Martial arts films are a movie genre that originates in Asia and North America. It is a subgenre of the action film. The films are characterized by attention to elongated combat scenes, with frequent use of various types of firearms and martial arts. Karate, kickboxing and kungfu are mainly used disciplines in the genre. These styles are usually also seen in ninja movies, which they then continue to mistake for ninjutsu.
The genre came first in Chinese films from the 70's of the 20th century. Among other things, Bruce Lee, Bolo Yeung, Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa and Jet Li (all Kungfu practitioners) became famous. The genre expanded into the Western film world. Regular actors in Western martial arts include Sonny Chiba, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mark Dacascos, Shô Kosugi, Dolph Lundgren, Wesley Snipes, Cynthia Rothrock (All Karate Practitioners), Chow Yun-Fat, Jason Statham Mixed Martial Arts), Don 'The Dragon' Wilson (kickboxing) and Steven Seagal (aikido). Also see
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