There are so many incredible old-school kung fu movies out there that it can be hard to know where to start for someone who's new to the genre. From classic Bruce Lee releases to underrated cult favorites, just because a martial arts movie is old does not mean it wasn’t packed with non-stop action, incredible fight sequences, and genuinely engaging narratives. Although casual martial arts fans may have heard of lots of these movies, those hoping to immerse themselves in the history of kung fu should do themselves a favor and check them all out.

Many of the best martial arts movies of all time were released decades ago, and . Newcomers to the genre should prepare themselves to be blown away by the awe-inspiring fighting prowess of the Venom Mob as well as the proficient staff-wielding of legends like Gordon Liu. These were the movies that laid the groundwork for martial arts cinema as we know it today, and although they may be from bygone eras, each one holds up incredibly well.

The seminal martial arts classic and stands as a must-watch release for anyone wishing to discover the power of kung fu cinema. As one of the first kung fu movies to gain international success, the hand-to-hand combat style of Indonesian actor Lo Lieh immediately signaled him as one of the genre’s biggest stars. While kung fu would really break out globally due to the success of Bruce Lee, King Boxer was a major contributor to the kung fu craze of the 1970s.

As an intensely stylish release, King Boxer was full of slow-motion leaps and fast-paced fight sequences. Telling the story of two martial arts schools, dishonorable samurai, and the single-minded pursuit of a rival school's most promising student, King Boxer had all the tenets of a true martial arts classic. As a kung fu hit that pre-dated Enter the Dragon by one year, those with an interest in the history of martial arts movies will be in for a treat with King Boxer.

As one of the most significant martial arts stars of all time, Lo Lieh showcased his talents as both an actor and director with Clan of the White Lotus. Featuring several Shaw Brothers legends like Gordon Liu and Kara Hui, Lieh starred as the Priest White Lotus on a quest for revenge against his brother’s assassins. With classic themes of revenge and retribution, the real appeal of Clan of the White Lotus was the incredible fight sequences and astounding feats of human ingenuity.

By carrying forward the legacy of previous releases like Executioners from Shaolin and Abbot of Shaolin, Clan of the White Lotus was a deeply evocative release made even better by its memorable music. By blending fact and fiction, , one of the Five Elders said to have survived the destruction of the Shaolin monastery. With historical relevance and an action-packed narrative, watching Clan of the White Lotus could very well set a viewer on a path to becoming a lifelong lover of kung fu.

Five Deadly Venoms is a cult classic for a reason, as it represents some of the very best output ever released by Shaw Brothers Studio. As the perfect blend of not only exceptional martial arts skills but also intriguing mystery, Five Deadly Venoms tells the story of a pupil carrying out their dying master’s wish to uncover and defeat his five former students who have been overtaken by evil. As the student discovers the pupils based on the Five Poisonous Creatures of Chinese folklore, he must face off against these masked foes.

As a film that blends interesting characters with Chinese mythology, . With plenty of thematic depth as well as some truly striking visuals, this was a fast-paced film that boasted a genuinely engaging story. Five Deadly Venoms was a hugely influential kung fu movie, and director Quentin Tarantino even paid tribute to it through the inclusion of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad in Kill Bill.

The Venom Mob was among the most iconic collections of martial arts actors ever seen in the history of kung fu. As the stars of several Shaw Brothers productions who were named after their appearance in The Five Deadly Venoms, four prominent members returned for the equally iconic Crippled Avengers. While not an official sequel, and was yet another action-packed adventure that will make anyone fall in love with classic kung fu.

Telling the story of injured and disabled men coming together to learn martial arts, Crippled Avengers was an underdog story about fighters uniting to defeat the tyrannical leader who had abused them. With Kuan-tai playing Dao Tian-Du, the ruthless warlord known as Black Tiger whose village was too afraid to speak out against him, Crippled Avengers was a classic tale of good versus evil. With excellent fight sequences and non-stop action, Crippled Avengers was a joy to watch and stands as one of the best kung fu movies of the 1970s.

The One-Armed Swordsman was a wuxia classic from Shaw Brothers Studio that focused on swordplay and well-choreographed fight sequences. While most previous wuxia releases focused on classic stories of typical heroes, this unique movie featured a compelling antihero, violent swordplay, and intense, bloody action. By showcasing kung fu cinema’s potential for showcasing alternative fighting methods, The One-Armed Swordsman stood out among other martial arts movies during the 1960s.

Featuring Jimmy Wang as Fang Kang, the son of the servant who sacrificed his life to protect his master, The One-Armed Swordsman was a classic of Hong Kong cinema that led to an entire trilogy of movies. Not only this, but , and he continued playing one-armed characters in movies like Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman and One-Armed Boxer.

While many martial arts movie lovers will be well aware of modern classics like Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, it’s important to go back and discover what inspired that Hollywood filmmaker. , a powerful tale of revenge about a young woman seeking vengeance against the people who sexually assaulted her mother and killed her brother.

Lady Snowblood was a Jidaigeki period film set in 1874 that was based on the manga by Kazuo Koike and Kazuo Kamimura. With a sequel titled Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance from 1974 and another adaptation of the manga called The Princess Blade from 2001, the story of Yuki Kashima has remained relevant throughout the years. As a female-led kung fu movie, Lady Snowblood starred the Japanese actress Meiko Kaji.

Along with Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, released the same year, Drunken Master stands as kung fu legend Jackie Chan’s breakout movie. As the feature that laid the groundwork for a truly outstanding career, Drunken Master was the definitive example of Chan’s unique acting style, which blended incredible fighting skills with hilarious slapstick comedy. While Bruce Lee may have initially popularized kung fu in the 1970s, it was Chan who emerged as his more lighthearted successor.

Drunken Master told a fictionalized account of the stories of Wong Fei-hung and Beggar So. With Chan as a young man practicing martial arts under the guidance of his drunk master, this was a hilarious take on classic tales of a wise old master and young, talented student. and was the movie that helped establish him as a global superstar. Chan even returned for the sequel Drunken Master II in 1994.

Shaw Brothers productions put out some great movies during the 1980s, but . With martial arts legend Gordon Liu as the star, this outstanding cult classic stood out for its unique use of pole-fighting sequences that made it feel unlike any other old-school kung fu release. With Liu showcasing his awe-inspiring staff-wielding skills, these fight sequences inspired everyone from Aang in Avatar: The Last Airbender to Dragon Ball’s Son Goku.

The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter was based on the Generals of the Yang Family and was rooted in Chinese folklore. With a protagonist whose family was captured and killed, the only two survivors were two brothers who were determined to enact revenge. As a non-stop action movie that included some of the most impressive choreography ever committed to the screen, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter was a must-watch release for new and old martial arts fans alike.

While most people will think of Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan when it comes to old-school kung fu, those who are truly in the know will point to The 36th Chamber of Shaolin as an all-time great release. As the greatest Shaw Brothers movie of all time, Gordon Liu starred as the novice student San Te, who must prove his skills as he makes his way through the temple’s chambers in his quest to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was just the first in a trilogy featuring Liu, who returned for Return to the 36th Chamber in 1980 and Disciples of the 36th Chamber in 1985. As a hugely influential martial arts release, the name of Featuring everything a martial arts lover could ask for from a fast-paced kung fu movie, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was one of the best fighting films of all time.

Anyone wishing to discover a love for old-school kung fu movies would be foolish not to start with Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon. As perhaps the most iconic martial arts movie ever made, Enter the Dragon represented the pinnacle of Lee’s all too brief Hollywood career, as it was his last movie before he tragically passed away at just 32. With the perfect combination of espionage, spy thriller, blaxploitation, and classic kung fu, the genre-bending style of .

Whether it was the iconic imagery of Lee himself or the epic mirror room fight sequence, Enter the Dragon has endured throughout the decades for good reason. While newcomers to old-school kung fu should also be sure to check out The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, and Game of Death, Enter the Dragon still remains Lee’s most accessible movie and a great starting point to enter your own classic kung fu journey.