Bonus: Kung Fu Hustle
Release year: 2004 | Director: Stephen Chow | Currently streaming: Available on Netflix with a subscription, also available for purchase on various platforms.
What is Kung Fu Hustle about? Sing wants to become a gangster and join the notorious Axe Gang. One day he stumbles upon a unique housing complex. As it turns out, powerful Kung Fu masters live in the complex, who must soon confront the Axe Gang.
What kind of film is Kung Fu Hustle? Honestly, one can argue whether Kung Fu Hustle even belongs to the Wuxia genre. The time period (1940s) is quite unusual, which is why we have only included the film as a bonus.
However, Kung Fu Hustle is well worth it. The action comedy is a love letter to Wuxia, Kung Fu, and everything Chinese cinema has to offer. The action is fun and wonderfully absurd, and the humor works well.
The film is worthwhile for everyone, but those who have some experience in Asian cinema will find many references here. Even Where Winds Meet (via x.com) pays tribute to the film in an emote.
As often happens, genre boundaries blur in films, but these titles should give you a good feel for the range within the Wuxia genre. If you’re still interested in such films afterwards, there are countless others, whether modern or old. South Korea is also a fantastic film landscape: These are the 7 best Korean films of all time via IMDb
