December 12, 2025 (NYC)–Top 10 Martial Arts Films of 2025. 2025 was another very good year for Martial Arts movies. The globalization of entertainment combined with the multitude of outlets for viewing and streaming martial arts movies is a benefit to martial arts movies fans. We have had a chance to see many of the movies released this year; however, if there was a great martial arts movie we missed please be sure to let us know. We would be happy to screen and review it.
Unusual year in that two John Wick Films made the list and both Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror are on the list twice- once together!
Here is our list of the Top 10 Martial Arts films of 2025:
#10: Karate Kid Legends (USA)- Not quite The Karate Kid, not quite Cobra Kai, but you get the idea. Family friendly filmmaking that ties the original and reboot together in a non-believable, but interesting way. Ben Wang is actually quite good and the fight choreography a huge step up from the 1980’s franchise version.
#9: Nobody 2 (USA)– Not as good as the original despite the addition of the world’s best martial arts Director, Timo Tjahjanto. Nobody was the best action film of 2021. This one is a fun and exciting follow up. Good action. Good comedic undertones. A lot of hype about Sharon Stone in this one but she was my least favorite part of the film.
#8: Wick is Pain (USA)- I can’t get enough John Wick and, while many documentaries are boring, this one is very fun, exciting, and interesting to watch. I liked seeing how the sausage was made. The passion for the project was infectious and the look at how bloody brutal it was to make made this one good viewing.
#7: Affinity (USA)– Marko Zaror had another great year and his presence in this small, low budget, unusual Sci-Fi, martial arts film turned it into a much better film. Brandon Slagle directed this one and it was tightly directed with good fight choreography. This one is a bit if a surprise but worth watching.
#6: Baby Assassins 3 (Japan)– I just love these films. Baby Assassins 3 is the third installment of one of the most unique, fun, and exciting martial arts action franchises of all time. The Direction by Hugo Sakamoto is terrific. “The film’s Direction, by Yugo Sakamoto; its tight editing, and unique cinematography really work in this one. The fight choreography continues to be unique and highly watchable“.
#5: Jade – One of the sexiest, most exciting martial arts action films of the year. In our review we described it as a cross between Foxy Brown and Kill Bill. Shaina West has a screen presence and martial arts pedigree to insure she is going places. “Shaina West is the titled character, and the heart of the film. She is as deadly as she is sexy. Most of all Jade is really, really cool. She is cool, from the way she dresses, to the way she talks, to the way she throws her hands and feet.” This one is unique and fun.
#4: Ghost Killer (Japan)– Akari Takaishi, of Baby Assassins‘ fame, co-stars in this film as a civilian college student with no martial arts training who becomes possessed by the spirit of a murdered Assassin. The Assassin, played by Masanori Mimoto, is familiar to martial arts audiences from his role in Hydra, and other great Japanese martial arts films.
#3: Prisoner of War (United States)– Remove the martial arts from this movie and you still have a great World War II action film about a soldier fighting for honor and freedom in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines. Scott Adkins continues to grow in range and acting chops, while maintaining high standards for films. Add in the martial arts action here and this film is on a different level. This is a great action film; a great War film, and a great martial arts film. Louis Mandylor as Director is super impressive.
#2: Diablo(Colombia)– This was a photo finish between 1st and 2nd place. Diablo is a surprisingly good and unique martial arts action film, where Marko Zaror and Scott Adkins shine. They are synergistic in this one. The acting is great. The martial arts fight choreography is superior. Ernesto Díaz Espinoza’s Direction elevates this project. It is in the category of much more high budgeted and high profile studio releases. This one is worth seeing more than once, for sure.
#1: Ballerina (USA)– While I expected to not like this one the combination of John Wick’s Universe, Chad Stahelski, and the amazing Ana de Armas come together for a great experience. Gabriel Byrne, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves help make this one new and nostalgic all at the same time. A worthy installment in the franchise and I hope they make a sequel.
Tony Jaa’s Striking Rescue is a great film I saw this year but released in 2024. His best since The Protector.
Thanks for a great year and thanks for making this feature the top feature of the year five (5) years in a row. It keeps me watching and reviewing.
-by Marc Zirogiannis
love it!