7. Come Drink With Me (1966)
No list about the best movies of the wuxia genre would be complete without a few King Hu films. A pioneer of the genre, King Hu made wuxia immensely popular, both at home in China and around the globe.
Come Drink With Mewas among the first wuxia films to gain attention from Western audiences. The film follows Golden Swallow, a girl who’s very skilled and hell-bent on saving a boy from a violent gang.
For solidifying the wuxia film into global consciousness and being a revolutionary milestone for cinema, it deserves to be on the list.
6. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)
Much like King Hu, Siu-Tung Ching is a well-known name in the wuxia genre. In 1987, he directed the first film calledA Chinese Ghost Story, which would eventually lead into a trilogy.
Part horror, part romance, and part action, this film does it all. As you might have guessed, the film is essentially a ghost story, but it draws all kinds of inspiration from folklore and classic romance tales.
With impeccable finesse and incredible choreography—something Siu-Tung Ching would become known for over the course of his career—it stands out as one of the best wuxia films to date.
Though this film wasn’t allowed to be shown in Mainland China, it still managed to become a cult classic there.
WhileA Chinese Ghost Storyis far from the best film of his career, it’s certainly the best of what’s widely regarded as a jaw-dropping trilogy filled with awe, wonder, and special effects that still hold up today.
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5. A Touch of Zen (1971)
King Hu finds himself on this list again withA Touch of Zen. Here, the setting is 14th century China during the Ming Dynasty.
The story follows Gu (a painter) who befriends Yang (the fugitive daughter of the Emperor’s advisor). When a conspiracy unravels, it’s up to the duo to save the day—with the help of an invisible sword.
Hsu Feng, one of the genre’s most beloved actresses, stars in the main role and delivers a fantastic performance in a career full of them.
4. Ashes of Time (1994)
Kar-Wai Wong is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors of the modern era, withSight & Soundranking him as one of the greatest movie directors of the last 25 years.
In the early 1990s, Kar-Wai releasedChungking Express, a film that received worldwide acclaim. However, in that very same year, he also released a spectacular wuxia movie calledAshes of Time.
Inspired by characters from Jin Yong’sThe Legend of the Condor Heroes, the narrative traces five stories and features Ouyang Feng, a noble man who descends down the path of villainy.
It was a box office failure, butAshes of Timeis now widely considered to be one of Kar-Wai Wong’s most underappreciated films.
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3. Duel to the Death (1983)
We’re back to Siu-Tung Chung again. While his incredibleA Chinese Ghost Storyis a powerhouse of wuxia filmmaking, he gave usDuel to the Deathsix years later and that one remains Siu-Tung Chung’s best film.
Featuring some of the best combat choreography in cinema up to that point,Duel to the Deathis a landmark addition into the wuxia genre.
This is the film that went on to inspire the likes of Ang Lee (Lust, CautionandLife of Pi) and Gareth Evans (RaidandRaid: Redemption). In fact, Ching’s choreography was so impressive that he was enlisted to help with the choreography for another impressive wuxia film:Hero.
2. Hero (2002)
After the resounding success of Ang Lee’s wuxia filmCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, filmmakers across the globe wanted to create something similar. Among those inspired was Yi-Mao Zhang.
Herois about a policeman’s battles against three highly trained assassins. However, this is no ordinary policeman.
Produced by Quentin Tarantino (a great fan of wuxia himself),Herowas the most expensive film ever made in China at the time. Featuring Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi plus choreography by Ching Siu-Tung, it’s an undeniably exciting film. There’s only one wuxia film that’s greater.
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1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee was a celebrated auteur long before he releasedCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonin 2000.
His critically acclaimed filmsThe Wedding Banquet(1993) andEat Drink Man Woman(1994) had already established his presence on the world stage and helped spur the Taiwanese Second Film Wave.
However,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonwas the film that introduced him to a significantly wider audience.
Featuring some of the best choreographed fight scenes in cinema history, along with all the fantastical elements that make the wuxia genre so beloved by many, this film took the globe by storm.
If the critical acclaim doesn’t cement this as the best wuxia movie of all time, then perhaps the long list of imitators does.
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