We're counting down the 12 Days with our Must See Holiday Guide for Action and Martial Arts Movies. This curated list took into account the elements of winter, Christmas and serious fighting that will satisfy even the most discerning Black Belt reader.
So sit back, relax and enjoy this holiday gift that keeps giving from Black Belt Magazine
Force of One
The Iceman Cometh
Police Story 4
House of Flying Daggers
Silent Night
Violent Night
The Bourne Identity
Peppermint
Batman Returns
Die Hard 2
Rocky 4
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
A Force of One (1979)
Starring: Chuck Norris
Best Fight Scene: Ending battle against Bill Wallace
A Force of One combines holiday atmosphere with raw action, making it a standout with Chuck Norris in his prime, set against a backdrop of Christmas in Southern California.
The film follows Matt Logan (Norris), a karate champion recruited by law enforcement to stop a mysterious killer targeting undercover narcotics officers. As the holiday season unfolds, the tension builds between festive moments and the high-stakes investigation, culminating in a battle of discipline and skill.
The film’s climactic showdown is a Christmas treat for action fans, as Logan faces off against Bill “Superfoot” Wallace in a pulse-pounding final duel. Wallace, playing the assassin, matches Norris with impressive martial arts, creating a dynamic fight filled with powerful strikes and swift kicks.
Their brutal, high-energy confrontation highlights Norris's karate prowess, capping the film with a memorable display of martial arts mastery.
The Iceman Cometh (1989)
Starring: Yuen Biao and Maggie Cheung
Best Fight Scene: Final fight featuring Yuen Biao vs. Wah Yuen
In classic 80s Hong Kong tradition, when Golden Harvest ruled the land, this thrilling blend of martial arts, time-travel adventure, and wintery spectacle, stars the legendary Yuen Biao. Known for his acrobatic prowess and flawless martial arts choreography, Biao shines as a Ming Dynasty warrior frozen in an icy prison for centuries.
Thawed out in modern-day Hong Kong, he must adapt to a world of skyscrapers, neon lights, and holiday cheer—all while pursuing his treacherous rival, who has also been resurrected to wreak havoc.
Set against the backdrop of the festive season, the film blends intense action with moments of comedic culture clash as Biao’s character navigates the glimmering, wintry cityscape, juxtaposing his ancient values with the modern world’s chaos and charm.
One unforgettable sequence sees Biao battling his foe in a snow-covered plaza adorned with Christmas lights, turning the festive backdrop into a stage for a jaw-dropping duel of blades and fists.
Already renowned for his roles in classics like Project A and Dragons Forever, Biao delivers one of his most memorable performances, combining martial arts mastery with heartfelt heroism. The Iceman Cometh is an exhilarating holiday-themed martial arts spectacle that offers action, humor, and a frosty twist to the genre.
Jackie Chan’s First Strike (1996)
Starring: Jackie Chan
Best Fight Scene: Jackie vs. Bodyguard (scaffolding scene)
Jackie Chan's First Strike, also known as Police Story IV: First Strike, is a thrilling action-comedy that stands out as one of Jackie Chan’s most visually unique films, set largely in icy, snow-covered landscapes.
The movie follows Chan as a Hong Kong police officer caught in a globe-trotting espionage mission that leads him from sunlit cities to the frozen wilderness. The film's winter backdrop plays a key role, with several scenes utilizing the cold, snowy environment to enhance its inventive action sequences.
The holiday season adds a subtle festive layer, contrasting the high-stakes chases and fights with the serene, frosty beauty of its settings.
Among the standout winter-themed action sequences is a breathtaking chase across snow-covered mountains, where Chan hilariously fends off enemies on skis, blending slapstick humor with his signature martial arts skills.
The icy setting also sets the stage for an exhilarating underwater fight beneath the frozen surface of a lake, showcasing Chan’s creativity in adapting his stunts to the harsh, cold environment. Combining holiday charm, spectacular wintry visuals, and Chan’s one-of-a-kind choreography, First Strike delivers an adrenaline-fueled adventure that embraces its frosty atmosphere to create a unique entry in Jackie Chan’s legendary career.
House of Flying Daggers (2004)
Starring: Andy Lau
Best Fight Scene: Final showdown between Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro
House of Flying Daggers climaxes in a visually stunning and emotionally charged battle set against a wintry wonderland, where icy winds heighten the tension and underscore the characters' emotional stakes.
The mix of martial arts, winter elements, and emotional depth makes this snowy battle one of the most memorable in martial arts cinema history.
The snowy setting plays a critical role in elevating the drama, mirroring the characters' inner turmoil as the cold, unforgiving landscape becomes the stage for their final reckoning. Zhang Yimou’s mastery of visual storytelling shines through, with the swirling snow adding an ethereal quality to the fight.
Every step and clash of blades feels heightened, culminating in a shocking twist that leaves a lasting impression.
Silent Night (2023)
Starring: Joel Kinnaman
Best Fight Scene: Bar room knock down drag out fight
Directed by action maestro John Woo, Silent Night reinvents the holiday action genre with a vengeance, blending a Christmas backdrop with heart-pounding thrills and martial arts intensity.
Joel Kinnaman stars as a grieving father on a silent but deadly quest for justice after tragedy strikes his family. The snowy, festive streets provide a sharp contrast to the film’s relentless action, turning Christmas cheer into a gritty battleground.
Woo’s signature style is on full display, with dynamic choreography and breathtaking stunts amplifying the tension.
The martial arts elements take center stage during visceral, high-impact fight sequences, where Kinnaman’s character channels raw emotion into every strike and movement. The snow-covered settings and twinkling holiday lights heighten the visual spectacle, transforming ordinary objects into improvised weapons in Woo’s trademark style.
Silent Night captures the spirit of vengeance and redemption, blending emotional depth with jaw-dropping action to create a uniquely thrilling Christmas tale.
Violent Night (2022)
Starring: David Harbour
Best Fight Scene: Santa Vs. the Kill Squad
Violent Night takes the holiday season to new extremes by blending Christmas cheer with brutal action in a thrilling, darkly comedic setting.
Santa Claus, played by Stranger Things star David Harbour, finds himself in the midst of a violent hostage situation when a group of mercenaries take over a wealthy family’s estate. Harbour trained in jiu-jitsu and Greco-Roman wrestling to prepare for the role.
What follows is a wild, action-packed rescue mission where Santa fights back with surprising martial arts precision, using his combat skills to dismantle the criminals in brutal, yet creative ways. The fight scenes are a blend of raw physicality and holiday humor, turning Santa into an unexpected action hero.
Throughout the film, Santa’s combat moves combine elements of traditional martial arts with his own unique, improvised style. One standout scene features him taking down armed thugs with a mix of quick strikes, grappling, and using Christmas-themed weapons like tree ornaments and even a candy cane.
The holiday atmosphere, filled with decorations and festive lights, heightens the absurdity of the intense fight scenes, making the film a one-of-a-kind holiday action thriller that offers a fresh twist on both the Christmas movie and martial arts genres.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Starring: Matt Damon
Best Fight Scene: Pen vs. Knife
The Bourne Identity weaves a tense, gripping narrative of espionage and self-discovery, with Matt Damon starring as Jason Bourne, a man with amnesia and a deadly skill set. The film’s chilly European setting, with snow-covered streets and festive lights evokes a subtle winter holiday atmosphere.
Bourne’s journey to uncover his identity takes him through a cold, foreboding landscape, where the contrast between the season’s peaceful backdrop and his violent, high-stakes mission amplifies the tension.
Martial arts play a pivotal role in defining Bourne’s character and the film’s pulse-pounding action. Utilizing techniques such as Krav Maga and Filipino Kali, designed and influenced by Black Belt Hall of Famer Jeff Imada. Damon’s Bourne is a master of brutal, efficient combat. A standout scene involves an intense apartment fight where Bourne improvises weapons, including a pen, showcasing both his martial arts prowess and resourcefulness.
These close-quarters fights, set against the frosty European winter, heighten the visceral nature of the story, creating a thriller that blends action, intrigue, and a touch of seasonal atmosphere.
Peppermint (2018)
Starring: Jennifer Garner
Best Fight Scene: Car Fight and Party Store
Peppermint showcases Jennifer Garner’s transformation into a fierce action hero as Riley North, a grieving mother who seeks vengeance after her family is brutally murdered.
While not directly a Christmas film, the movie features a wintery urban backdrop that evokes the holiday season, with Riley’s crusade for justice unfolding in cold, desolate streets decorated with festive lights.
The juxtaposition of Christmas cheer against the dark, brutal story of revenge gives the film a unique atmosphere, highlighting Riley’s fight to reclaim hope amidst the bleakness.
Jennifer Garner’s background in Elektra brings a sharp edge to her performance, with martial arts playing a significant role in Riley’s transformation into a lethal force. Using a mix of Krav Maga, kickboxing, and street fighting techniques, Garner’s action scenes are both raw and precise, emphasizing her physicality and emotional intensity.
A memorable fight takes place in a holiday-lit plaza, where Riley dismantles a gang using swift, calculated moves. Peppermint combines martial arts action with a grim yet hopeful story, underscored by its wintry, subtly Christmas-themed setting.
Batman Returns (1992)
Starring: Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Michael Keaton
Best Fight Scene: Catwoman Vs. Batman
Batman Returns is a dark, visually striking Christmas-themed entry in Tim Burton’s Batman franchise, set against a snowy Gotham City during the holiday season.
The film centers on the rise of the Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) as they challenge Batman (Michael Keaton).
A key moment in the film is the martial arts-infused fight between Batman and Catwoman. Their showdown takes place amidst the Christmas revelry, making it a striking contrast of festive cheer and fierce combat.
Using agility and precision, both characters engage in a physical and emotional battle, with Catwoman’s acrobatic martial arts style contrasting Batman’s disciplined fighting techniques.
Real life martial arts champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer Kathy Long helped support the authenticity of the fight scene doubling for Pfeiffer.
Die Hard 2 (1990)
Starring: Bruce Willis
Best Fight Scene: Ending on the airplane wing vs. William Sadler
Die Hard 2 is a thrilling action film set during Christmas at a snow-covered airport, where John McClane (Bruce Willis) must stop terrorists from taking control of the airport's systems.
The holiday setting amplifies the tension, with snowstorms creating a dangerous backdrop for McClane’s desperate battle to save the hostages, including his wife. The festive atmosphere contrasts sharply with the high-stakes action, adding a unique edge to the film’s relentless pace.
In the film’s electrifying climax, McClane faces off against Colonel Stuart, played by William Sadler, in a martial arts-infused showdown on the wing of a moving airplane. The fight is a brutal, intense battle, with both men using their combat skills to outmaneuver each other amid the freezing winds.
The icy setting and high-altitude danger heighten the stakes, making it one of the most memorable and physically demanding action scenes in the Die Hard franchise.
Rocky IV (1985)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren
Best Fight Scene: Ending championship fight between Rocky and Drago
The film, set against the backdrop of the Cold War, explores themes of national pride, personal redemption, and sacrifice.
The most iconic Christmas connection occurs when Rocky prepares for his ultimate showdown with Drago, training in the snowy wilderness of Russia.
The climax of the film, where Sylvester Stallone’s iconic Rocky faces off against Drago, played by 2024 Black Belt Magazine cover star Dolph Lundgren, transcends personal glory to become a powerful symbol of unity and hope, set against the backdrop of Christmas Day.
As the fight unfolds, the themes of determination, sacrifice, and overcoming adversity ring true, making the Christmas setting both poignant and integral to the emotional payoff of the film.
The contrast between the festive, family-focused holiday and the intense, high-stakes world of boxing adds an emotional layer to the film.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Starring: George Lazenby and Diana Rig
Best Fight Scene: Hotel scene
The Christmas-themed setting and George Lazenby’s lone turn as 007 sees Bond infiltrating an alpine fortress in the Swiss Alps, where the nefarious Blofeld (Telly Savalas) is hatching a plot involving biological warfare.
Against the backdrop of snowy peaks and festive cheer, Bond finds love with Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) in a rare exploration of the spy’s emotional depth. The Christmas ambiance enhances the charm and poignancy of this distinctive Bond outing.
Elements of the film, particularly in its costume design, can later be seen in the more modern film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Lazenby’s performance as Bond emphasizes physicality, with the film featuring some of the series’ best hand-to-hand combat sequences, showcasing his martial arts skills, including karate, boxing, judo and Jujutsu.
The action reaches thrilling heights during a daring bobsled chase and intense ski battles down treacherous slopes. Lazenby’s agility and precision bring a raw, visceral energy to the role, standing apart from the suave approach of his predecessor.