Summary
Karate is a recognized Japanese martial art founded by thefather of modern Karate,Funakoshi Gichin. It originated in Okinawa, one of the largest islands in Japan, and has since inspired manyKarate movies, including the 2015 documentaryThe Real MiyagiandIMDb’s top-rankedKarate movie,The Karate Kid(1984).
According to thetop-rated martial arts filmson IMDb,the golden era for this genre was between the 1970s and 2017. This list stars famous actors, like Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and the master Pat Morita, who left their mark throughout the years. The focus of this list will beAsian movies, including real-life stories likeKarate For Lifestarring the martial artist Sonny Chiba.
8Karate Girl (2011)
IMDb’s Rating: 5.2/10
Karate Girltells the story of a father, a black belt holder, who teaches his two daughters an ancient karate style. The movie starts with a dramatic and emotional scene where a criminal gang murders the father and kidnaps one of the sisters. The kidnapped sister is trained in karate to kill, while the other sister works in a local cinema, living a quiet life. Eventually, both sisters reconnect and confront the gang together to avenge their father’s death.
This movie is full of karate fight scenes, heartfelt moments, and an easy-to-follow storyline. Viewers highlight the sister’s fighting scenes, although the fights appear choreographed, resulting in a5.2/10 rating on IMDb.
7The Empty Hands (2017)
IMDb’s Rating: 6.0/10
The plot ofThe Empty Handsis brilliant. Mari Hirakawa, the female lead, gives up on practicing karate because her father is too strict with her training. However, after her father’s death, she inherits his dojo, which she’s unsure whether or not to keep. Eventually, she reunites with one of her father’s ex-students, who inherited half of the dojo, and her perspective on Karate starts to change.
Interestingly, the director ofHung Sau Doualso stars in the main cast and was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Director. While some viewers found this karate movie a bit slow, others found it a nice watch, resulting in its6.0 out of 10 on IMDB.
6Champion Of Death (1975)
IMDb’s Rating: 6.6/10
Champion of Death, also known asKarate Bullfighter, is a gem from the 1970sstarring Sonny Chiba. In this movie, he plays Mas Oyama, a respected Karate master of the period. Mas Oyama was a well-known master famous for killing ferocious bulls with his hands, as seen in one of the movie’s scenes.
This karate movie is based on the true story of Mas Oyama, which leaves Karate fans excited. In addition, viewers are drawn to its realistic karate scenes and impressive storyline, given the time it was aired.
5Karate For Life (1977)
IMDb’s Rating: 6.7/10
By the respected Japanese filmmaker Kazuhiko Yamaguchi,Karate For Lifeis a true story about the master Mas Oyama. It was released two years after the karate movieChampions Of Death, which belongs to the same collection, and while both focus on the same karate master, the storylines are distinct.
Karate For Lifefocuses on the later life of Mas Oyama and his traditional values, whileChampion Of Deathfocuses on the early struggles of his life. Both are a must-watch for Karate fans. The reviews from viewers mention theimpressive acting of Sonny Chibaand the entertaining Karate action scenes. The movie is also extremely violent, so viewers' discretion is advised.
4Black Belt (2007)
IMDb’s Rating: 6.9/10
What makesBlack Beltinteresting is the fact that the director Shunichi Nagasaki uses real Karate practitioners like Akihito Yagi, Tatsuya Naka, and Yûji Suzuki to star in the main cast, which makes it stand out from other martial arts movies.
This film is set in the 1930s, and viewer reviews appreciated its philosophical depth, the credibility of the fight scenes, character development, and storyline, which showed the challenges of karate, the mental strength required, and the true meaning of martial arts. This film is great for Karate lovers seeking an authentic action film.
3The Street Fighter (1974)
When viewers watch the legendary Sonny Chiba inThe Street Fighter, they are taken on an action-adventure through the peak of karate filmmaking in the ’70s. In the film, Chiba plays a mercenary navigating a world of betrayal and murder with both joyful action and explicit violence.
The Street Fighter, in particular, was instrumental in developing the iconicStreet Fightervideo game franchise, establishing its legacy among martial arts fans. Its dynamic karate performances are not only entertaining; it also gave action movies and martial arts practitioners a new look.
2The Real Miyagi (2015)
IMDb’s Rating: 7.1/10
The Real Miyagiis a documentary released in 2015 to educate viewers about the foundation of real karate and reveal who the Real Miyagi is. The popularity of the documentary resulted in a nomination and win for the Canada International Film Festival.
The documentary focuses on honoring Fumio Demura, who received a 9th Dan Black Belt, one of the rarest and most prestigious ranks. Demura also inspired people likeSteven Seagaland Bruce Lee and was also close friends with Pat Morita, another icon. This documentary is a great watch for those who want to have a wider knowledge of Karate.
1The Karate Kid (1984)
IMDb’s Rating: 7.3/10
The Karate Kidis an iconic Karate movie featuring Daniel Larusso. In this movie, a kid is being intimidated by a group of bullies who are highly skilled in Karate and trained by a violent-minded master. Eventually, Raph (Daniel Larusso) reaches Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) to mentor him. This results in a transformation in his life and values. A must-watch for all Karate fans.
Moreover, thisNominee Golden Globe Karate filmteaches self-discipline and that power comes from within. The emotional depth of this movie moved viewers into tears. Its popularity reached many audiences of all ages, which resulted in a good number of Karate Kid sequels and remakes.
