The Ultimate Ranking of the Greatest Martial Arts TV Shows Ever!

Summary

Wu Assassins weaves a compelling tale of a young man roped into a mystical war, with excellent fight choreography and a talented cast.

The Legend of Bruce Lee portrays Bruce Lee's life accurately in a captivating 50-episode biographical series, skillfully brought to life by the talented Danny Chan.

Arrow captivates with its exhilarating one-on-one showdowns and exceptional martial arts choreography, demonstrating that it surpasses being just another superhero series.

When it comes to martial arts TV shows, only a few truly stand out from the rest. Unlike other genres, the availability of martial arts TV shows in Western television is admittedly limited. However, throughout the years, certain shows have prominently featured fighting styles such as karate and kung fu. This trend traces back to the 1960s with Bruce Lee's role as Kato, the martial artist sidekick in The Green Hornet.

Since then, numerous shows have showcased martial arts in various ways. Some shows revolve around the learning or utilization of martial arts for specific purposes, such as Cobra Kai, Wu Assassins, and the timeless classic Kung Fu starring David Carradine. In other cases, while not the primary focus of the story, martial arts serve as a driving force for the action, as seen in shows like Daredevil and Into the Badlands. So, here we present a list of the top 10 live-action martial arts TV shows of all time.

10 Wu Assassins

Netflix’s Wu Assassins, with only one season (and a follow-up movie), proved to be a remarkable addition to the martial arts genre. Through an enthralling narrative, Wu Assassins immersed viewers in a mystical, wuxia-inspired battle set in modern times. An integral aspect that truly elevated the show was the inclusion of Uko Iwais as a lead, an accomplished action star who possessed extensive experience in martial arts films. By securing the talents of such actors, along with other individuals with genuine martial arts expertise, the fight choreography of the series was greatly enhanced.

9 The Legend Of Bruce Lee

The Legend of Bruce Lee, as indicated by its title, is a biographical series that depicts the remarkable life of the legendary figure who played a pivotal role in shaping the martial arts genre as it is today. With a captivating storyline spanning over 50 episodes, this Chinese production, available on Netflix, has garnered immense acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Bruce Lee's journey in a gripping and theatrical manner. Danny Chan, the star of The Legend of Bruce Lee, masterfully embodies the celebrated actor, skillfully replicating his well-known persona and formidable fighting prowess.

8 Arrow

7 Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers

Despite being a superhero series centered around a bow-wielding vigilante from DC Comics, Arrow exceeded expectations by incorporating martial arts into its narrative. Rather than solely relying on archery, Oliver Queen found himself frequently engaged in exhilarating one-on-one battles against his adversaries, highlighting his impressive hand-to-hand combat skills. The series established itself as a frontrunner in martial arts choreography, solidifying its reputation as a long-standing favorite amongst viewers.

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, an action show targeted towards children and the inaugural series in the Power Rangers franchise, sparked a cultural phenomenon. Surprisingly, the American adaptation of the Japanese television series Kamen Rider became a resounding success, captivating its young audience and igniting an interest in martial arts. The show's charm greatly relied on its campy elements, and it is widely remembered for showcasing authentic fighting styles, as the cast members possessed genuine backgrounds in various martial arts disciplines.

6 Walker, Texas Ranger

5 Kung Fu

Walker, Texas Ranger featured Chuck Norris, a world karate champion, in the lead role, ensuring an abundance of exhilarating action. Going beyond the typical police procedural, the show adeptly intertwined Walker's investigations with well-executed fights that showcased Norris' karate expertise. The combination of Norris' star appeal, compelling storytelling, and impressive martial arts choreography allowed Walker, Texas Ranger to thrive on CBS for an impressive eight seasons.

In spite of the controversy surrounding the decision to cast white actor David Carradine as the half-Chinese protagonist, Kung Fu received widespread acclaim as a groundbreaking drama series upon its debut in 1972. The show masterfully combined elements of Western and martial arts genres, striking a delicate balance between action and philosophy. Notably, each episode of Kung Fu incorporated profound philosophical themes, which are inherent to the martial arts style itself.

4 Warrior

Before attempting to audition for the Kung Fu series, Bruce Lee ventured into pitching a similar show to ABC that combined martial arts and a Western theme. After several decades, Bruce Lee's original concept for The Warrior finally came to fruition on the Cinemax network. The show later moved to HBO Max, where it continues to captivate viewers with its raw and gritty martial arts storyline, earning an impressive audience approval rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. With meticulously choreographed fight scenes featuring actors with extensive martial arts training, Warrior successfully encompasses the essence of Bruce Lee's initial vision.

3 Daredevil

Daredevil, an acclaimed Netflix series spanning three seasons, follows the riveting journey of Matt Murdock, a visually impaired attorney who masters martial arts and utilizes his skills to safeguard the perilous streets of Hell's Kitchen incognito. While distinguishable from its companion show, Iron Fist, as not solely focusing on martial arts, Daredevil excels in multiple aspects, particularly its captivating fight scenes. This groundbreaking series consistently showcases Matt's exceptional martial arts prowess through intense and well-executed action sequences.

2 Into The Badlands

1 Cobra Kai

Into the Badlands, which aired for only three seasons on AMC, stood out for its skilled worldbuilding and original ideas. By blending traditional martial arts elements with a post-apocalyptic backdrop, the show managed to create a sprawling, action-packed epic that captivated audiences. The series' extravagant action sequences paid homage to classic kung fu cinema, with an exceptional stunt team and cast delivering an array of jaw-dropping fight scenes, including the epic final battle in the Into the Badlands series finale.

Netflix's Cobra Kai is a captivating follow-up to the original Karate Kid trilogy. It skillfully combines the nostalgic charm of the 1980s movies with an evocative soundtrack reminiscent of martial arts films from that era. Packed with thrilling fight sequences, humorous moments, and a plethora of revenge plots and heated rivalries, this series stays true to the beloved martial arts genre. Moreover, it showcases well-choreographed action and compelling character arcs that witness the growth of its talented young protagonists into formidable martial artists. It's a testament to Cobra Kai's excellence that it is widely considered to surpass the very movies it pays homage to.