Michelle Yeohis an award-winning Malaysian actress whose lengthy career has made her a household name in East Asian cinema, as well as Hollywood and global cinema. Yeoh rose to fame in the 90s after starring in several Hong Kong Kung Fu movies in which sheperformed her own stunts, likeYes Madam!andPolice Story 3: Supercop. Yeoh soon became renowned around the world after starring in Ang Lee’sCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Yeoh has starred in a number of films across genres. From dramas likeMemoirs of a Geishato the more recent rom-comCrazy Rich Asians, which earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, Yeoh’s talents know no bounds. That being said, there is a reason that martial arts films are what made her famous in the first place. Known for carrying out her own stunts with precision and tact, Yeoh’s fight scenes are truly a sight to behold. These are Yeoh’s best action movies, ranked.
7Royal Warriors
Royal Warriorsrevolves around Hong Kong police officer Michelle Yip, who forms an alliance with security agent Michael Wong to foil an upcoming hi-jacking. Considering that this film is over three decades old, it is very characteristic of anaction film of the 80s. Between some of the over-the-top action sequences to the added romantic subplot,Royal Warriorsis somewhat of an acquired taste. That being said, it is still one of Yeoh’s finest action films, showcasing her pristine choreography and her skills as an actress.
Related:Michelle Yeoh Revelas Why Quentin Tarantino Didn’t Cast Her in Kill Bill
6Tai Chi Master
Yeoh starsalongside Jet Liin this classic kung fu filmTai Chi Master. The film revolves around two Shaolin monks with very different personalities, who are expelled from their temple after being accused of cheating. The two only cross paths again when one betrays the other, leading to a near-fatal battle. After all this turbulent action, the more humble of the monks discovers the power and grace of tai chi. Yeoh plays Siu-lin, a young woman who gets tangled up in the conflict against the local rebels. Yeoh showcases her fighting skills in a fabulous scene where she confronts her disloyal husband.
5Yes, Madam!
Inspectors Ng (Yeoh) and Morris (Cynthia Rothrock) spend their time tracking down two petty thieves inYes, Madam!. Upon further investigation, Ng and Morris discover that the perps have taken something of extreme value. Yeoh shows off her martial arts skills once more in the high-octane action sequences throughoutYes Madam!while also maintaining the light-hearted tone of the film. Unlike many of Yeoh’s other films,Yes, Madam!has gotten lost in the shuffle, a diamond lost in a sea of gems.
4Wing Chun
In one of Yeoh’s biggest roles, she plays the creator of Wing Chun kung fu, Wing-Chun, whose tofu shop becomes threatened when bandits kidnap her friend. Unwilling to go down without a fight, Wing-Chun sets off to retrieve her friend and teach the bandits a lesson with the help from long-time friend and love interest Leung Pok (played by Donnie Yen). As the title character inWing Chun, Yeoh is given the best opportunity to showcase her skills, making every move look effortless. Yeoh’s performance inWing Chunas the real-life woman idol is arguably one of her most memorable.
Related:Best Michelle Yeoh Movies, Ranked
3Tomorrow Never Dies
Yeoh’s presence inTomorrow Never Diesadded her to the ever-expanding list of Bond girls in 1997. Unlike many of the previous Bond girls who acted as damsels in distress, Yeoh’s Wai Lin is a Chinese superspy, whose talents put 007 to shame. Her performance alongside Pierce Brosnan in this Bond film brought Yeoh into the eye of Western cinema as a talented actress who not only shines in her action choreography and martial arts, but manages to bring substance to every character she portrays.
2Everything Everywhere All At Once
In Yeoh’s most recent role, she plays the part of Evelyn Quan, an unlikely hero who must channel her newfound powers to fight dangers throughout the multiverse that emerges as a result of an unraveling reality.Everything Everywhere All At Oncehas been described as a “swirl of genre anarchy” byThe New York Timesas the film is truly one of a kind in an oversaturated market of action films. While the film’s main character was originally written for Jackie Chan, it was reworked and offered to Yeoh, who earned a Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Award for Best Actress and a Saturn Award pending.
1Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
In what is considered one of the best martial arts films of all time, Yeoh shines in Ang Lee’sCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Considered to be her true breakout role into Western cinema, Yeoh plays the role of Shu Lien, friend of Master Li (Chow Yun-fat) who is entrusted with watching over the ever-coveted “Green Sword”. In Yeoh’s best fight scene to date, her character faces off against young Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), using a number of weapons and pouring their hearts into the fight. Yeoh earned several award nominations for her performance, including a BAFTA and a Saturn nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
