Jan 15 2009
The 12 Best One-on-One Fights in Movies
The other day, I wrote about the greatest one-man wrecking machines in movies. This article is similar, but kind of the exact opposite. Instead of one guy (or girl) destroying an army, I wanted to lay out what the greatest 1 v 1 match-ups have been throughout the history of cinema, complete with video evidence. Of course I a probably missed some, so feel free to let me know in the comments, as I’m know you will.
12) Fearless – Jet Li vs. O’Brien
There were a million different Jet Li fights to choose from, but this scene from Fearless is the ultimate David v. Goliath scenario. And it’s probably a dig against American big-dick-ism as well.
11) Kill Bill Vol. 1 – Black Mamba vs. Cottonmouth
Eventually the Black Mamba killed all of her snake-named counterparts, but it was this intial fight with Cottonmouth that was a memorable cavalcade of suburban destruction.
10) Ong Bak – Tony Jaa vs. Steroids Guy
I subscribe to the philosophy that Tony Jaa could kick Bruce Lee’s ass if he was alive today. This fight against a steroids abusing henchman has some of sickest Muai Thai moves you’ll ever see in your life.
9) Gladiator – Maximus vs. Tigris of Gaul
His group fights may have been more entertaining, but it’s the tigers that make this fight unforgettable. You’re the only undefeated arena champion in history and you lose to a guy on his back with a 400 pound tiger on him, come on!
8 ) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Ziyi Zhang vs. Michelle Yeoh
Honestly I forgot all about this movie until I was researching for this list, but after refreshing my memory I can safely say that this might be the most impressive display of swordplay I’ve ever seen on film.
7) The Bourne Identity – Bourne vs. Assassin
It’s brutal, it’s raw, and dude gets stabbed with a pen. Bourne had many fights like this throughout his three-film career, but this initial one was certainly the most memorable.
6) The Empire Strikes Back – Luke vs. Vader
Definitely among the most iconic on the list, it’s only rated this low because of the actual action. In terms of a scene, it’s phenomenal, but the swordplay leaves something to be desired. Slash. Talk. Slash. Talk.
5) Fight Club – Jack vs. Tyler Durden
Or more accurately, Jack vs. Himself. You would think after realizing you were the same person as the guy you were fighting, you’d be able to get a grip on yourself, but that’s not the case as Jack learns that the dominant half of his psyche can kick his ass all over the place.
4) The Matrix – Neo vs. Agent Smith
Before Neo could fly and Agent Smith could make a million copies of himself, we had this subway platform brawl that featured some physics bending moves and some classic lines. “You hear that Mr. Anderson? That’s the sound of inevitability…”
3) Way of the Dragon – Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris
It was a tough decision between this and Bruce Lee fighting Kareem Abdul Jabbar in the same movie, but you have to go with the Norris here, am I right? Clean shaven (except for his chest), Chuck was a formidable opponent for Lee, until he got all of his bones broken.
2) Rocky – Rocky vs. Apollo Creed
He may not have won, but the road to get there was one of the most exhausting fights ever filmed on screen. Not just choreography and wires, this fight scene is brutal, bloody and stays with you long after the film ends.
1) Raiders of the Lost Ark – Indy vs. Big Nazi
It’s relatively simple really, but the comination of immediate danger, comedy and Indy himself makes for one hell of a fight. Sure Indy won because the other guy was an idiot, but that doesn’t make it any less badass.
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JACKIE CHAN?!
Bruce Lee vs. Hakeem?
Mark Dacascos in Drive? I thought the end fight was quite badass…
And what about…Jean Claude…
hey, what about the fight scene with roddy piper and david keith from john carpenter’s ‘they live’
I’d have to go with Jackie Chan’s end fight in Drunken Master II some where on this list.
I always loved the scene from a jacky chan flick in which he fights on top of a 30+ story building against 2 guys, one only using kicks, while the other only uses punches…wish I could remember what movie…
[…] The 12 Best One-on-One Fights in Movies (Unreality Magazine) […]
Bruce Lee fought Kareem in the Game of Death, not Way of the Dragon.
And Tony Jaa is only an actor, while Bruce was a martial artist who happened to make movies. Bruce FTW.
I always hate saying, “Oh, blahblahblah should have been on this list because I’m a prick!” Just for the sake of being a prick, I will say that the Johnny Cage - Goro fight in Mortal Kombat deserved at least an honorable mention. Really loved the list.
[…] If the 2008 U.S. Presidential election proved anything (aside from the unassailable fact the we live in a post-race, soon to be post-oil society), it showed that we’re still a culture who enjoy a fun good v. bad, black v. white duel. Unreality picked up on that love of the good fight with this terrific listicle – to which we’ve appended some Listicles additions – of the 12 Best One-on-One Movie Fights. […]
Good list. But its not complete without the epic fight of They Live.
[…] 12 Best 1-0n-1 Fights In Movies. [Unreality] […]
Hello? Why Luke vs. Vader? I say Obi-Wan & Qui Gon vs Darth Maul or Yoda vs. Doku were far superior as fights (though in far inferior movies)
[…] Fonte:[Unreality] Tópicos RelacionadosAs 3 cenas com carros mais legais do cinemaAs melhores animações de 2008A história por trás das logos dos grandes estúdios de Holywood. (Não a classificação ainda) Loading … Gostou do post? Talvez queira subscrever o feed RSS Feed Completo ? Ou receba por e-mail RSS no e-mail ? Compartilhe o post: Envie este post para um amigo […]
The final two fights in Fist of Legend (with Jet Li) are worthy of any list of great fights.
[…] Best 1-on-1 Fight Scenes In Movie History - [Unreality Mag] Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)What is Arbor Day?my island in the sunCrestron […]
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Morpheus vs Neo.
Chun li vs Vega.
Jackie Chan (Drunken Master 2, Wheels on Meals, The Young Master)
Jet Li vs Donnie Yen (once upon a time in china 2)
Fist of Legend
Elle Driver Vs Beatrix Kiddo
Toshiro Mifune (Sanjuro)
[…] 12 best one-on-one fights in […]
what the heck?! no final fight scene in equilibrium?! i mean honestly indiana jones?!
The Raiders of the Lost Ark is also my personal favorite but Ripley vs. Queen should’ve been mentioned.
What about jet li vs jet li?
No Mel Gibson vs. Gary Busey in Lethal Weapon? That’s a disgrace.
Nico, that movie you’re thinking of is Who Am I? That fight scene was epic, and the outtakes showed some pants-crapping stunts that Chan pulled off.
Also, Bryan is correct, Bruce Lee didn’t fight Kareem and Chuck in the same movie. It was Game of Death for the Kareem fight, and Way of the Dragon for Chuck. I also agree with Bryan that Bruce Lee would beat Jaa. Watch some of his actual martial arts exhibitions if you want to see some amazing stuff. Bruce Lee was, and still is The Master.
Y’know, you tend to often reference films in your posts, and as such often post spoilers.
Don’t get me wrong, I love this site, it’s very good, but a little spoiler warning would be nice.
Also, in Fight Club, Edward Norton’s character is not named “Jack”. He makes the statements “I am Jack’s ….” because of the books he find in Tyler’s house.
I can’t believe you left out the fight from Officer and a Gentleman(I Don’t care about the movie) but the fight was so brutal that south park redid it with Jimmy and Timmy.