The martial arts iconDonnie Yenstands as one of the most acclaimed performers in Hong Kong, and kung fu fans can stream several of his movies right now. As a star who’s been punching his way through the Hong Kong film industry for the past four decades, Yen has been at the forefront of martial arts cinema as he’s starred in action, crime, comedy, and even historical fighting films. From incredibleold-school kung fumovies to highly underrated releases, Yen has carved out a career for himself as one of the most acclaimed martial arts stars of modern times.
Many of thebest Yen moviesare currently available on streaming platforms, with Prime Video boasting a particularly impressive back catalog of must-watch martial arts films. Whether it’s Donnie Yen franchises liketheIp Manseriesor lesser-known releases, even die-hard kung fu fans will likely discover something new when they delve into Yen’s body of work on streaming platforms. As a star who has always kept the quality of his work high,usually Yen’s presence alone is enough reason to check out a martial arts movie.
Dragon Tiger Gate
Cast
Dragon Tiger Gate follows three young martial artists as they rise from the back streets of Hong Kong to champion the powerless against injustice. The film, released in 2006, adapts the popular Hong Kong comic series, highlighting the protagonists' journey through personal struggles and the quest for righteousness.
Donnie Yen reunited with hisKill Zonedirector and frequent collaborator Wilson Yipfor the martial arts fantasyDragon Tiger Gate. This story of three martial artists emerging from the backdrop of Hong Kong to push back against injustices and fight for the powerless starred Yen, who also acted as the fight choreographer. With some impressive visuals,Dragon Tiger Gateeven earned a place in film history as a giant punching bag constructed for the film earned the Guinness World Record (viaChinese Broadcast) for being the biggest such item ever.
With a cartoonish sensibility and some over-the-top fight sequences,Dragon Tiger Gatemay not have been a hit with critics, but it certainly made for entertaining viewing. As a popcorn movie that didn’t take itself too seriously, kung fu fans should sit back and enjoy yet another acclaimed collaboration between Yip and Yen. With later works includingFlash Pointand theIp Manseries, Yip always knew how to bring the best out of Yen.
For kung fu lovers,Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhencame with a lot of history and had a lot to live up to. As a sequel to the Jet Li movieFist of Legend, which itself was a reimagining ofFist of Furystarring Bruce Lee, plenty of iconic performers had already tackled the role of Chen Zhen when Donnie Yen took up the title role for this release. While the film may not have lived up to those lofty expectations, it was clear that Yen was a natural successor to those acclaimed stars.
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhenfeatured plenty of awe-inspiring choreography as it told its story of Zhen revealing he was alive after all and pushing back against the Japanese mob. While the plot may have been convoluted at times and the movie felt uneven in moments,Legend of the Fistwas also an enjoyable successorthat had enough thrills and excitement to keep viewers engaged throughout.
Wing Chunstarred Michelle Yeoh in a fictionalized depiction of the legendary martial artist who had an entire discipline named after her. By showcasing how a young woman who ran a tofu shop used her fighting skills to protect her village from invading bandits,Wing Chunwas a powerful kung fu story of female empowerment. With Donnie Yen as Leung Pok-to, Wing-chun’s childhood friend and later fiancé, he delivered a great performance that highlighted his skill in a secondary role.
Through an impressive exploration of sexual politics that embraced a violent sensibility, whatWing Chunlacked in authenticity, it more than made up for with dazzling fight sequences. While it was enjoyable to watch Yen deliver some spectacular fight sequences, it was Yeoh who was really the star of the show in this underrated release. This was also not the only collaboration between Yen and Yeoh, who also appeared together inCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.
Donnie Yen made his first true acting debut inDrunken Tai Chi, although he had previously worked as a stuntman in the Hong Kong martial arts industry. Telling the story of a young man on the run from a ruthless killer, Yen found refuge with a Tai Chi expert and his heavy-set wife, who taught him the skills he needed to save his life. As the dawning of a brand new star, Yen’s role had echoes of Jackie Chan inDrunken Master, as this fascinating story blended comedy and kung fu in a classic tale of a young protégé learning the wisdom of their drunk master.
Yen’s acting debut showcased his skills both as a martial artist and as a dramatic performer, asDrunken Tai Chi’sunconventional blend of classic kung fu and Americanized crazes like skateboardingmade the film feel totally unique. While Yen would go on to lead much more impressive martial arts films than this,Drunken Tai Chiwas a solid debut that will appeal to fans of Chan’s earlier, more slapstick-centric work.
The earlier career of Donnie Yen was full of modern kung fu classics that blended fast-paced action with intense fight sequences. A great example of this wasTiger Cage, a Hong Kong action movie that explored a young police official uncovering a massive conspiracy involving crooked cops and a drug trafficking operation in America. By exploring shady cops and underhanded tactics,Tiger Cagefelt like Hong Kong’s answer toSerpico, with Simon Yam in the Al Pacino role.
As one of the best kung fu movies of the 1980s,Tiger Cagehelped establish Yen as a major star, and he even returned as a new character forTiger Cage IIjust two years later. While Yen was only a supporting character in the original film, by the time the sequel came along, he had been bumped up to the lead performer. While a thirdTiger Cagemovie was also produced, Yen was not involved in the lackluster final installment.
It’s a testament to just how long Donnie Yen has been involved in martial arts movies that he’s even shown up in theIn the Line of Dutyseries. This girls-with-guns series gained popularity through Michelle Yeoh’s role inYes, Madam!and has continued with various installments over the years, featuring the likes of Cynthia Rothrock and Cynthia Khan.Yen appeared inIn The Line Of Duty IV: Witness, which stands as the very best sequel in this long-running series.
With plenty of high-intensity thrillers,In the Line of Duty IVfocused on Hong Kong officers investigating drug trafficking in Seattle and was packed with incredible fight choreography from start to finish. Although the absence of some of the franchise’s most notable stars was felt, Yen more than made up for this with his portrayal of Officer Donny Yan.
Donnie Yen has appeared in martial arts movies alongside some of the greatest kung fu stars of all time, and it was incredibly exciting to watch him star inOnce Upon a Time in China IIopposite Jet Li. With Yen as Admiral Nap-Lan Yun-Seut, the real highlight of this sequel was the epic staff fighting sequence between the two acclaimed stars. Li returned to reprise his role as the Hung Ga expert Wong Fei-hung in this critically acclaimed kung fu film that boasts an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Taking place in Guangzhou in 1895,Once Upon a Time in China IIcontinued the franchise’s themes of imperialismas Wong faced off against the White Lotus Sect. This xenophobic sect wished to attack all Westerners and destroy anything that wasn’t Chinese, further highlighting this series' themes of discrimination and entrenched prejudices. With Yen being given the rare opportunity to show off his more villainous side,Once Upon a Time in China IIwas a must-watch release.
Kill Zone,also known asSPL: Sha Po Lang, is a Hong Kong action film directed by Wilson Yip starring Donnie Yen as Inspector Ma. In a thrilling crime story, Ma teams up with a retiring detective played by Simon Yam to bring down a crime lord played by Sammo Hung. As a tense martial arts movie exploring topics of justice and revenge, the intricate fight choreography of this modern classic lives up to the immense talents of its all-star cast.
WhileKill Zonewas popular enough to garner a sequel, Yen did not reprise his role as Inspector Ma and was instead replaced with Tony Jaa. A third installment in the series, titledParadox, was also released without Yen’s involvement in 2017. As one of the best Hong Kong action movies of the 2000s, the originalKill Zonewas yet another extraordinary showcase of Yen’s status as a modern martial arts icon.
Iron Monkeyis a defining movie of Donnie Yen’s early career and a major contributor to turning him into a genuine martial arts movie legend. Following on from his breakout success inOnce Upon a Time in China IIthe year before, Yen brought real intensity to this story of the real Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung and his father, Wong Kei-ying. With Yen facing off against a masked martial artist called the Iron Monkey, the blend of historical fiction, Chinese legend, and epic fight choreography made for intense viewing.
As perhaps Yen’s greatest success during the 1990s,Iron Monkeylaid the groundwork for all that was to follow in his martial arts career and acted as a precursor to his role as the Wing Chun legend Ip Man in subsequent years. With powerful imagery, a unique sense of style, and an enjoyable father-son narrative,Iron Monkeywas an incredible showcase of Yen’s star powerthat even helped him gain notoriety in the United States following its backing by director Quentin Tarantino (viaLA Times.)
Any martial arts fans who have yet to see Donnie Yen inIp Manshould do themselves a favor and check out this modern classic on Prime Video now. Telling the story of the Wing Chun grandmaster who went on to train Bruce Lee,Ip Man told a semi-fictionalized account of Ip’s life and struggles in the city of Foshan during the Sino-Japanese War. With incredible fight choreography and a genuinely emotional story,Ip Manrepresented the best of Yen’s talents and was just the beginning of a franchise that continues to this day.
Ip Manwas a highly stylized depiction of the acclaimed real-life grandmaster’s early years before he had become the renowned and respected figure he was later known as. Through money struggles, the hardships of war, and plenty of villainous antagonists, Ip always kept his cool and remained calm and respectful in the face of dire hardships. With the perfect blend of incredible fight sequences and genuine emotional stakes,Ip Manstands as a high point of Yen’s entire career.
