Jet Li has thrilled us for many years with the acrobatic style of martial arts that he has brought to the big screen. Li has blended several styles of Wushu fighting techniques. As well as practicing Tai Chi and techniques like Tumbline Fist (Fanziquan) and Northern Longfist Style (Changquan). With these and many more, Li would become an international superstar for the ages. His American success is prevalent, but as you'll see on this list, Rotten Tomatoes seems to think that a lot of his best films hail from his native country of China.
Jet Li is an icon in the genre of action filmmaking. The youngest of four children, his talents got him discovered at the age of eight and helped propel him to the forefront of martial arts movies. Here's what Rotten Tomatoes thinks is the best of his filmography that you should seek out and watch.
The Defender (1994) - 71%
Released in America as The Defender, but elsewhere it is known as The Bodyguard from Beijing. Jet Li was never really known to play the role of the guy who gets the girl. But The Defender does go in that direction, as he plays a martial arts expert who is hired by a wealthy businessman to protect his girlfriend from a gang of bad guys. The reason is that she witnessed a murder and could be next on a hit list. The movie came out a mere four years before he reached international fame. The plot does feel a bit lackluster, but the action is top-tier for his movies.
It's one of Li's first films that took place in contemporary times, as his other roles took place in films from a more historical time in China.
Mulan (2020) - 72%
By 2020, it had been a little while since Li was on the big screen. Well, in this case, Mulan never made it onto the big screen due to the theaters being shut down due to COVID. But we had not seen him in a big-budget film in some time. In Disney's live-action adaptation of Mulan, Li puts down the fighting skills and high-octane action set pieces and plays the role of the Emperor. Many fans who watched the film at home on Disney+ did a double take upon seeing him on screen. It had been awhile, and he was under makeup and a heavy wardrobe; it was hard to pinpoint who was playing the role.
Apparently, Jet Li accepted the role on behalf of his daughter, who urged him to take part in promoting Chinese culture in a big movie.
Fearless (2006) - 73%
Fearless shows the true account of legendary martial artist Huo Yuanjia, played in the film by Li. Although elements of the movie are highly dramatized, the biographical elements and the fight scenes in it hold a lot of merit. Yuanjia was a very full-of-self martial arts champion who, after a tragedy, retreats to the countryside, where he finds redemption and an appreciation of the more important things in life.
Upon his return, which is led by a lot of reconciliation, Yuanjia is met with a chance to use his skills once more and defend China's honor in a tournament. In the publicity for the film, Jet Li would mention that this was the last Wushu martial arts epic he would act in.
Contract Killer (1998) - 80%
At 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, a film that also goes by the name Hitman is 1998's Contract Killer. By this time in his career, Jet Li had reached American success, as he had crossed over and played a villain in 1998's Lethal Weapon 4. Buzz around his success here in the U.S. has thus made a lot of his Hong Kong action movies have an impact over here. Contract Killer is about a former soldier who becomes a contract killer, and his first big gig revolves around going after a Yakuza boss who has a big bounty on his head. The movie is a gem of the late '90s Hong Kong action scene, with awesome blends of martial arts and shootouts.
Related: The 10 Most Underrated Hitman Movies of All Time
Tai Chi Master (1993) - 86%
It was only a matter of time until we reached this point on the list. Two titans of the genre in a movie together. Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh would co-star in the 1993 martial arts epic, Tai Chi Master. At 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film that also goes by the name Twin Warriors is about two childhood friends who grow up side by side but then eventually part ways with one another based on stances on the rebellion against the empire of China at the time.
The two must go toe-to-toe in battle now, with one of them now knowledgeable of the art of Tai Chi. It's another beautifully produced film that makes you see why Jet Li was a superstar, and just to add a cherry on top, Michelle Yeoh has some great sword-fighting scenes.
The Legend (1993) - 89%
The Legend, or Fong Sai-Yuk, or The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk, whatever you want to call it, is another amazing addition to Jet Li's resume of epic historical martial arts films. The film is directed by Corey Yuen, so be prepared to disregard a strong plot and character development, but in return, be given amazing choreography and set pieces that thrill an audience. The Legend is a tale of love and war as an underground rebel society called the Red Lotus Flower Society plans to overthrow the Manchu Emperor.
The Legend has a fast pace to it, and it is beautifully shot, but can be hard to follow at times. Being that this was released in America by Miramax, a company once known for making multiple cuts of its releases, you get to wonder if there is an easier-to follow cut of this movie floating around. Regardless, The Legend is a lot of fun in terms of turning your brain off action movies.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) - 90%
The Once Upon a Time in China franchise may be what most fans of Jet Li think of when they think of his films. The original is loaded with great action, funny moments, and romance that all fit well into its runtime. Although the film's plot is believed to be fictional, its main character is not fiction. Wong Fei-hung was a martial arts master in China during the 19th century. It's a classic martial arts film that definitely ranks as one of Jet Li's best performances. Once Upon a Time in China is also just a well-made film, as it gives great historical context on China during this time of occupation by European and American forces.
Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) - 93%
It's crazy to think about, but some argue that Once Upon a Time in China II is better than the first installment of the franchise. Rotten Tomatoes seems to agree by giving it a 93%, a score higher than the first one. In the sequel, Wong Fei-hung takes on an evil cult called the White Lotus Society. They are a fanatical group that plans to drive the Europeans out of China by using violence. The film blurs the lines between right and wrong with war and political tense times within one's country.
Another aspect of the franchise that can't go unnoticed is the contribution of another martial arts superstar, Donnie Yen, who appears in this film and the original one as well. Yen and Li would go on to co-star in another mesmerizing epic a decade later.
Hero (2002) - 94%
An all-star cast includes Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi, Maggie Chen, Tony Leung, and, of course, Jet Li in the nameless lead role. Hero is directed beautifully by Yi-Mou Zhang and is loosely based on the account of an assassination attempt by a tyrannical king of the Qin Kingdom. It could be argued that Hero has the best cinematography of any martial arts film ever made.
The color palette, the set design, the wardrobe, and the fight choreography place a strong emphasis on the word "arts" in terms of the genre of martial arts. The film was released in 2002 but got a 2004 American release due to the buzz it had received. It is potentially one of the definitive martial arts films that is based on a true story.
Related: Best Donnie Yen Movies, Ranked
Fist of Legend (1994) - 100%
You read that right: 100% on rotten tomatoes. 1994's Fist of Legend is a remake of the 1972 Bruce Lee classic Fist of Fury. Gordon Chan directs the Jet Li-starring film about a character named Chen Zhen who learns of the death of his master. He returns home to the Japanese-occupied Shanghai to battle the man who defeated his master and wins. Thus leading to word getting out to his enemies about him. Fist of Legend is loosely based on truth. Chen Zhen is a fictional character, but his arc is believed to be true.
It's a film that was one of the defining movies of martial arts cinema at the time it was released. It's crazy to think you could pair this remake with its original, and you might need to flip a coin to decide which is better. Fist of Legend has unforgettable fight scenes that stay stuck in your brain, and although Jet Li has his own take on the role, you can't help but think Bruce Lee is smiling somewhere that this was made.
