The martial arts genre is wide and varied, but there is a classic 1970s film from Hong Kong that perfectly encapsulates the martial arts experience onscreen. Stretching all the way back to the earliest days of film, martial arts movies are all about the skill and pageantry of combat sports, specifically from Asia. Each region has contributed something new and unique to the umbrella genre, and there are many subgenres that further sudivide martial arts movies. Whether they're grounded and gritty, or over-the-top and campy, martial arts movies represent the best of what action cinema has to offer.