Muay Thai is among the most popular sports worldwide. Thousands of individuals worldwide study the martial arts discipline, which emerged in Thailand. As a sport and self-defense practice, it emphasizes rapid, explosive maneuvers and techniques that provide intense combat.
Muay Thai is a lot of fun to do, both in terms of getting in shape and competing, but it’s also a great event sport to watch, whether at one of Bangkok’s most renowned arenas or on a movie night at home.
There are many pretty exciting Muay Thai movies for you to watch. Some are legends; some are more recent. They have one thing in common: they’ve had their share of action-packed and brilliantly choreographed combat scenes.
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior also known in the United States as Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior is a 2003 Thai martial arts film directed by Prachya Pinkaew and featured action choreography by Panna Rittikrai. It stars Tony Jaa in the lead role, alongside Petchtai Wongkamlao and Pumwaree Yodkamol. Ong-Bak proved to be Jaa’s breakout film, with the actor hailed internationally as the next major martial arts star. Jaa went on to star in Tom-Yum-Goong (called The Protector in the US and Warrior King in UK) and directed and starred in two prequels of Ong-Bak titled Ong-Bak 2 and Ong-Bak 3. Plot, When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it. In a poor Thai village, the sacred statue of Ong Bak watches over its inhabitants, who feel safe and secure in its presence.
Ong Bak 2
Ong Bak 2: The Beginning is a 2008 Thai martial arts film co-directed by Panna Rittikrai and Tony Jaa, who also stars in the lead role. it is the standalone prequel to the 2003 film Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and is set in 15th century Thailand. In the film, Tien trains himself in martial arts, where he becomes a lethal soldier and sets out to avenge his parents’ death.
Ong Bak 3
Ong-Bak 3 is a 2010 Thai martial arts film directed, produced and written by Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai. The film is a sequel to Ong Bak 2 (2008) and revolves around Tien (Tony Jaa), who escapes after being captured by the Lord Rajasena (Sarunyu Wongkrajang) and recovers from his crippling injuries with the help of Master Bua (Nirut Sirijanya), where he returns to confront Bhuti Sangkha (Dan Chupong), who has replaced Rajasena as the king.RELATED:
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Tom-Yum-Goong (2005)
Tom-Yum-Goong is a 2005 Thai martial arts film directed by Prachya Pinkaew and stars Tony Jaa in the lead role. Pinkaew also directed Jaa’s prior breakout film Ong-Bak. As with Ong-Bak, the fights were choreographed by Jaa and his mentor Panna Rittikrai. The film was distributed as Warrior King in the United Kingdom, as The Protector in the United States, as Thai Dragon in Spain, as Revenge of the Warrior in Germany, and as Honor of the Dragon in Russia and CIS countries. In India, it was named as Haathi Mere Saathi from a name of another Bollywood film starring. Plot, A young fighter named Kham must go to Australia to retrieve his stolen elephant. With the help of a Thai-born Australian detective, Kham must take on all comers, including a gang led by an evil woman and her two deadly bodyguards.
Kickboxer (1989)
Kickboxer is a 1989 American martial arts film directed by David Worth and starring Jean-Claude van Damme. Former world kickboxing champion Dennis Alexio is also featured. It spawned several sequels. Plot. Kurt Sloane is the younger brother and cornerman of Eric Sloane, the heavyweight kickboxing world champion. After another successful title defense, Eric is enticed by the media to compete in Thailand, where kickboxing was started, to further establish his legacy.
A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)
A Prayer Before Dawn is a 2017 biographical prison drama film directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire and written by Jonathan Hirschbein and Nick Saltrese. The film stars Joe Cole and is based on the book A Prayer Before Dawn: My Nightmare in Thailand’s Prisons by Billy Moore. A Prayer Before Dawn had its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, and was released in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2018, by Altitude, and in the United States on 10 August 2018, by A24. The young Briton Billy Moore ends up in the most terrible prison in Thailand, where deadly fights are held without rules between the most violent criminals. To survive, Billy must take part in them and win.
Duel of Fists (1971)
Duel of Fists is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh and starring David Chiang and Ti Lung. Filmed on location in Bangkok, the story concerns a Hong Kong engineer (Chiang) who goes to Thailand to find his long-lost half-brother (Ti Lung), who is a Muay Thai boxer. He’s a good fighter who hates gamblers, but the gamblers are trying hard to rope him in. As part of their plan, they’ve matched him against The Killer, the national champion, two of whose opponents have died in the ring.
Chok-Dee: The Kickboxer (2005)
Chok-Dee is a French realistic film by Xavier Darringer and other 2005 afternoon films from Dida Diafat’s book. This semi-autobiographical film is based on the story of lead actor Dida Diaf, the first French Muay Thai champion. An obnoxious young man, Ryan Fatida, was arrested for stealing a truck and sent to prison. There he decides to change his life, but does not know how.
Legend of the Broken Sword Hero (2017)
Thong Dee Fun Khao is a 2017 Thai Action film, directed by Bin Bunluerit. Action movie based on history “Thong Dee Fun Khao” (Also Known As Legend of the Broken Sword Hero) Tells the story of an indomitable determination, courage, loyalty, the importance of life. “Thong Dee Fun Khao” heart tough fighter with boxing ability and fate led him to be a loyal soldier of King Taksin the Great. And martyrs fight to defend the country to become a hero of the Thai people known “Phraya Phichai Dap Hak”.