Creative, unconventional kung fu movies are some of the genre’s best. After enjoyingthe classic kung fu movies everyone should watch, there’s no better place to go than the surreal world of trippy kung fu. As a whole different type of wild, most of these titles dive deep into supernatural realms, blending martial arts with mind-bending scenes that’ll leave anyone in awe. From glowing energy blasts to gravity-defying stunts, the visuals are out of this world in the most literal sense, making them some ofthe weirdest martial arts movies ever made.
Still, even though trippy martial arts films are more than fun to watch, they won’t necessarily offerkung fu movie techniques that really work in real lifelike some of their genre peers. As their focus is more on the spectacle than realism,kung fu is, more often than not, transformed into a visual feast of divine blows, and it’s an experience martial arts fans shouldn’t shy away from.
Drunken Tai Chi
Cast
Drunken Tai Chi, directed by Yuen Woo-ping, follows a young man who flees from a deadly foe and finds refuge with a puppeteer and his wife, experts in tai chi. This martial arts film explores his transformation as he learns the unique style necessary to confront his adversary.
Brought to life by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping,Drunken Tai Chistands out as one ofDonnie Yen’s best old-school kung fu movies. Yuen is best known as the choreographer behindThe Matrixand the brilliant director ofCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, making it no surprise thatDrunken Tai Chiis a visual masterpiece worth devouring.
The story is as wild as the title sounds, following Chan Yuan-lung (Yen), a spoiled rich kid who gets into trouble when he inadvertently offends a killer-for-hire. He then takes shelter with an eccentric puppeteer, who teaches him the elusive art of Tai Chi. While the movie mostly plays the fighting style for laughs, it still delivers some serious moves anyone can appreciate. The puppet fight alone deserves special mention just for how weird and oddly captivating it was. Overall,Drunken Tai Chifeels like a fever dream, but in the best way possible.
Shaolin vs. Evil Dead
Shaolin vs. Evil Dead is a martial arts film featuring monks Pak and Ha as they confront the sinister Dr. Magma, whose plan to reanimate the dead threatens the peace. Released in 2004, the film blends traditional Shaolin techniques with supernatural elements as the protagonists strive to stop the impending threat.
When talking abouticonic martial arts movies about Shaolin monks,Shaolin vs. Evil Deadis likely not the title that comes to mind. However, the slick kung fu choreography combined with supernatural effects is what gives this 2004 title a serious edge. Imagine taking a Shaolin monk, tossing him into a blender with hopping vampires (jiangshi), creepy zombies, and a splash of mystic spells. That’s exactly whatShaolin vs. Evil Deadis.
10 Campy Martial Arts Movies With Ridiculous Fight Scenes
While many martial arts movies have serious plots, there are other campy films in the genre that include chaotic, cheesy, and ridiculous fight scenes.
The movie stars Gordon Liu, the iconic kung fu legend who is perhaps better known forThe 36th Chamber of ShaolinandKill Bill. His graceful moves are paired withglowing amulets, enchanted powders, and a mix of practical effects and cheesy CGI that create a dreamlike feeling as the story unfolds. The tonal shifts, from eerie horror to slapstick kung fu comedy, are dizzying but entertaining, delivering a visual punch that’s as weird as it is unforgettable.
The Heroic Trio
The Heroic Trio is an action-packed film that follows three women with extraordinary abilities. One woman, equipped with an invisible robe, is coerced into abducting 18 babies for a sinister master, while two other formidable women team up with the authorities to thwart her.
Michelle Yeoh is one ofthe ultimate icons of martial arts movie performances, which is why it’s shockingThe Heroic Trioisn’t a more popular title. Also starring Anita Mui and Maggie Cheung, who, together with Yeoh, make up the trio, the film is insanely stylish, wild, and a blast of superhero action. It throws realism out the window in favor of pure cinematic spectacle, and it’s all for the better.
The Heroic Trio’ssequel,Executioners, also came out in 1993.
With each of the women rocking their unique style of fighting,The Heroic Triois not only an aesthetic masterpiece, but it also nails down the gravity-defying wire-fu stunts that make the brawls feel like something out of a dream. Other than that,it stands out as one of the rare female-led movies in a genre dominated by men, and this lavishly cool trinity is not something one sees on the screen that often.
7The Ghost Snatchers (1986)
Directed by Ngai Choi Lam
Ngai Choi Lam is known for birthingover-the-top martial arts movies that are a blast, andThe Ghost Snatchersis no exception. It’s an underrated movie that mixes martial arts, horror, and comedy into one weirdly entertaining package, perfect for kung fu fans who love a bit of supernatural chaos with their roundhouse kicks. Here, solid martial arts action meets a spooky, haunted-house storyline, delivering a unique twist on the genre.
Letterboxd score
The Ghost Snatchers
3.4 / 5
Visually,The Ghost Snatchersis packed with eerie, extravagant special effects and surreal set pieces.There’s a chaotic charm to the movie’s use of practical effects and old-school wirework that gives it a quirky feel. We’re talking exploding heads, ghostly possessions, and absurd stunts that turn the movie into a spectacle of colorful, grotesque fun. The out-of-the-box fight sequences are another great addition, making the whole experience feel like a martial arts version of a haunted carnival.
6Child Of Peach (1987)
Directed by Chung-Hsing Chao and Chun-Liang Chen
WhileChild of Peachis nowhere near being amongthe best martial arts fantasy movies of all time, it’s still an insanely fun watch that will surprise anybody who’s seeing it for the first time. It’s a movie that’s so outlandish and so wildly imaginative that it feels like stepping into a sugar-fueled fairy tale.
10 Best Fantasy Martial Arts Movies From The 1980s
The best fantasy martial arts movies perfectly combine brutal combat with supernatural themes, like The Boxer’s Omen and Shogun Assassin.
Inspired by the Japanese folktale of Momotarō, a boy born from a peach,Child of Peachfeatures mythical creatures, enchanted weapons, and over-the-top magic. It embraces pure fantasy chaos without holding back,mixing slapstick humor, intense kung fu battles, and downright weird visuals. The characters are all decked out in vividly colorful outfits that would look at home in a cartoon (or a nightmare). The bold costumes, the frenetic energy, and the wild moves all makeChild of Peachequal parts theatrical and fantastical, creating a world that’s as charming as it is bizarre.
5Buddha’s Palm (1982)
Directed by Taylor Wong
For those in the mood for a comic book come to life on the screen, look no further thanBuddha’s Palm. This wuxia fantasy classic is packed with trippy visuals and exaggerated moves and is one of the wildest martial arts spectacles of the 1980s. The movie leans into fantasy kung fu madness, featuring giant energy blasts, mythical creatures, and flamboyant martial arts techniques that break the laws of physics.
The plot centers around the mysterious Buddha’s Palm technique, which only Flame Cloud Devil (Alex Man Chi-Leung), a blind recluse, has mastered. When Long Jian-fei (Derek Yee) is left for dead, the master rescues him and shares the secret of Buddha’s Palm. While it’s not necessarily the best story ever,this 1982 flick is outrageous and visually stunning, with kung fu turned up to eleven.
4Holy Flame Of The Martial World (1983)
Directed by Chun-Ku Lu
Anotherknockout martial arts movie from the Shaw Brothers Studio,Holy Flame of the Martial Worldis pure, unfiltered madness. From the very first scene, the movie makes it clear that realism is not on the menu. It tells the tale of a brother and sister whose parents were killed over the Holy Flame, a mystical weapon everybody wants. As adults, the pair embark on a fantastical quest for revenge and justice.
Holy Flame of the Martial World
3.8 / 5
Holy Flame of the Martial Worldis pure cinematic chaos in the best way. It’s wild, it’s weird, and it’s wonderful, cranking up the kung fu insanity to jaw-dropping levels. The design choices are unapologetically bold, withevery scene dripping in saturated colors, surreal lighting, and fantastical props. While the fantasy elements definitely take center stage, the martial arts choreography, with its theatrical flair, is also impressive, making each fight feel larger than life.
3Demon Of The Lute (1983)
Directed by Tak-Cheung Tang
Demon of the Luteis proof that fight sequences don’t have to fit a mold to be great. This trippy picture offers a visually stunning mix of dark fantasy, horror, and kung fu that’s truly a feast for fans of unusual martial arts adventures. Essentially,Demon of the Luteis a martial arts ghost story, but one tends to forget that amid all the cool moves and even cooler costumes.
10 Recent Kung Fu Movies That Will Be Classics Someday
Many of the Kung Fu movies that have been released in recent years are incredible films, potentially even classics ahead of their time.
The movie abounds with rich contrast and vivacious shades of deep reds, ominous greens, and glowing golds, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in. The haunting lighting also plays a crucial role in giving you the creeps, particularly in the lute scenes.Demon of the Luteis, at its core,a film that pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. Each frame almost feels like a painting, with every possible detail contributing to its grandness.
2The Cat (1992)
Even thoughthe 1990s were a great decade for even greater kung fu movies, the era also gave usThe Cat, a criminally overlooked gem that blends the supernatural with hard-hitting moves. Yes, it’s about an alien cat that joins forces with a teenage girl to fight a villainous extraterrestrial that likes to possess people, but it has all the makings of a cult classic.
It took six months of filming to finish the scene where the lead cat fights a dog, and seven trained cats were used for the sequence.
The combination ofThe Cat’svibrant cinematography, unique storytelling, and quirky fight choreography turns it into something really special. The movie is drenched in contrasting colors and creative lighting that give each scene an uncanny feel, while the kung fu sequences are just as dynamic and fluid as the visuals. However,the best part is that the titular cat is the ultimate master of martial arts, making this horror flick truly one of a kind you shouldn’t miss.
1The Boxer’s Omen (1983)
Directed by Chih-Hung Kuei
If there was a competition for the trippiest kung fu movie out there,The Boxer’s Omenwould definitely take the cake. It brought to life some of the most grotesque and bizarre imagery ever featured on the screen, leaving us both confused and amazed. In reality,words do no justice toThe Boxer’s Omen’svisuals, which are as brilliant as they are terrifying.
The Boxer’s Omen
The movie takes full advantage of its visual elements, utilizing the lighting, colors, and creepy backdrops to build a disturbingly unsettling mood.The Boxer’s Omenalso uses some of the most creative practical effects we’ve seen in a 1980s movie, which give it a raw, almost physical feel. Notably, it’s all very surreal, but the action is equally intense. While the characters tap into mystical forces that allow them to disintegrate their enemies, they do throw some quality punches. For a truly unforgettable experience,The Boxer’s Omenis a must-see.
