Summary
Though TV shows rarely have the budget of action blockbuster movies, some series include amazing fight sequences. These shows quickly rise to the top of the genre because of how well the battles are choreographed and the skills of the performers who physically embody the scene. However, animation shouldn’t be discounted when it comes to amazing fight sequences because the animated medium opens the door to breaking the laws of physics to create engaging moments. Asvisual effects have increased in quality, TV series have expanded in what they can showonscreen.
A fight scene’s emotional impact can only be achieved through strong writing and storytelling.
Many of themost accurate battle scenes in TV showsdraw inspiration from real events and people’s experiences. It’s frequently the case that the more money and resources a show has, the more easily it can explore new and exciting elements of action. However, older shows with limited use of effects and smaller budgets demonstrate thatwith creativity and ingenuity, battles between characters can be just as thrilling and effective.Additionally, a fight scene’s emotional impact can only be achieved through strong writing and storytelling. The audience must care about the characters before they can care about the conflicts.
10 Best TV Show Battle Scenes Of All Time
Though movies often have bigger budgets, that hasn’t stopped certain TV shows from delivering some of the greatest fight sequences seen on television.
Arrow
Cast
Arrow is a television series that debuted in 2012, featuring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy who returns to Starling City after being stranded for five years. Transformed by his experience, Queen becomes a vigilante archer, aiming to purge his city of crime and corruption.
After The CW developed theArrowverse, the network was highlighted for having some of the best comic book series on television. This began in 2012 withArrow, a narrative that follows the origins of the Green Arrow, AKA Oliver Queen,brought to life in the show by Stephen Amell. ThoughArrowfollowed the villain-of-the-week formula, it also pushed boundaries in the way that the story questioned Oliver’s motivations and tactics for becoming the Arrow. Early in the series, he had no problems taking the lives of the bad guys he fought.
Oliver is a complicated man, and his motivations for fighting are always as interesting as his battles.
The real life-or-death stakes are something that setsArrowapart from other superhero shows, as Oliver isn’t the classic moral hero. Oliver is a complicated man, and his motivations for fighting are always as interesting as his battles.He singlehandedly beats back some of the most dangerous villains in Starling City,and the audience is treated to amazing training montages alongside this. Some of themost rewatchableArrowepisodescarefully balance emotionally vulnerable scenes with fast-paced sequences that show Oliver at his height of strength and skill.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
The Boys' season 4 best fight scenewas the perfect example of why the show has been so successful for Amazon Prime over the past few years. Based on the comic book series of the same name,The Boyshas been capitalizing on the age of meta-irony and dark superhero narratives that have been popular with audiences.Additionally,The Boyspulls no punches when showing the most violent and grotesque fight scenes imaginable. However, the show doesn’t just rely on gore to capture the viewer’s attention.
While many of the characters have oversized powers,The Boysdoes a good job of leveling the playing field whenever possible so that intricate fight choreography can be centered. Much of the series has involvedthe non-super characters finding workarounds to take on the Vought Supeswho are terrorizing the world. However, some of the most epic showdowns have occurred between two Supes who are at odds, using their powers in innovative ways to cause the most damage.
Spartacus
Spartacus is a Starz original series that ran for three seasons between 2010 and 2013. The TV show focused on the historical figure Spartacus, who was originally played by Andy Whitfield before his untimely passing in 2011. Liam McIntyre took over the role for the next two seasons, Spartacus: Vengeance and Spartacus: War of the Damned.
At once a tale of overcoming odds and the power of sheer force of will,Spartacusis never stagnant.
Most history buffs are familiar with the story of Spartacus or similar tales involving Roman leaders and heroes, butSpartacusreshapes history and makes it all the more exciting. Told in a similar tone and style to Ridley Scott’s famous film,Gladiator,Spartacusfollows the story of a man forced into the gladiator arena who slowly rises through the ranksand works to liberate the enslaved people held by the Roman government. At once a tale of overcoming odds and the power of sheer force of will,Spartacusis never stagnant.
Each season ofSpartacusfocuses on a different phase of the warrior’s life, butseason 1 features some of the best one-on-one combat moments of the entire series.This is because much of Spartacus' life in the area occurs during season 1, but he soon realizes that being the best in the arena is still a form of captivity. In the following installments, Spartacus takes on the role of leader, putting aside his initial quest for revenge and taking on the armies of Rome in expansive onscreen battles.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
As the seasons progressed,Buffy The Vampire Slayerhad an increase in budget and resources, which is reflected in the visual effects and stunts. However, evenBuffyseason 1, which has some cheesy moments, holds up well today because of how tactically the special effects are used. Buffy’s strength and agility aren’t only communicated in her battles with vampires and demons.She’s shown to be a superhero in her everyday activitiesand how she interacts with the larger world. This lays the groundwork for the audience to believe that she can pull off the complex moves she does in battle.
With carefully planned sound effects and the use of set pieces that make the environment of the fights more dynamic,Buffy The Vampire Slayerpushes the boundaries of fantasy and action TV, especially for its period. Though seeing Buffy dominate a fight with a regular vampire is always enjoyable,it’s the battles the audience isn’t sure she can win that show the series at its best.The final battle of season 2 between Angel and Buffy is one of the highlights of the early seasons.
Vikings
Vikings, released in 2013, chronicles the legendary exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking comrades. As Ragnar rises to power, becoming King of the Viking tribes, the series explores his devotion to Norse traditions and his familial connections, portraying him as both a warrior and a leader with divine lineage.
The series is told from the perspective of the invading Vikings as they make their way into Western Europe and come into conflict with the Anglo-Saxons.
There are just as many all-out wars inVikingsas there are individual fights, providing something for every audience member drawn to the historical setting. The series is told from the perspective of the invading Vikings as they make their way into Western Europe and come into conflict with the Anglo-Saxons. There are aspects ofVikingsthat have been praised for their accuracy and realism, butthe series takes many liberties with the depictions of Viking culture and practices.
Many of the great conflicts in the show involve Ragnar Lothbrok, a character based on a folk herowho was known for his physical strength and mental cunning. From leading his men into battles for territory to going head-to-head with the most ferocious leaders in the world, Ragnar is one of the strongest figures from a historical series.Vikingsis incredibly fun to watch because there’s historical context and intrigue woven through every fight scene. Its spinoff series,Vikings: Valhalla, has only increased in stakes and tension in the past few years.
Invincible
Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father’s legacy isn’t as glitzy and glamorous as he’s been led to believe.
Invincibleis an excellent example of howadult animation is becoming such an important part of televisionand has the opportunity to explore new territory. While live-action series are inherently limited in what they can show, animation rarely has this problem, turning up the gore and the fight choreography to its highest level. The characters, storytelling, and innovative superpowers found throughoutInvincibleall add to the overall atmosphere and tone of the series, which equally balances terror with humor.
Thanks to the enormous popularity of the series and the comics it’s based on, there have been many calls forInvinciblespinoffs or live-action adaptations. However, theInvinciblescenes that won’t look good in live-actionare the fight scenes that use animation to its fullest extent. Whether it’s through the setting or the technologies that are shown in the epic battles of the series,it would be impossible to capture some of the best parts ofInvinciblein anything outside animation.
The Punisher
The Punisher stars Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher, who first appeared on Netflix’sDaredevil. Frank is a United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper veteran who is highly skilled in martial arts, stealth tactics, guerrilla warfare, and knows how to use a variety of weapons. The death of his wife and two children led him to take matters into his own hands, and he has been killing criminals indiscriminately ever since. Despite being beloved by fans,The Punisherwas canceled in early 2019. Thankfully for fans of Bernthal’s character, it was announced in 2023 that he would be joining the MCU by appearing inDaredevil: Born Again, starring Charlie Cox.
First introduced inDaredevil, Frank Castle, played by Jon Bernthal, leadsThe Punisheras the titular character who’s a far cry from a superhero. From the beginning, Castle is out for vengeance and will use any means necessary, even if that means taking lives. This sets him apart from the other Marvel characters with strict moral codes.Castle is motivated by grief and self-interest, but the characters he comes up against are far worse,making Castle seem like the good guy. This makes it easy for the audience to root for Castle, even at his most violent.
Across the series' two seasons, it’s the fight scenes that shine more than the show’s other aspects.
The Punisheris the darkest and most lethal of all the Marvel series that originally premiered on Netflix, and Bernthal does an excellent job embodying the anger and darkness inside Castle. Across the series' two seasons, it’s the fight scenes that shine more than the show’s other aspects. Few episodes go by without Castle having the opportunity to bash some heads in. However,it’s not only Castle who participates in these fights and acts of violence.No character on the show is safe from Castle’s anger or from developing a taste for vengeance themselves.
Into the Badlands
Into the Badlands follows Sunny (Daniel Wu) and M.K. (Aramis Knight), who traverse a post-apocalyptic world set 500 years in the future. Premiering in 2015, Into the Badlands was created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and aired on AMC until 2019 when its third season came to a close.
Into the Badlandsputs a clever spin on the traditional post-apocalyptic formula by having society turn away from automatic weapons, allowing for a return to traditional fighting methods. One of the issues with TV series set in the modern day is that conflicts involve the use of firearms, meaning older weapons and techniques are left in the past. The problem with this is that watching skilled physical fights is far more interesting than a gunfight.Into the Badlandssuccessfully avoids this issue, proving itself to be a unique offering on TV.
Into the Badlandsisn’t as concerned with the story as it is with the visuals of the action sequences. However, the dedication to the stunning physicality and technique pays off well. However,with each successive season, the series only grew in strength and intricacy in the plot.When watchingInto the Badlands, it’s easy to feel transported into the fights despite the fantastical settings. The 21st century has seen some of thebest post-apocalyptic TV shows, as these narratives have only grown more popular in the past decades.
Warrior
Warrior is an action-thriller television series set in the ruthless underworld of San Francisco in the late 1800s, pitting rival Chinatown syndicates against one another, the police, and a privileged and prejudiced upper class. Inspired by stories from the late Bruce Lee, the series follows Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances and becomes a hatchet man for Hop Wei, one of Chinatown’s most powerful crime families.
Warrioris a period piece set in San Francisco in the late 1800s and an homage to the classic martial arts movies of the past. As an underrated addition to the action genre, there’s no question that it should be better remembered. Though it only ran for three seasons,Warriorhad a tremendous impact on how fight sequences were approached on TV when it came to martial arts.The series is loosely based on a story by Bruce Lee from decades ago, and it was brought to life by his daughter, Shannon Lee, as well as the director Justin Lin.
Not only doesWarriorinclude some of the best martial arts sequences on TV, but it also grapples with the political and social realities of San Francisco during this time.
Warrioruses the frame narratives of gang violence and organized crime to set the tone for its battles,with the protagonist, Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), as a newcomer in San Francisco. The series is very frank about the realities of racial discrimination as well as sexism and the dangerous working conditions that many immigrants face. Not only doesWarriorinclude some of the best martial arts sequences on TV, but it also grapples with the political and social realities of San Francisco during this time.
Every Fighting Style Practiced By Bruce Lee (& Where He Learned Them)
Over the years, Bruce Lee practiced several different forms of martial arts. Here’s every fighting style Lee knew and where he learned them.
Daredevil
Daredevil is a Netflix original series starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock. The TV show ran for three seasons before being canceled by Netflix, despite being critically praised. Kingpin was the main antagonist in seasons 1 and 3 and also introduced Jon Benrthal’s Punisher in season 2. Daredevil was followed by Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevilwas one of the series that started it all for Marvel’s TV division, and it still holds up as one of the most creative and engaging shows to come from the production company. In 2015, the market was not yet oversaturated with the superhero genre, and the darker, more gritty tone ofDaredevilwas something new.The central performance of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, AKA Daredevil, helped the series' successand eventual cult favorite status.
One of the hallmarks ofDaredevil’s choreography was that the filmmakers had to take into account the fact that Murdock is blind and uses his other senses to fight.His heightened hearing and spatial awareness make Murdock a fearsome opponent,and his mild-mannered alter ego as a lawyer helps to hide his nighttime activities. The best part ofDaredevil’s battles is that Murdock senses his opponent’s next move before they’ve even made it, making the pacing lightning fast and keeping the audience engaged until Murdock has subdued them.
