Martial arts movies have always been fun to watch, but for a long time, they were all about flashy kicks and over-the-top moves. Then everything changed: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) stepped into the spotlight and made fight scenes feel more real and intense. You’ve probably noticed it in movies like John Wick, where fighters don’t just punch and kick; they grapple, choke, and throw their enemies to the ground.
So how did BJJ go from being almost invisible in movies to one of the coolest fighting styles in action films today? This article takes a look at its journey.
Where Was Jiu-Jitsu in the Old-School Days?
If you watch classic martial arts movies, you’ll see a lot of high-flying kicks, spinning punches, and crazy stunts. That’s because styles like Kung Fu, Karate, and Taekwondo dominated the big screen.
Legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li made martial arts exciting and larger than life. But there was one part missing: ground fighting. Back then, movies avoided grappling because it wasn’t as flashy or dramatic. If a character ever used a takedown, it was over in seconds, and they were back to throwing fists.
How the UFC Made Jiu-Jitsu Popular in Movies
Everything changed when BJJ took over the world of real fighting. When Royce Gracie dominated the early days of the UFC using BJJ, people started to realize that grappling was actually super effective in real combat.
Hollywood took notice. Suddenly, action movie directors wanted to make fights look more realistic and brutal, rather than just cool-looking. That’s why, starting in the early 2000s, you started seeing more chokes, joint locks, and takedowns in action movies. The days of wild, unrealistic fighting were slowly coming to an end.
John Wick and the Rise of Jiu-Jitsu in Hollywood
If there’s one movie series that completely changed how fight scenes are done, it’s John Wick. Keanu Reeves trained in BJJ, Judo, and weapons combat, and you can see it in every fight scene. He doesn’t just punch his enemies: he throws them, chokes them out, and locks their arms so they can’t move. This made the action look and feel real, and audiences loved it.
Other movies like Atomic Blonde, Nobody, and The Gray Man followed this style, and suddenly, Jiu-Jitsu was everywhere in Hollywood.
Jiu-Jitsu, Gaming, and Even Online Casinos
Jiu-Jitsu didn’t just change movies. It started showing up everywhere, including video games and even online casino games. Fighting games now include BJJ specialists, letting players use real-life grappling techniques in virtual battles.
Even online casino gaming has picked up on the trend. Some of the top Australian real money online casinos feature martial arts-themed games, where players can enjoy action-packed slot games inspired by fighting legends.
Whether it’s movies, video games, or casino entertainment, Jiu-Jitsu has made its mark in pop culture in surprising ways.
The Future of Jiu-Jitsu in Movies
Now that fans expect more realistic action, Jiu-Jitsu isn’t going anywhere. More actors are training in grappling, takedowns, and close-quarters combat, making fight scenes look better than ever. Directors are hiring real martial artists to make sure the action feels authentic and exciting.
The days of cartoonish, unrealistic fights are fading, and the future of action movies is all about gritty, intense, and believable combat—and BJJ is leading the charge.