5 Chinese Action Movies To See From The Last 5 Years (2026)
This list covers films all released in the 2020s.
Twilight of the Warriors | 九龍城寨之圍城
Genre: Martial arts action
Why I recommend it: A throwback to the 1980s. It certainly gave me the feeling of old school Hong Kong style movies.
The main location is the mind-blowing, now demolished Kowloon Walled City, infamous for its criminal gangs. I thought the main cast were all excellent.
My Score: 9/10
The Shadow’s Edge | 捕风追影
Genre: Police action thriller
Why I recommend it: One of the best movies starring Jackie Chan in recent years. Leung Ka-fai is the standout character for me.
It’s a splendid mish-mash of martial arts, futuristic technology, and modern drama. The final showdown scene is pretty unforgettable.
My Score: 8.5/10
🎬 Also check out my article 46 Top Chinese Movies To Watch: Best Films by Genre
Blades of the Guardians | 镖人
Genre: Wuxia
Why I recommend it: One of the best wuxia films I’ve ever seen. Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping. It has Jet Li, Wu Jing, and Max Zhang, who are all Wushu champions.
The desert locations and cinematography were stunning! So many action sequences. I’ve never seen so much martial arts in one film.
My Score: 9.5/10
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Creation of the Gods | 封神第一部
Genre: Fantasy action
Why I recommend it: one of the best Chinese fantasy films in recent years. It’s based on the novel Investiture of the Gods and set during the Shang dynasty 3,000 years ago.
There are gods, spirits, demons from Chinese mythology. The fights were epic and the visuals were spectacular.
My Score: 8.5/10
The Prosecutor | 誤判
Genre: Legal action
Why I recommend it: Donnie Yen is the standout and it’s a very different setting from his usual genre.
The combination of legal drama and martial arts sequences made it particularly memorable for me. The scenes on the MTR are unforgettable.
My Score: 8/10
🎬 For more Chinese movies, check out my article 👇🏻
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