A Complete Look at Donnie Yen’s Films: From Iron Monkey to John Wick 4 — The Legend of Kung Fu

Donnie Yen is today one of the most internationally influential Chinese‑language action stars. With his rugged kung fu style and distinctive fight choreography, he has cemented his place in Hong Kong cinema and successfully crossed over into Hollywood. Below is a rundown of ten of Donnie Yen’s most representative works — as well as details on an upcoming special program airing on KTSF in the Bay Area.

Donnie Yen’s Key Films

1.Iron Monkey (1993)

This was Donnie Yen’s first leading role, marking the start of his career as a kung fu star. He plays Wong Xiaolin, father of Wong Fei‑hung — brave, righteous, and with solid martial arts skills. The film mixes light humour with clean, sharp fight sequences. Thanks to Iron Monkey, Yen established himself as a new generation figure in wuxia.

2.Hero (2002)

Directed by Zhang Yimou, Hero brought Donnie Yen into the global spotlight. He plays the swordsman “Chang Kong.” Though his screentime is modest, his duel with Jet Li stands out as one of the film’s high points. With poetic fighting scenes and strong Eastern aesthetics, Hero won over audiences around the world and helped many appreciate Yen’s skills and presence.

3.Ip Man Series (2008–2019)

It’s this series that truly secured Donnie Yen’s reputation as a kung fu superstar. From the first Ip Man in 2008 through to Ip Man 4: The Finale in 2019, these films tightly blend the practice of Wing Chun with themes of national spirit. Whether fighting foreign opponents or facing personal trials, Yen portrays Ip Man with strength and quiet dignity. This role made him comparable with legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, and served as a new symbol through which the world recognizes Chinese martial arts.

4.Blade II (2002)

One of Yen’s early breakthroughs in Hollywood. He plays Snowman, a vampire warrior. Though the role is small, his action sequences make a big impact. Not only did he act in the film, he also did the fight choreography — bringing Eastern martial arts style into a Western superhero/vampire genre. Blade II helped introduce Yen to international filmgoers.

5.Raging Fire (2021)

In this Hong Kong cop/mafia action movie, Donnie Yen plays a hard‑nosed police officer who faces off against a villain played by Nicholas Tse. The plot follows a familiar pattern, but the gunfights and hand‑to‑hand combat are especially ferocious. Yen personally contributed to the fight design. Many see Raging Fire as a strong example of the return of the classic Hong Kong hard‑edged action style.

6.Lost in the Fallen Snow (2022) 

Departing from pure martial arts, this is more of a disaster/drama film with family at its core. Yen plays a father whose child goes missing during a vacation in snowy mountains. He puts aside personal safety to search. The film holds back on fighting scenes, emphasizing instead the power of parental love and human resilience. It reveals a tender side to Yen beyond his action persona.

7.Ip Man 3 (2015)

One of the highlights of the Ip Man series. The showdown with actor Zhang Jin, plus the prominent fight with the boxing legend Mike Tyson, add big dramatic tension. Though the plot is relatively conventional, the action is still striking. Yen uses small moments to convey Ip Man’s martial character and wisdom — the result is a movie that balances entertainment with meaning.

8.Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

In this blockbuster sci‑fi epic, Donnie Yen plays the blind monk Chirrut Îmwe. Despite being without sight, the character is guided by faith and makes use of the Force in extraordinary ways. He combines heroism with spiritual conviction, humor, and loyalty. Rogue One helped Yen win over Western audiences and expand his international recognition.

9.Sakra (2023)

Directed by and starring Donnie Yen, Sakra is a martial arts film adapted from Jin Yong’s classic Demi‑Gods and Semi‑Devils. Yen plays the tragic hero Qiao Feng, a role rocked by destiny and conflict. The film continues his intense style of fight choreography and also introduces more of Yen’s voice as a director. It signifies a personal creative milestone in his career.

10.John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Yen plays Caine, a blind assassin who faces off against Keanu Reeves’ John Wick. His fight scenes are precise, highly tense, and deeply memorable — many critics praised Yen for bringing “real Eastern martial arts soul” to the film. With this role, he again reinforced his status at the top of the global action movie stage.

KTSF Special: Lost in the Fallen Snow

Bay Area viewers, don’t miss this! KTSF will air Lost in the Fallen Snow (the film starring Donnie Yen) on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. It’s a special Asian movie program, giving fans a chance to see Yen’s more emotional side along with his action chops from home. For fans of Donnie Yen, it’s a great opportunity to revisit his versatility and softer moments.

Through Iron Monkey’s youthful energy, the Ip Man series’ moral character, to the international breakthroughs with Hollywood blockbusters, Donnie Yen has kept pushing the boundaries of action cinema. The emotional warmth in Lost in the Fallen Snow, the wuxia ideals in Sakra, and the raw clashes in John Wick 4 all show he has gone well beyond being just a kung fu star — he is now a truly world‑class actor.