The 55+ Best MMA Movies About Fighting
- 1Djimon Hounsou, Sean Faris, Amber Heard
The end all be all for popular MMA movies in the mainstream, Never Back Down was one of the first films that heavily featured and showcased mixed martial arts as the bloody and evergrowing sport we know it as today. With a feel-good story, wonderful acting, and some of the most brutal and shocking fight scenes that 2008 had to offer, the film remains a cult classic over 15 years later thanks to its ability to simply be an incredibly fun time. While it won't be winning any awards, Never Back Down delivers MMA fans exactly what they want, a harrowing story and some devastating action.
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- 2Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte
A beautiful, haunting, and heartbreaking tale of two brothers laying out all their frustration and anger in the middle of the ring, Warrior is unlike any MMA movie before or after it. Focusing the entire story on the heartbreaking tale as opposed to the UFC-style fight, Warrior could be considered a slow burn to those who simply want action, but what it lacks in action setpieces, it more than makes up for in one phenomenal and ferocious final fight. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton bring the film to life with masterful performances that will have audiences torn about who to root for. The final fight alone is arguably one of the most emotional and powerful MMA fights the world has ever seen in film.
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- 3Scott Adkins, Robert Costanzo, Lateef Crowder
The absolute pinnacle of pure action spectacle, Undisputed III: Redemption is widely regarded as the best showcase of jaw-dropping violence any action film has ever seen. Completely focusing on the mixed martial arts aspects of the story, Redemption gives fans arguably the greatest fight scene in the history of cinema. Palms will be drenched in sweat by the time the credits roll and audiences will think they can run through a brick wall by the time it's all said and done. Scott Adkins solidifies himself as the best on-screen MMA fighter the world has ever seen and delivers a once-in-a-lifetime feat of movie-making.
- 4Michael Jai White, Scott Adkins, Ben Cross
Undisputed II: Last Man Standing helped form the beloved MMA film franchise into what it is today, and while it may be drastically different than its predecessor, in the minds and hearts of fans, this is truly where the series began. An intense character-driven drama centered around the world of mixed martial arts, Last Man Standing manages to beautifully toe the line between serious drama and over-the-top action spectacle that entertains as much as it inspired. A much more traditional sports movie than its predecessor, Undisputed II: Last Man Standing is simply put a phenomenal action film with some truly stunning choreography.
- 5Gina Carano, Michael Jai White, Kimbo Slice
90 minutes of pure, unadulterated bloodthirsty violence, Blood and Bone is every MMA movie fan's dream come true. Jai White solidifies himself as one of the most underrated action stars working in Hollywood with a fascinating and gritty performance as a man who is hellbent on causing as much savage violence as he possibly can. The story takes a backseat to phenomenal setpieces that see waves upon waves of men take their beating at the hands of white in one of the best street fight movies ever created. Trashy, campy, and over the top, Blood and Bone truly offers everything action fanatics crave.
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- 6Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Louis Fan
A semi-biographical telling of Yip Man, the first material arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun, Ip Man is inarguably one of the greatest feats of action storytelling the world has ever seen. A heartfelt, heartwarming, and heartbreaking character-driven story that Donnie Yen brings to life brilliantly, Ip Man uses MMA as a tool as opposed to the end all be all, Ip Man resonates so strongly with viewers because it opts to tell a fascinating story with some of the best action of all time, as opposed to overwhelming the viewer with nothing but combat scenes. Of course, when it focuses on combat, however, some of the most unique, incredible, and brutal explosions of violence are showcase in masterful glory.
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- 7Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres
Bulging muscles, utterly ridiculous action, and some of the most incredible set pieces all come together to form one of the greatest pure action films ever created in Bloodsport. Jean-Claude Van Damme cements himself as an action movie superstar in a film that is the ultimate blend of MMA fighting in movies and complete machismo. Every teenage boy's dream, Bloodsport relishes in its absurd violence and gives them a hero who they can aspire to look up to throughout their teenage years. With glorious fighting sequences, savage and ferocious violence, and an action star at the peak of his powers, Bloodsport remains one of the most influential and important fighting MMA movies of all time.
- 8Michael Jai White, Lyoto Machida, Evan Peters
Vastly different than its predecessor, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown ditches any and all elements of story and instead opts to be a campy action fighting film filled to the brim with remarkable MMA action. Lightning quick wheel kicks, thunderous punches, and remarkable grapples all take center stage in a film far more content on beatdowns than heartfelt moments. Unfiltered, unadulterated non-stop violence is what Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown is about, and fans who can sign onboard with that will have a hellaciously good time.
- 9Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly
The perfect blend of mixed martial arts and espionage, Enter the Dragon is arguably the greatest work from beloved and generational action star Bruce Lee. In a simple story, a man accepts an invitation to a fighting tournament to uncover the dirty deeds of a crime lord, story takes a massive back seat to allow Bruce Lee to cook. The action superstar's talents are on full display with lightning-quick punches, fearsome brutality, and an aura of swagger permeating after every one of his iconic yelps. Lee tragically passed just one month prior to the film's release, but even in his passing, Enter the Dragon solidified him as the action star of the generation in this wonderful film that has established itself as a bonafide classic.
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- 10Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, Lynn Xiong, Simon Yam
A follow-up to the revolutionary karate and MMA movie Ip Man, Ip Man 2 continues the journey and struggle of Yip Man as he movies to Hong Kong and opens a new school to teach his fighting ways. While the film doesn't focus on being a purely character-driven story anymore, what this beloved sequel does offer is a further establishment of some of the best fighting scenes of the 21st century. Donnie Yet and choreographer Sammo Hung go all out delivering brilliant set pieces and jaw-dropping action that will inspire an entirely new generation to practice karate.
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- 11Tatchakorn Yeerum, Mum Jokmok & Pumwaree Yodkamol
“No computer graphics. No stunt doubles. No wires.” This is what Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior promises viewers, and it delivers in strides. A film that will pump up any and all who watch it to think they can run through a brick wall, the film delivers on its promise of non-stop pulse-pounding action thanks to an incredible performance by Tony Jaa. As the title would suggest, Muay Thai is the preferred method of beatdowns in Ong Bak, and the film and Jaa push the boundaries of what fighting scenes could be in the film. Showcasing some of the most brutal and incredible fighting sequences of all time, the film is one of the best pure fighting movies of all time.
- 12Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Alexio, Dennis Chan
Widely regarded as one of action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme's best works, Kickboxer is a fascinating, entertaining, and incredibly masculine film that will have viewers ready to roundhouse kick anyone who says it isn't perfect. Van Damme is at the absolute top of his game portraying the titular Kickboxer as he ventures to Thailand to defeat the competition in their own sport. Violent, ruthless, and manly as all can be, Kickboxer is widely regarded as one of the best fighting MMA movies of all time for good reason. Of course, we would be remised if we also didn't at least mention one of the most epic dancing scenes ever to go along with all the adrenaline-pumping action.
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- 13Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler
When fighting fans heard that Kevin James was going to star in an MMA film that was rated PG, many thought it was simply some kind of sick joke, but Here Comes the Boom proved to be a fascinating and important step in getting a younger generation into mixed martial arts. A family-friendly fighting film sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but Here Comes the Boom manages to toe the line of brutality in fighting films with wholesome family fun. For those who want to see the most intense and amazing fighting choreography, this film will not scratch that itch, but for those who are looking to get their younger ones into the sport, this movie is the perfect opportunity.
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- 14Jet Li, Bob Hoskins, Morgan Freeman
One of the strangest action films of the 2000s, Unleashed was a campy and fantastic Jet Li-led fighting film that has one goal in mind, to showcase the actor's phenomenal fighting chops. With a ludicrous story and corny moments galore, it is easy to get lost in the absurdity of the film, but get immediately sucked back in due to some of the best fighting scenes of the millennium. Beautifully mixing elements of MMA, karate, and straight-up brutality, Unleashed is an underrated fighting masterpiece that will entertain and enthrall any who watch it.
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- 15Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao
An incredibly polarizing film, Fighting was supposed to be Rocky for a more modern generation, but with at the time controversial casting of Channing Tatum, the film never got its fair opportunity in the ring. Now, nearly 15 years later, it is still easy to see the film's flaws, but it is remarkable to see how well it has aged. Scrappy, gritty, and sappy all while keeping a toughness about it, the film never glamourizes fight scenes, instead showing the devastating brutality of this world. Those who love an underdog story with some wonderful hand-to-hand combat and cheesy but fun storytelling will love Fighting.
- 16
Tapped Out
Anderson Silva, Michael Biehn, Martin KoveBoiled down to its most basic form, Tapped Out is essentially The Karate Kid, but make it MMA for a new generation. With subtle nods to the franchise that came before it, including a hilarious “wax on” joke, the film wears its heart on its sleeve and tells a, surprisingly, heartfelt revenge story of a kid avenging his dead parents. While the plot may be overly melodramatic, the fighting sequences are done wonderfully and have an extra punch to them thanks to a heartfelt and inspiring story.
- 17Scott Adkins, Teodora Duhovnikova, Alon Moni Aboutboul
The fourth installment in one of the biggest and most popular MMA fighting movies of all time, Boyka: Undisputed IV is arguably the best the franchise has to offer. Scott Adkins shines as a former MMAA fighter who kills his opponent in the ring and now looks back on his ways. A devastating, heartbreaking, and action-packed story of redemption, the Undisputed franchise always brings some of the biggest and best fights to the screen, and this installment is no exception. Fast-paced, brutal, and shocking acts of violence help bring shoot back some juice into one of the most exciting fighting franchises in film history.
- 18Jean-Claude Van Damme, Deborah Rennard, Harrison Page
Jean-Claude Van Damme proves that even in his more mediocre and forgotten movies, he is dedicated to showcasing his masterful fighting skills to utter perfection. Lionheart remains a relatively underrated film from Van Damme, and while it certainly isn't going to win any awards, the film offers something that once the best fighting movies can, a rip-roaring good time. Van Damme is at the top of his game performing hellacious kicks, flying all over the place, and showing off his tremendous swagger in a film as fun as its title would suggest.
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- 19Dennis Quaid, Ali Afshar, Katrina Bowden
Just when MMA fans thought their run of tremendous underdog stories was coming to an end, Born a Champion came in a knocked some sense into them with a devastating superkick. Born a Champion is every stereotypical sports cliche wrapped in one pretty package, but what helps the film feel so unique and true to the fighting genre is the amount of heart and care it showcases. The fight scenes are raw, unfiltered, and often lack the pizazz of more outlandish fighting MMA movies, but this sense of realism and groundedness helps the film feel all the more real in a feel-good story the whole family will love.
- 20James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Louise Fletcher
Pure 80s camp and machismo bliss, Best of the Best is a film every fighting fan should have on repeat as it simply shows the joy of guys working out, getting buff, bonding to heavy metal music, and performing some of the best karate the 80 had to offer. A film that oozes 80s nostalgia with over-the-top montages, strange acting choices, and the best hair you will ever see, Best of the Best may not be everyone's choice for the best MMA movies, but it is one that gives fans exactly what they are looking for.
- 21Tony Jaa, Johnny Nguyen, Nathan JonesA young fighter (Tony Jaa) travels to Australia to retrieve stolen elephants that were promised originally to the king of Thailand. Once there, he enlists the aid of a Thai-born Aussie detective to help him achieve his goal, and he uses his fierce Muay Thai moves to battle an evil woman's gang of deadly bodyguards.More The Protector
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- 22Tatchakorn Yeerum, Mum Jokmok, Sorapong ChatreeOng Bak 2: The Beginning is a 2008 Thai martial arts film co-directed by and starring Tony Jaa. It is a follow-up to Jaa's 2003 breakout film Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior. Initially claimed to be a sequel to Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, Ong Bak 2 was then announced to be a prequel to its predecessor. Unlike its predecessor however, which had a contemporary and realistic setting, Ong Bak 2 is actually set in 15th century Thailand and as such, could be described as a historical epic with elements of fantasy combined, and has nothing to do with the original Ong-Bak. Ong Bak 2 also has nothing to do with Jaa's 2005 film Tom-Yum-Goong, which was sometimes incorrectly labelled Ong Bak 2 in the West, as well as The Protector and The Warrior King. Tom-Yum-Goong had a contemporary setting similar to Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, although it too had different characters and plot. Jaa's films had yet to tie into each other, although Jaa had claimed they would do so with the release of Ong Bak 3 in 2010, which they did. As well as the different historical setting to Jaa's previous films, Ong Bak 2 has taken a notably grittier and bloodier direction.
- 23Cyron Melville, Molly Blixt Egelind, Xian GaoFighter is a 2007 action drama world cinema film written by Nikolaj Arcel,Natasha Arthy and Rasmus Heisterberg and directed by Natasha Arthy.
- 24Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen MokA young martial artist's amazing skills in tai chi grant him entry into an underworld fight club.
- 25Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Bridgette Wilson-SamprasMortal Kombat delves into an ancient tournament where Earth's greatest fighters face off against foes from the realm of Outworld. Spearheaded by Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), and Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), they battle deadly enemies to prevent Outworld's domination over Earth.More Mortal Kombat
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- 26Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James RemarIn the slums of New York City during the 1920s, petty thief Chris Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) finds himself on the run from the police. At the docks, he hides on an outbound freight ship leaving for Asia. Taken in by the mysterious Lord Dobbs (Roger Moore) as the boat docks in Thailand, Dubois is introduced to the underground world of martial arts fighting. His training culminates in a secret battle between the world's greatest fighters that takes place before a select audience in Tibet.More The Quest
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- 27Julie Estelle, Iko Uwais, Marsha TimothyThe Raid 2 is a 2014 Indonesian martial arts crime film written and directed by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans; it is the sequel to the 2011 film The Raid: Redemption. The film was released on 28 March 2014. It follows SWAT member Rama, the protagonist of the first film, as he is sent undercover to take down both corrupt police officials and the gangs of the criminal underworld. Like Evans' previous films, Merantau and The Raid: Redemption, the film's fight scenes once again showcase the brutal Indonesian fighting style of Pencak silat. Iko Uwais reprises his role as Rama. The film also stars Arifin Putra, Julie Estelle, Alex Abbad, Tio Pakusadewo, Oka Antara, and Cecep A. Rahman. The film also features Japanese actors such as Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endo, and Kazuki Kitamura. The film is distributed by Sony Pictures Classics worldwide, Stage 6 Films in the United States, and Entertainment One in the United Kingdom.More The Raid 2
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- 28Wes Chatham, Devon Sawa, Sarah ButlerA former NCAA wrestling champion (Wes Chatham), now an ex-con involved in mixed-martial arts, must save his best friend from a vicious loan shark.
- 29Bai Ling, Dean Cain, Kimbo Slice
- 30Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Emily MortimerMartial artist Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives by a strict code of no competitions, for he feels that such contests weaken fighters. After saving a famous action star (Tim Allen) from a brutal attack, Mike takes a job in the film industry. He soon finds his personal beliefs and integrity on the line as circumstances force him to participate in a prize fight.
