The martial arts world is about to get a major shake-up with “Karate Kid: Legends“, hitting theaters on May 30th. This highly anticipated sequel brings together icons Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan for the first time, training a new karate prodigy, Ben Wang. As the franchise blends East and West once again, there’s no better time to revisit Jackie Chan’s most legendary roles — the ones that made him a global icon and a martial arts trailblazer. From classic kung fu comedies to heartfelt mentor moments, here are ten of Chan’s best performances, in order of release.
Jackie Chan: His Ten Best Roles
1. “Drunken Master” (1978) – Wong Fei-hung
Before Jackie Chan was a household name, he redefined martial arts cinema with “Drunken Master”. As the mischievous Wong Fei-hung, Chan blended slapstick humor with traditional kung fu in a way audiences had never seen. His unorthodox “drunken boxing” style became iconic, setting the tone for decades of action-comedy to come.
2. “Project A” (1983) – Sergeant Dragon Ma
“Project A” showcased Chan’s flair for death-defying stunts, especially the famous clock tower fall that’s still jaw-dropping today. As Dragon Ma, Chan played a Hong Kong coast guard officer battling pirates — with plenty of humor, charm, and clockwork choreography to match.
3. “Police Story” (1985) – Inspector Chan Ka-Kui
Often cited as one of Jackie’s greatest action films, “Police Story” features breathtaking set pieces, including a mall fight that defined an era. As Inspector Chan Ka-Kui, Jackie fused gritty realism with jaw-dropping physicality, solidifying his reputation as an international action star.
4. “Armour of God” (1986) – Asian Hawk
In this Indiana Jones-inspired adventure, Jackie plays a fortune hunter racing against a cult to recover mystical relics. With globe-trotting action, dazzling stunts, and comedic beats, “Armour of God” is pure Jackie Chan: action hero, comic genius, and stunt daredevil rolled into one.
5. “Rumble in the Bronx” (1995) – Keung
Jackie’s breakout in the U.S. came with “Rumble in the Bronx”, where he played Keung, a tourist caught in a gang war in New York. Filmed in Canada but set in the Bronx, this film introduced Western audiences to Chan’s unique brand of action, mixing comedy, charisma, and bone-breaking stunts — often done while injured.
6. “Rush Hour” (1998) – Inspector Lee
In this East-meets-West buddy cop comedy, Jackie Chan’s no-nonsense Inspector Lee teams up with Chris Tucker’s wisecracking Detective Carter. “Rush Hour” became a box office smash, and Chan’s chemistry with Tucker proved he could be just as effective delivering punchlines as punches.
7. “Shanghai Noon” (2000) – Chon Wang
Pairing Jackie with Owen Wilson in a kung fu western, “Shanghai Noon” delivered laughs, lasso tricks, and martial arts mayhem. As Chon Wang (a pun on “John Wayne”), Chan once again mastered physical comedy and East-West fusion, this time in the Old West.
8. “The Tuxedo” (2002) – Jimmy Tong
While not his most acclaimed film, “The Tuxedo” allowed Jackie to flex his comedic chops in a sci-fi spy flick. Playing a humble chauffeur who dons a high-tech tuxedo that turns him into a super-agent, Chan brought his signature charm to an otherwise zany premise.
9. “New Police Story” (2004) – Detective Chan Kwok-wing
A darker, more mature reboot of his classic “Police Story” series, this film showed Jackie as a broken man seeking redemption. It’s one of his most emotional roles, trading light-hearted banter for dramatic weight — and proving Chan could handle gravitas just as well as gravity-defying stunts.
10. “The Karate Kid” (2010) – Mr. Han
In a role that surprised many, Chan ditched his comedic persona to play Mr. Han, a quiet, grieving maintenance man with a tragic past. As mentor to Jaden Smith’s Dre, he brought vulnerability and wisdom to the role, echoing the spirit of Mr. Miyagi while making it his own. It’s one of his most heartfelt performances, and now, with “Karate Kid: Legends”, we finally get to see what Mr. Han has become.
“Karate Kid: Legends” isn’t just a nostalgic reunion — it’s a celebration of everything Jackie Chan has brought to cinema: cross-cultural connection, fearless innovation, and heart. As Mr. Han returns to the screen this weekend, he’s not just training a new fighter — he’s passing the torch of a lifetime’s worth of martial arts mastery. Whether you’ve followed Chan since Drunken Master or discovered him through Rush Hour, his legacy is impossible to deny. With Legends, that legacy kicks into a powerful new chapter.
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