Following in the footsteps of his hero Bruce Lee, Jean-Claude Van Damme carried the torch for Hollywood’s martial arts movies into the 1980s, along with his friend Chuck Norris. Van Damme already had a stellar career as a professional martial artist before he moved into American cinema in the decade’s early years, and his expertise shows in one 1988 classic of martial arts filmmaking. Newt Arnold’s Bloodsport sees Van Damme starring as U.S. Army Captain Frank Dux, who also happens to be a highly-trained ninja warrior. 6gj6u

Originating in China at the very beginning of the 20th century, martial arts action movies have been a revered and often emulated genre since their inception all those years ago. With some of the earliest fight scenes filmed in black and white in complete silence, the art form has made its way into the cultural zeitgeist over many years. While already hugely popular in Asia, many early films were dubbed and shown in the West, gaining legions of devoted fans along the way.

Following the unexpected triumph of the2024 remake ofRoad House, there's now a wealth of other 1980s cult classic action films that could potentially replicate its success if their timeless narratives were reimagined for contemporary audiences. From the gritty streets of Detroit in Action Jackson to the dystopian future of Escape from New York, these films offer compelling stories, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding action that still resonates with viewers today. The success of Road House has proven that modern remakes can capture the essence of these beloved classics while updating them for a new generation.

The 2024 remake of the cult classic '80s movie Road Housedelivers enjoyable action reminiscent of other films in the genre, making it perfect for fans of the Jake Gyllenhaal remake. These films offer some of the best action experiences, aligning well with the style of the Road House remake. From the small-town corruption and intense fight scenes of Road House to the intense martial arts tournaments of Bloodsport and the thrilling surfing heists of Point Break, these movies share common themes of resilience, redemption, and the triumph of the underdog.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1!One of the most iconic features of The Suicide Squad'sBloodsport has officially come to the DC Universe. A look back at the heyday of Superboy sees a young Conner Kent take on Robert DuBois. But rather than his standard tools, the sharpshooter has a set of weapons DCEU fans may recognize, and it's all thanks to one villain.

Idris Elba is reportedly in talks for a new DC project. Elba made his DCEU debut last year with James Gunn's irreverent critical hit The Suicide Squad, which served as a standalone sequel to David Ayer's 2016 movie. The original plan for Elba was to replace Will Smith's Deadshot from Ayer's film but to keep the room for Smith's return open, and because of Gunn's enthusiasm for working with the actor, he was chosen to play Robert DuBois / Bloodsport instead. A Steve McQueen-esque action hero, Elba's tech-savvy mercenary transforms from a noxious Superman villain into a capable leader in The Suicide Squad, with fans praising the actor for his emotionally-gripping performance and incredible range.

How do the movies of Jean-Claude Van Damme rank from worst to best? Hailing from Brussels, Belgium, Jean-Claude Van Damme (born with the surname Van Varenberg) took up karate as a young boy and had big dreams of coming to Hollywood to become a movie star. The flexible kicking machine made his way stateside in his mid-20s, and gradually gained recognition in action movies like No Retreat, No Surrender, while adopting the stage name of Jean-Claude Van Damme. Eventually, Van Damme achieved his big-break in the 1988 martial arts tournament movie Bloodsport.

Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to retire after his movie What's My Name?, and there are several strong contenders for his returning villains. The spin-kicking Jean-Claude Van Damme first broke out in the late '80s with B-movie hits like No Retreat, No Surrender, and later Bloodsport. Van Damme gradually grew into a bonafide action star in the '90s, and while his career waned at the end of the decade, he made a significant comeback in the 21st century with hits like JCVD, The Expendables 2, and the last two Universal Soldier movies.

Audiences met Bloodsport and learned his origin in 2021’s TheSuicide Squad, but his comics origin is much darker than the one presented on-screen. In the film, Bloodsport was a brutal mercenary who nearly killed Superman. The comic book version of Bloodsport also began as a Superman villain, using high-tech weaponry provided to him by Lex Luthor to wreak havoc on the Man of Steel’s life. As the story unfolded, readers learned Bloodsport’s origin, and it is far darker and more twisted than the film.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Suicide Squad #11