Top 10 Best Choreographed TV Fight Scenes

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at epic TV fight scenes that kept us on the edge of our seats, holding our breath and unable to look away. As much as we appreciate the ferocious, bloody and ruthless Battle of Blackwater Bay, we will be excluding large-scale battles. What TV series has the most memorable sword fight scenes and hand-to-hand combat for you? Let us know in the comment section
#10: Flash vs. Arrow
“The Flash” (2014-23)
The grand showdown between DC heroes in “The Flash” crossover episode was eagerly anticipated and didn’t disappoint. When a metahuman infects Barry with uncontrollable rage, Oliver is the only one who can stop his rampage. Who doesn’t love a good superhero fight, especially between friends with contrasting personalities? Despite Barry’s superpower giving him an advantage, this fight was intense. Barry got absurdly fast, delivering lightning-fast blows, while Oliver relied on intelligence, carefully calculated moves, and a tranquilizer to bring Barry down. With great visuals, this fight packs a serious punch.
#9: Lexa vs Roan
“The 100” (2014-22)
In “The 100’s” rugged world, picking the toughest fighter is no easy task. However, Lexa remains one unforgettable badass warrior. Her showdown with Roan and daring defeat of the Ice queen in Season 3 shows she’s a force to reckon with. This nail-biting battle begins with the Ice Queen Nia challenging Lexa’s leadership. To prove herself worthy as Heda, Lexa proposes a fight to death, which Nia accepts, selecting her son as her champion. Fearless Lexa steps up as her own champion, engaging in a savage, flawlessly choreographed battle with Roan that had us holding our breath. And just when we thought it couldn't get any more epic, Lexa also dispatches Nia with a well-aimed spear.
#8: Prison Fight
“Reacher” (2022-)
When Jack Reacher starts counting, you know it’s about to get brutal. Prime Video’s “Reacher' 'is an adrenaline-packed ride into Reacher’s world, brought to life by 6′ 3″ Alan Ritchson, lauded for nailing Lee Child’s iconic character. The series kicks off with a bang, hooking fans with its peek into our hero’s tactical mind and ferocious combat skills. In this memorable premiere, Reacher finds himself outnumbered in a prison shower after being wrongfully incarcerated. He warns the goons to back off before he reaches three. But before the countdown elapses, he’s already jabbing elbows into faces, bashing heads, and gouging eyeballs, proving why he’s the last guy you’d want to cross. Talk about swift justice!
#7: Hannibal vs. Jack Crawford
“Hannibal” (2013-15)
“Hannibal” may be too dark for some, but it’s undeniably brilliant. Its Season 2 premiere features one of TV’s most captivating fights. When Crawford confronts Hannibal in his kitchen over framing Will, it sets the stage for the show’s biggest fight. The tension in their stare-down as Jack enters is palpable. The brutal clash that follows is wild enough to be entertaining, yet also bone-chillingly real. Witnessing their once-promising relationship end in bloodshed is a visceral experience. The two prove to be evenly matched, transforming their fight into a mesmerizing dance that culminates in an unexpected twist.
#6: Clay Burton vs. Nola Longshadow
“Banshee” (2013-16)
Cinemax’s “Banshee” is downright addictive, thanks to its finely crafted characters and pulse-pounding fight scenes. Among these, the fight between Burton and Nola stands out. Any true fan knows you don’t mess with Burton, but in the third season Nola throws caution to the wind in her quest for vengeance. To announce her presence, she throws a tomahawk at Burton and hell breaks loose as one of TV’s most creatively vicious fights ensues. Each punch, kick and doge is choreographed to deliver a tense and thrilling experience. The moment Burton’s glasses came off and he cocked his head, we knew it was over for Nola. Though her end was tragic, she went out like the badass she was.
#5: School Fight
“Cobra Kai” (2018-)
Over five seasons, the 2018 martial arts comedy-drama has been a blast for both “The Karate Kid'' fans and younger generations. Ever wondered what would happen if high school students could use karate to settle scores? “Cobra Kai” brings this to life in its season 2 finale, where confrontations reach a fever pitch. This inevitable clash between Cobra Kai dojo and Miyagi-Do karate students in the school hall over a kiss is truly epic. With breathtaking choreography and impressive camerawork, it’s like a powder keg of teenage emotions exploding. What makes this cinematic chaos even more compelling is the emotional ties viewers have with each character. It’s so thrilling that we couldn’t look away, even though we knew it would end tragically.
#4: Hundred Eyes vs. Jia Sidao
“Marco Polo” (2014-16)
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a showdown between evenly matched rivals where fans can’t easily predict the outcome. This electrifying dynamic unfolds in “Marco Polo’s” season one finale as Hundred Eyes faces off against Jia Sidao. It begins with Marco stumbling into Jia Sidao’s throne room after the successful invasion of Xiangyang. Rather than handing Marco an easy win over Jia Sidao, the creators offer a far more satisfying twist. One of the show’s most formidable warriors arrives to shake things up and what follows is a breathtaking display of martial arts mastery, leaving fans spellbound. Jia Sidao’s shocked expression when he realizes that Hundred Eyes knows the Praying Mantis technique? What a priceless moment!
#3: The Mountain vs. the Red Viper
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
Oberyn vs. the Mountain is unquestionably one of “Game of Thrones’” most exhilarating fights. In season 4, a trial by combat is held for Tyrion, and Oberyn decides to champion him in order to avenge his sister. Oberyn’s die-hard supporters, like Ellaria, are left worried at the sight of the Mountain. How could someone the Viper’s size possibly stand a chance against the giant? Yet, when the fight begins, Oberyn’s agile moves inspire faith in his victory … until he gets cocky. Equally memorable is the violent battle between the Hound and Brienne, which starts out in a knightly fashion but escalates into a savage fight with screaming and biting.
#2: Final Battle
“Into the Badlands” (2015-19)
While the abrupt end of AMC’s post-apocalyptic show left many disappointed, its incredible swordplay and fight scenes remain unmatched on TV. Its final battle serves as the fitting end to a superb martial arts series. As the Widow, Tilda, and Gaius fight M.K., Sunny, Bajie, and Kannin unite against Pilgrim. It's a showdown of epic proportions, with hand-to-hand combat and sword fights galore. As blades clash and fists fly, beloved characters sacrifice their lives for the Badland’s future. And Sunny finding the inner strength to slay Pilgrim after being stabbed? That’s simply awe-inspiring. Widow’s fight with Moon in Season 3 is another superb example of martial arts at its finest.
#1: Prison Escape
“Daredevil” (2015-18)
Marvel’s “Daredevil” on Netflix is an incredible series based on the titular MCU’s masked vigilante. One of its remarkable features? How it revolutionized fight scenes! With its long, one-shot sequences, the visceral battles in limited spaces are simply stunning, sucking viewers into exhausting fights. Notable among these is Daredevil’s awesome hallway fight with Russian mobsters in season 1. Another is the season 2 scene that pits the Punisher against a horde of prisoners in a symphony of brutality and creativity. But nothing quite compares to the final season’s showdown, where Matt Murdock fights off inmates and guards to escape a prison.The music, the tension and action were in perfect harmony.
