5 Martial Arts Sequels That Are So Good That You Can Just Skip The Original Movie

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It’s a shame that some excellent martial arts movies are being ignored just because they’re sequels. Often, these films are strong enough to stand on their own, with storylines that aren’t heavily tied to the original. They deserve to be watched even if you haven’t seen the first one.

It’s rare for a martial arts movie sequel to be better than the original. This is true for popular franchises like Bloodsport, Ip Man, The Karate Kid, Ong-Bak, and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. While some sequels are good, fans usually prefer the first movie in the series.

It’s common for martial arts movies to have predictable plots, but some stand out as exceptions. Interestingly, sometimes the second movie in a series is actually better than the first.

5. Missing In Action 2: The Beginning

As a big fan of 80s action flicks, I remember Chuck Norris starring as Colonel Thomas Braddock in the Missing in Action movies – there were three of them, released between 1984 and 1988. The series followed a super-skilled American soldier and his experiences during and after the Vietnam War. It definitely felt similar in style to the Rambo films with Sylvester Stallone, focusing on that lone warrior type of story.

The first two films were shot consecutively. One details Braddock’s time as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, while the other focuses on his decade-long mission to liberate other POWs after his own escape. However, even though the story jumps back in time, the studio decided to release the rescue mission film first.

The franchise didn’t start very strongly, with the first Missing in Action film not measuring up to Missing in Action 2: The Beginning. The second film really showcased Chuck Norris’s skills in martial arts and featured exciting, well-executed action scenes, culminating in a fantastic finale.

4. Return Of The Sentimental Swordsman

As a big fan of classic kung fu, I’ve seen a lot of Shaw Brothers films, and The Sentimental Swordsman is perfectly enjoyable. However, if you’re going to watch it, I’d really recommend going straight to the sequel, Return of the Sentimental Swordsman. It just hits harder for me – the story for the two main characters is much more compelling, and the final fight, a three-on-one battle, is genuinely thrilling and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The film explores the relationship between two characters established in the first movie, but it provides enough background information that you don’t really need to have seen The Sentimental Swordsman to understand and enjoy Return of the Sentimental Swordsman.

As a big fan of classic cinema, I’ve always loved how this 1981 film really embraces the spirit of those old kung fu and wuxia movies. It’s got such a vibrant cast of characters – each one feels completely unique and really fits the film’s over-the-top, cartoonish style and the world where honor is everything. They aren’t just faces; they’ve got real personalities that shine through.

For instance, Alexander Fu Sheng’s character has a unique way of tracking his kills: he writes the name of each person he defeats on his left arm. He won’t use that arm in a fight until he’s killed one hundred men.

The Sentimental Swordsman brings together two skilled fighters to stop the dangerous and mysterious Plum Blossom Bandit. The story starts with the heroes going their own ways, but they eventually reunite and team up with a new martial arts expert.

3. Swordsman II

Swordsman II was the second movie in a series of three wuxia films made in the 1990s, all based on Louis Cha’s novel, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The first film featured Sam Hui as Linghui Chong, the main character and a skilled swordsman, who becomes entangled in a conflict over a valuable martial arts guidebook.

The original Swordsman film was a typical, but fun, martial arts story. The follow-up was much bolder, replacing Sam Hui with Jet Li and giving Brigitte Lin a standout role. The film’s success is clear, as it won and was nominated for many prestigious awards in Hong Kong.

As a huge fan of Jet Li’s work, I think Swordsman II is easily the best film in the trilogy – it’s just fantastic. What I really love is that it feels complete on its own. You don’t need to have seen the first movie or know anything about the characters from before; it tells a totally self-contained story and introduces a whole new set of faces. It really stands out to me as a great action film!

2. In The Line Of Duty IV: Witness

Donnie Yen plays an unusual villain in In the Line of Duty IV, a film from the Yes, Madam/ In the Line of Duty series. The series started with two movies starring Michelle Yeoh, but from the third film onward, Cynthia Khan took the lead. Khan became known for her impressive high kicks in martial arts films of the 1990s.

The movies aren’t heavily connected by plot, but they all share a similar idea: a skilled female detective uses martial arts to battle organized crime in Hong Kong. Because of this, you don’t need to watch the first three films to enjoy ‘In the Line of Duty IV’ – it’s a fun, action-filled movie on its own.

The fourth installment in the In the Line of Duty series delivers exciting action scenes for stars Donnie Yen and Simon Yam. The film also features a strong storyline centered around an everyday fisherman who is wrongly accused and ends up working alongside Yam’s character.

1. Tiger Cage 2

Similar to In the Line of Duty IV, Tiger Cage 2 is a martial arts sequel that isn’t very well-known, but features Donnie Yen in a key role. The original film was a fun, if unremarkable, cop movie about four detectives, and Yen’s character didn’t make it to the end.

The movie Tiger Cage 2 would have been better off with a completely new title. It barely connects to the first Tiger Cage film, sharing only a couple of actors and none of the original characters.

While the previous characters aren’t particularly memorable, Tiger Cage 2 introduces a much stronger cast. Donnie Yen and Rosamund Kwan have fantastic chemistry as the two leads, creating a fun and playful tension throughout the film that balances nicely with the action.

What truly sets Tiger Cage 2 apart is its incredible finale. Instead of ending with just one impressive fight, Donnie Yen faces off against four different opponents, each battle more challenging and intense than the last – almost like progressing through levels in a video game.

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2025-11-07 03:05