8 Great Martial Arts Horror Movies

From the high-flying wirework of Jet Li to the legendary speed of Bruce Lee, martial arts cinema is a beloved part of movie history. Martial arts stars shine on the screen with their undeniable charisma and unmatched physical prowess, defeating their enemies with powerful martial skill.

Throughout its long history, the martial arts genre has rarely ventured into horror. Fast, adrenaline-fuelled action will often lessen the tension that horror relies so heavily on. However, the blending of the two genres has created some memorable movie moments that have become beloved classics. These films turn up the blood and gore while pitting their unstoppable heroes against the nightmarish monsters of legend.

1

The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires

Hammer Meets Hong Kong

Starring Hammer Horror legend Peter Cushing as the vampire hunter Van Helsing, The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is a unique merging of two iconic movie genres.

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The film follows Van Helsing’s attempt to aid eight kung-fu-skilled siblings to reclaim their ancestral village from the seven vampire lords and their undead servants. The film is a true blending of East and West, with its two directors bringing their respective skills to the table. Far from a forgettable B-movie, The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is a hidden gem that fans of cult cinema should love.

2

Rigor Mortis

A Return Of The Jiangshi Genre

• Directed: Juno Mak
• Released: 2013
• Runtime: 1h 43m

This fitting tribute to the classic Mr. Vampire series, which features many of the actors from the original 1985 movie, is a dark and twisted story of supernatural entities. The film follows Chin, a suicidal man, who, after moving into an apartment block, discovers it is rife with malevolent spirits.

Bringing a more gritty tone than traditional kung-fu horror films of the past, Rigor Mortis offers stunning visuals, powerful action, and a veteran cast that holds the movie together from beginning to end.

3

Versus

A Chaotic & Gory Action Epic

Versus

Release Date

October 23, 2000

Runtime

120 minutes

Director

Ryûhei Kitamura

This gory story of yakuza, zombies, immortals, and dark powers is a fun cult classic that blends numerous genres into one action-packed movie experience. The film follows a nameless prisoner on his mission to protect a woman on the run from the yakuza. Lost in the Forest of Resurrection, which turns the dead into ravenous zombies, the prisoner must battle both the undead and the powerful yakuza boss following them.

While Versus has a somewhat convoluted narrative, its story mainly works as a vehicle for its action sequences. With plenty of gory practical effects, wirework, and well-choreographed fight scenes, Versus is pure cinematic chaos.

4

Human Lanterns

A Creepy Kung-Fu Tale

Human Lanterns

Release Date

July 14, 1982

Runtime

99 minutes

Director

Sun Chung

While many Hong Kong horror movies have featured the hopping vampires of Chinese legend, this unique action movie features a more sinister monster. Human Lanterns revolves around two kung-fu masters who are secretly pitted against each other by a masked serial killer who makes lanterns from the flesh of his victims.

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Blending classic martial arts action with a creepy atmosphere and dark storyline, Human Lanterns is a solid addition to the lesser-known kung-fu-horror category. Die-hard genre fans will love this twisted cult gem filled with action and intrigue.

5

Encounters Of The Spooky Kind

A Fun Hong Kong Action Classic

Written, directed, and starring Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung, Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a fun action-horror comedy that will appeal to fans of Hung’s previous work with superstar Jackie Chan.

The film follows the tribulations of a rickshaw driver, whose cheating wife and her lover plan his death. Using an evil sorcerer who sends forth hopping vampires to kill him, the plan is stopped when a rival sorcerer helps the rickshaw driver survive. With plenty of gory effects, monster makeup, and fun kung-fu action, Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a lesser-known but enjoyable movie for fans of Hong Kong cinema.

6

Brotherhood Of The Wolf

A Unique Cult Action Classic

Brotherhood of the Wolf is a strange action-horror period piece whose design would influence FromSoftware’s classic action RPG, Bloodborne. Set in 18th-century France, and loosely based on a series of real-life killings, the film follows Chevalier de Fronsac and his Native American companion as they investigate hundreds of deaths at the hands of a mysterious beast.

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The film’s blend of period drama, martial arts action, and werewolf horror makes it a unique film that has grown to cult classic status. In its native France, the film would be a huge hit, grossing around $24 million.

7

Blade

A Dark Superhero Classic

Blade

Release Date

August 21, 1998

Runtime

120 Minutes

Director

Stephen Norrington

Starring Wesley Snipes as the legendary vampire hunter, Blade was one of Marvel’s first cinematic success stories. The film follows Blade’s mission to end the vampire, Deacon Frost’s attempt to ascend to near-godhood. Snipe’s martial skills are on full display, and, together with a fantastic soundtrack and stunning set pieces, helped make Blade an instant hit.

The film’s blending of dark, blood-soaked horror, non-stop action, and Snipes’s undeniable charisma set the film apart from its competition. Helmed by horror maestro Guillermo del Toro, its sequel, Blade 2, would turn the horror elements up even further, with some great practical effects.

8

Mr. Vampire

An Influential Hong Kong Classic

Mr. Vampire

Release Date

November 7, 1985

Runtime

96 minutes

Director

Ricky Lau

Inspired by Chinese folklore, most notably the Jiangshi, or hopping vampire, this fun kung-fu horror comedy would kickstart the Jiangshi trend in Hong Kong cinema. The film revolves around the attempted reburial of a local village elder, whose reinterment fails after he emerges as a bloodthirsty vampire.

The newly awakened monster then goes on a rampage, with only a Taoist priest and his disciples attempting to stop the threat. The inspiration for Mr. Vampire came from the childhood stories of producer Sammo Hung. The film was nominated for numerous awards and was a critical and financial hit. It is also considered a must-watch movie for fans of Hong Kong cinema.

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