Buzz
Exceptional films are driven by drama, conflict, ambition, and the hurdles that arise. These obstacles might come in the form of untapped potential or unreciprocated love, but sometimes they are just a guy throwing punches.
Amazing fight scenes elevate movies, but the greatest ones go beyond the film itself, becoming legends in their own right. Take the chaotic, green-screen-filled mess that was The Phantom Menace—even so, it delivered one of the most spectacular sword duels ever. Darth Maul became a symbol of the franchise, even though he spoke only two lines in the entire movie. That’s the power of an unforgettable fight.
Out of the countless fight scenes in cinematic history, hundreds could claim a spot on this list. Yet, we've handpicked ten of the finest. So, buckle up and get ready to type out your predictable comment, “I can’t believe they missed out on…” as we present the top ten fight scenes in movies.
10. The Possessed Hand: Evil Dead 2
Not only is this fight brilliantly executed and thoroughly entertaining, but it's also one of a kind, which is why it absolutely deserves to be on this list.
After the chilling horror of the first Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2 took a different route by mixing humor with fear, turning it into a comedy-horror. A prime example of this fusion, besides the amusing and frightening mounted deer head, is the extended showdown between Ash and his own hand.
Once Ash becomes possessed, his hand violently attacks him, clawing at his face and tossing him around the room. The chaos finally ends when Ash severes his own hand. After all the madness, it's important to recognize that Bruce Campbell portrayed both fighters simultaneously, with no one but himself to interact with. Where’s the recognition?
9. The Alley: They Live
The lengthy alley brawl in They Live has already been discussed to death, but to leave it off this list would be an injustice to the greatness of this fight.
From the legendary John Carpenter, They Live is a quintessential example of campy horror, with this fight scene possibly being its finest moment, second only to the famous “chew bubblegum and kick a**” scene. The drawn-out brawl pits iconic screen and voice actor Keith David against wrestling legend Rowdy Roddy Piper, with both fighters pushing themselves to the edge. And the best part? If you haven’t seen it, here’s a spoiler without context: the entire fight is centered around whether Keith David’s character should wear a pair of sunglasses.
8. “I Am Not Left-Handed”: The Princess Bride
The cliffside swordfight in The Princess Bride combines humor, wit, action, combat, and charm—offering an all-around unforgettable scene.
Almost every line in this scene is iconic, whether it's from Inigo or the Dread Pirate Roberts. These memorable quotes are delivered during or between bouts of skillfully crafted swordplay. The duel begins at an almost painfully slow pace, with the two duelists seated and discussing their feelings, before transitioning into sharp sparring with clever use of the surrounding space and platforms. Additionally, as suggested by the title, the twist about Inigo’s dominant hand adds a delightful layer to the script.
7. Shredder: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remains an unjustly overlooked classic. Although it draws from a plot that might seem wildly improbable, the creators managed to weave a story full of genuine emotion and an unexpected depth of toughness. Naturally, it also excels in delivering the ninja combat you'd hope for.
The movie features several key fight sequences, each with its own unique mood and sense of danger. From the thugs attacking April (a scene that marked Sam Rockwell's cinematic debut), to the Foot Clan ambushing Raph atop a rooftop, to the intense struggle inside the crumbling, fiery antique shop, and the banter-filled battle the turtles wage as they move from the sewers to the streets.
Then there's the climactic face-off with Shredder on a rooftop, a fight that ticks every box: tense, atmospheric, frenetic, impeccably choreographed, and visually stunning. One of its most impressive achievements is making giant foam turtle suits look not only agile and lifelike but also surprisingly expressive.
6. Lee vs. Han: Enter the Dragon
Later, I'll point out that including a scene from John Wick feels like a cheat. In that case, throwing in any Bruce Lee fight is like giving tee-ball players Olympic-grade steroids.
No one in the history of cinema has delivered as many iconic fight scenes as Bruce Lee. In fact, this list could easily be filled with ten consecutive Lee battles. His legendary destruction of a karate dojo in Fist of Fury and his intense showdown with Chuck Norris in Way of the Dragon are just two prime examples to begin with.
However, Lee’s finest moment might very well be his final showdown with Han in Enter the Dragon. Countless movie fights owe a debt to this scene, particularly those that feature the iconic ‘taste your own blood’ moment or the classic ‘chase into a hallway of mirrors’ scenario.
5. The Hallway: Old Boy
When compiling a list like this, the goal is to surprise the audience with fresh and exciting choices that both entertain and inform. But sometimes, an idea that’s been around for a while is just too irresistible to leave out. In the world of movie fights, there’s one scene that, although it’s been done to death, is so flawlessly executed that it’ll never lose its appeal: the corridor fight in Old Boy. Leaving it off the list would be a crime, and while it could easily be number one, we’ll place it somewhere in the middle to give other scenes a chance.
The scene, shot almost entirely in one continuous wide take, is raw, frantic, and brutally effective. It deserves to be acknowledged not just for its own excellence: Netflix’s Daredevil series features perhaps its most famous fight as a direct homage to Old Boy. It also takes place in a narrow corridor, stars a lone, exhausted fighter battling numerous armed gangsters, and relies on several long tracking shots. In this way, Old Boy earns its place twice.
4. Too Many to Name: John Wick
It might feel a bit unfair to include John Wick. After all, this franchise has three films (and counting) that are all about incredible action sequences, often pushing other narrative elements to the backseat.
One of the standout moments is the initial action sequence where Wick’s home is invaded. He takes out the bad guys with expert precision, double-tapping them from behind corners and through walls. There's also the electrifying nightclub sequence, which transforms 30 seconds of action from The Dark Knight into a full six-minute display of dubstep and adrenaline. But the best might be the weapons room scene, which features enough knife-throwing to rival a circus act.
3. The Bespin Duel: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The lightsaber duel in The Empire Strikes Back could easily be described with countless superlatives. It gave birth to one of the most iconic movie lines ever—'No, I am your father'—and the film might just be the greatest sequel of all time. But what elevates this fight to a place of its own is the atmosphere: pure, deliberate, and masterfully crafted.
During the extended battle, flashy lightsaber moves and force magic are few and far between. Instead, it’s mostly just casual flicks of the wrist and rocks being thrown around. Yet, this simplicity is part of its brilliance, embedding itself in the minds of audiences for generations because it does so much with so little.
After nearly two full films of buildup, this was the first real showdown between Luke and Vader (beyond the confines of space dogfights), and the tension was palpable. The dimly lit, foggy sets only enhanced this atmosphere, making every fleeting flash of blue feel like a glimmer of hope, and every burst of red a harbinger of doom.
Then, of course, there’s the severed hand, the shocking revelation of lineage, and finally—Luke making a desperate leap into the cold vacuum of space to escape his father and mortal enemy. Still not convinced? Then draw your weapon, Jedi.
2. Fighting Apollo: Rocky
Rocky lost. In a bold move, the filmmakers behind *Rocky* decided that their hero should face defeat by the end. This decision was daring, unusual, and, in hindsight, the right one for the story’s overarching theme. It’s particularly striking because it follows one of the most thrilling, climactic battles ever to grace the big screen.
Rocky and Apollo go toe-to-toe for a grueling fifteen rounds, and as the fight progresses, it transforms in the most satisfying way. Creed’s powerful punches start as earth-shattering hits but slowly turn into exhausted, sloppy swings by the end. Meanwhile, both fighters become progressively more sluggish, their bodies covered in sweat, bruises, and blood. When the fight reaches its merciful conclusion, you’d expect Rocky to emerge victorious, but what you get instead is him going the distance and winning Adrian’s heart—triumph enough for him.
1. The News Team Rumble: Anchorman
Brick: 'I stabbed a man in the heart.'
Ron: 'I saw that! Brick killed a guy. Did you throw a trident?'
Brick: 'Yeah, there were horses and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.'
Ron: 'Brick, I've been meaning to bring this up. You should probably find a safe house or a relative nearby. Lay low for a bit because you’re likely wanted for murder.'
If you're anything like us, those lines probably had you cracking up in the theater. And this moment of reflection came right after one of the most unexpected scenes in cinematic history. Who would’ve thought that a comedy about local news would explode into a massive brawl with swords, severed limbs, and an afro-wearing Tim Robbins? Yet, that's exactly what we got, and it's still one of the most memorable scenes in Ferrell’s career.
