Jackie Chan’s best movies: martial arts superstar’s top 10 films ranked, from Drunken Master to Project A to The Foreigner
- Jackie Chan started out in film as a stuntman, and worked his way up to starring in Hong Kong and Hollywood films
- Here are his best 10 films, ones that showcase his martial arts skills, his comedy chops and his dramatic flair
Jackie Chan’s popularity in Hong Kong may be at an all-time low among a significant part of the population due to his pro-Beijing political stance, but he was once a much-loved performer and a symbol of the city’s energetic, can-do spirit.
Chan learned martial arts in a Peking Opera School, and began his film career as a stuntman. He made his way to superstar status with hard work, tenacity, and a solid sense of who he was and what his audience wanted from him.
His martial arts prowess and skill as a stuntman are demonstrated in every film he has made, but he did his best work during the late 1970s and 1980s. Although some of his Hollywood films are palatable, Chan has always been at his best in Hong Kong productions, where he has full control of the action scenes.
We rank Chan’s 10 best films to date, from good to great.
10. The Foreigner (directed by Martin Campbell, 2017)
Directed by British filmmaker Martin Campbell, who previously made the Bond films GoldenEye and Casino Royale, The Foreigner was an old-school political thriller which finally gave Chan the chance to play a dramatic role that suits his advancing years.
