Once Upon a Time in China - Watch Order: Essential Films
This watch order focuses on the original trilogy that established the series as a martial arts classic. The first three films form a cohesive narrative arc featuring Jet Li at his finest as Wong Fei-hung, showcasing the series' most acclaimed action choreography and storytelling.
These three films represent the creative peak of the franchise and provide a complete, satisfying experience of Wong Fei-hung's adventures without the quality drop-off seen in later entries.
Once Upon a Time in China
Set in late 19th century Canton, this martial arts film depicts the stance taken by the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung against foreign forces' plundering of China.
Once Upon a Time in China II
Wong Fei-Hung faces the White Lotus Society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a revolutionary, from the military.
Other Film Series
American Ninja
A cult martial arts action series from Cannon Films following American soldiers skilled in ninjutsu as they battle various criminal ninja organizations.
Deathstalker
A cult sword-and-sorcery film series from the 1980s, known for its campy B-movie charm and anthology-style storytelling with different actors portraying the titular barbarian warrior.
Men in Black
A sci-fi comedy franchise about secret agents who monitor alien activity on Earth.
No Retreat, No Surrender
A trilogy of standalone martial arts action films connected only by title and shared themes of underdog fighters facing overwhelming odds.
Planet of the Apes
A science fiction franchise that explores the complex relationship between humans and intelligent apes across multiple timelines and eras.
Spy Kids
Family-friendly action franchise about children who discover their parents are secret agents and become spies themselves, featuring the original Cortez trilogy and subsequent reboots.