6 Lesser-Known Jackie Chan Movies You Should Watch On Prime Video

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If you’re a fan of Jackie Chan, you’ll find plenty of his excellent martial arts films available on streaming services. Prime Video has a particularly large collection of his movies, and these are just some of the many great kung fu films you can find there.

As a huge Jackie Chan fan, I’m always excited to see what’s on streaming, and Prime Video doesn’t disappoint! They’ve got some real classics, like Wheels on Meals – seriously, if you love 80s martial arts, you need to see this one with Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung. And it’s not just the old stuff; they have The Foreigner, which I think is one of Jackie’s best recent films, and the newest Police Story movie, Police Story: Lockdown, to keep the franchise going strong.

While Prime Video has a lot of Jackie Chan films, not all of them are great. Movies like The Protector and Battle Creek Brawl didn’t make him a star in Hollywood, and City Hunter wasn’t a very good adaptation of the manga. However, some of the lesser-known Jackie Chan movies on the service are actually quite good and worth watching.

6. Shaolin Wooden Men

Released in 1976, Shaolin Wooden Men marked only the second time Jackie Chan starred as the main character in a martial arts movie. He plays a young, silent monk training at the Shaolin Temple, determined to become skilled enough to avenge his father’s murder.

This film is quite different from the action comedies Jackie Chan became known for, and that’s because it was made earlier in his career. It was one of the few movies he did with director Lo Wei, who also launched Bruce Lee to stardom in the early 1970s. Jackie Chan has said Lo Wei wanted to present him as a successor to Bruce Lee, which explains the film’s serious mood and the absence of Chan’s trademark playful fighting style.

I’ve always felt Shaolin Wooden Men doesn’t quite have the same sparkle as Jackie Chan’s later films. Honestly, it feels more like a continuation of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin than a proper Jackie Chan movie on its own. But that’s not to say it’s bad! It’s still a really fun, old-school kung fu flick with some fantastic fight choreography and a simple revenge story that keeps you entertained for a good ninety minutes.

5. Rob-B-Hood

Released in 2008, the Hong Kong film Rob-B-Hood stars Jackie Chan as one of two thieves who accidentally end up caring for a baby they kidnapped. While the story of criminals bonding with a child isn’t new, Rob-B-Hood offers a fresh take by blending this familiar plot with the action and humor typical of a Jackie Chan movie.

The back-and-forth between the two main characters, as they bicker and try to solve a new problem, is consistently funny, largely due to Jackie Chan’s comedic performance. The movie also moves quickly, constantly putting Chan and Louis Koo’s characters in exciting and chaotic situations as they attempt to evade the police.

4. Ride On

The 2023 film Ride On is a funny, heartwarming story about an aging stuntman and his horse, who has a physical disability. Jackie Chan plays the stuntman, who is struggling to keep ownership of his horse and is also dealing with people trying to collect a debt he owes.

I’m really excited about Jackie Chan’s latest film, Ride On, but it’s a shame it didn’t get a proper release here in the States – it’s kind of slipped under the radar. Honestly, it’s everything you want in a Jackie Chan movie! The action is fantastic, it’s fun for the whole family, and you can’t help but cheer for the main character. I really think more people should check it out.

By the time Jackie Chan made Ride On, he was nearing 70. While the fight scenes aren’t as demanding as those in classics like Project A and Police Story, the film cleverly uses his age to its advantage. Chan plays a stuntman past his peak, and the movie playfully references his iconic films by recreating some of his most famous stunts.

3. Little Big Soldier

Jackie Chan and Leehom Wang starred together in the 2010 action comedy, Little Big Soldier. The film is set during China’s Zhou Dynasty and follows a soldier (Chan) and a general (Wang) – the sole survivors of a large battle, but on opposite sides. The soldier captures the general, and their journey home forms the story. It’s a unique blend of a road trip adventure and a historical war movie.

While Little Big Soldier doesn’t feature a lot of martial arts action, Jackie Chan delivers a fantastic performance, showcasing both his comedic timing and dramatic range. The film’s humor, particularly from Chan dragging a general around, feels like a throwback to his classic movies, but it also has a surprisingly touching story.

2. To Kill With Intrigue

I just finished watching To Kill With Intrigue, and it’s a really cool Jackie Chan film! He plays a martial arts expert who’s out for revenge after a ruthless clan destroys his family and takes his girlfriend. But here’s the thing that grabbed me – the leader of that very clan actually falls for him! It’s a surprising romance that throws a fun spin on a lot of those classic kung fu revenge stories.

Lo Wei directed To Kill With Intrigue during a similar period in Jackie Chan’s career as Shaolin Wooden Men. These films aren’t generally well-regarded, even by Chan himself, as they are fairly typical and unremarkable martial arts movies from before he became a major star in Hong Kong. However, they aren’t necessarily poor films – acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino actually considers this one his favorite Jackie Chan movie.

1. Dragon Fist

1979’s Dragon Fist was one of the final films made with the collaboration of Lo Wei and Jackie Chan. It’s a lesser-known but exciting kung fu movie, much like To Kill With Intrigue, offering a fresh take on the classic revenge story. As with many martial arts films, the plot centers around Jackie Chan’s character seeking revenge for his teacher.

Unlike most martial arts movies, Dragon Fist takes an unexpected turn by giving its villain a chance at redemption. This allows the hero to team up with the very kung fu master who killed his teacher. It’s a refreshing and logical development, especially considering the characters’ motivations and growth.

Jackie Chan’s Dragon Fist isn’t a comedy, and that’s okay. It’s an exciting film with a unique story and intense, well-choreographed fight scenes that keep you engaged.

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2026-05-02 21:41