With the creation of the movie camera came a way for people around the world to get away from it all for a few hours at a time. People have been attending movies even before the actors could be heard. With today’s sound and special effects, more people are attending movies than ever before. And there are movies of all types to satisfy everyone’s interest. There are serious movies, funny movies, scary movies, and movies that make you think. Each has it’s own top list. Along with these categories, another type, known as Karate Movies, have been followed for years by people who have made their stars international icons.

Enter the Dragon is one of those movies you have heard of even if you have never been to see it. Another such movie is likely Karate Kid. There are two of many movies that, even if you never saw them, you recognize their names and you know they are karate movies. They are motion picture icons.

Even if you have never seen a Bruce Lee movie, there can be no doubt you recognize the name. He was born in San Francisco, which many are surprised to learn, but grew up in Hong Kong before returning to the United States as a teenager. His father was an actor, so it is no surprise that Lee ended up on television and in the movies. Still, no one could have imagined his success with movies such as Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, and the previously mentioned Enter the Dragon. He died early at age 32 which may have been a contributing factor in his cult following, but he remains an icon to this day, primarily for his work in Martial Arts movies.

Chuck Norris is another name recognized by even those that haven’t seen his movies. While some may know him from his appearance on television selling home gyms, this is only his latest venture. Chuck left the United States Air Force to being a career in movies and got his first starring role in 1977 after nearly a decade as a supporting actor. He appears with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and made a name for himself in other famous karate movies such as An Eye for An Eye.

Although he is not a new comer, having been in the movies in America since the 1970’s, Jackie Chan is another actor who has made his mark with his acrobatic style of karate as well as his comedic timing. Jackie’s major breakthrough movie called Snake in the Eagles Shadow, was released in 1978 and is widely considered to be the movie that established the comedic kung fu style.

Each of these famous actors helped to create the karate movie genre, and each would likely be far less famous, if famous at all, with the success of movies that feature martial arts.

Consider too that many movies, while not exactly karate movies, own their success to a heavy dose of martial arts. The Matrix series, known for its action and special effects, would have been far less successful if not for the heavy focus on karate.

These movies have stood the test of time and promise to continue to entertain and amaze moviegoers for years and years to come.

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