Best Fighting Movie Stars of All Time

Sure, directing, producing, cinematography, and the like all play a huge role in the success of a film. But is there truly anything more important, particularly in a fighting movie, than the star in front of the camera? Whether you’ve actually seen the movies they star in or not, there’s a good chance you’re at least familiar with their rugged, handsome faces. We were brave enough to comprise a list of our favorite fighting movie stars, but we want to hear how you think we did. Are we missing someone? Is there someone on our list who you don’t think should be? Check out the list and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Sylvester Stallone


Sylvester Stallone is likely best known for his role as Rocky Balboa in the Rocky franchise. After all, that’s the main reason he made our list. With the body of a dancer from a Sydney Hens Night, Rocky was inducted into the National Film Registry and its props were put in the Smithsonian Museum. In other words, his starring role was in an iconic film! Stalone was even voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the non-participant category on December 7, 2010! Incredibly, he didn’t receive a Golden Globe Award until after he reprised his role as Rocky Balboa for the 2015 movie Creed.

2. Jackie Chan

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Jackie Chan is an incredibly talented entertainer known for his acrobatic fighting style, comedic acting, creative stunts, and use of random, improvised weapons. He’s received stars on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Chan has appeared in more than 150 films, proving that not only is he a force to be reckoned with, but he will be for a long time.

3. Bruce Lee

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As if starring in iconic fighting films isn’t enough, Bruce Lee is considered by a wide majority of media and other martial artists to be one of the most influential martial artists in history. He’s also considered a pop culture icon of the 20th century. It can be said that Bruce Lee changed the way Asians are perceived and represented in movies. He’s so incredibly talented in martial arts that he was able to create his own form, which he named Jeet Kune Do.

4. Harrison Ford

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Harrison Ford gained worldwide attention for his role as Han Solo in the Star Wars series as well as the title character in Indiana Jones. Star Wars became one of the most successful movies of all time. He was ranked Empire’s number one “Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” and as of 2016 he was the highest-grossing U.S. domestic box-office star.

5. Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme is a martial artist and Belgian actor best known for his roles in a martial arts action films. His breakout role was in Bloodsport in 1988. Universal Soldier was Van Damme’s highest-grossing film of his career. While he continues to work, it’s his roles from decades ago that continue to give him the title of one of the best fighting movie stars of all time.

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