From jaw-dropping stunts to heart-pounding action-comedy, here are Jackie Chan’s greatest cinematic masterpieces.
Jackie Chan is a cinematic legend whose blend of martial arts, slapstick comedy, and death-defying stunts has entertained audiences across the globe for decades. With a film career spanning over 50 years and more than 150 films to his name, it can be tough to pick just a few standouts. But if you’re diving into his world or looking to revisit the classics, here’s a list of the top 10 Jackie Chan movies you simply must watch.
1. Police Story (1985)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Director: Jackie Chan
Summary: This Hong Kong action classic features Chan as a police officer framed for murder. Known for its explosive action scenes and glass-shattering mall stunt, Police Story redefined action cinema.
Why Watch: Arguably one of Chan’s most influential and personal works, with insane practical stunts.
2. Drunken Master II (1994) (aka The Legend of Drunken Master)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Director: Lau Kar-leung, Jackie Chan
Summary: A masterful blend of martial arts and comedy, this sequel sees Chan perfecting the Drunken Boxing style to fight corruption.
Why Watch: Features one of the greatest fight scenes ever filmed in the finale.
3. Rush Hour (1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Director: Brett Ratner
Summary: Chan pairs with Chris Tucker in this hilarious buddy-cop movie as a Hong Kong detective in Los Angeles.
Why Watch: It’s Jackie Chan at his Hollywood-best, mixing kung fu with comic timing.
4. Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Director: Stanley Tong
Summary: Chan plays a Hong Kong cop visiting New York, who gets tangled with gangs and crime.
Why Watch: This film introduced Jackie Chan to the American mainstream.
5. Project A (1983)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Director: Jackie Chan
Summary: Set in 19th-century Hong Kong, Chan plays a marine battling pirates.
Why Watch: Famous for its death-defying clock tower fall—done with no safety nets.
6. Armour of God (1986)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Director: Jackie Chan
Summary: Jackie plays an adventurer in search of mystical relics—think Asian Indiana Jones.
Why Watch: Action-packed with one of Jackie’s most dangerous stunts where he almost lost his life.
7. Who Am I? (1998)
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Director: Benny Chan, Jackie Chan
Summary: After losing his memory, a special forces soldier must rediscover his identity while being hunted.
Why Watch: Features a rooftop fight scene that’s pure Jackie genius.
8. The Foreigner (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Director: Martin Campbell
Summary: A darker, grittier performance from Jackie Chan as a grieving father seeking justice.
Why Watch: Showcases his dramatic chops in a serious thriller.
9. Shanghai Noon (2000)
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Director: Tom Dey
Summary: A fun East-meets-West comedy as a Chinese imperial guard teams up with a cowboy in the Wild West.
Why Watch: Great chemistry with Owen Wilson and lots of laughs.
10. Dragons Forever (1988)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Director: Sammo Hung
Summary: Jackie, along with fellow legends Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, take on corrupt corporations and bad guys.
Why Watch: A martial arts ensemble masterpiece packed with action and humor.
Jackie Chan’s legacy is one-of-a-kind. These ten films capture his evolution as an artist—fusing comedy, martial arts, and heart. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting your Jackie journey, this list delivers the very best of what he has to offer.