It is impossible to think that someone in this world is unfamiliar with the legendary Jackie Chan. The actor is one of the best martial artists who know almost everything in combat. The film industry loves his acting method as he inspires some movies to have the same flow.
Jackie Chan
Kong-sang Chan, known as Jackie Chan, was born on April 7, 1954, in Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.
When he was seven, his father made him attend China Drama Academy, where he learned acrobats, performing arts, and martial arts. After a year in the musical film Big and Little Wong Tin Bar, he got a mini role and became a part of Seven Little Fortunes.
He then got a job as a stunt double in many films, including the famous Bruce Lee Fist of Fury. When the action star died, Jackie Chan became the successor of Kung Fu fame. The actor showed his skills not only in martial and performing arts but also in directing.
He incorporated action with comedy, which was unexpectedly an excellent formula for movies. People around the world now recognize the legendary Jackie Chan as he continued.
Now that his backstory refreshed you, here are the 12 best Jackie Chan movies (ranked) that you will surely enjoy.
1. Police Story 3: Supercop (1992)
Chinese 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Stanley Tong
Stars: Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung
Supercop is one of the Police Story film series with great actors starring Jackie Chan. Some of them even tried their stunts like him.
According to some reviews, the combination of the acting and the plot makes this the best sequel. Although Jackie Chan is well known for his hand-on-hand combat, this film is refreshing as it includes more motorcycle and gun fighting scenes.
According to the reviews, the story’s beginning may be slow. However, as the plot progresses, the tension builds. The climax is just before the film ends, which gives a great ending sequence.
2. Police Story (1985)
Chinese 1h 40m IMDb
Director: Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen(executive director)
Stars: Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin
Police Story will be Jackie Chan’s best movie that even the star makes his favorite movie. What made this movie enjoyable is that this is self-directed and self-produced. With all the control, Jackie Chan could create what he wanted, entertaining many viewers.
The movie entertained many viewers with its drama, comedy, and action scenes. They had even said that these were the best ones they had seen in years. Even if this film were decades ago, it would still be one of the top action movies of all time. This film introduced the directing style of Jackie Chan.
3. Crime Story (1993)
Chinese 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Kirk Wong, Jackie Chan(uncredited)
Stars: Jackie Chan, Kent Cheng, Christine Ng
Enough with the comedy and in with more serious role. Jackie Chan might be great with physical comedy, but Crime Story showed that he is just as great with drama. It is shocking to see the actor tough throughout the film without cracking, but he did a great job portraying his character.
Many fans were not disappointed with this side of Jackie Chan. It proves that whatever role the director gives him, he can act it. Some even want to see him with this kind of storyline more often.
4. Drunken Master II: The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Chinese 1h 42m IMDb
Director: Chia-Liang Liu, Jackie Chan(uncredited)
Stars: Jackie Chan, Ho-Sung Pak, Lung Ti
If you love the first movie, you will also fall in love with the sequel. The acting, cinematography, directing, and almost everything in the film are to perfection. They included breathtaking martial arts fighting scenes, where you can feel the characters’ pain, just like how Jackie Chan crawled on the burning coals.
The dedication of the leading actor is also enjoyable. Even though Jackie Chan had taken hits and injuries from the stunts, he still had the guts to do a retake because he did not feel satisfied with the previous ones.
5. Drunken Master (1978)
Chinese 1h 51m IMDb
Director: Woo-Ping Yuen
Stars: Jackie Chan, Siu-Tin Yuen, Jeong-lee Hwang
The casts of Drunken Master were the same actors of the Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow as the world loves the film and the chemistry. This film is pure kung fu and its lifestyle rather than a contemporary plot. It shows a unique martial arts style to the world, making it fascinating to watch.
The people mostly adore the funny battle scene between Freddy Wong and Thunderleg. Everyone finds this film hilarious, especially when it was English dubbed. There is no doubt that Drunken Master is heavily on comedy.
6. Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
English 1h 44m IMDb
Director: Stanley Tong
Stars: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Françoise Yip
Rumble in the Bronx is where street fight meets martial arts. Some critics say that this movie is what made Jackie Chan rise. This movie introduced some fans to the martial artist, as they had only heard about him. The first time viewers laughed until they cried from the physical comedy scenes.
The actor not only did his stunts but also taught the other doubles how to fight his way. It made the fighting sequences more harmonized as they moved the same. If you will only be starting to watch Jackie Chan, this movie is the best start.
7. Shanghai Noon (2000)
English 1h 50m IMDb
Director: Tom Dey
Stars: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Lucy Liu
Shanghai Noon has prominent actors cast to play along with Jacki Chan. It starred Jackie Chan with Owen Wilson while the princess was Lucy Liu. This movie has a similar style to the Rush Hour film series as it has more Western fighting styles.
The viewers appreciated the effort in choreography to include almost everything around the action stars. Aside from the great action, the humor will make you smile and laugh the entire screening. There are also light morals and lessons that you may pick up from watching this movie if you pay close attention to the story.
8. Little Big Soldier (2010)
Chinese 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Sheng Ding
Stars: Jackie Chan, Leehom Wang, Sung-jun Yoo
After Jackie Chan’s rise in the film industry, most of his projects are in Hollywood. Seeing him act with locals is rare, so the Little Big Soldier somehow brings back the old days. This movie will bring you along with the soldier, ready to claim his reward for getting the general. However, the path they have to take has many challenges.
Not only did Jackie Chan play a role in this movie, but the star wrote the screenplay himself. Many fans are ecstatic to finally see what he has been writing for the past two decades.
9. Dragons Forever (1988)
Chinese 1h 33m IMDb
Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Corey Yuen
Stars: Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Biao Yuen
This movie is one of the golden films of Hong Kong. Jackie Chan’s role in this is not as a police officer but as a lawyer. Fans think Dragons Forever is underrated, considering how great the film is compared to his other work.
Not everyone likes the romance that the movie is trying to show, but the other scenes make up for it. The 12 minutes ending was impressive with the three best friends fighting together in martial arts. People hope for another project with Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, and Biao Yuen as they make an incredible trio.
10. The Foreigner (2017)
English 1h 53m IMDb
Director: Martin Campbell
Stars: Katie Leung, Jackie Chan, Rufus Jones
It is hard to lose someone, especially if they are the only ones you have. The Foreigner is a heartbreaking movie where Quan, played by Jackie Chan, hunts those who killed her daughter. Knowing how fun and funny Jackie Chan is, watching this movie with his crawling pain and bloodlust is terrifying.
Even though his face is emotionless, you can feel the uneasiness. His eyes look tired but will not stop until he gets what he wants. Instead of a slapstick fighting sequence, his role showed intelligent strategies. Overall, this film brings a different aura to the star.
11. The Karate Kid (2010)
English 2h 20m IMDb
Director: Harald Zwart
Stars: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson
This film is a remake of 1984 The Karate Kid. However, compared to the original version, there is no doubt the action scenes are different. They had simplified the use of karate in this film, making it more realistic. You can also sympathize with the kid more in this film as they show the harsh bullying.
With the actors, there is more chemistry between Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. The kid is lucky to learn karate and star with a real martial artist. Their acting is incredible, and so are their skills.
12. Shanghai Knights (2003)
English 1h 54m IMDb
Director: David Dobkin
Stars: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong
Can’t get enough of the Jacki Chan and Owen Wilson tandem? Shanghai Knights are the sequel to Shanghai Noon, which continues the journey of Chon and Roy in London. While the first film set a high standard, people think the sequel did an outstanding job of trying to catch up with it.
Of course, Jackie Chan’s moves are fantastic as ever. Many scenes will make you laugh so hard. But what makes this comedy film better is the countless references that you might pick up. It is like doing a scavenger hunt while watching the movie.
Summary
Jackie Chan is no doubt one of the best action stars and comedians that has ever lived. He is dedicated to the film industry that even severe injuries and life-threatening stunts cannot stop him. Are you interested in seeing his work? Watch these top 12 best Jackie Chan movies (ranked).
