Overview
A masked hero rises against corruption, wielding martial arts to restore justice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- witty
- heroic
- buoyant
- action movie night
- kung fu marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and entertaining martial arts adventure distinguished by Yuen Woo-ping's inventive choreography and comic flair.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Iron Monkey repeatedly robs corrupt officials and aids the poor, making social redress the film's central heroic framework.
Yuen Woo-ping's choreography foregrounds airborne combat, agile movement, and highly stylized kung fu set pieces.
The physician Dr. Yang operates as the secretive Iron Monkey while evading the governor's investigation.
The film balances corrupt-government conflict and intense fights with light comedic scenes and irreverent heroic momentum.
Films like Iron Monkey, and why
Once Upon a Time in China
shared wuxia-inspired martial arts spectacle, righteous outlaw hero, and kinetic wire-fu choreography
The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk
shared historical chinese setting, anti-corruption themes, heroic kung fu action, and comic energy
The Mask of Zorro
shared masked folk hero, robin hood structure, martial arts adventure, and flamboyant action
Tai Chi Master
shared hong kong action-comedy tone, virtuous fighters opposing corrupt authority, and elaborate choreography
Movie Details
- Director
- Yuen Woo-ping
- Release Date
- 1993-09-03
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (339)
Cast
- Yu Rongguang
- Donnie Yen
- Jean Wang Ching-Ying
- Angie Tsang Sze-Man
- Yen Shi-Kwan
- James Wong Jim
- Yuen Shun-Yi
- Hsiao Ho
- Lee Fai
- Chun Kwai-Bo
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Iron Monkey about?
- A masked kung fu outlaw and a traveling physician unite against corrupt officials and a ruthless Shaolin monk in a buoyant Hong Kong action spectacle.
- What is Iron Monkey like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Iron Monkey as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Iron Monkey violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Iron Monkey as graphic.
- What did critics think of Iron Monkey?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and entertaining martial arts adventure distinguished by Yuen Woo-ping's inventive choreography and comic flair.
- Which films are like Iron Monkey?
- Films with a similar feel include Once Upon a Time in China, The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk, The Mask of Zorro, and Tai Chi Master.
- How long is Iron Monkey?
- Iron Monkey runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Iron Monkey?
- In United States, Iron Monkey is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
