The Last Dragon

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The Last Dragon

PG-13

1985

1h 49m

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly to attain the same level of mastery as the great Bruce Lee. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles (Vanity) from evil businessman Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Impressed by Leroy's bravery, Laura falls for Leroy -- but to keep her safe, he will have to defeat a gang leader named Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III), the self-styled Shogun of Harlem.

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Critics Consensus

The Last Dragon is a flamboyant genre mashup brimming with style, romance, and an infectious fondness for kung fu, but audiences may find the tonal whiplash more goofy than endearing.

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Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

Feb 14, 2025

The saddest thing is that this film, having begun as an effective parody of kung fu movies and Hollywood mysticism, degenerates into a series of fights and huge rock video clips.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Dec 12, 2018

3.5/4

The Last Dragon is first and foremost a romantic comedy, and a very sweet one at that, and that's why its martial-arts combat scenes work so well. We've been given enough time to care about who's kicking the stuffing out of whom.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Apr 28, 2018

It's slick Motown stuff, shrewdly kept on a brightly colored comic strip level, so that its silly plot and wild swings between dancing feet and flying fists don't seem to matter as much as the attractiveness of the two leads.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Sep 22, 2023

... among many other things, implies an awareness of the history of martial arts cinema, working in aspects so that knowledgeable fans can feel seen.

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Jan 7, 2022

5/5

This is a classic! This film is so damn fun and I feel like I have the "glow" after watching this.

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

Jan 7, 2022

4/5

This is like the black Roadhouse to me, which is more a positive than a negative. It is very entertaining albeit completely absurd.

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Kyle

Dec 16, 2025

Can’t beat the quotable nostalgia. 🤣

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Ben W

Oct 27, 2025

Definitely a fun film. Love the retro aesthetic and comedy here.

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Jaime

Oct 24, 2025

The best of the 80’s! A true classic.

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Angela G

Oct 23, 2025

Thoroughly enjoyed watching the cult classic on the big screen!!

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Montical

Oct 23, 2025

Loved this movie since I first saw it 40 years ago. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that I always wished the fight scene at the end was a little longer. I had a great time reliving my childhood with my daughter!

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Victor P

Oct 23, 2025

Ive seen this movie countless times but getting to witness it in theaters around others who love it as much as I do was one of the best movie experiences Ive ever had

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Michael Schultz

Director

Taimak

Leroy Green

Vanity

Laura Charles

Christopher Murney

Eddie Arkadian

Julius Carry

Sho'nuff

Faith Prince

Angela Viracco

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Synopsis

Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly to attain the same level of mastery as the great Bruce Lee. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles (Vanity) from evil businessman Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Impressed by Leroy's bravery, Laura falls for Leroy -- but to keep her safe, he will have to defeat a gang leader named Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III), the self-styled Shogun of Harlem.

Director: Michael Schultz
Producer: Rupert Hitzig
Screenwriter: Louis Venosta
Distributor: Tri-Star Pictures
Production Co: Motown Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 1985, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround

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