10 Movies To Watch If You Love The 1988 Movie Bloodsport

Jean-Claude Van Damme is legendary in the martial arts movie genre, starring in numerous classics that remain a part of pop culture today. But there's no telling what his illustrious career would be without the 1988 classic Bloodsport. He plays Frank Dux, an American martial artist and military man. Dux leaves the army without permission to compete in the Kumite fighting tournament in Hong Kong. The competition attracts fighters from around the globe, including the formidable Chong Li (Bolo Yeung).

The Kumite features an incredible lineup of fighters, but it's also extremely dangerous. Competitors can be badly injured in the ring or lose their lives. Bloodsport is exceptional because it contains so many popular elements martial arts movies are known for. The Kumite is the perfect platform to show off different styles, and the fights are grounded and brutal. We also learn about Frank's training under Tanaka (Roy Chiao) in arguably one of the genre's most memorable training scenes.

Bloodsport is a tough act to follow, but some movies stand out entertaining martial arts films to seek out after rewatching Bloodsport, or seeing it for the first time.

10 The Karate Kid (1984)

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The Karate Kid may be a predictable start to the list, but it has many similarities to Bloodsport, and both have become classic 80s martial arts movies. Ralph Macchio stars as Daniel LaRusso. He's just moved to LA and clashes with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).

That clash quickly turns physical, and Johnny effortlessly beats Daniel as he's a Karate student from the Cobra Kai dojo. Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) intervenes and eventually agrees to teach Daniel martial arts to defend himself. He also trains to enter the upcoming All Valley Karate tournament, where Cobra Kai students are participating.

The Karate Kid remains a part of pop culture today alongside the Cobra Kai TV show. Daniel's martial arts journey is also thoroughly explored in The Karate Kid II and III.

9 Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006)

It may seem unusual to recommend the 2nd movie in a franchise. However, Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing marks a reset for the series of sorts, starring Michael Jai White as George Chambers. He's a retired boxer who ends up in a dangerous Russian prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Chambers quickly clashes with Boyka (Scott Adkins) in prison. Boyka is a powerful martial artist and a well-rounded fighter. Chambers must expand his skill set beyond boxing if he wants a chance in the ring, with his freedom on the line.

Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing is full of visceral fight scenes that Bloodsport fans will enjoy. Undisputed 3: Redemption also continues the story, focusing more on Boyka and his evolving character arc.

8 Best Of The Best (1989)

Best of the Best is notably more grounded than Bloodsport, but both movies share similarities. A major Taekwondo tournament is about to take place, and the US team is set to face South Korea. The South Korean fighters are the reigning champions and favorites to win the entire competition.

Frank Couzo (James Earl Jones) is the US team coach and puts his fighters through an intense training regimen. Tommy Lee (Phillip Rhee) soon emerges as the team's best fighter, but he also has history with one of the Korean competitors, which could derail the entire tournament.

Best of the Best has a great extended training sequence that feels unique because it's a team, not just a single person. The competition isn't an intense fight to the death like many other movies on this list, but the stakes are still palpable as Lee goes head-to-head with Dae Han (Simon Rhee).

7 No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)

Many movies on this list capture elements of what makes Bloodsport so beloved. No Retreat, No Surrender is remarkable because it features Jean-Claude Van Damme, but in an entirely different role from a hero like Frank Dux. Kurt McKinney plays Jason, a wannabe martial artist who idolizes Bruce Lee.

Jason is bullied at school, but finds a place to train. He's mentored by the ghost of Bruce Lee and eventually becomes skilled enough to enter a karate tournament. He also faces a dangerous opponent in the ring in Van Damme's Ivan Kraschinsky.

The concept of No Retreat, No Surrender is as wild as it sounds. Nevertheless, it remains a charming 80s martial arts movie, and Bloodsport fans may appreciate seeing the action star in an unusual role predating the 1988 classic.

6 Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016)

Never Back Down: No Surrender stars Michael Jai White as Case Walker. He's a former MMA champion, though he's brought back into the fray when Brody (Josh Barnett) asks him to help train for an upcoming fight against Caesar Braga (Nathan Jones).

Case is reluctant to help at first, but eventually agrees to help Brody prepare for his bout against such a mighty opponent. He uses traditional techniques to train, pushing Brody away from performance-enhancing drugs that dominate the scene. Case is unwilling to enter the ring again himself, though events put him in a situation where he may have no choice.

Never Back Down: Never Surrender has several great training scenes and brutal fights. White also gives a pair of amateur fighters a lesson on how to punch, which stands out because it feels genuine and instructional.

5 Warrior (2011)

Warrior leans more into sports drama than many other movies on this list. However, it makes the stakes feel much higher as we fully understand why the main fighters are entering the ring. Tom Hardy is exceptional as Tommy Conlon, as is Joel Edgerton, who plays his older brother, Brendan.

Tommy is ex-military, while Brendan is a former MMA fighter turned school teacher. A major fighting tournament is on the horizon, with a life-changing cash prize on the line. Both brothers enter, even if Brendan is reluctant at first. The pair sport entirely different combat styles, but are equally formidable. As they climb the ranks, it becomes increasingly likely that they will have a showdown on the main stage.

Warrior is surprisingly hard-hitting because the movie explores the brothers' motivations and why they don't see eye to eye. The movie boasts a brilliant training scene and some brutal, yet grounded cage fights.

4 Man Of Tai Chi (2013)

Man of Tai Chi marks Keanu Reeves' directorial debut, starring Hu Chen as Tiger Hu Chen. He's a skilled Tai Chi student and a formidable fighter. He enters a competition to prove Tai Chi's strength, and his efforts catch the attention of Donaka (Keanu Reeves).

Donaka invites Tiger to participate in his illegal fighting circuit. He refuses at first, as it goes against his master's teachings. However, events lure Tiger into participating, and he starts to develop a taste for the fame, fortune, and intensity of combat in the ring.

Man of Tai Chi is full of stylish, tightly choreographed action sequences as Tiger tries to justify his actions to those around him and to himself. It's also a treat to see Reeves playing the villain, leading Tiger down a dark path.

3 Enter The Dragon (1973)

Enter the Dragon may be a low-hanging fruit, but it remains arguably one of the greatest martial arts movies of all time. Bruce Lee stars as Lee. He's an elite martial artist, and British authorities ask him to attend a tournament on an island owned by Han (Shih Kien).

The authorities suspect that Han is a drug lord with a base of operations on the island, but they have no way to prove it. Lee agrees to participate in the tournament while gathering evidence, but he also has personal reasons for attending.

Enter the Dragon remains incredible more than 50 years later. Lee's fight scenes are phenomenal, with jaw-dropping speed and athleticism, and the movie includes some of Bruce Lee's greatest fight scenes of all time. Some other titles on this list are closer in format to Bloodsport, but many fans of the genre would agree Enter the Dragon is essential viewing.

2 The Quest (1996)

The Quest is fairly well known among martial arts movie fans, but far less so than Bloodsport. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Christopher Duibois. He's a disciplined fighter with a Muay Thai background, about to enter a tournament in a secluded Tibetan village.

Fighters are competing for a giant golden dragon statue, and the prize is so sought after that competitors arrive from all over the world for a chance to claim it. Each combatant has a different style. For example, one is a sumo wrestler, while another mimics animals with his kung-fu.

The Quest has a tournament structure similar to the Kumite, which makes it an easy recommendation for fans of Bloodsport. The stakes are also high, as one Mongolian fighter, Khan (Abdel Qissi), has no problems killing his opponents in the ring.

1 Blood And Bone (2009)

Blood and Bone is a visceral martial arts movie starring Michael Jai White as Isaiah Bone. He's an ex-con and enters an underground fight circuit shortly after leaving prison. Bone is an unknown fighter, but quickly makes a name for himself as he beats several respected competitors.

Bone uses the circuit to make money, and his performance eventually garners the attention of James (Eamonn Walker), a ruthless crime boss. Bone teams up with Pinball (Dante Basco) as he navigates the criminal underworld. He also has his own motivations for competing in such a deadly environment.

Blood and Bone feels like a classic martial arts movie in many ways, with a straightforward plot and a great platform to showcase some impressive fights. White is incredible as Bone, and Bloodsport fans will enjoy the tightly choreographed fight scenes and illegal fight circuit where the loser may be injured so badly they never compete again.