While there are plenty of iconic martial arts heroes across the history of kung fu cinema, there are just as many unforgettable villains who have spread fear into the hearts of countless viewers. From Hong Kong classics to Hollywood hits, the martial arts movie industry has been a global phenomenon for decades, whose popularity often hinged on the power of its ruthless villains and formidable foes. Although audiences love to watch heroes like Bruce Lee defeat the bad guys, the best martial arts movies feature three-dimensional villains who endure in the public consciousness decades after their movie first came to theaters.