Before he was a star, Chan appeared as a child actor and worked as an extra and stuntman (notably in Bruce Lee films).
| Year | Title | Chinese Title | Director | Notes | |------|-------|---------------|----------|-------| | 1976 | New Fist of Fury | 新精武门 | Lo Wei | First lead role | | 1977 | To Kill with Intrigue | 剑花烟雨江南 | Lo Wei | | | 1978 | Snake in the Eagle's Shadow | 蛇形刁手 | Yuen Woo-ping | Breakthrough | | 1978 | Drunken Master | 醉拳 | Yuen Woo-ping | Mega-hit | | 1979 | The Fearless Hyena | 笑拳怪招 | Jackie Chan | Directorial debut | | 1980 | The Young Master | 师弟出马 | Jackie Chan | Also writer | | 1980 | The Big Brawl | 杀手壕 | Robert Clouse | US debut |
At the top of the list, the most recent files tell a different story.
Entries like The Foreigner (2017) and Ride On (2023) show a man who has slowed down, not by choice, but by biology. The stunts are fewer; the acting is heavier. The "Index" transitions from a highlight reel of pain to a showcase of dramatic gravitas.
In The Foreigner, Chan plays a grief-stricken father. There is no sliding under trucks or jumping off buildings. There is only the weathered face of a man who has survived everything the previous files threw at him. It serves as a poignant epilogue to the frantic energy of the earlier directories.
Total Films: 150+ (as Actor) Career Span: 1962 – Present Genres: Kung Fu, Action Comedy, Stunt Spectacular, Crime Thriller, Drama
| Year | Title | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | 2005 | The Myth | Historical fantasy | | 2006 | Rob-B-Hood | Heist comedy | | 2007 | Rush Hour 3 | Final RH film | | 2008 | The Forbidden Kingdom | With Jet Li | | 2009 | Shinjuku Incident | Serious crime drama | | 2010 | The Spy Next Door | Family film | | 2010 | Little Big Soldier | | | 2011 | Shaolin | Ensemble drama | | 2011 | 1911 | Co-director, historical | | 2012 | Chinese Zodiac | Final big stunt film (his claim) | | 2013 | Police Story 2013 | Reboot | | 2015 | Dragon Blade | Roman-Han epic | | 2016 | Skiptrace | With Fan Bingbing | | 2016 | Railroad Tigers | War comedy |
Would you like a sortable table version by year, title, or director, or a separate list of his top 10 highest-grossing films?
Jackie Chan has appeared in nearly 150 films throughout his career, spanning from his early days in Peking Opera to his status as a global action-comedy icon. Critically Acclaimed Movies (Top Ranked)
According to Rotten Tomatoes, his highest-rated films often blend intense martial arts with slapstick humor: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023): 95% (Voice role) Supercop (1992) : 93% Crime Story (1993) : 93% Police Story (1985) : 90% Drunken Master II (1994) : 85% Highest Grossing Franchises
Chan's commercial success is largely driven by his work in animated and Western live-action franchises: Kung Fu Panda Trilogy
: The first two films alone grossed over $632 million and $665 million respectively. The Karate Kid (2010) index of jackie chan movies
: This remake earned $359 million globally against a $40 million budget. Rush Hour Series
: A defining action-comedy franchise that paired him with Chris Tucker. Notable Career Milestones CZ12 (2012)
: Chan earned a Guinness World Record for the "Most Credits in One Movie" for this production. Project A (1983) Operation Condor (1991)
: Key examples of films where Chan served as both lead actor and director. Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
: The film that solidified his breakout success in the North American market. Current & Upcoming Projects Karate Kid: Legends
(2025): Chan returns to the franchise alongside Ralph Macchio. Vanguard (2020)
: One of his more recent high-budget action films directed by frequent collaborator Stanley Tong.
For those looking to watch his work, collections are frequently available on platforms like Netflix.
Chan began as a child actor and later worked as a stuntman (notably in Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury Enter the Dragon
) before finding his own voice in the late '70s by blending martial arts with slapstick humor. Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962) – His film debut as a child actor. New Fist of Fury
(1976) – An early attempt to market him as the "next Bruce Lee". Snake in the Eagle's Shadow Before he was a star, Chan appeared as
(1978) – His first major hit, establishing the action-comedy genre. Drunken Master (1978) – Solidified his superstar status in Asia. The Fearless Hyena (1979) – His directorial debut. The Golden Era of Action (1980–1994)
During this period, Chan refined his signature style of death-defying stunts and intricate choreography.
Jackie Chan is a global cinematic icon whose career spans over six decades, evolving from a child actor and stuntman to a world-renowned action hero and master of physical comedy. His "Index of Jackie Chan Movies" serves as a roadmap through the history of martial arts cinema, marking his transition from a Bruce Lee protégé to a pioneer of the action-comedy genre. Early Career and Breakthroughs (1960s – 1970s)
Jackie Chan began his journey in the early 1960s as a child actor in films like Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962). In the early 1970s, he worked as a stuntman in Bruce Lee’s classics, including Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon. However, it wasn't until the late 70s that he established his own unique identity. This One Movie Turned Jackie Chan Into a Legend
Jackie Chan has appeared in nearly 150 films as of 2021 [14]. His career spans from his child debut in Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962) to modern global blockbusters [13, 40]. Essential Classics (Highly Rated)
These films defined his signature style of "action-comedy" and are widely considered his best work: Police Story (1985)
: A groundbreaking classic where Jackie plays a reckless cop; includes the famous shopping mall pole slide [10, 39]. Drunken Master II (1994)
: Features some of his most complex and celebrated fight choreography [10, 18]. Project A (1983)
: Set the standard for his elaborate, dangerous stunts [14, 18]. Drunken Master (1978)
: His breakout role that introduced "drunken boxing" to the world [13, 39]. Hollywood & International Breakthroughs These titles cemented his status as a worldwide superstar: Rumble in the Bronx (1995)
: His major breakthrough into the North American market [13, 39]. Rush Hour Trilogy (1998–2007) | Year | Title | Notes | |------|-------|-------|
: High-energy action comedies co-starring Chris Tucker [15, 18]. Shanghai Noon Shanghai Knights (2003) : Western-themed comedies with Owen Wilson [11, 18]. The Karate Kid (2010) : A more dramatic role as a mentor [14, 21]. Top-Tier Action & Cult Favorites Wheels on Meals (1984) : Iconic trio film with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao [10, 39]. Armour of God II: Operation Condor (1991)
: An Indiana Jones-style adventure with a memorable plane fight [10, 39]. Who Am I? (1998) : Known for its incredible rooftop finale [10, 13]. Supercop (1992)
: Co-starring Michelle Yeoh, featuring high-stakes stunts like jumping onto a moving helicopter [10, 39]. Comprehensive Index by Era Notable Titles Early Work Fist of Fury Shaolin Wooden Men Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) [13, 20] The Young Master Dragon Lord Winners & Sinners (1983) [10, 13] City Hunter Crime Story First Strike (1996) [10, 14] Modern Era New Police Story Little Big Soldier The Foreigner (2017) [11, 23] For a full list and where to watch, you can explore the Jackie Chan Movie Index on IMDb or find his collection on platforms like Movies Anywhere , like his more serious dramatic roles classic stunt-heavy
Jackie Chan ’s filmography is a massive index of over 150 films that essentially defined the action-comedy
genre through a unique blend of high-stakes stunts, intricate choreography, and physical slapstick. The "Golden Era" Essentials (1980s – 1990s)
This period is widely considered his peak, where he had full creative control over his stunts and choreography. Police Story
: Often cited as one of the greatest action films ever. It features the legendary shopping mall finale and the infamous "pole slide". Drunken Master II : Known in the U.S. as Legend of the Drunken Master
, this film is a masterclass in rhythm and prop-based fighting.
: A period piece that solidified the "Jackie Chan Stunt Team" and his signature style of combining dangerous stunts with Chaplin-esque humor. Wheels on Meals : Features what many critics call the best one-on-one fight scene in cinema history against Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. Hollywood Breakthrough & Global Stardom Rumble in the Bronx
: The film that finally broke him into the North American mainstream.
: His biggest Western success, pairing his physical brilliance with Chris Tucker’s verbal comedy. Shanghai Noon
: A successful "East meets West" buddy comedy set in the Old West. Late Career & Dramatic Range
In recent years, Chan has pivoted toward more serious roles to show his acting depth.