Bruce Leewas a formerCha-Cha dancing champion, who used his quick feet to learn martial arts, specifically Gung Fu — an ancient hand combat used for self-defense. He started as a martial arts teacher to pay for his college studies in psychology and drama, and his talent led him to open several schools in Seattle. After suffering racism and discrimination while trying to make acareer in Hollywood, he returned to Hong Kong and opened his own production company.
Eventually,Warner Bros., which never gave Lee a lead role due to his race, reached out to script a movie with him. This movie isEnter the Dragon,one of his most notable works. Known for being confident and creative, Lee destroyed stereotypes, bridged cultures, and became the first Asian actor to star as the main lead in a massive American movie. He unlocked doors for otherAsian actors like Jackie Chan. Martial arts fans can see in this list some of the best movies of Bruce Lee’s career.
Updated July 06, 2025, by Joana Ferreira:Worth celebrating alongside the success of Bruce Lee’s movies, one of his significant roles was in aTV seriesshortly after he moved from Hong Kong to America. This list has been updated with a new entry to provide a more accurate representation of Bruce Lee’s career, reflecting his impact on American television and martial arts.
This list of thebest Bruce Lee moviesaddresses themes such as discrimination and violence.
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornetwasn’t just another role for Bruce Lee. It was his first significant acting role in America, and it had a lasting impact. The series, a success, not only introducedAsian actors to American audiencesbut also played a key role in popularizing martial arts in the West.
Bruce Lee fans can see him as a highly skilled martial artist as the Green Hornet sidekick, a respectable newspaper publisher by day, and a crime fighter by night. Although Lee is not the lead in the series, he is known for stealing the spotlight from the titular Green Hornet, with the most memorable scenes featuring Lee.
Game of Deathwas co-scripted and co-produced by Bruce Lee. Unfortunately, Lee passed awaybefore the completion of this martial arts movie. His co-director, Robert Clouse, had to finish it and replace Lee, who was also starring in the movie, with a Taiwanese artist named Bruce Li.
The plot tells the story of askilled martial artistwho, after being injured during an assassination attempt, is forced to fake his death to get revenge. Viewers can see realistic fights between Bruce Lee and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a 7-foot basketball player and actor.
7In The Face Of Demolition (1953)
One Of Lee’s Earliest Acting Roles Outside Martial Arts
In the Face of Demolitionis a drama movie directed by Li Tee in Hong Kong, in which Bruce Lee fans can see his younger days in the acting world when he was just 13 years old. Lee isn’t the main lead in this film, but rather a supporting actor.
Bruce Lee fans should know that he was more than just a martial arts actor. At the beginning of his career, he predominantly played parts in the drama genre, proving hisversatility as a young talent.
The Big Bosspremiered two years before Bruce Lee’s death, and was one of hisfirst martial movie hitswhere viewers can see loads of battle scenes. The plot revolves around a story about a promise that Cheng Chao-an (played by Bruce Lee) made to his mother after she passed away.
When his mother died, he promised not to violently fight again. However, things change when he gets a job at a factory and encounters a group of local gangs who continually put his oath to the test.
5An Orphan’s Tragedy (1955)
An Emotional Story of Loss and Revenge
Although Bruce Lee isn’tThe Orphan’s Tragedy’s lead actor, it’s still remarkable because it was one of hisfirst childhood acting rolesbefore moving to the United States. He was just 14 years old, and while the movie has its flaws, the acting talent of teenager Lee makes the movie worth a watch.
The story is an adaptation of the novelGreat Expectationsby Charles Dickens. The plot revolves around a young man, played by Bruce Lee, who becomes an orphan after his parents' mysterious death. He seeks revenge and eventually becomes a highly skilled martial artist. The storycovers themes of loss and griefas well as justice, offering a lot of action and an emotional story as well.
The Way of the Dragonwas directed and written by Bruce Lee, who also starred in the main role. This action-comedy was filmed in the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, and its popularity comes from the authentic martial arts battles.
The plot revolves around Tang Lung (played by Bruce Lee), who moves from Hong Kong to Italy to help defend his family’s restaurant from a local gang. The Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris fight scenes in Rome are among the movie’s highlights.
3The Thunderstorm (1957)
Shows Lee’s Dramatic Versatility Outside Martial Arts
InThe Thunderstorm,directed by Wui Ng, Bruce Lee was cast when he was just 16 years old. What makes this movie appealing to fans is the chance to see Lee in anon-action movie. Instead, viewers have the opportunity to see his versatility on screen in a dramatic light.
The story centers around the Zhou family, a wealthy and troubled family that hides many secrets and conflicts that affect everyone involved. Bruce Lee plays Zhou Chong, one of the family’s sons, in one of his firstnotable drama moviesin Hong Kong.
Fist of Furyis famous for the movie scene in which Chen Zhen (played by Bruce Lee) breaks the “No Dogs or Chinese Allowed” sign while facing discrimination. It’s a memorable scene where he fights against injustice.
Themovie is based on true historical events, but it remains fictionalized. The references draw inspiration from the rivalry between the Chinese and Japanese. In this movie, Chen Zhen decides to investigate his master’s suspicious death, which ends up in an endless, intense battle.
Enter Of The Dragon, written by Bruce Lee, was one of his most influential and notable works. It was also the first major American movie to star an Asian lead actor. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee wasn’t there to present the movie’s high success, as he died a week before the movie was released.
The movie tells the story of a skilled martial artist and infiltrator who joins a fighting tournament to acquire information against a criminal.Enter Of The Dragonis rich in intense fight scenes, and it’s the movie that established Bruce Lee as an international star.
