Thai martial arts moviesare known for their non-stop intensity, impressive stunt work, and downright brutal violence, leading to some truly classic releases. By utilizing Thai martial arts styles such as Muay Thai, Thailand has carved out its own unique identity in the realm of martial arts cinema that has made stars of performers like Tony Jaa and Yanin “JeeJa” Vismitananda. With incredible works from accomplished directors like Prachya Pinkaew and the late Panna Rittikrai, there’s a wealth of truly awe-inspiring Thai movies that every martial arts lover should be sure to check out.
While there are plenty ofincredible Thai horror movies, another genre of cinema that Thailand excels in is martial arts movies. Whether it’s through insightful retellings of Thai history or bare-bones action narratives,Thai martial arts films are known for their incredible stunts, fast-paced action, and highly accomplished real-life fighter performers. From franchises likeOng-Bakto the female-led triumphantChocolate, there have been plenty of must-watch Thai martial arts releases.
Power Kidswas a martial arts movie byOng-Bak’sproducersthat featured a group of Muay Thai fighting children as its lead characters. While this might sound like a kid-friendly film, it was actually anything but, as rather than simple, lighthearted hijinks, these child actors truly defeated their villainous foes with the same intensity as Thai movielegends like Tony Jaaor JeeJa Yanin. With a story about four children stealing a heart from a terrorist-controlled hospital for a transplant for their sick friend,Power Kidsfeatured non-stop action from start to finish.
With a group of incredibly talented young fighters at the helm,Power Kidsbuilt towards its incredible final sequence as the children fought their way through a tight hallway with serious intensity. While the combination of lighthearted, kid-friendly humor and ultra-violent action can be a little bit jarring, this also gavePower Kidsits unique identity. While it may look like a children’s movie based on the title and concept,Power Kidswas not a family friendly film.
Fireballexplored the shocking world of high-stakes Muay Thai basketball in a brilliant spectacle of over-the-top, stunt-filled Thai martial arts movie carnage. While the storyline about a brother attempting to uncover the truth behind his comatose sibling’s shady practices was nothing to write home about, the depiction of a deathly game of ‘Fireball’ was what made for truly thrilling viewing.Fireballwas a fast-paced and brutal experience that boiled entertainment down into its purest form as Preeti Barameeanat portrayed the twin brothers Tai and Tan.
Fireballworked well as a sports and martial arts movie, combining basketball, fighting, and incredible choreography. While the rapid editing and poorly lit fight sequences kept this movie from overtaking the best Thai martial arts movies,Fireballwill thoroughly please those who like their fighting movies to keep the action comingand are not as interested in narrative depth.
As a thrilling release from the acclaimed Thai martial arts action choreographer Panna Rittikra,Bangkok Knockoututilized the same style that worked so well onOng-Bak: Muay Thai WarriorandTom-Yum-Goongto deliver another high-intensity cinematic experience. Following a group of martial arts students trained in styles such as Muay Thai, Capoeira, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi, they are forced to join forces after being drugged and attacked by assassins. With kidnapped friends in need of saving, the talented fighters have no choice but to use their skills to bring the captors to justice.
Bangkok Knockoutstarted as a story about fighters believing they were in a contest to star in a Hollywood movie, only to realize it had been staged to entertain wealthy gamblers. This unique setup involved martial arts tournaments, kidnapped friends, and forced fighting and was the perfect catalyst for endless action sequences and impressively staged fighting choreography. With plenty of full-contact fights, spectacular technical skills on display, and almost unimaginable levels of physical virtuosity,Bangkok Knockoutwas a must-watch for lovers of Thai martial arts.
As the final film by the acclaimed late action movie director Panna Rittikrai,Vengeance of an Assassinacted as a touching tribute to the filmmaker’s legacy. With a style that echoed some of the best martial arts movies of the 1980s and 1990s,Vengeance of an Assassinfeatured unreservedly heroic leads taking down reprehensible bad guys. This lack of nuance in characterization was part of the point, as it made this a straight-up good versus evil showdown where Dan Chupong as Thee did everything in his power to track down the men who killed his detective parents years before.
With plenty of over-the-top action that mimicked 1980s Hollywood movies,Vengeance of an Assassinhad plenty of sequences that felt like they could have come straight out of a classic Chuck Norris or Sylvester Stallone movie. However, unlike some Hollywood productions, it’s clear that everybody involved has the real-life fighting skills to back up the intensity seen on screen. WhileRittikrai’s death in 2014was a great loss to the Thai martial arts movie industry, he proved his talents right to the end with an absolutely spectacular final film.
The female Thai martial arts star Yanin “JeeJa” Vismitananda followed up her excellent debut inChocolatewithRaging Phoenix. As Deu (JeeJa) gets saved from an attempted kidnapping, she joins forces with a group of vigilantes attempting to bring down the ruthless criminals who are kidnapping innocent women all around Thailand. In the process, Deu develops her martial arts skills and engages in an epic quest to lure the criminal gang into a battle to free the captured women.
With an engaging mix of breakdancing, drunken boxing & Muay Thai,Raging Phoenixalso utilized the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeiraviewers may recognize from theMark Dacascos martial arts movieOnly the Strong.Raging Phoenixshowed JeeJa as a martial arts star of serious potential, and she continued to excel in later releases likeTom-Yum-Goong 2. Packed with incredible action sequences,Raging Phoenixproved that when it comes to Thai martial arts, women were just as capable as men.
The Thai action movieYamada: The Samurai of Ayothayawas based on the real Japanese adventurer and eventual governor of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Yamada Nagamasa. An exciting blend of history, martial arts, and war,Yamadaretold the story of how a Japanese samurai became an important figure in Thailand’s history. After being nursed back to health by Thai warriors, Yamada befriended his assailants and soon pledged his loyalty to their kingdom.
Yamadafeatured incredible martial sequences, but just as important was its historical context and the way that a person of Japanese descent could find a new home and garner significant influence as the head of a Thai village. While many aspects of the real historical account were brushed over to streamline this story in a swift 100-minute runtime, this was made up for through spectacular fight and sword sequences.Yamadashowcased a historical legend in a beautifully shot and impressively choreographed movie.
After serving as martial arts choreographer onOng Bak, Panna Rittikrai returned to the director’s chair for the excellent martial arts movieBorn to Fight. With a bare-bones story about a group of athletes taking on tyrants terrorizing a village,Born to Fightwas actually a remake of Rittikrai’s own 1986 movieof the same name. By taking all the lessons he had learned in the nearly two decades that had passed,Born to Fightupdated the action for the 21st century and showcased just how far Thai action movies had progressed in the years since.
While the storyline retreads ideas already seen in classicsThe Seven SamuraiandThe Magnificent Seven, the main draw ofBorn to Fightwas its impressive stunt work. With plenty of energy,Born to Fightput the average Hollywood action movie to shame through its nonstop stunts and death-defying showcases of human ingenuity.
Thai martial arts starlet Yanin “JeeJa” Vismitananda made her acting debut inChocolate, which was also known asZen, Warrior Within. JeeJa played Zen, a gifted martial artist who, in order to settle the debts of her ailing mother, was forced to seek out the ruthless gangsters who owe her family. As the dawning of a brand new Thai martial arts star, JeeJa showcased her incredible potential in a story that was packed with violent confrontations, action-packed stunts, and an inevitable climatic showdown.
Chocolatepaid homage to martial arts classics from legends like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan while also including subtle references to previous Thai hits from Tony Jaa. By wearing its influences on its sleeve,Chocolatemanaged to carve out something new and exciting in the realm of Thai martial arts movies. With an autistic protagonist, a showdown with the Yakuza, and an emotional narrative of familial illness,Chocolatefelt far deeper and more thematically rich than the average Thai action film.
The Protector
Cast
When the beloved elephants he was sworn to protect are stolen, a fierce Thai warrior named Kham travels to Australia. Kham confronts an underworld empire on his vengeful journey and uses his formidable martial arts skills to recover the animals and deal out justice.
After his breakout success inOng-Bak,Tony Jaa reunited with director Prachya Pinkaewfor another high-intensity action movie. Once again, Jaa showcased his incredible skill as a Muay Thai expert to showcase intense fight choreography and depict one of the greatest combat scenes in the history of cinema. This came when Jaa’s character Kham, in an effort to track down his village’s stolen elephants, systematically took down multiple attackers in a continually stairs fight scene that truly must be seen to be believed.
Tom-Yum-Goongalso included one of cinema’sgreatest movie stunts not done by Jackie Chanas Tony Jaa’s helicopter drop was one of the most precise and impressive moments in a movie full of non-stop action. As a film also known under the titlesThe ProtectorandThe Warrior King,Tom-Yum-Goongwas a true classic of Thai martial artist cinema. Watching as Jaa fought, flipped, and flung himself through incredible stunt after incredible stunt madeTom-Yum-Goonga must-watch movie.
As the breakout film from Muay Thai legend Tony Jaa,Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warriorwas the definitive Thai martial arts movie. Acting as the beginning of an entire franchise that has included two incredible prequels with Jaa,Ong-Bakkicked off a new era for Thai martial arts movieswhere they could stand toe-to-toe against the best Kung Fu films from other Asian countries and Hollywood. Jaa brought his unique set of skills to the screen as he did all his own stunts while working closely with his mentor, the action choreographer Panna Rittikrai.
Telling the intense story of an ancient Buddha statue named Ong-Bak being stolen from the small Thai village Ban Nong Pradu,Ong-Baksaw Jaa going to Thailand to track down the thieves and recover it. With incredible hand-to-hand combat, thrilling chase scenes, and spectacular displays of acrobats, it’s no surprise thatOng-Baktransformed Jaa into a major movie star. For those looking for an incredibleThai martial arts film, look further than the greatest of them all,Ong-Bak.
