Welcome to our list of the best jiu-jitsu movies, where we’ve rounded up the most thrilling and action-packed films that showcase this dynamic martial art!
If you’re a fan of Brazilian jiu-jitsu or just love a good martial arts movie, then you’ve come to the right place.
From heart-pumping fight scenes to inspirational stories of determination and perseverance, these movies have got it all.
So sit back, grab some popcorn, and get ready to be entertained. We’ve scoured the internet and put together a list of the must-watch ju-jitsu movies that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Let’s dive in and discover the best that this martial art has to offer! From action movies to the best bjj documentaries
Table of Contents
- “Born a Champion” (2021)
- “Redbelt” (2008)
- “Never Back Down” (2008)
- “The Karate Kid” (2010)
- “The Way of the Dragon” (1972)
- “Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior” (2003)
- “Undisputed 3: Redemption” (2010)
- “Jiu Jitsu” (2020)
- “Fighting with My Family” (2019)
- “The Art of Self-Defense” (2019)
- “Warrior” (2011)
- “Jiu-Jitsu vs The World” (2015)
- “Renzo Gracie: Legacy” (2008)
- “Choke” (1999)
- Tokyo Zombie (2005)
- John Wick (2014)
- Where to Watch?
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The list includes a variety of documentaries, action movies, comedies and more… all with fight scenes that fit in with the jiu jitsu lifestyle. Each jiu jitsu film has something valuable, insightful or entertaining to offer.
“Born a Champion” (2021)
“Born a Champion” is a 2021 sports drama movie that tells the story of Mickey Kelley, a Ju-Jitsu fighter who travels to Brazil to compete in a championship tournament.
The movie stars Sean Patrick Flanery as Mickey Kelley and features some fantastic Ju-Jitsu fight scenes. The film showcases the intensity and physical demands of the sport while also exploring the cultural significance of Ju-Jitsu in Brazil.
“Born a Champion” also features Dennis Quaid as an experienced Ju-Jitsu coach and mentor to Mickey, offering an engaging look at the mentor-student relationship that is integral to the Ju-Jitsu tradition. The movie is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and is definitely worth checking out for any Ju-Jitsu or martial arts enthusiast.
“Redbelt” (2008)
This film is directed by David Mamet and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a Ju-Jitsu master who owns a martial arts school in Los Angeles. It follows his journey as he tries to maintain his integrity as a martial artist in a world of corruption and competition.
In “Redbelt”, the main character Mike Terry (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a black belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.
“Never Back Down” (2008)
This movie follows a high school student who learns ju-jitsu to defend himself against bullies. It features some great ju-jitsu fight scenes and stars Sean Faris and Djimon Hounsou.
“The Karate Kid” (2010)
Though the title suggests Karate, this movie features the Brazilian Ju-Jitsu techniques. Jaden Smith plays a young boy who moves to China and learns Ju-Jitsu from Jackie Chan to defend himself from bullies.
This is a great movie which is very uplifting with some amazing fight sequences.
“The Way of the Dragon” (1972)
Bruce Lee not only stars as the main character in this movie but also directed it. It features a legendary fight scene with Chuck Norris, which showcases some of the Brazilian Ju-Jitsu techniques and philosophy.
“Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior” (2003)
This Thai martial arts movie is an action-packed thrill ride and features Tony Jaa as a Muay Thai fighter who uses Brazilian Ju-Jitsu techniques in his fights during this action movie.
“Undisputed 3: Redemption” (2010)
This movie features Scott Adkins as a prisoner who competes in a deadly ju-jitsu tournament. It showcases some impressive ju-jitsu fighting sequences and has a well-crafted plot.
“Jiu Jitsu” (2020)
This science fiction martial arts movie features Nicolas Cage as a warrior who has to fight an alien invader using his ju-jitsu skills. It is an entertaining and action-packed movie that showcases the art of ju-jitsu as Nic cage fights to save the fate of the planet.
“Jiu Jitsu”, is directed by Dimitri Logothetis and features a cast of skilled martial artists, including Alain Moussi, Tony Jaa, and Frank Grillo.
The movie centers around an ancient order of jiu-jitsu fighters who must defend Earth against an alien invasion.
While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, it features some impressive fight scenes that showcase the talents of the cast. The director dimitri logothet is known for his work in the action and martial arts genre, and his other directorial credits include the movies “Kickboxer: Retaliation” (2018) and “Kickboxer: Armageddon” (2019).
“Fighting with My Family” (2019)
This movie follows the story of a British family of wrestlers who are trying to make it big in the professional wrestling industry. It features some excellent ju-jitsu techniques and has a great message about hard work and determination.
“The Art of Self-Defense” (2019)
This black comedy movie follows the story of a man who learns ju-jitsu to defend himself after a brutal attack. It is a satirical take on the world of martial arts and is well worth a watch.
“Warrior” (2011)
Although this movie primarily features mixed martial arts (MMA), so is a great watch for any MMA fan, it also showcases some Brazilian ju-jitsu techniques. It follows the story of two estranged brothers who compete against each other in a high-stakes MMA tournament.
This movie stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton (a former UFC fighter who is a purple belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu) and Nick Nolte
“Jiu-Jitsu vs The World” (2015)
This documentary film explores the world of Brazilian ju-jitsu and its rise in popularity as a martial art. It features interviews with several notable ju-jitsu practitioners, including Marcelo Garcia and Rickson Gracie.
“Jiu-Jitsu vs The World” is the most well-known documentary which explores the rise of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu in the world of martial arts. The film features interviews with several notable Ju-Jitsu practitioners, including Marcelo Garcia, Renzo Gracie, and Eddie Bravo, and covers the history and evolution of the sport. “Jiu-Jitsu vs The World” also showcases some impressive Ju-Jitsu techniques and is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the art of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.
“Renzo Gracie: Legacy” (2008)
This documentary chronicles the life and career of Renzo Gracie, a Brazilian ju-jitsu master and member of the Gracie family. It features interviews with Gracie and his students and showcases some of the techniques that he has developed.
“Choke” (1999)
This documentary follows the story of Rickson Gracie, one of the most successful and influential Brazilian ju-jitsu practitioners in history.
It features footage of Gracie’s fights and interviews with Gracie and his family.
The film also features interviews with several notable figures in the world of martial arts, including Rickson Gracie himself, his brother Rorion Gracie, and fellow Brazilian Ju-Jitsu practitioners such as Renzo Gracie, Fabio Gurgel, and Marcelo Behring. The movie includes footage of Rickson Gracie competing in tournaments and showcases his incredible skill and technique on the mat.
Overall, “Choke” is a fascinating look at one of the most influential figures in the world of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and it features insights from some of the biggest names in the sport.
Tokyo Zombie (2005)
“Tokyo Zombie” is a Japanese horror-comedy film that follows the story of two blue-collar workers who must fight their way through a zombie apocalypse.
While not a traditional Ju-Jitsu movie, the film features some impressive fight scenes and fight choreography that showcase the versatility of the art. There are several Ju-Jitsu techniques incorporated throughout the movie, including throws, joint locks, and chokes. The film is a fun and quirky take on the zombie genre and is well worth watching for fans of martial arts cinema.
John Wick (2014)
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller film that stars Keanu Reeves as the titular character, a retired hitman who is forced back into action after a gang of thugs steals his car and kills his dog.
The movie is known for its intense and well-choreographed fight scenes, which feature a blend of different martial arts styles, including Ju-Jitsu. Reeves underwent extensive Ju-Jitsu training for his role, and the fight scenes in the movie are a testament to his dedication and hard work.
“John Wick” is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that showcases some of the best martial arts action in recent cinema, and the John wick series includes multiple movies.
Where to Watch?
- “Born a Champion” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Redbelt” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Never Back Down” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “The Karate Kid” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “The Way of the Dragon” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “Undisputed 3: Redemption” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “Jiu Jitsu” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “Fighting with My Family” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “The Art of Self-Defense” – available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video
- “Warrior” – available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- “Jiu-Jitsu vs The World” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Renzo Gracie: Legacy” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Choke” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “Tokyo Zombie” – available on Amazon Prime Video
- “John Wick” – John Wick movies are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
Please note that the availability of these movies on streaming services may vary by region and may be subject to change over time.
These movies all provide insight into the world of
There are many more excellent ju-jitsu movies out there, but these are some of the most popular and well-regarded films in the genre. We hope you enjoy!
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Please share this list with your BJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiast friends, or just those who love a good fight movie!
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If you’re specifically interested in movies that feature other martial arts like Krav Maga, there are several action movies and TV shows that showcase this martial art, including the Netflix series “Fauda” and the movies “Haywire” (2011) and “Close” (2019).
Other actors to look out for in action movies that feature martial arts are Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson, who have both incorporated martial arts training into their preparation for many roles and are known for their dedication to physical fitness and commitment to performing their own stunts in action movies, which often include high-intensity action sequences. While these two may not be featured specifically in any Ju-Jitsu movies, the dedication to fitness and action makes them respected figures in the world of Hollywood cinema, with classics such as the Lethal weapon franchise and Mission Impossible Franchise.
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