Every Jackie Chan Movie in Order

Jackie Chan has established himself as a legendary figure in global cinema through his unique combination of martial arts mastery and physical comedy. His career began in the Hong Kong film industry where he transitioned from a stunt performer to a leading man. Over several decades he has starred in over one hundred films that showcase his willingness to perform dangerous stunts without the use of doubles. This list tracks the chronological progression of his most significant starring roles and international breakthroughs.

‘New Fist of Fury’ (1976)

Jackie Chan stars as a young man who takes up the mantle of a fallen hero to fight against Japanese occupiers in Taiwan. This film served as a spiritual successor to a legendary Bruce Lee project and attempted to position Chan as a traditional martial arts icon. The story focuses on the struggle to keep a local martial arts school alive under an oppressive regime. Chan showcases the high energy fight scenes and rigorous training sequences that characterized early Hong Kong cinema.

‘Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow’ (1978)

This film marks a significant turning point in the career of Jackie Chan as it introduced his signature brand of comedic kung fu. Chan plays an orphan who learns a secretive fighting style from an elderly master to defend against a rival clan. The choreography integrates humor and everyday objects into the combat sequences for the first time. This breakout hit established a successful creative partnership with director Yuen Woo ping that would define the era.

‘Drunken Master’ (1978)

Jackie Chan portrays the legendary folk hero Wong Fei hung during his mischievous and undisciplined youth. The plot follows his rigorous and unconventional training under a master known as Beggar So to master the art of drunken boxing. This movie solidified the action comedy genre and became a massive commercial success across Asia. The creative fight scenes use the concept of intoxication to create fluid and unpredictable movements during combat.

‘The Young Master’ (1980)

Jackie Chan stars as a student who must track down his brother after a disgrace involving a rival martial arts school. This project was one of the first times Chan took full creative control as both the lead actor and director. The film is notable for its incredibly long and complex final fight sequence which demonstrated his dedication to perfection. It broke box office records in Hong Kong and further cemented his status as a top tier action star.

‘Project A’ (1983)

Jackie Chan stars as a member of the Hong Kong Coast Guard fighting against pirates in the late nineteenth century. The film is famous for its elaborate stunt sequences including a dangerous fall from a clock tower that pays homage to silent film legends. It features a collaborative effort between Chan and his peers Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. This movie marked a shift toward more modern and ambitious action set pieces involving large scale physical risks.

‘Police Story’ (1985)

Jackie Chan plays a dedicated detective who must protect a witness while being framed for a crime he did not commit. The film features relentless pacing and some of the most impressive stunts ever captured on film. One notable sequence involves a high speed chase through a shanty town and a daring descent down a pole in a shopping mall. This project launched a long running franchise that redefined the contemporary police thriller in the Hong Kong film industry.

‘Armour of God’ (1986)

Jackie Chan portrays an adventurer and treasure hunter who searches for a legendary set of mystical armor across Europe. The story combines elements of international espionage and supernatural mystery with high octane action. During the production of this film Chan suffered a near fatal injury while performing a leap from a wall to a tree branch. Despite the injury the film became a major success and inspired several sequels featuring the same character.

‘The Legend of Drunken Master’ (1994)

Jackie Chan returns to his role as Wong Fei hung in this follow up that features some of the most intricate choreography of his career. The story involves a conflict over the smuggling of Chinese artifacts by foreign interests. The final factory fight sequence is widely regarded as a masterpiece of martial arts cinema due to its speed and technical difficulty. This film helped reintroduce the traditional kung fu style to a new generation of viewers.

‘Rumble in the Bronx’ (1995)

This film played a crucial role in bringing Jackie Chan to mainstream success in the United States and other Western markets. He stars as a visitor to New York City who becomes embroiled in a conflict between local gangs and a criminal syndicate. The movie features a famous jump from a building rooftop to a balcony that became a highlight of the marketing campaign. Audiences were captivated by the combination of incredible martial arts skills and relatable physical humor.

‘Rush Hour’ (1998)

Jackie Chan paired with Chris Tucker for this immensely popular buddy cop action comedy set in Los Angeles. He plays a Hong Kong inspector who travels to America to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a high ranking diplomat. The chemistry between the two leads helped the film reach a massive global audience and established Chan as a Hollywood star. It successfully blended Eastern fighting styles with Western urban comedy tropes to create a hit franchise.

‘Shanghai Noon’ (2000)

Jackie Chan enters the Western genre as a Chinese Imperial Guard who travels to Nevada to rescue a kidnapped princess. He forms an unlikely partnership with a laid back outlaw played by Owen Wilson as they navigate the American frontier. The film parodies various cowboy tropes while maintaining a high level of inventive fight choreography involving horses and trees. This project showcased his versatility and his ability to work effectively across different historical settings.

‘New Police Story’ (2004)

This entry in the long running series takes a much darker and more dramatic tone compared to previous installments. Jackie Chan plays a disgraced inspector seeking redemption after his team is killed by a gang of rebellious youths. The film focuses on the psychological toll of his profession while still delivering intense and grounded action sequences. It served as a reminder of his dramatic acting capabilities alongside his well known physical talents.

‘The Karate Kid’ (2010)

In this remake of the classic story Jackie Chan takes on a mentor role as a maintenance man who is secretly a kung fu master. He trains a young American boy to defend himself and compete in a local tournament in Beijing. The film emphasizes the philosophy and discipline of martial arts rather than just the physical combat aspects. Chan received significant critical praise for his more subdued and emotional performance in this mentor capacity.

‘The Foreigner’ (2017)

Jackie Chan delivers an intense performance as a humble businessman seeking justice for his daughter after a tragic bombing in London. The character utilizes his past military training to track down the perpetrators in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a government official. This movie stands out for its serious tone and focus on suspense and political intrigue. It proved that he could lead a gritty thriller with the same conviction as his earlier action comedies.

‘Ride On’ (2023)

Jackie Chan stars as a washed up stuntman who forms a deep bond with his retired stunt horse while dealing with family conflicts. The story serves as a tribute to the golden age of Hong Kong action cinema and the real life risks taken by performers. It explores themes of legacy and the evolution of the film industry through several nods to his own iconic career moments. The emotional weight of the film reflects his long history and dedication to the craft of filmmaking.

Please share your favorite memories of Jackie Chan movies in the comments.