Television series

Kung Fu

Name: Kung Fu
Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure
Released: 2021
Cast: Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang, Eddie Liu, Tzi Ma, Kheng Hua Tan

Other titles called Kung Fu: the 1972 series (ABC).

Martial arts action

A Chinese-American woman abandons her privileged life, trains at a Shaolin monastery, and returns home to fight crime using martial arts and philosophy. It's propulsive and earnest—family drama wrapped around action sequences, grounded in genuine cultural specificity. For viewers who want their superhero narratives to feel lived-in and personal.

TVMaze rating

3.3

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy martial arts that serve character, and family rivalry that matters as much as the kicks, with a show that wears its heart openly.

Skip it if you want gritty, grounded crime realism; this leans on earnest sincerity, heightened stunts, and broad network polish that can feel soapy at times.

What it asks of you: Hour-long episodes, three seasons, and a brisk rhythm that jumps from brawl to family scene quickly; the tone stays earnest rather than bleak.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Warrior2019

Bruce Lee's daughter produced this martial-arts drama about a Chinese immigrant navigating 1870s San Francisco. Stunning fight choreography, rich historical texture, and a lead character fighting systemic violence rather than cartoon villains.

But It's grittier and less optimistic than Kung Fu, with a bleaker view of American institutions. The pacing is deliberate—not fast-paced action-adventure.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow2016

Ensemble superhero show that prioritizes character and humor alongside spectacle. Everyone gets moments to shine, the mythology builds naturally, and it's genuinely funny without undermining stakes.

But Runs for seven seasons and gets increasingly absurd. The early years are stronger; later ones lean too hard into camp for some tastes.

Arrow2012

Grounded superhero origin story about a billionaire learning to use martial arts and intellect against corruption in his city. Strong ensemble, evolving threat levels, and real consequences that accumulate across seasons.

But The middle seasons sag badly, and the romance subplots often overshadow the main story. You'll want to skip ahead or drop it entirely by season five.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Kung Fu

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Undone2019

Both center a young woman from a specific cultural background returning home after a transformative experience that changes how she sees her family, struggling with legacy and duty alongside her newfound abilities.

Rotoscope-animated series about a young Latina woman with a fractured sense of reality discovering she has unusual abilities. Visually stunning, emotionally raw, and genuinely interested in mental health and family trauma without turning it into spectacle.

But It's deliberately disorienting—the animation style is deliberately jarring. Only one season exists. And it's quieter and more introspective than action-forward television.

The Defenders1961

Four martial-arts heroes unite against a shadowy crime organization. Tighter than the individual Netflix shows, with excellent action and a genuinely menacing villain in Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin.

But Assumes you've watched four separate series first. Even then it's only eight episodes, and the ending feels rushed compared to the buildup.

Eternals2021

Marvel film centered on Asian and Asian-American cast members protecting their community. Visually ambitious, explores found family and sacrifice, and takes its mythology seriously without winking at the camera.

But Deliberately slow-paced and meditative. If you want quips and constant motion, this will feel glacial. Also nearly three hours.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings2021

Marvel origin story with genuine emotional weight and some of the best hand-to-hand fight sequences in the MCU. The relationship with his father feels earned, and the action builds from intimate to spectacular.

But Still bound by Marvel formula—the third act leans on CGI spectacle rather than martial arts. And it's still three Marvel hours of exposition.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings poster

Kim's Convenience2016

Warm family comedy built around a Korean-Canadian family running a store. Balances humor with real cultural specificity and genuine intergenerational conflict. Each character has depth beneath the jokes.

But It's a sitcom, not an action show. If you're watching Kung Fu primarily for fights, this won't deliver that. Also cancelled before its intended ending.

Teenage Bounty Hunters2020

Two sisters become bounty hunters while navigating their complicated relationship and a Southern town full of quirky criminals. Funny, energetic, and genuinely charming about sisterhood and identity.

But Cancelled after one season on a cliffhanger. The tone is lighter and campier than Kung Fu's earnest drama. Some found the humor too broad.

City Hunter1993

A hero operating outside official channels to protect their city from corruption, using martial skill and wit together, motivated by personal loyalty rather than just right-versus-wrong. Both find moral clarity in action.

Jackie Chan action-comedy where a vigilante investigates corruption in Hong Kong. The fight sequences are inventive and funny without being cruel, and Chan's physicality conveys character as much as plot. Pure joy in motion.

But It's from 1993 and shows it—the pacing is different from modern TV, and the humor is broad. Some action beats don't land on first watch. Subtitled unless you find a dub.