This list became so much fun to do and there was so many excellent suggestions from readers and friends that I couldn’t limit the list entirely to ten, so I said forget about it, and made it fifteen. Great fights in so many movies, but here are my favorites.
15. MAXIMUS VS. EVERYTHING
GLADIATOR
14.ANANKIN VS. OBI-WAN
STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH
13.CORRIDOR
OLDBOY
12.BRUCE LEE VS. CHUCK NORRIS
WAY OF THE DRAGON
11. INIGO MONTOYA VS. THE MAN IN BLACK
THE PRNCESS BRIDE
10. NEO VS. MORPHEUS
THE MATRIX
There are a few notable scenes from this movie but the one that I find most enjoyable to watch again and again is the banter of talents between Neo and Morpheus. It might not be gun fighting in the lobby, but the martial arts, the excitement of overwhelmed use of CGI technology and the depth of the scene is what makes this so profound to watch again and again.
9. YU SHU LIEN VS. JEN
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is another film that boasts many fight scenes and moments of martial arts that were completely innovative but this scene between the two main female characters of the story,Yu Shu Lien and Jen takes the cake. The young and fiery challenging the older, the seasoned, and the wizened makes this battle not only remarkably beautiful to watch but exhilarating as well.
8. JASON BOURNE VS. THE APARTMENT ASSASSIN
THE BOURNE IDENTITY
The new tough and bold style of fighting and shooting that the Jason Bourne movies introduced something far more tangible with the close and brutal combat that The Bourne Trilogy offered. The apartment scene was what first really captured this on an epically bad a$$ level. The assassin in the apartment and Jason acting on pure reflex only, was amazing to watch. Not only was he undeniably dangerous, but he was unaware of exactly what he was doing. Absolutely amazing and pure entertainment.
7. THE BRIDE VS. THE CRAZY 88′S
KILL BILL VOL. ONE
For a story that says very little, the inventive brutality of the fight scenes and real exploitation of a raw and hardened killer is Tarantino at his best. As amazing as the blood splattering scene is from a martial arts point of view, there is always constant humor and a soundtrack playing in the backround may not seem appropriate but somehow only furthers to exemplify the amazing essence this viciously delicious scene creates. One of the best fight scenes ever, and certainly one of the highest body counts.
6. ACHILLES VS. HECTOR
TROY
The tension that built up to this point was pretty intense, but the excitement of knowing that the two giant heroes Hector and Achilles would finally meet each other. The most provocative part of their final battle was the fact that both were likable characters, heros of the film, just on different sides. Who exactly could you root for???? Sure the actual physical showdown was plenty exciting, but it was the emotion behind this battle that really ignited it’s importance and excitement.
5. PREDATOR VS. ARNIE
PREDATOR
“You are one ugly mother……..BLEEP”
The final showdown between the Predator and Arnie is Epic. I mean it ends in a nuclear sized explosion with a wicked monster laugh. The stalking and the planning up to this point was built an extreme climax that didn’t let you down. Predator is one of the greatest action films of all time, but the combination of Arnold and the monstrous alien at the end is what makes it really excel.
4. ARAGORN VS. LURTZ
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS
Perhaps not always remembered because of the magnanimous battle scenes throughout The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, the end of The Fellowship is met with a nasty fight between too almost supernaturally strong beings. Aragorn avenging the death of Boromir vs. Lurtz the king and leader of the Uruk-hai. Unfathomable moments happen between the two as they battle to the inevitable death. The tension is so high and the gruesomeness so realistic it’s difficult not to get caught up in the brutal action.
3. DARTH MAUL VS. OBI-WAN KENOBI AND QUI-GON JIN
THE PHANTOM MENACE
The Phantom Menace might have gotten a bad wrap but it is well known for one of the greatest fight scenes in movie history. It’s moment of greatness and climax throughout the film was the light sabor duel between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon , and Obi Wan. The battle goes down as one of the best in Science Fiction/Action moments in film history. The fluidity, the athleticism, the creative use of the force, and the connection of the character’s in the moment was ultimate movie greatness, and made everything in The Phantom Menace that much better.
2. RIPLEY VS.QUEEN XENOMORPH
ALIENS
Provoking the Queen by saying:
“Get away from her, you bitch.”
begins one of the greatest fights ever. The evil Queen Xenomorph is now out to kill what would seem to be Ripley’s child after Ripley destroyed her entire nest, not to mention the planet that was home to it. When it comes down to it, this was a battle of mother vs. VERY pissed off mother. This epic showdown is without question of the best one of the most memorable and certainly one of the most entertaining fights ever on film.
1 .JACK VS. JACK
FIGHT CLUB
A lot of the scenes on this list have been noted for man vs. alien or monster, or even a human foe as formidable as they are, but only one great battle boils down to a man vs. himself. In retrospect this scene in Fight Club where the narrator fights himself is poignant in relevance to the story, but it’s still just damn funny. Brutal but funny nonetheless. It’s shocking and intelligent all rolled into one.
Remember, we here at Man, I Love Films don’t do definitive lists. We do our favorites and we want to hear yours. So, make sure and tell us about them in the comments section below.
Andrew (13)
Jess (13)
Dave Enkosky (9)
Nick (8)
Wayne (8)
Pat (6)
Heather (4)
Jessica (4)
John (4)
Colin Biggs (3)
Dave Enkosky: Killer Joe is probably at the top of my list of movies I mis…
Wayne: Good to know. I've put it on my instant queue, now I just ha…
Cannot argue with your number 1. It is easily one of the best, ms=ost unbelievably awesome scenes ever.
Love the Bride vs Crazy 88 and Oldboy’s corridor scene.
Twitter: heather_kenobi
November 7, 2012 5:19 am
Thank you!
I like a lot of the choices, but this should occupy at least the first three spots:
https://youtu.be/4-MVMbm6c0k
Nothing from The Raid?
Decent list, though!
Maximus vs. everything…perfect way to phrase that and so true! I would have put Oldboy in my top 5. That fight scene was filmed in one take, right? It was extraordinary to watch…curious to see how the remake will pan out.
Nikhat is right, you did nail the #1 pick, and I love Aliens; like more than a friend.
Of course, your love of the Prequels is… disturbing. Actually, I’d only argue #14, not TPM’s fight. The ROTS battle goes on so long, even Ewan MacGregor said you lose the… what’s it called? emotion of the scene.
Twitter: stevebushtweets
November 8, 2012 11:14 am
Love it!!! Great work.
Twitter: callmesirphobos
November 8, 2012 9:34 pm
Yea, some awesome fights, but it needs the one from They Live!
Exactly. See my comment…
Donnie Yen in Yip Man losing his cool for the first time and taking on ten Japanese karate practitioners should be on this list!
Twitter: agracru
November 9, 2012 6:46 am
The three major fight scenes from Legend of Drunken Master (first Drunken Boxing scene, tea house fight scene, final fight scene) are the stuff of legend. I would be displeased at their exclusion but you awesomely put Oldboy on here, which is a sure way to get my approval. For anything. Seriously.
I was very surprised that Aliens was not number 1 on your list Heather.