Love stories can be found even in movies that are primarily about action. Martial arts movies might have offered audiences some ofthe most epic fights in cinema history, but they have also produced some of the greatest romance stories.The action genre often intertwines physical combat with emotional depth, with love and relationships playing a crucial role in the process. Interpersonal connections are more often than not the driving force behind the characters’ motivations, making them stand out as some of the key elements of the plot.
Romantic love, in particular, is a central emotional force in martial arts films, making the genre far more than just displays ofimpressive kick techniques you shouldn’t try at home.In these emotionally complex storylines that balance action and emotion, love is never just about passion— it is about the sacrifices and personal growth that come with it.
Tai Chi Master
Cast
Two friends grow up together in the Shaolin Temple and become great fighters. However, they end up running away from the temple because of their unruly attitudes. Having to live outside the temple, the two friends adapt to the new reality, the financial problems and the tyranny of the exploitative government.
Though secondary, Junbao and Siu Lin’s relationship inTai Chi Mastergrounded the plot subtly. Marking one ofJet Li’s best movies,the story follows two childhood friends, Junbao (Li) and Tienbo (Chin Siu-ho), who train together as monks in a Shaolin monastery. After getting expelled, the two part ways, and Junbao later meets Siu Lin (Michelle Yeoh), a widowed street performer and martial artist, and the two become allies.
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While Junbao and Siu Lin’s connection never became explicitly romantic, the subtle moments of affection and warmth between them offered a deeply moving portrayal of love amidst the film’s chaotic narrative.Rather than distracting from the main plot, their bond complemented their arcs and propelled Junbao’s journey. The scenes featuring the pair often felt like a deliberate counterbalance to the otherwise violent storyline, creating a strong yet subtle romance.
Dragon
Dragon is a martial arts thriller directed by Peter Chan, starring Donnie Yen as a papermaker with a hidden past. Set in early 20th century China, the film follows a detective’s investigation into the papermaker’s involvement in a deadly confrontation with bandits. As revelations unfold, the detective uncovers secrets that lead him deeper into a world of martial artistry and personal redemption.
Arguably one ofDonnie Yen’s best movies,Dragonis set in 1917, during the final years of the Qing Dynasty. The film follows Liu Jinxi (Yen), a humble papermaker living in a small rural town. However, when it is revealed he was once a trained assassin, Liu must confront his dark and violent past while protecting his family.His wife, Ayu (Tang Wei), is central to his redemption arc, serving as his primary motivation to redeem himself.
Liu’s overwhelming need to protect Ayu is the driving force of the plot, making their romance one of the greatest bonds of martial arts cinema.
Despite not taking center stage in the narrative, Liu’s romance with Ayu adds emotional depth to his character, intensifying his internal struggles throughout the movie. Her love serves as a constant emotional backdrop, reflecting Liu’s desires. At the same time,Liu’s overwhelming need to protect Ayu is the driving force of the plot, making their romance one of the greatest bonds of martial arts cinema.
The Assassin
The Assassin is a historical drama directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. Set during the Tang Dynasty, it follows the story of Nie Yinniang, a highly skilled female assassin, played by Shu Qi, who is tasked with eliminating corrupt government officials but struggles with her personal and moral dilemmas. The film received critical acclaim for its cinematography and direction, marking a contemplative and visually stunning portrayal of ancient China.
Another subtle yet powerful romance in the martial arts movie realm, the relationship between Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi) and Tian Ji’an (Chang Chen) is the emotional core ofThe Assassin. Set in 9th-century China during the Tang Dynasty,the story centers around Yinniang, a skilled assassin trained in a remote convent. When she is tasked with killing her former fiancé, Tian Ji’an, now a corrupt governor, she struggles to reconcile her lingering feelings for him with her duty.
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Even though their relationship is not thoroughly explored on screen,the bond Yinniang and Tian Ji’an once shared continues to influence Yinniang’s actions throughout the film.Her emotions clash with her obligation, which usually calls for detachment and precision, forcing her to confront her own sense of identity. Without the complex emotions that Yinniang couldn’t fully express,The Assassinwould surely lack much of its emotional depth and intensity.
House of Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers is a 2004 martial arts romance film directed by Zhang Yimou. Set during the Tang Dynasty, the film stars Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau. The story follows a skilled dancer who becomes embroiled in a rebellion against the government, and the two officers sent to capture her. Known for its vivid cinematography and elaborate fight choreography, the film explores themes of love, loyalty, and deception.
At its core,Mei (Zhang Ziyi) and Jin’s (Takeshi Kaneshiro) romance inHouse of Flying Daggersis a doomed love story, shaped by both outside forces and their own internal struggles. Mei, a blind dancer who is secretly a member of a rebel group, the Flying Daggers, is caught in a web of lies and duty. Jin, a soldier working undercover to infiltrate the rebels, is sent to trick her into revealing the group’s location. However, as the two grow closer, their feelings for each other blur the lines between love and duty.
Not only is the pair’s connection pushing the plot forward, but it also complicates their characters’ arcs to the point that they both lose sight of their initial missions. Mei is no longer solely loyal to the Flying Daggers, while Jin gradually loses his trust in the government that sent him to Mei in the first place. Their relationship ultimately shapes the tragic yet inevitable end of the movie.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Once Upon a Time in China, directed by Tsui Hark, is a landmark martial arts film starring Jet Li as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung. Set in late 19th-century China,the story follows Wong as he protects his people during a time of chaos and political upheaval.Wong’s relationship with his love interest, Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan), serves as an emotional anchor to the narrative.
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The romance between Wong and Aunt Yee is not the main focus of the story, but it plays an important role in shaping Wong’s character and grounding his journey. Their relationship reflects the cultural tensions of the time, with Aunt Yee’s modern perspective challenging Wong’s traditional values.Their dynamic adds depth to Wong’s character,while Aunt Yee proves to be a valuable sidekick. Although mostly understated, their love story stands out as one of the key aspects ofOnce Upon a Time in Chinaand the rest of its series.
Zhang Yimou’sShadowis a movie rich in emotional depth, featuring another quiet but strong romance. Set in ancient China, the story centers on Commander Ziyu (Deng Chao), who relies on a “shadow” (also played by Chao), a double who impersonates him in public and on the battlefield.This deception creates emotional distance between Ziyu and his wife, Xiao Ai (Sun Li), with their relationship becoming the emotional core of the film.
Both of their sacrifices equally drive the plot, even though their romance isn’t the main focus of Shadow.
Ziyu’s love for his wife is one of the few things that grounds his actions throughout the movie, even as he becomes entangled in a complex political situation. His willingness to sacrifice for her and their bond heavily influences his choices, particularly when he risks everything to protect her. Similarly, Xiao Ai remains deeply loyal to her husband, no matter the cost. Both of their sacrifices equally drive the plot, even though their romance isn’t the main focus ofShadow.
Ip Man
Directed by Wilson Yip, Ip Man is a biographical martial arts film starring Donnie Yen as Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor to Bruce Lee. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the film depicts Ip Man’s efforts to protect his community and preserve his martial arts traditions despite the atrocities of war.
Despite being one ofthe lowest-grossing film franchises at the box office,Ip Man’scentral romance makes it a worthwhile watch. The movie tells the story of the legendary Wing Chun master, Ip Man (Donnie Yen), and his resilience during the Japanese occupation of China. However, his deep love for his wife, Cheung Wing-Sing (Lynn Hung), is what fuels and grounds Ip Man’s actions throughout the narrative.
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The romance between Ip Man and Cheung Wing-Sing brings out the human side of the famous master, serving as a reminder of his vulnerability. Even though Ip Man starts the movie as a quiet, peaceful man who doesn’t seek conflict, his love for his family pushes him to stand up against injustice. Wing-Sing thus serves as a key part of his growth, while their love story demonstrates how love can be a powerful force during difficult times.
Hero (2002)
Zhang Yimou’sHerowas one ofthe great martial arts movies based on a true story, but the fictional romance between Broken Sword (Tony Leung) and Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) is what stole the show. This cinematic wonder centers around a nameless warrior (Jet Li), who claims to have defeated three infamous assassins — Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Sky (Donnie Yen) — who had plotted to kill the King of Qin.
Broken Sword and Flying Snow are assassins deeply in love, bonded by shared ideals and their mission to assassinate the King of Qin. However,the pair’s bond is ultimately fractured as their values clash, resulting in a mutual tragedy. Their deep love and heartbreaking fate, along with how their relationship reflects theHero’sthemes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, make it one of the most iconic romances in martial arts films.
2The Bride with White Hair (1993)
Lian and Qing
The Bride with White Hairtells the tragic love story of two martial artists, Lian (Leslie Cheung) and Qing (Brigitte Lin). Lian, from the orthodox Wudang sect, falls deeply in love with Qing, a woman raised by the rival and sinister White Hair sect. Their love is forbidden, making them one of the most iconic couples in martial arts cinema.
Despite coming from conflicting worlds, Lian and Qing’s passion for each other matches the greatest love stories in cinema.Their romance drives the entire plot of the 1993 gem,pushing the characters to make heartbreaking choices that ultimately lead to their tragic end. Marked by sacrifice and betrayal, the emotional intensity of their relationship adds depth and drama to the movie’s storyline, cementing it as one of the most unforgettable romances in the genre’s history.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a martial arts film directed by Ang Lee. Released in 2000, the story revolves around warriors Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, played by Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, as they pursue a stolen sword and encounter a mysterious young aristocrat. The film is renowned for its lush visuals and choreographed fight scenes, blending romance and adventure against a historical Chinese backdrop.
Not only isCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonone ofthe best Ang Lee movies, but this martial arts masterpiece features one of the genre’s most heartfelt romance stories. Set in Qing Dynasty China, it follows the journey of a legendary sword, Green Destiny, after it is stolen.
Although suppressed, their love is palpable throughout the movie.
When Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) decides to retire from the weary life of a warrior, he gives his prized sword, Green Destiny, to his close friend and unspoken love, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), to deliver to Sir Te (Sihung Lung).Along the way, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien’s romance remains unspoken, adding emotional depth to the story. Although suppressed, their love is palpable throughout the movie. It is defined by silent emotions, honor, and deep mutual respect, creating a tragic yet profoundly moving relationship that leaves a lasting impact on the narrative.
