10 Great Jackie Chan Movies You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

For all the iconic movies that Jackie Chan is known for, there are just as many titles that most people have never heard of. Pulled from a staggering filmographic vault, these titles showcase the action star’s journey from humble stuntman to kung fu legend. With over 60 years of experience in both acting and directing, Jackie Chan has become one of the most recognized film performers in the world.

As the kung fu star continued to develop his craft, he faced a number of challenges along the way. Urged to fill the void after Bruce Lee’s tragic death, Jackie Chan struggled to find roles that truly resonated with his own unique style. Nearly a decade into his career, he finally began working on titles with more creative freedom. If there is any lesson to be learned from Jackie Chan’s incredible journey, it rests in his commitment to authenticity and the unwavering faith he has in his own value.

10 To Kill With Intrigue (1977)

Jackie Chan as Lei Shao-feng

Despite being one of Jackie Chan’s earlier films, To Kill With Intrigue stands up well with its fantastic camera work, costume design, and clever set pieces–especially for a film of its time. The story follows Lei Shao-feng, a young man seeking to avenge his father’s death. The movie features elements of mysticism and a number of imaginative fighting sequences. It also incorporates several common themes of the martial arts genre, such as betrayal, honor, justice, and vengeance. Jackie Chan’s role as the dour and stoic Shao-feng presents a sharp contrast against the more jovial roles he’s become known for today.

9 Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978)

Jackie Chan as Jiang

Titles like Half a Loaf of Kung Fu established Jackie Chan’s trademark blend of kung fu action and slapstick comedy, propelling him forward as a rising martial arts star. The storyline follows an acrobat named Jiang who desires to become a bodyguard. With limited fighting skills, however, he needs to undergo martial arts training before he’s ready to begin. The movie’s fighting sequences are choreographed to be both exciting and funny, while showcasing Jackie Chan’s natural agility, comedic timing, and talent at martial arts. Half a Loaf of Kung Fu is a must-watch Jackie Chan classic with elements that have become a cornerstone of the icon’s action-comedy style.

8 Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)

Jackie Chan as Chien Fu

Considered the movie that made Jackie Chan a Kung Fu star, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow played a pivotal role in establishing his distinctive fighting style. In this movie, Jackie Chan plays an orphan working as a janitor at a martial arts school. The orphan, Chien Fu, begins learning Snake-style kung fu after repeated bullying at the hands of the school’s teachers and students. Known for its memorable fight sequences, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow also served as Yuen Woo-ping’s directorial debut, who would later be known for his work on juggernaut titles such as The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

7 Magnificent Bodyguards (1978)

Jackie Chan as Ting Chung

Magnificent Bodyguards showcases Jackie Chan’s acting versatility through his depiction of the mature and somber Ting Chung. After being hired by a wealthy businesswoman to escort her sick brother to a doctor, talented martial artist, Ting Ching, realizes that nothing is what it seems. While the character was a giant step away from the typical comedic roles Jackie Chan is known for today, it afforded him an opportunity to further develop his range as a performer. Considering the movie released in 1978, Magnificent Bodyguards boasts exceptional fighting sequences, fantastic period costume design, inspired sound and music choices, along with impressive special effects.

6 Spiritual Kung Fu (1978)

Jackie Chan as Yi-Lang

Jackie Chan’s Spiritual Kung Fu demonstrates the actor’s authentic martial arts talent with long-form fighting sequences and acrobatics that are challenging to pull off without extensive kung fu training. The film follows Yi-Lang who is charged with safeguarding spiritual manuscripts from a Shaolin Temple. When an especially powerful text is stolen, spirits appear to train the young man in the long-lost martial art, Five Style Fists, so that he can return the book to the temple. Spiritual Kung Fu also highlights its choreography with brilliant camera shots and angles. Along with several stunts directed at the camera, the overall effect aims for a more exciting and immersive viewer experience.

5 The Fearless Hyena (1979)

Jackie Chan as Shing Lung

As Jackie Chan’s directorial debut, The Fearless Hyena marks a significant inflection point in the action star’s career. The story follows protagonist Shing Lung, a something of a delinquent who is hired by the leader of the Everything Clan to teach its members kung fu. After nearly a decade of being pushed to become the next Bruce Lee, the full breadth of Jackie Chan’s talents and humor were finally set free in The Fearless Hyena. While the film is often criticized for being too silly at times, The Fearless Hyena’s rip-roaring comedy and choreography make it an absolute treat to watch.

4 My Lucky Stars (1985)

Jackie Chan as Muscles

Considered a semi-sequel in the Lucky Stars series, My Lucky Stars features masterfully sharp choreography for both its action and comedy sequences. Meant as a throwback to western titles such as The Three Stooges, this movie focuses more heavily on comedy than it does on kung fu. The plot of the film centers around a group of childhood friends, called the Five Lucky Stars, after Muscles convinces them to help him catch a member of the Japanese Yakuza. The movie’s humor hits harder after realizing that the Five Lucky Stars were small-time criminals in the first installment of Lucky Stars, but work for the police in its sequels.

3 Miracles (1989)

Jackie Chan as Charlie

Reputed for being one of Jackie Chan’s most grounded and mature directorial efforts, Miracles has also been applauded for its fantastic pacing. In his autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action, Jackie Chan states that Miracles was one of his favorite films to work on. The story follows the main character, Charlie, who finds himself the accidental boss of a local gang shortly after getting robbed. By this point, the action star was already building a reputation for doing his own stunts. While Jackie Chan’s characteristic blend of comedy and action is hard to miss, the movie also features bold and innovative fighting sequences and stunts.

2 Who Am I? (1998)

Jackie Chan as Jackie/”Who Am I?”

Who Am I? was Jackie Chan’s second film scripted and shot in English, and follows the protagonist, referred to throughout the film as “Who Am I?”, after he wakes up in the African veldt with no recollection of who he is. As “Who Am I?” journeys to rediscover his identity, he is swept up in a conflict with the CIA and a disc holding dangerous information. The film explores themes of identity, trust, honesty, and betrayal, as the main character’s quest for his identity serves as an interesting contrast against the plethora of characters pretending to be someone they’re not.

1 Gorgeous (1999)

Jackie Chan as C.N. Chan

Gorgeous is praised for its cinematography, featuring picturesque landscapes and vibrant cityscapes, along with its exquisite soundtrack that complements the film’s storytelling. This romantic action-comedy follows Bu after she finds a love letter in a bottle and travels to Hong Kong to find its author. After the author proves to be a poor match for her, she falls in love with a wealthy conglomerate, C.N., whose rivalry with his childhood friend serves as the central conflict of the film. While the on-screen chemistry between Jackie Chan and co-star Shu Qi is definitely a highlight of the film, Gorgeous’s full-contact fight scenes cement Jackie Chan as a martial arts legend.