Index Of Jackie Chan Movies Better
To find the "better" Jackie Chan movies, it helps to index them by specific categories like stunt quality, critical acclaim, or fan favorites. While IMDb ratings often reflect general audience appeal, Rotten Tomatoes provides a consensus from professional critics. Top Movies by Index Category
Below are the highest-rated films across various quality "indexes": Top 30 Jackie Chan films - IMDb
Avoid (The “Not Better” List)
If you want better, skip:
- The Tuxedo (too much CGI)
- The Spy Next Door (kid-fare only)
- Around the World in 80 Days (wasted talent)
- Fantasy Mission Force (so-bad-it’s-weird, not good)
Police Story: Lockdown (2013)
- Tier: Bad (Skip this)
- Why it’s not better: A dark, claustrophobic hostage drama set in a police station. Jackie uses a gun. He barely fights. Avoid unless you are a completionist.
- Index Code: Disappointment: 10/10
Project A (1983)
- Tier: BEST
- Why it’s the best: This is the template for every Jackie Chan film that followed. A perfect blend of silent-era Buster Keaton slapstick, naval warfare, and a clock-tower fall (without a net) that makes you wince. Sammo Hung co-stars and co-directs—the dream team.
- Iconic moment: The bicycle chase through narrow alleyways.
- Index Code: Stunts: 10/10, Laughs: 10/10
The “Better” Index – Quick Ranking by Category
For pure stunts: Project A, Police Story, Who Am I?
For comedy: Drunken Master II, Rush Hour, Armour of God
For fighting realism: Wheels on Meals, Dragons Forever, Gorgeous (the flower shop fight)
For drama: The Foreigner, New Police Story, Shinjuku Incident
For family watch: Shanghai Noon, The Myth, Kung Fu Panda (voice)
1. THE GOLDEN ERA (1978–1985)
Peak kung fu comedy & death-defying stunts
- Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) – His breakout role, invents the “old master” comedy formula.
- Drunken Master (1978) – The original. Absurd, brilliant, iconic “Beggar So” fighting style.
- The Young Master (1980) – First film he fully directed. Lunar New Year release sets new action record.
- Project A (1983) – The clock tower fall. Period pirate action + slapstick.
- Wheels on Meals (1984) – Final fight vs. Benny Urquidez (real kickboxing legend).
- Police Story (1985) – The shopping mall pole slide (no wires, no mats). Genre-defining modern action.
Part 5: The Late Era (2005–Present) — Still "Better" Than Most Action Stars
Jackie slowed down. But “slow Jackie” is still faster than you.
5. Conclusion
For the audience that values Jackie Chan qua Jackie Chan—the human crash-test dummy and spatial comedian—the "better" index is not the one with the highest budget or best reviews, but the one with the most stunts per minute, longest takes, and most visible scars. This paper proposes the JCI as a replicable, transparent metric. A full interactive database would allow fans to rank any Chan film by their own weighted preferences (e.g., prioritizing injuries over choreography). Ultimately, the search for a "better index" reveals that the best Jackie Chan movie is the one where you fear for his life the most.
References (Abbreviated)
- Chan, J. (1998). I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action. Ballantine Books.
- Logan, B. (1995). Hong Kong Action Cinema. Overlook Press.
- Rotten Tomatoes / IMDb aggregated scores (2000–2023).
- Injury map published in Armour of God: The Making (1987 documentary).
Searching for a "better" index of Jackie Chan movies depends on what you're looking for—whether it's his high-octane Hong Kong classics, his Hollywood breakouts, or his modern dramas. The All-Time Masterpieces index of jackie chan movies better
These are widely considered his best work due to their groundbreaking choreography and death-defying stunts:
Police Story (1985): Often cited as his absolute best. It features Jackie as a virtuous cop and contains some of the most dangerous stunts ever filmed, including the legendary mall-pole slide.
Drunken Master II (1994): Also known as The Legend of Drunken Master, this film is famous for having some of the finest fight choreography in cinema history.
Project A (1983): A pirate-themed action-comedy that features the "Three Brothers" (Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao) and a famous clock tower fall. The Global Breakthroughs
If you are looking for the movies that made him a household name in the West:
Rumble in the Bronx (1995): His major breakthrough in the U.S. market, featuring inventive fights using everyday objects.
Rush Hour Series (1998–2007): His most famous Hollywood collaboration, pairing him with Chris Tucker for a classic "buddy cop" dynamic.
Shanghai Noon (2000): A successful Western-themed comedy where he stars alongside Owen Wilson. Hidden Gems & Later Work To find the "better" Jackie Chan movies, it
Miracles: The Canton Godfather (1989): A beautifully shot period piece that Jackie himself has often cited as one of his personal favorites.
Little Big Soldier (2010): A more recent film that showcases his acting range in a comedy-drama setting.
New Police Story (2004): A grittier, more emotional reboot of his famous franchise that proved he could still perform intense physical roles in his 50s. Where to Find Them
IMDb's Top 30 List: For a ranked list based on fan ratings, you can check the IMDb Jackie Chan Collection.
Streaming: Many of these classics are available to stream or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Top 30 Jackie Chan films - IMDb
Early Years (1971-1980)
- Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1972) - Jackie Chan's debut film
- The Snake Fist Fighter (1978) - showcases Chan's martial arts skills
- Drunken Master (1978) - a classic comedy-martial arts film
Breakthrough and Stardom (1981-1990)
- The Big Brawl (1980) - Chan's first Hollywood film
- The Protector (1985) - features impressive fight choreography
- Project A (1986) - introduces Chan's signature blend of action and comedy
- Armour of God (1986) - an adventurous treasure hunt film
- Rush Hour (1998) - a comedy-action film that launched Chan's Hollywood career
Hong Kong Classics (1991-2000)
- City on Fire (1992) - a crime drama with impressive action sequences
- Police Story (1985) - a seminal action-comedy film
- Rumble in the Bronx (1995) - showcases Chan's physical comedy
- Supercop (1992) - features stunning action sequences and a memorable villain
- Drunken Master II (1994) - a sequel to the 1978 classic
Hollywood Success (2001-2010)
- Shanghai Noon (2000) - a western action-comedy film
- Mr. Nice Guy (1997) - a crime comedy film
- Rush Hour 2 (2001) - a sequel to the 1998 hit
- The Tuxedo (2002) - an action-comedy film with impressive stunts
- Kung Fu Panda (2008) - an animated film featuring Chan's voice
Recent Films (2011-Present)
- The Karate Kid (2010) - a remake of the classic film
- Rush Hour 3 (2007) - the third installment in the Rush Hour franchise
- Zhuanggang (2013) - a crime drama film
- The Lego Movie (2014) - an animated film featuring Chan's voice
- Goo Goo Gai (2015) - a Chinese sci-fi film
Recommended Viewing Order
If you're new to Jackie Chan's films, here's a suggested viewing order:
- Drunken Master (1978)
- Project A (1986)
- Rush Hour (1998)
- Shanghai Noon (2000)
- Rush Hour 2 (2001)
Honorable Mentions
- The House of Flying Daggers (2004) - a wuxia film featuring Chan
- Everlasting Regret (2005) - a romantic drama film
- Chinese Ghost Story (1987) - a classic Hong Kong horror-comedy film
Tips and Insights
- Many of Jackie Chan's films feature impressive stunts, often performed by Chan himself.
- Chan's early films often blend martial arts and comedy, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
- His Hollywood films tend to focus more on comedy and action, while his Hong Kong films often incorporate drama and social commentary.
Enjoy your Jackie Chan movie marathon!