Top 10 Wild West Martial Arts Films You Must See

The Western genre has always had a strong connection with martial arts for some reason. Many famous martial arts movie stars like Jackie Chan and Jet Li have starred in films set in the Wild West. These movies often highlight the clash between traditional values and modern ways, representing the East and the West. The Wild West setting, with its uncharted frontiers, provides an exciting backdrop for martial arts stories that explore themes of loyalty, justice, and moral strength.

In martial arts Westerns, the contrast between Eastern and Western cultures is often portrayed humorously, making them entertaining comedies. The humor comes from the mismatch between gun-wielding outlaws and a martial artist with no weapons but exceptional skills. These films also have the opportunity to delve into the challenges of being a stranger in a new land. While the cultural clash can be funny, it can also be used to address issues of racial stereotyping. That's why many martial arts movies choose to set their stories in the Wild West.

Shanghai Noon (2000)

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson team up to rescue a Chinese princess

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson grabbing each other and looking at something in a saloon in Shanghai Noon - Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson team up to rescue a Chinese princess - Shanghai Noon (2000)

Shanghai Noon is a perfect showcase for Jackie Chan's blend of impressive martial arts and great physical comedy.

The Warrior's Way (2010)

The Warrior's Way is a film that showcases Jackie Chan's incredible martial arts skills and his talent for physical comedy. Owen Wilson is the perfect partner for Chan in this movie, bringing a lot of laughs to their characters' awkward yet entertaining partnership. Chan portrays a skilled Imperial Guard, while Wilson plays a clever robber who adds a unique dynamic to the story. Just like Shanghai Noon, The Warrior's Way successfully combines elements of Western and martial arts genres by featuring one character from each. Despite the release of Shanghai Knights in 2003, a third installment of the Shanghai Noon series never came to fruition.

Cowboys vs. ninjas with plenty of wire fu

Yang holds a sword in The Warrior's Way - Cowboys vs. ninjas with plenty of wire fu - The Warrior's Way (2010)

The Fighting Fists Of Shanghai Joe (1973)

A warrior, who betrayed his clan by refusing to kill an innocent child, escapes to the American West. When his clansmen catch up to him, he joins forces with the townspeople to protect the child from an army of ninjas. The Warrior's Way is a thrilling mix of genres, filled with fantastical stunts and exaggerated kung fu. The epic showdown showcases gun-slinging cowboys facing off against gravity-defying ninjas, with wire-assisted kung fu reminiscent of The Matrix or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

A Spaghetti Western with an egalitarian message

The Fighting Fists Of Shanghai Joe - A Spaghetti Western with an egalitarian message - The Fighting Fists Of Shanghai Joe (1973)

The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe is a Spaghetti Western that follows the journey of a Chinese martial artist who relocates to Texas for a better life. However, he faces harsh racism from the locals and comes face to face with the brutal reality of slavery in the New World. Shanghai Joe also finds himself in conflict with a ruthless slave trader. Despite the film's humorous take on stereotypes, its underlying message promotes acceptance and unity.

The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe is also known by alternative titles such as To Kill or to Die and The Dragon Strikes Back.

The Stranger & The Gunfighter (1974)

East meets West in an unusual treasure hunt

The Stranger and the Gunfighter - East meets West in an unusual treasure hunt - The Stranger & The Gunfighter (1974)

The Stranger and the Gunfighter is a martial arts movie set in the Spaghetti Western style. It features Lo Lieh and Lee Van Cleef as a martial artist and a gunslinger who join forces to find hidden treasure. The unique twist is that the treasure map is divided into four parts, each tattooed on the backside of a different woman. However, the main focus of the film is the clash between tradition and modernity, as the martial artist faces off against a gang of outlaws armed with guns.

Bunraku (2010)

A stylized experimental action thriller

Woody Harrelson lights a cigarette for Josh Hartnett in Bunraku - A stylized experimental action thriller - Bunraku (2010)

In Bunraku, a samurai without a sword and a cowboy without a gun team up to defeat a group of brutal killers. Woody Harrelson portrays the enigmatic bartender who brings them together, guiding them through the unusual world of Bunraku. The movie embraces its artificiality, with sets that appear to be made of paper or cardboard, and action sequences that feel strangely unnatural. The title Bunraku comes from a Japanese puppet theater form, hinting that the characters may not have full control over their destinies.

Once Upon A Time In China & America (1997)

Jet Li's martial arts series goes Stateside

Once Upon a Time in China and America - Jet Li's martial arts series goes Stateside - Once Upon A Time In China & America (1997)

The sixth and final movie in the Once Upon a Time in China series shows Wong Fei-hung heading to California to see one of his martial arts students. Jet Li delivers his usual entertaining performance, adding his own twist to the Western movie style of lively saloon brawls. With the expert direction and martial arts choreography by Sammo Hung, the film may not surpass the earlier ones in the series, but Once Upon a Time in China and America remains one of Jet Li's top films.

Savate (1995)

French kickboxing in the Wild West

Savate (1995) - French kickboxing in the Wild West

Savate is a type of French kickboxing, and in Isaac Florentine's 1995 Western film, the focus is on a fictional story about how the sport was born. While the actual origins of Savate may date back a few decades earlier, the movie takes creative liberties rather than sticking to historical facts. The plot revolves around a French soldier who embarks on a journey to America to seek vengeance for his friend's death at a martial arts competition. It's a story of survival, adapting to a new environment, and combining traditional Western themes with the unique world of Savate.

Buffalo Boys (2018)

An Indonesian Western across two continents

Buffalo Boys - An Indonesian Western across two continents - Buffalo Boys (2018)

Buffalo Boys doesn't only take place in America. Even in Indonesia, where the story is set, it heavily draws inspiration from Western genre traditions. You'll find just as many saloon fights and showdowns on dusty roads in Java as you would in the American Wild West. The plot revolves around two brothers who find themselves caught up in a small village's resistance against Dutch colonial settlers. Armed with their martial arts expertise and a wide array of weapons including shotguns, bows, cannons, and pistols, they fiercely fight back. Buffalo Boys is not just a thrilling ride, it also carries a strong anti-imperialist message.

Red Sun (1971)

An outstanding international cast tussle for a golden samurai sword in the American West

Charles Bronson in Red Sun - An outstanding international cast tussle for a golden samurai sword in the American West - Red Sun (1971)

Red Sun boasts an international star-studded cast including Charles Bronson, Ursula Andress, Toshiro Mifune, and Alain Delon. The story revolves around a group of train robbers who steal from the Japanese ambassador. It is a samurai tale set in the American West, with Mifune's character on a mission to track down the bandits in an unfamiliar terrain. While the movie contains more gunfights than martial arts scenes, both elements play a crucial role in this unique East vs. West showdown. Mifune's portrayal of an honor-bound samurai facing a group of lawless criminals is truly captivating.

Sukiyaki Western Django (2007)

A surreal blend of Japan and America

A gunslinger in Sukiyaki Western Django - A surreal blend of Japan and America - Sukiyaki Western Django (2007)

Suriyaki Western Django is one of the best non-American Western movies, paying tribute to the genre with a distinctively Japanese twist.

Sukiyaki Western Django is a unique film that blends elements of the American West with Japanese culture. It follows a gunslinger caught between two warring clans in a fantastical setting. This non-American Western movie pays tribute to the genre with a Japanese twist, making it stand out. One of the highlights of the film is Quentin Tarantino's cameo, allowing him to indulge in his love for Westerns and live out a Clint Eastwood fantasy.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the fascinating intersection of the Western genre and martial arts, showcasing how these seemingly disparate worlds have harmoniously intertwined in cinema. The Wild West setting, with its untamed landscapes and iconic cowboys, provides an intriguing backdrop for martial arts stories, allowing for the exploration of themes such as loyalty, justice, and moral strength.

The article highlights various films that have successfully blended these elements, from the comedic Shanghai Noon to the more serious The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe. These films often explore the clash between Eastern and Western cultures, offering a humorous take on the differences while also delving into issues of racial stereotyping. The article effectively captures the diverse range of martial arts Westerns, from Spaghetti Westerns to more stylized experimental films like Bunraku. It provides a comprehensive overview of this unique genre, highlighting its entertaining and thought-provoking qualities.