10 Martial Arts Styles Every Old School Kung Fu Movie Fan Needs To Know

Classic kung fu films exhibit a diverse array of martial arts styles, making them indispensable for genre enthusiasts. From Wing Chun to the Five Animal Styles, old school kung fu movies spare no effort in portraying various martial arts techniques. Each style brings its own unique flavor to the screen, showcasing the rich tapestry of Chinese martial arts heritage. Whether it’s the close-range combat and efficiency of Wing Chun, the unpredictable and fluid movements of Drunken Boxing, or the animal-inspired techniques of Crane, Snake, and Leopard styles, classic kung fu films offer a wealth of knowledge and entertainment.

These styles, along with others like Hung Gar and Monkey Style, are featured in some of the best kung fu movies of the 1970s and 1980s. They have captivated audiences for decades, thanks to their distinctive philosophies, training methods, and combat applications. By exploring the intricacies of these martial arts styles, one can gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and depth of classic kung fu cinema. The mastery displayed by the characters in these films not only highlights the effectiveness of each style, but also serves as an inspiration for those interested in martial arts.

10 Drunken Style Boxing

Unpredictable and improvisational movements

A martial arts style characterized by its unpredictable and improvisational nature, drunken boxing has captured the attention of kung fu enthusiasts since its inception. The style’s practitioners, despite undergoing rigorous training, are often depicted as stubborn individuals who quickly deviate from their disciplined routines. Jackie Chan’s career defining Drunken Master series, released in the late 1970s and early 1980s, catapulted drunken boxing into the spotlight, showcasing characters who intentionally intoxicate themselves before engaging in combat against hordes of adversaries.

Interestingly, in many films featuring this style, it is primarily employed by the protagonists, serving as a metaphor for their youthful innocence and carefree spirit. The heroes’ seemingly erratic movements and unorthodox techniques often catch their opponents off guard, allowing them to triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds. Despite its unconventional approach, drunken boxing consistently proves to be a formidable martial art, paralleling the characters’ personal growth and development throughout the narrative.

9 Wing Chun

An ideal style for individuals with smaller statures

Developed during the Qing Dynasty by Ng Mui, a Buddhist nun from the renowned Shaolin Temple, Wing Chun is a relatively young and constantly evolving martial art style. The style was named after Yim Wing Chun, Ng Mui’s top student, who successfully used it to defend herself against an unwanted suitor. A fighting style popularized by the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, Wing Chun has gained widespread recognition for its close-range combat and efficient techniques, making it an ideal choice for females and individuals with smaller statures.

The Centerline Principle is one of the most dominant concepts in Wing Chun, emphasizing the importance of positioning one’s body away from the opponent while maintaining control over their movements. Practitioners are encouraged to visualize a vertical line passing through their downline, protecting critical organs from attacks. This principle, along with the focus on timing and positioning rather than speed and strength, has contributed to Wing Chun’s effectiveness and popularity, as showcased in numerous kung fu films, such as the 1978 classic The Shaolin Plot and the 1981 film Prodigal Son.

8 Hung Gar

Straight, circular, and angular movements

Drawing from both external and internal methods, Hung Gar, a southern Chinese kung fu style, places emphasis on strong stances and a diverse range of hand techniques. These techniques encompass straight, circular, and angular movements, aiming to develop efficient motion and coordination. The style’s mastery of inside maneuvers is particularly evident in its varied kicks, which are primarily executed below the waist.

While the execution of Hung Gar techniques may appear hard and forceful, the system seamlessly incorporates both hard and soft techniques in multiple directions. This intricacy is showcased in some of the best kung fu movies from the 1970s, like The Chinese Boxer and the 1980 film Magnificent Butcher, both starring the legendary Sammo Hung. Hung Gar’s comprehensive approach to martial arts training, combining external strength and internal balance, has solidified its position as a treasured and influential kung fu system.

7 Praying Mantis

Imitates the insect’s movements in combat

Rapid strikes, joint locks, and throws form the core of the Praying Mantis style, which imitates the insect’s movements in combat. The Six Harmonies Style, or Liu He Tanglang Quan, is one of the three main branches of Praying Mantis kung fu, alongside the Plum Blossom and Seven Star styles. According to legend, monks at the Shaolin temple developed this martial art centuries ago after observing the praying mantis, which can grow up to an impressive 15 centimeters in length in China.

While the forms practiced in Praying Mantis kung fu appear soft and fluid, its combat application is fierce and unforgiving. Designed for life-and-death situations, the style focuses on unbalancing opponents and striking vital points such as the eyes, groin, throat, face, solar plexus, joints, and nerve centers. This captivating style has been prominently featured in several classic kung fu films, such as the 1978 movie Shaolin Mantis, starring David Chiang, and the 1983 film Magnificent Bodyguards, with Leung Kar-yan showcasing the art’s fluid and powerful techniques.

6 Monkey Style

Emulates the unique postures, agility, and unpredictable nature of monkeys and apes

One of the most distinctive martial arts systems in existence, the Monkey style of kung fu captivates with its unorthodox movements and primate-inspired techniques. Practitioners skillfully emulate the unique postures, agility, and unpredictable nature of monkeys and apes, incorporating these elements into their fighting approach. These styles often involve exposing less vital areas to bait an opponent, before launching devastating strikes at critical targets like the groin or eyes, showcasing the deceptive and effective nature of the Monkey style.

The Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts movie Bloodsport prominently features the Monkey style during its depiction of the Kumite, a grueling Chinese martial arts tournament. In the film, one of the competitors exhibits the signature movements of the Monkey style, including strange rolls, odd arm positions, and a generally primate-like fighting approach. While the specific techniques may vary among the different Monkey Style Kung Fu systems, they all share common principles of deception, unpredictability, and targeted strikes on vulnerable areas.

5 White Crane Style

Uses defense as offense

White Crane kung fu, despite its namesake’s seemingly fragile nature, employs a highly effective defensive strategy that seamlessly transitions into offensive maneuvers. The style relies on three key elements: the ability to jump, the breaking power of the wings, and the precise pecking of the beak. By harnessing these techniques, practitioners can defend themselves with remarkable efficiency, as demonstrated in the 1978 film The Mystery of Chessboxing.

The essence of White Crane lies in its use of defense as offense, a necessity born from the crane’s inherent lack of physical strength. Practitioners must maintain a calm, quiet, and steady demeanor while remaining alert and ready to strike at a moment’s notice. When the opportune moment arises, and the timing is perfect, a White Crane style practitioner unleashes a swift and decisive attack, catching their opponent off guard. This strategy of self-protection and patience forms the core of White Crane kung fu.

4 Dragon Style

Draws inspiration from the symbolism of the dragon

Dragon style kung fu stands apart as the sole Chinese martial arts system modeled after a mythical creature. Rather than imitating the movements of real-world animals, birds, or insects, Dragon style draws its inspiration from the understanding, essence, and symbolism embodied by these awe-inspiring and immensely powerful legendary beings. Combining a wide array of kicks, sweeps, strikes, locks, and takedowns, Dragon style proves to be an exceptionally effective martial art in close-range combat.

Beneath its practical and efficient external form lies a devastating ‘internal’ power that generates explosive force, sensitivity, speed, and agility. Seen extensively in the kung fu classics Duel of the Seven Tigers and Dragon’s Claws, Dragon style movements emulate the essence of a Chinese dragon – attacking like the wind, defending like a cloud, stopping like iron, advancing like a tiger, and retreating like a cat. This dynamic footwork, mental and physical sensitivity, and powerful strikes form the foundation of Dragon style, providing practitioners with a limitless arsenal adaptable to any situation.

3 Tiger Style

Favors straightforward strategies and tactics

Tiger style kung fu embodies simplicity, directness, and decisive action, favoring straightforward strategies and tactics that prioritize efficiency and swift resolution. The style forgoes complex footwork, diverse techniques, and intricate tactics, instead relying on the artist’s size, attitude, strength, power, and unwavering focus. In Enter the Dragon,Bruce Lee demonstrates moves that exemplify the raw power and single-minded determination that is characteristic of Tiger style.

Each technique in Tiger style is designed to be powerful and definitive, eschewing feints, distractions, or elaborate strategies. The Tiger style’s emphasis on size and bulk necessitates quick resolution of conflicts, as prolonged engagements can leave practitioners vulnerable to lesser adversaries. This principle is expertly depicted in the 1978 classic The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, where the protagonist’s mastery of Tiger style allows him to overpower his opponents with sheer strength and decisive strikes.

2 Snake Style

Imitates the fluid and unpredictable movements of snakes

Snake kung fu, a Shaolin boxing style, is one of several Chinese martial arts that imitate the fluid and unpredictable movements of snakes. By adopting the serpentine motion and flexibility of these reptiles, practitioners can entwine with their opponents defensively and strike from unexpected angles offensively. The fluid motion of the snake also lends itself to the practical theory behind “soft” martial arts, making Snake style a natural fit for weapons like the Chinese straight sword.

This compatibility is exemplified in the 1983 movie Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, where Jackie Chan’s character learns to incorporate Snake style techniques into his swordplay, demonstrating the style’s versatility and effectiveness. Various snake styles draw inspiration from different species of snakes, each with their own distinct movements and characteristics. Some schools focus on emulating the Cylindrophiidae, while others model their techniques after the python, viper, or cobra. This diversity within Snake style kung fu allows practitioners to develop a wide range of skills and strategies, captivating audiences in numerous kung fu films throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

1 Leopard Style

Quick and angular attacks

With its emphasis on speed and angular attacks, the leopard style of kung fu relies on outsmarting opponents rather than overwhelming them with brute force. The style’s power is derived from its aggressive speed, focusing on elbows, knees, low kicks, and leopard punches. Leopard style aims to cultivate patience to strike at the opportune moment, utilize the penetrating leopard punch, and train the lower body for enhanced springing power. These principles are showcased in the 1982 movie The Leopard Fist Ninja, where leopard style is demonstrated in the hits, damage, and run tactics that are designed to disorient the attacker.

The leopard style’s hit-and-run strategy, particularly effective against larger opponents, sets it apart from other animal-inspired martial arts. The style’s ability to simultaneously block and strike, a technique uncommon in harder martial arts, further distinguishes it from other Shaolin styles. The sheer speed of the leopard style remains a defining characteristic that captivates martial arts enthusiasts.