The most memorable part of the hero’s journey in entertainment is the boss fights. Most of them are one-on-one fights where the heroes face their biggest adversary. However, in movies, the greatest fights are also where the heroes fight that one seemingly unkillable henchman or the villain’s right-hand man. In these fights, two characters face each other with nowhere to run and nothing to hide; they tend to be personal and pivotal to the movie as well.
The best one-on-one movie fights stick with us because they’re about more than just cool moves. Great choreography matters, but so do the stakes, the emotion, and the performers selling every moment. These scenes often say more about the characters than pages of dialogue ever could, becoming emblematic of their movies. Here, we take a look at the best one-on-one fights from Hollywood and beyond.
10
Hector vs Achilles – ‘Troy’ (2004)
In Troy, the duel between Hector (Eric Bana) and Achilles (Brad Pitt) takes place in silence outside the walls of Troy, watched by soldiers from both sides. Achilles has challenged Hector to a fight after his cousin Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund) was executed by Hector in the war. When the fight starts, Achilles attacks with terrifying speed and precision, and all Hector can do is defend himself. Hector’s discipline and skill manage to hold Achilles, but all it takes is one mistake for Achilles to go in for the kill.
Wolfgang Petersen‘s vision of Troy is epic and massive. However, this fight is stripped down and grounded, only focusing on the two men and their fight. The choreography is realistic, showing their fatigue and fear while showcasing their respective skills. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both performances from Pitt and Bana sell that weight without melodrama. It’s not a flashy fight, but a deeply human one that affects the audience for the rest of the film.
9
The Bride vs Elle Driver – ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 2’ (2004)
In Kill Bill: Vol. 2, The Bride, AKA Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman), finally tracks down Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), one of the members of the Viper Assassination Squad. Their fight takes place in a small, confined space in Budd’s (Michael Madsen) trailer. The confrontation erupts suddenly, using whatever they can grab. It’s a brutal brawl, and The Bride does not stop until she gets what she wants: an eye for an eye, literally.
After the flashy, epic fight in Kill Bill: Vol. 1, the sequel opts for a slower and quieter route. Nevertheless, this fight is so compelling thanks to its characters. The choreography reflects the hatred and history between the two warriors, who are out for blood for each other. Both Thurman and Hannah are great, more than delivering after the first film promised a showdown between the two. It’s one of Quentin Tarantino‘s best action sequences, even though it’s much more elaborate than his more famous ones.
8
Tang Lung vs Colt – ‘The Way of the Dragon’ (1972)
In The Way of the Dragon, Bruce Lee plays Tang Lung, who is asked to help protect his relatives’ restaurant from a crime boss in Rome. The crime boss unleashes several enforcers, including Colt, a world-class martial artist played by Chuck Norris. The two fight in the Colosseum, where their differing styles clash with each other. Tang Lung’s fluid, expressive style contrasts sharply with Colt’s disciplined, powerful moves. During the fight, Colt, overpowered by Tang Lung, switches his style to mimic his opponent.
The fight remains a classic and iconic fight in cinema history as the two legends square off with each other. With a great setting that elevates it further, the choreography is clean and is displayed with clarity. In his final completed film, Bruce Lee’s performance radiates confidence and intelligence, turning the fight into a lesson in adaptation and self-expression. Compared to fight scenes today, it may be less flashy, but without this foundational fight, there would not be action scenes as we know them today. With several iconic sequences, The Way of the Dragon is one of the most perfect martial arts films of all time.
7
Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Anakin Skywalker – ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)
A corrupted Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) squares off against Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) on the fiery planet of Mustafar in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Anakin, who has stepped to the Dark Side, is unable to see the truth and sees his master as a threat. Their duel becomes a fateful one that changes everything. After a lengthy battle, Obi-Wan has the high ground, and Anakin tries to make an impossible leap. Obi-Wan slashes Anakin’s legs, engulfing him in fire and transforming him into Darth Vader.
It was a duel that had been awaited by fans for 28 years. The prequel trilogy has blessed the fans with outstanding saber duels and choreography, and this one does not disappoint. The choreography is highly stylized and technically demanding, reflecting the peak abilities of two master Jedi. More importantly, the stakes are immense, not just the fate of the galaxy, but the death of a friendship and the birth of Darth Vader. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen commit fully to the battle, showcasing arguably the best fight scene in the Star Wars universe. Fans may know the outcome of the battle beforehand, but that does not diminish the spectacle one bit.
6
Ip Man vs Master Hong – ‘Ip Man 2’ (2010)
In Ip Man 2, Ip Man’s (Donnie Yen) duel with Master Hong (Sammo Hung) is a respectful yet fiercely competitive encounter that emphasizes tradition and pride over hatred. Surrounded by members of different martial arts schools, the two masters trade controlled strikes, blocks, and counters on top of an uneven table top. They attack and mount their defence while also trying to keep their balance. Unlike other fights that are about winning, there are moments where the two of them pause to give their mutual respect.
The fight in itself is memorable, and it’s made even more special because it’s Donnie Yen versus Sammo Hung, two of the household names in Asian martial arts cinema. They have traded blows before, and Ip Man 2 marks both a reunion and a callback. In the context of the film, the choreography highlights the philosophical differences between Wing Chun and Hung Gar, turning the duel into a conversation through movement. Unlike most fights on this list, the stakes aren’t life or death but honor and legitimacy.
5
Neo vs Morpheus – ‘The Matrix’ (1999)
Early in The Matrix, as Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) shows Neo (Keanu Reeves) the simulation world, they engage in a sparring match to show Neo what he can achieve. The rules in the world can be bent and can be changed, so Neo’s newly found Kung Fu abilities can be enhanced even more. Morpheus dominates Neo with superior technique and confidence, quickly deflecting Neo’s attacks. In the end, Neo masters the rules of the game and is able to confidently fight Morpheus.
This fight is the perfect introduction to the world of The Matrix. The choreography, rooted in Hong Kong cinema, is stylized yet precise, introducing mainstream audiences to wire-fu in a grounded yet high-concept narrative. The stakes are internal, with Neo trying to find belief in himself. With a spectacular setting and direction, Fishburne and Reeves turn this fight into an iconic landmark of the action genre. Aside from the famous bullet-time sequence, this scene is among the franchise’s memorable scenes.
4
Ma Kwun vs Jack
‘SPL: Sha Po Lang’ (2005)
Sha Po Lang sees a confrontation between Inspector Ma Kwun (Donnie Yen) against a henchman named Jack (Wu Jing). Alas, Jack, the final obstacle before Ma reaches the final boss, is not just an ordinary henchman. The two clash using batons and knives in a cramped alleyway. Using his baton, Ma doesn’t seem to aim for the kill, but Jack’s relentless attack leaves him no choice but to turn Jack’s own knife against him.
This fight is simply exceptional for its raw physicality and authenticity. The choreography is fast, aggressive, and unforgiving, with Donnie Yen and Wu Jing performing at full intensity. In the 2020 live-action adaptation of Mulan, Donnie Yen’s moves were filmed in slow motion so audiences could see him. This fight scene shows how quick he can be, and it’s also incredible that Wu Jing, arguably China’s biggest star today, is able to match his speed. The contrast in their costumes also makes it interesting, as the policeman wears black and the bad guy wears white. It’s more like a genuine street-level death match than a choreographed action scene.
3
Wong Fei-hung vs Thunderleg – ‘Drunken Master’ (1978)
In Drunken Master, the final showdown between Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan) and Thunderleg (Hwang Jang-Lee) is a wild clash of skill and comedy. Hwang suddenly attacks with rigid discipline, while Wong drinks a lot to get drunk. When he’s fully drunk, Wong hits back with incredible movements with staggered movements, sudden bursts of speed, and deceptive timing, slowly turning the tide against Hwang’s relentless offense.
This fight is legendary because it blends comedy, acrobatics and martial arts skills, making it incredibly complex. The cinematography is also no laughing matter as the camera follows the fight and enhances moves with crash zoom-ins and zoom-outs. It’s a deceptively intricate scene. Jackie Chan showcases his trademark action comedy choreography, which would become his calling card. Indeed, Drunken Master introduces Chan as a marvel of physical storytelling. It’s funny, painful and awe-inspiring all at once.
2
Thomas vs Benny – ‘Wheels on Meals’ (1984)
In Wheels on Meals, the fight between Thomas (Jackie Chan) and a thug played by Benny “The Jet” Urquidez unfolds in a mansion. The thug looks like a regular henchman, but he turns out to be a formidable foe to Thomas, able to withstand his blows and even making him lose his ground several times. The thug unleashes his incredibly fast kickboxing techniques, and the fight seems to be a draw until Thomas strikes a deadly blow that makes the thug lose his balance, making him vulnerable.
This fight is widely regarded as one of the greatest martial-arts duels ever filmed because of its sheer technical brilliance. While Jackie Chan is synonymous with his comedic choreography, here the action is fast and relentless. The movie also shows everything cleanly without many edits. Urquidez, a kickboxing athlete himself, was able to display his prowess and incredible techniques. Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez push each other to the limit, creating a fight that still feels unmatched decades later.
1
Rama vs The Assassin – ‘The Raid 2’ (2014)
The climactic fight in The Raid 2 sees Rama (Iko Uwais) clashing against The Assassin (Cecep Arif Rahman) in a kitchen. The two circle each other cautiously before exploding into a relentless exchange of silat techniques and bone-snapping throws. The Assassin repeatedly mocks and teases Rama to attack, who, in turn, brings down rapid moves to incapacitate him. Overwhelmed, The Assassin plays dirty and brings out the karambit, a curved knife, to kill Rama; instead, it becomes the weapon that kills him.
This clash from The Raid sequel stands as probably the greatest fight for its uncompromising realism and escalation. The choreography is intricate yet grounded, showcasing silat as both elegant and vicious. The fight has quite a lot of cuts in its editing, but Gareth Evans designs every shot to still be clear. The cuts are not used to hide blows, but instead to emphasize them. Iko Uwais and Cecep Arif Rahman, who went on to fight John Wick in the third film of the series, sell every strike with physical credibility, making the fight exhausting, brutal, and unforgettable.
