5 films that feature snake kung fu, from Kung Fu Panda to The Karate Kid

From an early Jackie Chan film to Kung Fu Panda and The Karate Kid, here are five movies where snake kung fu appears

Reading Time:3 minutes

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

Published: 11:15am, 5 Jan 2025Updated: 12:09pm, 10 Jan 2025

From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series.

For centuries, animals have been a source of inspiration for Chinese martial arts. The association dates back to the Eastern Han dynasty (AD25-220), when the Chinese doctor Hua Tuo developed a set of animal-based exercises called “Frolics of the Five Animals” with the aim of improving people’s health.

Fast-forward to today, and several styles of Shaolin wushu – one of the most famous forms of Chinese martial arts – are similarly inspired by animals, including “snake kung fu” or “snake boxing” (she quan).

Characterised by circular motions – of the wrists, arms or feet – the style mimics the fluid movements of snakes, and involves striking with accuracy where and when the opponent least expects it.

Within snake kung fu, there are subsets inspired by different snake species. Viper, for example, has a trademark tongue strike that is aimed at the arteries and veins, while cobra involves striking nerves and pressure points.

Over the years, many of these movements and techniques have been used not just in real life but also by characters on the big screen. We recall five films where snake kung fu makes an appearance.