One of the most brutal, over-the-top, and, honestly, best action movies of the ’80s is making a comeback on free streaming. The 80s were undoubtedly the golden age of action films. The decade introduced us to Arnold Schwarzenegger, made Stallone a household action star, and gave us hits like Lethal Weapon, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, the best Indiana Jones movie (Raiders of the Lost Ark), the cult-classic Highlander, and so many more. But, one of the best action films of the decade blended the over-the-top action that the ’80s were known for with the growing influence of Asian martial arts movies. We’re, of course, talking about the Muscles from Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s best film, Bloodsport, which is currently streaming for free.
Bloodsport is available to stream for free on Tubi. In fact, the film is fighting its way up the streaming charts, as it is currently the ninth most popular movie on the free streaming site. Directed by Newt Arnold and released in 1988, Bloodsport helped to make Jean-Claude Van Damme a household name. The film was Van Damme’s first major hit, leading to roles in Kickboxer, Double Impact, Hard Target, the cult-classic, Street Fighter, a cameo in Friends, and an insane number of Coors Light commercials.
Bloodsport featured the most ’80s-coded action plot, that of a former soldier fighting in an extreme martial arts tournament to the death. Van Damme starred as Frank Dux, said former soldier who fights in an extreme martial arts tournament to the death. That’s about all there is to it really. Let’s be honest: nobody watches Bloodsport for the plot. We watch it for those sweet kickboxing scenes. Bloodsport‘s blood-soaked fight scenes, while very unrealistic, have etched their way into cinema history.
‘Bloodsport’ Is an ’80s Cult Classic
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It’s very easy to call an old film a cult classic. But that category is usually reserved for two types of films: ones that flopped at the box office but found a second life on VHS/DVD/streaming, and those that critics absolutely slated but audiences loved. Bloodsport falls into the latter category. When it was released in 1988, it grossed just over $50 million worldwide. That might not sound like much, but considering it was shot for a measly $1.5 million, it’s an impressive feat. But, critics weren’t sold on Jean-Claude Van Damme’s film that’s entirely wish fulfillment with a bit of plot tacked on. The film holds a divisive (literally) 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, from a blend of original and new reviews.
However, among action fans, Bloodsport is a fan favorite. Along with Kickboxer and Deep Impact, it is easily Van Damme’s most popular movie. The fight scenes are ridiculous, but the film embraces its absurd nature and, as a result, won the hearts of fans. It holds a far stronger 75% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But, the film has also inspired countless spoofs and homages in other action movies, with Van Damme’s iconic splits-punch becoming a thing of cinematic legend.
- Release Date
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February 26, 1988
- Runtime
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92minutes
- Director
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Newt Arnold
- Writers
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Sheldon Lettich