Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Kernel Score: 81% · 2,478 ratings · Rated PG

Genres: Action, Comedy

Released: 2001-07-05

Runtime: 113 minutes

Is Shaolin Soccer worth watching?

Worth watching. Shaolin kung fu meets football in a cartoonish sports comedy with big visual gags and real heart. It's silly on purpose, and the soccer matches are the fun part. Viewers still enjoy it decades later.

Watch it if you

  • like slapstick martial-arts comedy
  • enjoy underdog sports stories
  • want something goofy and fast-moving

Skip it if you

  • need realistic sports or fight scenes
  • dislike dubbed or subtitled films

Best for: Fun night with friends

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Shaolin Soccer

  • Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Pluto TV, YouTube Free
  • Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.

Shaolin Soccer parents' guide: ages 6+

Parents need to know that Shaolin Soccer features cartoonish martial-arts action and slapstick violence but no serious content concerns.

  • Violence & scariness: Some — Exaggerated, cartoonish martial-arts and sports fighting; no real injury or gore.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Shaolin Soccer

If you liked Shaolin Soccer, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Kung Fu Hustle (2004) — 87%: Same director and star, with even bigger kung fu comedy chaos.
  • CJ7 (2008) — 83%: Same filmmaker's warmer, more family-friendly comedy with a sci-fi twist.
  • The Legend of Drunken Master (1994) — 84%: Jackie Chan mixing martial arts with broad physical comedy.
  • The Young Master (1980) — 78%: Early kung fu comedy with playful fights and a light tone.
  • The God of Cookery (1996) — 80%: Another Stephen Chow comedy full of absurd gags and an underdog arc.
  • Iron Monkey (1993) — 84%: Fast, joyful Hong Kong martial arts with a likable hero.

Director

Stephen Chow

Cast

  • Stephen Chow as Mighty Steel Leg / Sing
  • Richard Ng Man-Tat as Fung
  • Vicky Zhao as Mui
  • Patrick Tse Yin as Hung
  • Karen Mok Man-Wai as Team Moustache Player #2
  • Wong Yat-Fei as Iron Head
  • Mo Meilin as Hooking Leg
  • Tenky Tin Kai-Man as Iron Shirt
  • Danny Chan Kwok-Kwan as Empty Hands
  • Lam Tze-Chung as Weight Vest

Shaolin Soccer FAQ

Is Shaolin Soccer worth watching?

Worth watching. Shaolin kung fu meets football in a cartoonish sports comedy with big visual gags and real heart. It's silly on purpose, and the soccer matches are the fun part. Viewers still enjoy it decades later.

Where can I watch Shaolin Soccer?

In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Pluto TV and YouTube Free and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.

Is Shaolin Soccer OK for kids?

Shaolin Soccer is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Shaolin Soccer features cartoonish martial-arts action and slapstick violence but no serious content concerns.

What movies are like Shaolin Soccer?

If you liked Shaolin Soccer, try Kung Fu Hustle, CJ7, The Legend of Drunken Master and The Young Master.