Jackie Chanis among the most popular comedic actors in the world, as he’s managed to carve out equally successful careers in both the Eastern and Western cinema landscapes. With a style that blends exceptional stunt work with slapstick comedy, Chan ranks amongthe greatest martial artiststhat the film industry has ever seen.
Whether it’s his early Hong Kong comedies or later Hollywood blockbusters,Chan has consistently delivered hilarious performancesacross action, crime, and even Western comedies. Whileclassics likePolice Storyshowcase some ofChan’s best work, his outright comedies also deserve attention for their enduring power and cross-cultural appeal.
10Kung Fu Yoga (2017)
It’s impressive that Jackie Chan is still breaking records, asKung Fu Yogastands as his highest-grossing movie in China. Reprising his role as the archeologist Jack fromThe Myth, the film grossed a whopping $257 million and became the highest-grossing comedy film of all time in China before it was overtaken byNever Say Die(viaForbes) in 2017.
This hilarious adventure saw two professors team up to locate a lost treasure, a quest that takes them from a Tibetan ice cave, through Dubai, and into India. As a country-spanning journey that occasionally leans a little bit too hard into stereotypes,Kung Fu Yogastill had plenty of heart and proved that Chan can still deliver major hits.
9The Accidental Spy (2001)
The two strands of Jackie Chan’s comedy career came together inThe Accidental Spy, a Hong Kong action movie that mostly plays out in English like his Hollywood productions. As a hilarious adventure thriller, ittold the story of Buck Yuen, a man who, after inadvertently foiling a robbery, finds himself embroiled in a massive conspiracy.
The Accidental Spyfeatured plenty of Chan’s signature slapstick humor and fast-paced stunt work. As an exciting adventure that sees Chan running wild around Istanbul, although it may not reach the lofty heights of his very best comedies, there’s a lot to love here for fans of fast-paced martial arts comedy thrillers.
8City Hunter (1993)
Jackie Chan excelled in the live-action adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo’s mangaCity Hunter, a raunchy comedy that was quite different from the star’s normal output. With Chan as Ryo Saeba, a womanizing private detective, this outrageous farce saw him end up on a cruise ship populated by beautiful women, rich patrons, and dangerous terrorists.
Whilesome might argue thatCity Hunterwas too over-the-top, it was interesting to see Chan try something new and embrace a more adult-oriented comedic style. With impressive fight scenes, thrilling shootouts, and plenty of absurd humor,City Hunterwas one of Chan’s last films before he was fully embraced by Hollywood as a blockbuster leading man.
7Armour Of God (1986)
Marketed as the film that nearly killed Jackie Chan,Armour of Godfeatured a stunt where the star leaped from a tree, and after a branch snapped, he plummeted to the ground and cracked his skull. This dangerous stunt hospitalized Chan, and he required surgery to recover. Luckily, Chan was able to survive and deliver on his funniest action comedies.
Armour of Godblended martial arts, comedy, and stunts in anIndiana Jones-inspired adventure about a treasure-hunting quest through Europe and the valuables held by a shadowy organization of monks. As a fine showcase of Chan’s status as one of the best stuntmen of all time,Armour of Godis a must-watch adventure comedy.
6Project A (1983)
Jackie Chan co-starred inProject Aalongside his fellow Three Dragons members Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. As perhaps the best showcase of this trio’s unique appeal,Project Awas a martial arts comedy featuring these all-star actors facing off against pirates in Hong Kong at the turn of the 20th century.
As a true kung fu classic,Project Aremains one of Chan’s most enjoyable films and features him taking part in incredible stunt work at the absolute height of his powers. While other Chan, Hung, and Yuen films likeWheels on MealsandDragons Foreverwere great,Project Aperfectly encapsulated this trio at their best.
5Shanghai Noon (2000)
Shanghai Noonis an underrated gem in Jackie Chan’s Hollywood career, as this genre-bending Western adventure combined slapstick humor and kung fu action. As a buddy comedy featuringOwen Wilson and Chan teaming up in the Wild West, the sense of humor and levity of the film made it an underrated triumph.
Chan and Wilson even reunited for the sequel,Shanghai Knights, and although a third installment in the series had been announced, it never got off the ground. With plenty of fast-paced fun, an enjoyable story of outlaws saving a Chinese princess and a great performance from Chan,Shanghai Noonis well worth checking out.
4Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
As a defining year in Jackie Chan’s career, 1978 marked the release of two major hits withDrunken MasterandSnake in the Eagle’s Shadow. This was an important release in transforming Chan into a major movie star, as he portrayed an orphaned boy desperate to prove his bullies wrong at a kung fu school.
In a classic student and master narrative,Snakes in the Eagle’s Shadowblended martial arts action and comedyas Chan tirelessly trained in the ways of Snake Kung Fu. Through a blend of expert fight choreography and slapstick humor, this influential film was an early showcase of Chan’s bright future as a global superstar.
3Drunken Master II (1994)
Drunken Master II,also known asThe Legend of the Drunken Master, was the highly anticipated sequel to Chan’s breakout movie. As the role that made Chan a star in Asia, it was exciting to see him return as Wong Fei-hung, the Cantonese folk hero whose unique fighting style was embodied by the actor’s expert blend of impeccable choreography skills and silly comedy antics.
Featuring some of the best fight scenes in Chan’s career,Drunken Master IIwas a worthy sequel to an undisputed classic. As one of Chan’s greatest movie sequels, it reminded audiences of why Chan is not just one of the most popular comedic actors in the world but also among the greatest movie martial artists there’s ever been.
2Rush Hour (1998)
Jackie Chan achieved his breakout success as a Hollywood star withRush Hour. This hilarious buddy comedy paired Chan and Chris Tucker as a Hong Kong detective and an LAPD officer who must reluctantly work together to solve a case. With unmatched chemistry, viewers immediately connected to the pair, andRush Hourushered in a whole new era in Chan’s career.
With a mix of smart writing and exceptional stunt work,Chan proved himself a one-of-a-kind performer, and it’s no surprise he reunited with Tucker forRush Hour 2in 2001 andRush Hour 3in 2007. Plans for a fourth movie have been ongoing, as viewers still haven’t gotten enough of this unique comedic duo.
1Drunken Master (1978)
Drunken Masterlaid the groundwork for Jackie Chan’s entire careerand remains the crowning achievement of his more comedic work. Telling the fictionalized story of Wong Fei-hung and Beggar So, Chan played the young martial artist who practices under the guidance of his unconventional drunken master.
With Chan’s unique comedic style having arrived fully formed in this film, Drunken Master was a hilarious showcase of both his fighting skills and powerful onscreen charisma. It’s no surprise that following the release of this movie,Jackie Chanbecame one of the biggest stars in Asia and later springboarded that success into a Hollywood career, turning him into a global sensation.
