Back to trending
Bloodsport

Bloodsport

Action · Thriller · Drama · 1988

An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.

Movie details

Bloodsport

“The true story of an American ninja.”

1988 Action · Thriller · Drama 1h 32m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Bloodsport?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Kickboxer

Kickboxer

Action · 1989

If your enemy refuses to be humbled... Destroy him. Accompanied by his brother Kurt, American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane, arrives in Thailand to defeat the Eastern warriors at their own sport. His opponent: ruthless fighter and Thai champion, Tong Po. Tong not only defeats Eric, he paralyzes him for life. Crazed with anger, Kurt vows revenge.

Life After Fighting

Life After Fighting

Action · 2024

Retired martial arts world champion Alex Faulkner has settled into a simple life, when the disappearance of two of his students leads to an unthinkable discovery close to home. Just when all hope of finding the children is lost, he locates the imprisoned girls and unsurfaces an international child trafficking operation, which draws him back into the fight of his life against those behind it.

Never Back Down: No Surrender

Never Back Down: No Surrender

Drama · 2016

Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.

Born a Champion

Born a Champion

Action · 2021

After a blood- soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?

Blood and Bone

Blood and Bone

Action · 2009

In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.

Double Impact

Double Impact

Thriller · 1991

Jean Claude Van Damme plays a dual role as Alex and Chad, twins separated at the death of their parents. Chad is raised by a family retainer in Paris, Alex becomes a petty crook in Hong Kong. Seeing a picture of Alex, Chad rejoins him and convinces him that his rival in Hong Kong is also the man who killed their parents. Alex is suspicious of Chad, especially when it comes to his girlfriend.

Embattled

Embattled

Action · 2020

The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.

Warrior

Warrior

Drama · 2011

The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.

Never Back Down

Never Back Down

Drama · 2008

Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.

Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown

Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown

Drama · 2011

Four fighters from different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in their midst.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Newt Arnold

Written by

Christopher Cosby · Mel Friedman · Sheldon Lettich

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Frank

Donald Gibb

Donald Gibb

Jackson

Leah Ayres

Leah Ayres

Janice

Norman Burton

Norman Burton

Helmer

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

Rawlins

Bolo Yeung

Bolo Yeung

Chong Li

Roy Chiao

Roy Chiao

Tanaka

Court is in session

Put Bloodsport on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.