If you're looking for a good laugh combined with some high-kicking action, then this list is for you. Karate comedies blend the art of martial arts with the art of making people laugh, creating a unique genre that appeals to both action and comedy lovers. Here's a selection of films where the punches are as funny as they are fast, offering a delightful mix of slapstick, satire, and sometimes even a bit of romance. Enjoy these films for their light-hearted take on the serious world of karate.
The Karate Kid (1984)
Description: While not strictly a comedy, this classic features plenty of humorous moments, especially with Mr. Miyagi's unconventional training methods. It's a must-watch for its blend of coming-of-age story with karate.
Fact: The famous "wax on, wax off" scene was improvised by Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi.
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Kickboxer (1989)
Description: Though primarily an action film, it has its comedic moments, especially with Jean-Claude Van Damme's character learning Muay Thai in a humorous fashion.
Fact: Van Damme performed most of his own stunts, including the iconic splits.
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Surf Ninjas (1993)
Description: This film combines surfing with ninjas, offering a comedic take on martial arts with a light-hearted plot about two brothers discovering their royal heritage.
Fact: Leslie Nielsen's role was originally intended for John Candy.
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The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Description: This sequel introduces a female protagonist and has its share of comedic moments, particularly in the training sequences.
Fact: Hilary Swank, who stars as the lead, went on to win two Academy Awards.
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The Master of Disguise (2002)
Description: While not strictly about karate, the film features a lot of physical comedy involving martial arts-like moves, making it a fun watch.
Fact: Dana Carvey improvised many of his disguises.
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Balls of Fury (2007)
Description: A ping-pong player is recruited by the FBI to infiltrate a criminal mastermind's underground tournament, featuring plenty of martial arts comedy.
Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life ping-pong diplomacy between the U.S. and China.
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The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
Description: While more action-oriented, this film has its share of comedic moments, especially with Jackie Chan's character.
Fact: It was the first film to co-star Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
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The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)
Description: Directed by RZA, this film blends martial arts with a unique comedic flair, featuring a blacksmith with iron fists.
Fact: The film's soundtrack was produced by RZA and features artists like Kanye West and Wu-Tang Clan.
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The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
Description: This animated film brings ninja action to the Lego world with plenty of humor, making it a family-friendly karate comedy.
Fact: The film features voice acting by Jackie Chan, who also appears in live-action segments.
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Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002)
Description: This parody of kung fu films includes plenty of karate-inspired humor, with Steve Oedekerk dubbing over the original film to create a new comedic narrative.
Fact: The film was made by digitally inserting Oedekerk into an old kung fu movie.
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