by When it comes to comedy Kung fu movies, then Jackie Chan clearly tops the chart. His style is quite quirky, though there are others as well like Sammo Hung, Jet Li, and others. Their movies are filled with action, comedy, and unique plots. The bonding between Hung and Chan gave several hit films, most of which are considered the best comedy Kung Fu movies of all time. I’ll give you a list of those funny Kung Fu movies in this article.
I don’t think before Jackie Chan there were any who changed the concept or making of Kung Fu movies. Then, came various actors who rose to prominence with their unique styles. Some animated Kung Fu movies also fall into this category like Kung Fu Panda or Kung Fu Hustle where there’s a combination of comedy and inspiration.
21 Best Comedy Kung Fu Movies of All Time
- Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
I hope many of us have already seen this movie and Shaolin Soccer as well. Just two movies directed by Stephen Chow have a devoted fan following: Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. These two films depict the extreme side of kung fu. The methods of Kung Fu in these movies are all described by flying kicks, strong fists, and slow-motion moves. It’s still one of the most enjoyable Kung Fu movies ever created.
The story describes an aspiring gangster who comes to a locality to terrorize the neighborhood. But on the other side, there are already 3 expert martial artists who were unknown to him. When you’re feeling down, this hilarious piece can help you feel better. The best renditions of Kung Fu parody, in my opinion, are Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. This is however considered one of the best comedy Kung Fu movies of all time.
- Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Who hasn’t heard of this movie? It would be unexpected to know that you haven’t heard of or seen this movie. We become accustomed to different movies like this as we get older. Shaolin Soccer may therefore be connected to some of our fondest childhood memories. What unforeseen events can you envision in the Kung Fu universe?
Because this movie embodies Kung Fu culture from after 2000, any fantastical circumstances that pop into your head will be in it. Through this film, we get to experience Kung Fu’s appearance in a novel way. After the 1990s, Shaolin movies almost completely lost their classic filmmaking aesthetic. Later, Shaolin Soccer offered us classic Kung Fu flicks that combined comedy and action in a way that was distinctly contemporary. It tells the tale of a Shaolin disciple who recruits his friends in order to spread the word about their Kung Fu prowess on the soccer pitch.
- Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
Kung Pow crossed all levels of Kung Fu. Though it’s a parody, the film set a tone for Kung Fu funny movies. After his parent’s death, a man with great Kung Fu skills sets out on a journey to kill the evil man. Similar stories to most Kung Fu films where death, and revenge, are the ultimate demand from the movies. We are familiar with fighting between two humans but here, you will see a man fighting with an animal as well.
But its comedy, specifically physical comedy, will remind you that you are not watching any serious Kung Fu movie. So, chill and enjoy the whole entertainment. It’s a fantastic combination of Kung Fu and comedy. Where Kung Fu Hustle approaches uniquely, Kung Pow has exoticness throughout the movie.
- Police Story (1985 – 2013)
If you have to define a popular film in the 80s by Jackie Chan, I hope you will never forget to include Police Story. The film that strengthened the sphere of this martial artist worldwide was released in 1985. It was so successful that it became a phenomenon overnight and came with a very popular franchise.
More interesting is that the first two parts were directed by Jackie. There have been 8 films related to the first part. The legacy continued until 2013 with Police Story 2013. Except for the last part, every movie in this franchise falls under comedy martial arts movies. According to Jackie Chan, the first part of Police Story is the best film of his life. It is also one of the best martial arts comedy movies of all time. The plot revolves around a Hong Kong police officer.
- Drunken Master (1978)
Jackie Chang’s Kung Fu movies are known for their originality, comedy, and humor more than anything else. Jackie makes the funniest Kung Fu flicks, after all. The first instance of his peculiar appearance on screen is Drunken Master. Although he had already appeared in other movies, Drunken Master demonstrated his distinctive appearance.
How can you overlook Drunken Master when it comes to the best Kung Fu comedies? This movie is what elevated Jackie’s career to a new plane. The USP of the film is Jackie Chan’s incredible comedy timing and the several distinctive Kung Fu forms. It narrates the tale of a young kid who, in order to exact revenge for the murder, learns the art of Kung Fu from his alcoholic master. The intoxicated master technique is a distinctive and well-liked Kung Fu style.
- Project A (1983)
When the country’s navy is on the verge of honor because of the smugglers and pirates, a marine coast guard officer takes charge to root out the evils. The film features one of the most favorite pairs in the Hong Kong film industry which include Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao.
Some of the spectacular stunts as we all know were done by Jackie Chan himself. It was a huge box-office success. Among the best comedy Kung Fu movies, Project A was a special film for Jackie in the European market to strengthen his fame. There’s a sequel also.
- Armour of God (1986)
The film for which Chan almost broke his skull. If you have seen the Indiana Jones series, then Armour of God is definitely a must-watch. While Indiana Jones is rich with its adventurous style, Armour of God is richer with its stunt-oriented adventures.
When a treasure hunter learns that his friend’s girlfriend is kidnapped, he helps him by challenging the kidnapper. Some overwhelmingly amazing stunts, fights, and a good story are all leading the film to a huge box office success.
- Dragons Forever (1988)
While delivering hit after hit, it was no time to stop for Jackie Chan and his pair. The pair of three appeared again with Dragons Forever. The film explores the story of a lawyer in a chemical company. When he comes to know the unquestionable ethics of his employer, he decides to uncover the illegal activities with his buddies. After the early 80s, many Kung Fu films were coming in a new shape; new stories; not related to Shaolin.
This became a favorite to many viewers. Hong Kong’s film industry was broadening its approach. New areas of the lives of people were being explored through the films. During this period, Jackie Chan gave us many of his most popular films ever made. Dragons Forever is one of them.
- Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
Jackie Chan has given us such famous films that you can’t miss them at all. We have even been fed by TV channels more frequently. At the same time as Drunken Master, his other masterpiece Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow” was released which became a blockbuster hit and strengthened Jackie’s place in the film industry.
As the name suggests, it’s a completely different Kung Fu technique that is worshipped by many martial artists and Shaolin monks. This is the film where we come to see the same combination between Jackie Chan and his master on the screen, Yuen Siu-Tien. The film details the story of a janitor at a Kung Fu school who learns Kung Fu to battle those who bully him. An amazing lighthearted film with some fantastic fighting styles.
- The Magnificent Butcher (1979)
Trying to find out the best from the list of thousands of Kung Fu movies, it’s difficult to rank one after the other. Every movie differentiates in its style, story, and approach. Kung Fu movies gave birth to many stars. One of them is Sammo Hung, who is not only a kung fu fighter but a writer, director, and a good actor as well.
When I was watching Sammo Hung’s very early movies where he used to work in minor roles, I was literally surprised by how this gigantic body can fight like an acrobat. How can one be so agile and nimble? His acrobatic style of Kung Fu still inspires many. Among many superhit films, The Magnificent Butcher is one where a chubby butcher who is a Kung Fu disciple as well always gets into trouble due to his hot-tempered attitude. It’s one such movie where the actions are spectacular.
- Who am I? (1998)
Do you remember the greatest fighting sequence on the roof ever filmed? A military agent lands in South African land. He doesn’t know who he is and where he comes from. All he wants to know is his original identity. He wants to go as much as possible to reveal the truth.
Some amazing stunts became the USP of this film. With positive reviews, the film became a big box office success. He won the world again with his second English-language film.
- The Prodigal Son (1981)
In this hilarious comedy film, we see the collaboration between Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Under his father’s reign, a young Kung Fu fighter learns that he is the best Kung Fu fighter. No one can beat him until he comes to know that his opponents have been paid to be beaten by him. From his despise of his father’s deception, he decides to take a lesson from an expert.
Things take a turn when his mentor dies. He takes revenge for his mentor. Through this film, Sammo Hung introduces the concept of the Wing Chun fighting style. The film weaves action with comedy leading it to emotional scenes.
- Tai Chi Master (1993)
Though Shaolin Kung Fu was in slow growth after the 1980s as compared to the previous decade but never lost its glory. It came with some other actors like Jet Li. He proved his skills through Shaolin Kung Fu movies in his very early career with the film The Shaolin Temple. It became a huge hit. Later, he is another prominent flag bearer of old-school Kung Fu. With him, Tai Chi Master came in 1993.
Two young pupils dwell in the temple, practice Kung Fu and work for the temple. But they have doubts about what they are doing. Because of their attitude, they are rusticated from the temple. On their journey, one of them chooses to join the army of the province and the other one chooses to be a rebel. Their friendship leads to enmity.
- Wheels on Meals (1984)
Just imagine a combination of Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao. How difficult is it to direct such Kung Fu masters? They had already gained fame in the film industry. When old school Kung Fu movies were going through some modifications and coping with the following generation, several films were made leaving the shadowy umbrella of Shaolin.
When old school Kung Fu movies were taking shape into a different approach, Wheels on Meals was born. It is interesting to know that the director and writer of this film were Sammo Hung himself. Being a versatile performer, Hung uses his distinctive comedy style with fabulous action to make the movie memorable. It’s a movie about two friends running a restaurant in Spain and getting involved in some serious trouble.
- Filthy Guy (1972)
I recall that while I watched this movie, I was reminded of my childhood buddies. Sammo Hung, a second accomplished Kung Fu fighter who is also an actor, director, and writer, makes a distinctive appearance in this film. He is not only a skilled boxer but also a talented actor. It’s a very early film in Sammo Hung’s career that depicts the tale of an unwashed country orphan who aids rebels in their fight against oppression.
It’s hard to imagine how such a massive figure could be so adaptable. Sammo Hung produces a lot of movies, but Filthy Guy stands out because it combines action from Jackie Chan’s most popular films with a comic appeal.
- City Hunter (1993)
The film City Hunter features Jackie Chan once more in his eccentric way. An incredible movie has a private investigator searching for a tycoon’s daughter who ends up on a cruise ship that has already been taken over by terrorists. Millions of his fans are won over by Jackie’s own humorous appearance.
Every time Jackie appears in a scene, you find yourself envious of his athletic physique. Even though Jackie Chan had already established his eccentric persona on screen, this film features some amazing stunts, original cinematography, and editing that you have never seen before from him.
- The Shaolin Temple (1982)
When you see an overly-young Jet Li, it is absolutely unexpected. Over his film career, he has given us some amazing things. His incredible battle scenes still make us shiver. His acting debut in his first movie is still vivid in our memories. Jet Li’s swift and adaptable physical appearance from this movie is carried over into his next productions. A Kung Fu film called The Shaolin Temple is centered on the Shaolin temple where the actor first trained.
In order to revenge the death of his father, the young Shaolin monk in the story learns the technique of Kung Fu. It is one of the most successful Chinese movies ever. The Chinese Shaolin monasteries shown in the movie helped the nation’s tourism sector.
- The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk (1993)
The 90s movies starring Jet Li are especially motivational. One such instance is the movie Fong Sai-yuk, which focuses on the brief life of the Chinese folk hero Fong Sai-yuk. Fong Sai develops into a fun movie after some impressive action and humor in the beginning. The mother and son’s heartwarming relationship, as portrayed by Jet Li and Josephine Siao, respectively, keep the movie interesting. He utilizes a woman to compete in a race in one of the scenes.
The scene subverts every patriarchal idea with an upbeat melody that encourages a joyful life. The movie showcases Jet Li’s funniest performance to date. Its action choreography garnered it a number of prestigious prizes. The same year after this movie’s first release, a sequel was also made.
- Kung Fu Panda (2008-2016)
While the inclusion of Enter the Dragon on our list of Kung Fu movies is essential, it would also be incomplete without Kung Fu Panda. The Kung Fu Panda franchise consists of 3 films. Every section is thought-provoking, and inspirational, and encourages us to examine our inner selves.
Whether it’s an animated movie or not, it deserves special attention in the Kung Fu film industry. In addition, Jack Black’s portrayal of the Panda has a significant negative effect on humans. It follows the story of a sluggish and foolish panda who enters a kung fu competition and ends up winning and becoming the valley’s, Dragon Warrior. He is in charge of eliminating the evil in the area. Kung Fu Panda-style movies help us stay motivated.
- Enter the Fat Dragon (1978)
Adopting Bruce Lee’s mindset is a decision we all make when we are young. Who else is regarded as being a pioneer in Kung Fu movies and is a greater copyist than Sammo Hung? In this movie, Hung stands in Bruce Lee’s place. Hung gave us the large dragon when Bruce Lee opened Enter the Dragon. Every stance, manner of speech, and attitude is almost identical to Bruce Lee’s. Why not, then? In truth, the movie is a manifestation of homage to him.
A pig farmer who is infatuated with Bruce Lee visits his uncle to lead a different life. As he arrives, he stirs up trouble and turns into the thugs’ problem-maker. Sammo Hung made a truly outstanding movie. One of his earlier movies, Enter the Fat Dragon, is well-known.
- Mr. Nice Guy (1997)
Jackie, the first English-language movie, wowed audiences around with its ground-breaking acrobatics. When a chef and a reporter get into difficulties, he must assist the reporter in escaping. It’s one of Jackie Chan’s best American comedy Kung Fu films.
The movie had a great box office performance. Sammo Hung appears in it as a cameo. Chan has never been seen before in such an avatar. After a successful performance in Mr. Good Guy, he rose to fame in the entertainment world.
