One of the inventors who mingled slapstick comedy with action, Jackie Chan is an actor like nobody else. Having acted in over 120 movies, Chan has established himself as one of the major global superstars. His work encompasses pretty much every genre cinema has to offer.
We’ve meticulously scoured Chan’s extensive filmography to put together our list of Jackie Chan’s best movies. As usual, if you feel we missed one of your favourites do let us in the comments below!
Rush Hour (1998)
A film that established Chan in western cinema, Rush Hour is one of the most popular buddy action comedies ever made. A diligent Chinese detective teams up with a loudmouthed L.A.P.D. detective to catch a dangerous mafia boss. Ruckus ensues when the two don’t get along as well as they should.
With a gripping plot and stupendous acting from the lead actors, Rush Hour is entertaining through and through.
Police Story (1985)
After a Hong Kong police officer is framed for the murder of a cop, he sets out to set everything right and deliver justice. And that cop is, of course, our Jackie Chan. With action scenes cracking even today’s action standard, Police Story is a complete pack of entertainment.
If you like Police Story, you might want to explore other movies in the series. There are a total of six Police Story movies, and all are worth watching. Pretty rare, right?
Dragons Forever (1988)
Another stupendous work from Jackie, Dragon Forever is a typical flavorful Hong Kongese action comedy. A man has to make a difficult decision when he comes to learn the reality of his employer.
Though the story might feel a bit stale by today’s standards, the movie features everything to keep you entertained till the end credits roll.
With the kind of connection Jackie’s character has with his boss, the film may be considered an extreme variation of Bruce Lee’s The Big Boss.
Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
Rumble in the Bronx can be best described as the struggles of a simple man trying to blend into an alien culture coupled with an unintentional run-in with dangerous gangsters.
A police officer from Hong Kong travels to New York to attend his uncle’s wedding. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends local gangsters and sets out to bring down evil in the city.
Rumble in the Bronx has a special stature as it was one of Chan’s first American films that turned him into a household name in the west.
The Foreigner (2017)
One of the few serious movies made by Jackie Chan, The Foreigner is an action thriller that delivers on many levels. A London businessman seeks revenge when his daughter is killed in an act of political terrorism.
The captivating plot of The Foreigner is spiced up with next-level action sequences and clap-worthy dialogues. In some instances, you might inevitably feel you have watched something similar, but the fabulous cinematography doesn’t let your experience get bothered.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
There aren’t many movies of this caliber. Though Jackie Chan has made several movies of this kind, Snake in the Eagle Shadow has a special reputation due to a lot of good reasons. It’s the tale of a rookie martial artist who teams up with a drunkard pro to take down an evil clan.
Snake in the Eagle Shadow offers everything that you look for in a movie to enjoy with your friends and family on a weekend night. Caution: The film makes you want to try martial arts.
Project A (1983)
Project A is a movie that is full of fun, feel, and features. At the turn of the 20th century, a sergeant is on a mission to save his country’s honour, but in order to do so, he needs to fend off smugglers and pirates.
The film is fun to watch owing to its very nature which is characterized by a gripping plot and phenomenal performances from the actors.
Miracles: The Canton Godfather (1989)
A variation of Frank Capra’s Lady for a Day, Miracles is an amusing tale of a humble countryman whose fate turns around in an unimaginable way. The film features all the flavours typical of a Jackie Chan’s action comedy movie.
The way the story unfolds is a sheer pleasure to watch – especially Jackie’s transformation from one role to another. You might find the start a bit slow, but once it picks up the pace you are sure to be entertained.
Drunken Master (1978)
Drunken Master is an absolute must-watch for everybody whether you’re into martial arts films or not. It’s a tale of determination, hard work, and victory narrated wonderfully
Despite being over five decades old, the movie has something that makes it feel fresh no matter how many times you watch it. Drunken Master is one of those few movies that has it in them to impress people of every age-group.
Armour of God II: Operation Condor (1991)
Operation Condor is a little different from most entries in Jackie’s filmography. It’s one of those special movies that contains action and adventure in equal proportion. With his role as a treasure hunter, Jackie proves he can pull off any kind of role.
The second installment of Armour of God series is frequently likened to Indiana Jones due to its focus on adventure. And of course, that’s more than enough reason to check this out!
There we have it, our list of Jackie Chan’s best 10 movies. What do you think about our picks? Did we include one of your favourites in our list? Do let us know in the comments below!