Hong Kong martial arts cinema

How kung fu and wuxia films turned Hong Kong into a global cultural powerhouse
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From kung fu to wuxia films, and from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan to Donnie Yen, Hong Kong cinema has been renowned for its martial arts productions over the decades. Learn more about the classic movies and revisit some of our archive interviews about the best that the industry has to offer, all in one place.

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Entertainment
Louis Koo Tin-lok (front) in a still from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.
Entertainment
Exhuma, Twilight of the Warriors lead Asian Film Awards nominations
Both movies are up for best picture at the 18th Asian Film Awards, as are All We Imagine as Light, Black Dog and Teki Cometh.
Michael Tse in a still from Burning Blood (category IIB, Cantonese), directed by Wilson Chin. Jordan Chan and Michael Tse co-star.
Entertainment
Review|Burning Blood: stars of Young and Dangerous back for awful police thriller
Jerry Lamb, Jason Chu, Jordan Chan and Michael Tse reunite in Wilson Chin’s posthumous final film that is just as bad as his others.
Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress Anita Mui wore a wedding gown at one of her last concerts in Hong Kong in November 2003. She died the following month on December 30. Photo: Reuters
Culture
When Hong Kong lost Cantopop superstar Anita Mui
Mui, an award-winning singer and actress who had dominated the city’s show business scene, announced her cancer diagnosis to a shocked world in September 2003.
Donnie Yen as Monkey King in a still from The Monkey King (2014).
Entertainment
4 notable Monkey King adaptations in Hong Kong cinema. One stars Donnie Yen
We recall Journey to the West film adaptations, from Stephen Chow’s turn in the title role to one in which Donnie Yen plays the Monkey King.
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An example of snake kung fu in a still from The Karate Kid. The style also features in an early Jackie Chan film and Kung Fu Panda. Photo: Columbia Pictures
Arts
5 martial arts films that feature the snake style of Shaolin kung fu
From an early Jackie Chan film to Kung Fu Panda and The Karate Kid, here are five movies where snake kung fu appears.
Dayo Wong in a still from The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures
Entertainment
Profile|Meet Dayo Wong, stand-up comedy icon and Hong Kong box office king
The star of The Last Dance has had a tumultuous rise to the top, with a string of failed films but a stellar stand-up career under his belt.
Louis Koo (left) and Raymond Lam in a screengrab from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy
Hong Kong box office receipts fell to HK$1.34 billion in 2024, lowest since 2011
While earnings were down by 6.2 per cent over 2023, one bright spot offered hope: local films sold more tickets than Hollywood productions.
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Sammo Hung at an interview with the Post in Hong Kong, in March. The martial arts film icon reflected on his glittering career, which he spent “guessing what would become successful”. Photo: Xiaomei Chen. Hair: Perry @ GHD Styling Team. Makeup: Guerlain Makeup Team
Culture
Recap|Sammo Hung honoured, Bruce Lee’s legacy, Jackie Chan’s breakthrough and more
Explore the legacies of martial arts legends Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and their impact on Hollywood and Hong Kong cinema.
Taylor Swift, here performing during her Eras Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, in December, has been compared to famous ancient Chinese singer Yongxin in one of PostMag’s top five best-read stories of 2024. Photo: AP
Culture
Our most-read PostMag stories of 2024, from Donald Trump to Sammo Hung
What were the most popular stories with our online readers this year? Donald Trump was the winner, as a look back at his attempt to sell his yacht in Hong Kong was No 1 on our charts ….
Ricky Hui Koon-ying (left) and Michael Hui Koon-man in a still from The Private Eyes.
Entertainment
8 classic Hong Kong movies that influenced filmmaking in the city
Hong Kong filmmaking underwent successive evolutions thanks to films like Fist of Fury, Infernal Affairs and John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow.
Special effects makeup artist Wilfred Wan with one of his monstrous creations. Photo: SCMP
Society
For Hong Kong special effects make-up artist, ‘gross’ is a compliment
Wilfred Wan, whose work has appeared in major blockbusters, shares the blood, sweat and slime of his intricate craft.
SCMP Originals
The Hong Kong make-up artist behind these shocking special effects
We look back at some of our top entertainment stories of 2024, including one about how actress Shu Qi (pictured) went from soft-porn to mainstream fame. Photo: SCMP
Entertainment
Entertainment stories you read most in 2024 about adult film stars and more
We look back at some of our top entertainment stories of 2024, including one about how an actress went from soft-porn to mainstream fame.
Dayo Wong Tze-wah in a still from The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures
Entertainment
The Hong Kong films released in 2024, ranked from worst to best
From We 12 to Papa, Fly Me to the Moon and The Last Dance, our ranking of the Hong Kong films that hit cinemas in the course of the year.
For actor Chow Yun-fat, photography has become a passion. Photo: Harbour City
Arts
‘Right time, right place, right people’: Chow Yun-fat on his photography
Hong Kong actor talks about blending into a crowd to take street photographs, his inspiration, and his new show at Harbour City.
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Cherie Chung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat in a still from Once a Thief, one of John Woo’s more obscure action films. Photo: Fortune Star Media Limited
Entertainment
3 of John Woo’s lesser known action films, one so violent it was shelved
A triad movie with a young Stephen Chow, a crude war film and a crime caper starring Leslie Cheung. These 3 Woo projects fly under the radar.
Fans of Japanese pop duo Yoasobi are in for a treat with an exhibition at Airside in Kai Tak, Kowloon, one of our pick of things to see and do this weekend in Hong Kong.
Food & Drink
5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, December 20-22
A dance workout to get in shape for the holidays, a charity roast goose feast and a celebration of a Japanese pop duo are among our picks.
Four Trails director Robin Lee rests against a post box by the Mui Wo Ferry Pier in a still from the documentary about the 2021 Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge. Photo: Edko Films
Entertainment
How filming 298km Hong Kong ultra run was almost as hard as competing
Director talks about the stress of making the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge documentary and telling its runners’ stories.
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Michael Hui in a still from The Last Dance.
Entertainment
The 12 best Asian films of 2024, including The Last Dance
From a Thai tear-jerker to a Korean cross-dressing romcom and a hand-drawn Japanese anime, our pick of the best Asian films of the past year.
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Donnie Yen in a still from The Prosecutor.
Entertainment
Review|The Prosecutor: Donnie Yen literally fights for justice in court drama
The Prosecutor offers great action from Donnie Yen but with its simplistic representation of justice, don’t expect a hard-hitting drama.
Ian Chan (front) and Natalie Hsu in a still from Last Song for You.
Entertainment
Review|Last Song for You: Natalie Hsu melts hearts in poignant fantasy romance
Natalie Hsu, helped by Ekin Cheng and Mirror’s Ian Chan, shines in this Hong Kong healing drama about memories, regret and lost love.
Stephen Chow Sing-chi in a still from Fight Back to School (1991). The comedy star had a “heroic” image makeover for this film and its sequel, and all three films were a showcase for his comedic genius. Photo: Win’s Movie Production & I/E Co. Ltd
Entertainment
Stephen Chow’s ‘heroic’ makeover for Fight Back to School movies
Known for lowbrow comedies and playing the underdog, Chow was successfully recast as a suave hero, playing a cop undercover as a schoolboy.
Dylan So in a scene in Papa, in 2024. Photo: Golden Scene
Culture
Dylan So debuts in Papa as a young murderer troubled by voices
The 18-year-old Hong Kong actor has won over audiences playing a quiet high schooler – who kills his family.
Jo Koo Cho-lam has a supporting role in the Hong Kong true crime film Papa. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Culture
Q&A|Why Papa’s stand-out actress Jo Koo has never had a manager
The veteran actress on working with Philip Yung and Sean Lau, learning about psychosis, and her debut in a 1998 Fruit Chan film.
Lin Min-chen in a still from Haunting Call.
Entertainment
Review|Haunting Call: Lin Min-chen sees ghosts in subpar Danny Pang horror
A live streamer steals a mobile phone that serves as an instrument of revenge for a ghost she befriends. Intriguing, but don’t expect scares.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from The Grandmaster. Photo: Jet Tone Films
Entertainment
The Ip Man movies without Donnie Yen, including a Wong Kar-wai version
The Ip Man story has been explored in multiple films, from Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster starring Tony Leung to one featuring Anthony Wong.
A restaurant featured in 1998 comedy starring Stephen Chow, will close its doors after Christmas. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy
Hong Kong restaurant featured in Stephen Chow film draws crowds before closure
Hung Wan Cafe, the filming location of 1998 comedy The Lucky Guy, will close after Christmas following more than 40 years of operations.
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The Last Dance, which opened in cinemas four weeks ago, stars Dayo Wong and screen veteran Michael Hui. Photo: Sun Yeung
Society
The Last Dance takes first place with record HK$122 million at Hong Kong cinemas
Drama set around funeral trade is highest-grossing Chinese-language film ever in Hong Kong.
Opinion
Editorial|The death of Hong Kong’s film industry has been overplayed
Two Hong Kong productions in particular show there is a role for the local industry despite 2024 having the poorest box office take in 13 years.
SCMP Editorial
2
Editorial|Cut red tape to ease the pain of Hong Kong’s bereaved
Popular Hong Kong film and report by ombudsman are timely reminders for better ways to deal with formalities arising from deaths.
SCMP Editorial
1
Editorial|Film sets highlight Hong Kong’s rich history and culture
The display provides a good example of harnessing the soft power of creative industries to promote the city amid a slow tourism recovery.
SCMP Editorial
My Hong Kong|Less is more when it comes to Hong Kong staging ‘mega events’
Like an overstuffed diner who raids the buffet too many times, Hong Kong risks leaving tourists fatigued by overstuffing the calendar with ‘mega events’.
SCMP ColumnistLuisa Tam
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What a view|Why Hong Kong producer and lyricist Saville Chan wants the director’s chair
Hong Kong film producer, screenwriter and award-winning lyricist Saville Chan tells Post Magazine why he hopes his future lies in the director’s chair.
Stephen McCarty
Then & Now|Who killed the cheongsam? A look at its history and demise
Once wildly popular across the Chinese world, cheongsam have largely vanished into the pages of history – no thanks to Suzie Wong, and elite Hong Kong girls’ schools.
Jason Wordie
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Editorial|Honours a reminder of Hong Kong’s golden era
The separate recognition of two of the city’s biggest screen stars – Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung – at major international film festivals should inspire a new generation of creative talent.
SCMP Editorial
2
Editorial|Dazzling film awards tear up the Hong Kong script
Controversial documentary takes top prize as other pictures cash in at the box office to prove cinema industry doom-mongers wrong.
SCMP Editorial
1
Editorial|Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar serves as inspiration
Recognition for the Asian actress – and others from the region – will boost the confidence of the industry here and beyond.
SCMP Editorial
4
Editorial|Lessons to be learned from Hong Kong school film row
An ‘internal’ project focusing on girls at a Hong Kong school over 10 years has created a storm following claims consent for a public screening had not been sought.
SCMP Editorial
3
Editorial|Taiwan film awards a political minefield
Hong Kong filmmakers are being urged to think twice before attending the ceremony for the Golden Horse Awards for fear that untoward comments during the event could see their work banned in mainland China or worse, fall afoul of the national security law.
SCMP Editorial
3
Editorial|Hong Kong cultural icons will continue to inspire future generations
As Hong Kong mourns storyteller Ni Kuang and filmmaker Alex Law, it can take comfort from knowing their much-loved legacies will live on.
SCMP Editorial
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