Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- melodramatic
- campy
- martial arts movie night
- 1980s action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a formulaic and implausible martial arts action picture, while acknowledging its physical spectacle and genre influence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kurt vows to avenge Eric after Tong Po maliciously paralyzes his brother in the ring.
Xian trains Kurt in a remote area of Thailand for his decisive fight with Tong Po.
Thailand champion Tong Po is established as the violent opponent responsible for Eric's injury.
Kickboxing and Muay Thai fights, training sequences, and Van Damme's athletic movement dominate the action presentation.
Films like Kickboxer, and why
The Karate Kid
shares a straightforward martial arts training arc, revenge motivation, underdog competition, and inspirational mentor dynamic
Rocky
shares a working-class fighter's disciplined preparation, sports melodrama, and climactic underdog showdown
Bloodsport
shares heightened 1980s action filmmaking, brutal combat, muscular heroics, and a revenge-driven protagonist
The Quest
shares a martial arts revenge narrative, exoticized Southeast Asian setting, and tournament-centered action
Movie Details
- Directors
- David Worth, Mark DiSalle
- Release Date
- 1989-04-20
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1634)
Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Dennis Alexio
- Dennis Chan Kwok-San
- Haskell V. Anderson III
- Rochelle Ashana
- Michel Qissi
- Steve Lee Ka-Ting
- Gam Biu
- Ricky Liu
- Thomas Sin Ho-Ying
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kickboxer about?
- After his champion brother is crippled by a ruthless Thai fighter, a determined kickboxer trains under a reclusive master to seek revenge in the ring.
- What is Kickboxer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kickboxer as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Kickboxer violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Kickboxer as graphic.
- What did critics think of Kickboxer?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a formulaic and implausible martial arts action picture, while acknowledging its physical spectacle and genre influence.
- Which films are like Kickboxer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Karate Kid, Rocky, Bloodsport, and The Quest.
- How long is Kickboxer?
- Kickboxer runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kickboxer?
- In United States, Kickboxer streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
