keep Lee out of the investigation.
The chemistry between Chan and Tucker is the heart of the film. Their contrasting styles—Chan’s disciplined, no-nonsense martial arts skills and Tucker’s loose, comical persona—create a perfect balance of action and humor. The film is filled with well-executed fight scenes where Chan uses his trademark style of incorporating environmental objects into combat, making each action sequence feel inventive and spontaneous.
One of the standout moments is the climactic showdown in a Chinese art exhibit, where Chan showcases his martial arts prowess while protecting priceless artifacts. His ability to perform acrobatic feats while maintaining a comedic edge helped make Rush Hour a box-office hit, leading to two sequels.
Rush Hour was instrumental in introducing Jackie Chan to mainstream American audiences, and its success opened the door for him to take on more Hollywood projects. The film remains one of the best examples of the buddy-cop genre and is a must-watch for fans of action-comedy.
9. The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
The Legend of Drunken Master, also known as Drunken Master II, is a spiritual successor to Jackie Chan’s earlier Drunken Master. In this film, Chan reprises his role as Wong Fei-hung, who once again finds himself embroiled in a conflict involving corrupt officials, foreign invaders, and his own family.
What sets this film apart from its predecessor is the complexity of the fight scenes. The choreography is breathtaking, with the highlight being the final battle, where Chan’s character enters the “drunken” state to defeat a powerful adversary. The use of Drunken Boxing in this film is not just a gimmick but a carefully crafted technique that showcases Chan’s mastery of timing, rhythm, and acrobatics.
One of the most intense moments involves a fight scene in a steel mill, where Chan’s character is pushed to his limits, both physically and mentally. The scene is notable for its use of fire, industrial equipment, and narrow spaces, creating a sense of danger that is palpable on screen. The fact that Chan performed these stunts without the use of CGI or stunt doubles adds to the film’s authenticity and raw energy.
The Legend of Drunken Master was a critical and commercial success, particularly in Asia, where it was hailed as one of the greatest martial arts films of all time. It has since gained a cult following in the West and remains one of Chan’s most iconic roles.
10. Shanghai Noon (2000)
Shanghai Noon was another successful attempt by Jackie Chan to break into Hollywood, blending his martial arts expertise with Western genres. The film stars Chan as Chon Wang, an Imperial Guard from China who travels to the American Old West to rescue a kidnapped princess. Along the way, he teams up with a bumbling outlaw, Roy O’Bannon, played by Owen Wilson, leading to an unlikely partnership filled with action and humor.
The film’s setting in the Wild West allows Chan to experiment with new types of action sequences, from horseback chases to barroom brawls. One of the standout scenes involves Chan fighting off bandits using a horseshoe attached to a rope, turning an everyday object into a deadly weapon—a hallmark of Chan’s creative approach to fight choreography.
The chemistry between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson is another highlight, with Wilson’s laid-back, sarcastic humor playing off Chan’s more serious, action-focused style. The film is a perfect blend of Western tropes and martial arts action, making it accessible to both fans of traditional action films and those looking for something lighthearted and fun.
Shanghai Noon was a box-office hit and spawned a sequel, Shanghai Knights, further cementing Chan’s status as a Hollywood star. The film is a great example of how Jackie Chan was able to adapt his unique brand of action to different genres and audiences, making it a must-watch for fans of action comedies.
Conclusion
These ten films represent the best of Jackie Chan’s extensive filmography and showcase his versatility as an actor, martial artist, and stunt performer. Whether it’s the groundbreaking action of Police Story, the comedic brilliance of Rush Hour, or the inventive martial arts of Drunken Master, Chan’s work has had a lasting impact on global cinema. His ability to blend humor with jaw-dropping stunts has earned him a unique place in film history, and each of these movies is a testament to his skill and creativity.
From the streets of Hong Kong to the mountains of the Wild West, Jackie Chan has left an indelible mark on the action genre. Watching these films is not just an exploration of incredible action scenes, but also a journey through the evolution of one of the most beloved action stars in the world.