Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Kernel Score: 87% · 3,096 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
Released: 2004-02-10
Runtime: 99 minutes
Is Kung Fu Hustle worth watching?
Must-watch. Stephen Chow's cartoonish kung fu comedy sets a pair of small-time crooks against a vicious gang in 1940s Shanghai. The fights are inventive, the jokes land, and it's lively, silly and surprisingly sweet.
Watch it if you
- love slapstick and kung fu in one film
- like fast, inventive comedies
Skip it if you
- dislike subtitles or dubbing
- want realistic fights
Best for: Friends movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Kung Fu Hustle
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Kung Fu Hustle parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Kung Fu Hustle is an R-rated action comedy with cartoonish martial arts violence.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Frequent stylized, exaggerated martial-arts and gangster violence, though played largely for comedic effect.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Kung Fu Hustle
If you liked Kung Fu Hustle, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Shaolin Soccer (2001) — 81%: Stephen Chow's earlier football-and-kung-fu comedy
- Hot Fuzz (2007) — 86%: Action parody with fast jokes and big set pieces
- CJ7 (2008) — 83%: Chow's warm, sweet sci-fi family comedy
- King of Comedy (1999) — 82%: Chow-star comedy about aspiring actors
- Kung Fu Panda (2008) — 83%: Kung fu comedy with real heart
- Once Upon a Time in China (1991) — 78%: Classic martial arts film with a heroic lead
Director
Cast
- Stephen Chow as Sing
- Yuen Qiu as Landlady
- Yuen Wah as Landlord
- Lam Tze-Chung as Sing's Sidekick
- Bruce Leung Siu-Lung as The Beast
- Eva Huang Shengyi as Fong
- Danny Chan Kwok-Kwan as Brother Sum
- Chiu Chi-Ling as Tailor
- Xing Yu as Coolie
- Zhihua Dong as Donut
Kung Fu Hustle FAQ
Is Kung Fu Hustle worth watching?
Must-watch. Stephen Chow's cartoonish kung fu comedy sets a pair of small-time crooks against a vicious gang in 1940s Shanghai. The fights are inventive, the jokes land, and it's lively, silly and surprisingly sweet.
Where can I watch Kung Fu Hustle?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Kung Fu Hustle OK for kids?
Kung Fu Hustle is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Kung Fu Hustle is an R-rated action comedy with cartoonish martial arts violence.
What movies are like Kung Fu Hustle?
If you liked Kung Fu Hustle, try Shaolin Soccer, Hot Fuzz, CJ7 and King of Comedy.