Jackie Chan is one of the most recognizable actors in the world, having acted in well over 100 films since the 1960s. His first big breaks came as a child actor and as a stuntman in several Bruce Lee films and before too long he was starring in kung fu films of his own.
Known for his athletic prowess, comedic timing, and genre versatility, Jackie Chan continues to be a staple in action film history. With such a large filmography, it can be difficult to find a jumping-off point for his widening scope of film work, but there are a few essentials that greatly stand out.
10 The Karate Kid (61)
Jackie Chan is no stranger to the world of movie remakes, perhaps most notable is the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid, starring opposite of Jaden Smith. It’s the same idea as the classic 80’s film, the new kid in town has some run-ins with the local bullies and an eccentric handyman teaches him the values of proper kung-fu. There is still plenty of martial arts in between the training and life lessons, but this film is best remembered for Jackie Chan’s role as a mentor.
9 Rumble In The Bronx (61)
One of the types of roles Jackie Chan best plays is a fish out of water, oftentimes in a strange big city. Rumble in the Bronx is one of the films that helped shoot the actor to superstardom thanks to his slick choreography and comedic footwork. He plays a Hong Kong cop visiting New York City for his uncle’s wedding, who naturally ends up stumbling into the devious underbelly of the city. Released in 1995, the film was a runaway success across the world and helped establish Jackie Chan as a leading action hero.
8 Shinjuku Incident (63)
Jackie Chan is usually on the law enforcement side of crime films, but in Shinjuku Incident audiences get to see him dive into the seedy world of the Yakuza. He plays an illegal Chinese immigrant who has traveled to Japan to find his lost love, only to discover her in the arms of a local Yakuza boss. It’s a darker film than a number of Chan’s other family-friendly romps. Nevertheless, it greatly emphasizes his acting abilities above all.
7 Kung Fu Panda 3 (66)
The third installment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise continues the story of Po and his friends as they practice kung-fu and trek on many an adventure. This time around, Po must help train a village of pandas against an evil supernatural warlord in a plot that harkens back to classic samurai films. Jackie Chan returns as Master Monkey and joins an ensemble cast of celebrity voice actors for this hit sequel.
6 Kung Fu Panda 2 (67)
The second Kung Fu Panda film marks the return of Jackie Chan as Master Monkey, as well as many of the original cast. Po and the Furious Five must battle against an evil Peacock who is in control of a new powerful weapon.
The 2011 film was noted by critics for being darker than the original while continuing the same cartoonish kung fu action fun that the first is known for.
5 Police Story 2 (68)
Jackie Chan is no stranger to sequels, but he does have a good track record of keeping them entertaining. The first Police Story film was a massive success and helped to establish Jackie Chan as a renowned action hero capable of doing his own, often very dangerous stunts. The second film sticks to its roots and flashes more wild stunt work grandeur and action-packed scenes. It’s an essential action film for fans of the genre.
4 Kung Fu Panda (74)
The first Kung Fu Panda was a runaway success when released in 2008 as fans fell for the lovable panda Po, played by Jack Black. Thanks to a kung fu comedy blend and an all star cast, including Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, and Lucy Liu, the film dazzled critics and audiences alike. Jackie Chan plays Master Monkey, the chilled out monkey who helps train the hapless Po in the art of kung fu.
3 The Legend Of The Drunken Master (74)
Few action heroes have been able to find the perfect balance between comedy and combat. Jackie Chan practically invented the genre twist in its modern format, best exemplified by the Drunken Master series. This martial arts film was originally released in 1994 under the name Drunken Master II and was finally released in North America in 2000 under the name Legend of the Drunken Master. A sequel to the original 1978 kung fu classic, the film follows Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung as he engages in high-octane martial arts and slapstick comedy in 20th century China.
2 Shanghai Noon (77)
A clever mix of the Western, buddy cop, and kung fu film genres, Shanghai Noon sends Jackie Chan back to the Old West to save a kidnapped Princess with the help of an outlaw, played by Owen Wilson.
Jackie Chan successfully showcased that he could appeal to Western audiences just as much as any Hollywood action hero in this 2000 classic. Shanghai Noon helped cement Chan’s status as a crowd-pleasing fluid actor not afraid of a few crazy stunts.
1 Police Story (78)
Perhaps best known as the Hong Kong film that shot Jackie Chan to stardom, the original Police Story movie is an important apex in the history of action films. Chan’s legendary stunts still defy viewers. The car chases and high-stakes explosions aren’t just dangerous for the characters in the film, but for the stunt actors, including the master himself. His role as the cop who will never stop is still an essential part of Chan’s image as the good guy in the action-comedy genre. His foray into the explosive world of Hong Kong crime is still being copied to this day.
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