---
name: "Donnie Yen"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/donnie-yen"
fi1m_id: "donnie-yen"
imdb_id: "nm0947447"
tmdb_id: 1341
wikidata_id: "Q311723"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 July 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-03T01:22:12.891655+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Donnie Yen

## Identity

Donnie Yen

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/donnie-yen
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** donnie-yen
- **IMDb ID:** nm0947447
- **TMDB ID:** 1341
- **Wikidata ID:** Q311723
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Yen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311723, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0947447/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1341

Actor. Born 27 July 1963 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 July 1963, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- **Active:** 2002–present
- **Also known as:** Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, Yen Ji-Dan, Yen Chi-Tan, Yan Chi-Tan, Yen Chi-Ten, Yin Sze-Dan, Zhen Zi Dan, Zhen Zidan, Chung Tử Đơn, Donnie Yen Chi-Tan
- **Frequently works with:** [Jet Li](https://film.one/person/jet-li.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 77 (1), 2010s 70 (1), 2020s 64 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 65 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Adventure 3, Crime 1, Drama 1, Fantasy 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,751m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Yen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311723, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0947447/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1341

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md) (70), [*Mulan*](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md) (54)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*John Wick: Chapter 4*](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-4.md) (74)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Donnie Yen

> Donnie Yen can make a fighter's reluctance as interesting as his speed. His Caine in *John Wick: Chapter 4* is reason enough to endure its long stretches of talk: a skilled man who would rather be elsewhere.

Donnie Yen sits down to eat noodles between fights in *John Wick: Chapter 4* (2023), and the pause tells us why he is worth watching. His Caine has a job to do and despises it; Yen makes that reluctance matter as much as his skill. He fights without sight, using door chimes, motion sensors and a blade, with choreography that makes each adjustment intelligible. We laughed with relief at the noodles: among so many men solemnly explaining themselves, here was someone who wanted his dinner.

His breakthrough came opposite Jet Li in *Once Upon a Time in China II* (1992), after starting in Hong Kong action films. In *Hero* (2002), Yen plays Sky, again facing Li, within Zhang Yimou's carefully arranged sword fights. Christopher Doyle's colour photography gives those fights force, but the characters remain distant enough to limit our involvement. We recommend the film for those fights, with less enthusiasm for the people caught up in them.

*Ip Man* (2008) gave him the starring role in Wilson Yip's four-film series, which ran through 2019 and made him a major star. His work as an action choreographer combines traditional Chinese martial arts, especially Wing Chun, with mixed martial arts elements. We take that work seriously as acting, since the way a character fights can tell us as much as dialogue. His Hollywood work included another blind warrior, Chirrut Îmwe in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), before Caine.

Caine is the part we would send someone to first. Dan Laustsen's lighting keeps the rooms and opponents legible in *John Wick: Chapter 4*, giving Yen's movements the attention they need. Yen makes us believe that Caine's connection with John matters to both men, which is more than the film manages for most of its relationships. The film spends too long explaining its rules, despite the clarity of its action. Be prepared to wait through the talk for the next fight.

## Biography

Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist and action director. Born on 27 July 1963 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, he is known for his work in Hong Kong cinema and international films.

He is best known for portraying Ip Man in the series *Ip Man* (2008), *Ip Man 2* (2010), *Ip Man 3* (2015) and *Ip Man 4: The Finale* (2019). Other credits include Chirrut Imwe in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), Xiang in *xXx: Return of Xander Cage* (2017), Commander Tung in *Mulan* (2020) and Caine in *John Wick: Chapter 4* (2023). He has received three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *John Wick: Chapter 4* (2023), Fi1m 74, as Caine — [page](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-4.md)
- *Mulan* (2020), Fi1m 54, as Commander Tung — [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Chirrut Imwe — [page](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *Hero* (2002), Fi1m 77, as Sky — [page](https://film.one/film/hero.md)

## Complete filmography (105)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *You are the Best* (2025), as Alex Yang
- *The Prosecutor* (2024), as Fok Chi Ho · Director, Producer
- *John Wick: Chapter 4* (2023), as Caine — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-4.md)
- *Sakra* (2023), as Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng · Director, Producer
- *The Monkey King: The Legend Begins* (2022), as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
- *Polar Rescue* (2022), as A De · Producer
- *New Kung Fu Cult Master 2* (2022), as Zhang Sanfeng
- *New Kung Fu Cult Master* (2022), as Zhang Sanfeng
- *Kung Fu Stuntmen* (2021), Actor
- *Raging Fire* (2021), as Bong · Action Director, Producer
- *Wuhan Wuhan* (2021), Executive Producer
- *Mulan* (2020), as Commander Tung — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *Enter the Fat Dragon* (2020), as Fallon Zhu · Producer
- *Ip Man 4: The Finale* (2019), as Ip Man
- *Master Z: Ip Man Legacy* (2018), Producer
- *The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up* (2018), series, Actor
- *Iceman: The Time Traveler* (2018), as Ying
- *Big Brother* (2018), as Henry Chen Xia · Producer, Action Director
- *Guardians of Martial Arts* (2017), as Master Yen
- *Chasing the Dragon* (2017), as Crippled Ho · Producer
- *xXx: Return of Xander Cage* (2017), as Xiang · Fight Choreographer
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), as Chirrut Imwe — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny* (2016), as Silent Wolf
- *Ip Man 3* (2015), as Ip Man
- *An Inspector Calls* (2015), as Band Members
- *Kung Fu Jungle* (2014), as Hahou Mo · Action Director
- *Iceman* (2014), as Ying · Producer
- *Golden Chickensss* (2014), as Yip Man
- *The Monkey King* (2014), as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
- *Special ID* (2013), as Dragon Chan
- *Together* (2013), as Chan Kwok-Wah
- *All's Well, Ends Well* (2012), as Carl Tam
- *Dragon* (2011), as Liu Jinxi / Tang Long · Action Director
- *The Lost Bladesman* (2011), as Guan Yunchang · Choreographer
- *All's Well, End's Well 2011* (2011), as Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
- *Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen* (2010), as Chen Zhen · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *Ip Man 2* (2010), as Ip Man
- *14 Blades* (2010), as Qinglong
- *Bodyguards and Assassins* (2009), as Shum Chung Yang
- *The Founding of a Republic* (2009), as Tian Han
- *All's Well, End's Well 2009* (2009), as Wedding Guest (cameo)
- *Ip Man* (2008), as Yip Man
- *Painted Skin* (2008), as Pang Yong
- *An Empress and the Warriors* (2008), as General Muyong Xuehu
- *Flash Point* (2007), as Ma · Producer, Action Director
- *Dragon Tiger Gate* (2006), as Dragon Wong · Action Director, Co-Producer
- *Stormbreaker* (2006), Action Director, Stunts
- *SPL: Kill Zone* (2005), as Inspector Ma Kwun · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *Seven Swords* (2005), as Chu Zhaonan
- *The Twins Effect II* (2004), as General Lone · Stunt Coordinator
- *Love on the Rocks* (2004), as Victor Tsui
- *Protégé de la Rose Noire* (2004), Director
- *The Twins Effect* (2003), Co-Director, Action Director
- *Shanghai Knights* (2003), as Wu Chow
- *Hero* (2002), as Sky — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/hero.md)
- *The Kung Fu Master* (2002), as Hung Hei-Kwun
- *Fist of Fury* (2002), as Chen-Jun
- *Blade II* (2002), as Snowman · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *The Princess Blade* (2001), Action Director, Stunts
- *Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge* (2001), as Chen Zhen · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'* (2001), Actor
- *Highlander: Endgame* (2000), as Jin Ke · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *Der Puma - Kämpfer mit Herz* (1999), Stunts
- *Moonlight Express* (1999), Action Director, Choreographer
- *City of Darkness* (1999), as Ozone
- *Shanghai Affairs* (1998), as Tong Shan · Director
- *Ballistic Kiss* (1998), as Cat Lee · Martial Arts Choreographer, Director, Producer, Writer
- *Legend of the Wolf* (1997), as Fung Man-hin · Director, Screenplay, Martial Arts Choreographer, Producer
- *Black Rose II* (1997), as Boxing School Owner
- *义侠勇闯上海滩* (1997), as 唐山
- *Satan Returns* (1996), as Nam
- *Iron Monkey 2* (1996), as Iron Monkey
- *Fist of Fury* (1995), series, as 陈真
- *The Saint of Gamblers* (1995), as Lung Chat
- *High Voltage* (1995), as Chiang Ho-Wa
- *Circus Kids* (1994), as Danton Lee
- *Revenge of the Kung Fu Master* (1994), as Hung-Hei Kwun
- *The Kung Fu Master* (1994), series, as Hung Hei-gun
- *Wing Chun* (1994), as Leung Pok To · Martial Arts Choreographer, Action Director
- *Heroes Among Heroes* (1993), as So Chan
- *Iron Monkey* (1993), as Wong Kei-ying
- *Butterfly and Sword* (1993), as Yip Cheung
- *New Dragon Gate Inn* (1992), as Eunuch Tso Siu Yan · Stunt Double
- *Once Upon a Time in China II* (1992), as Commander Lan
- *Crystal Hunt* (1992), as Leung / Brett Chan
- *Cheetah on Fire* (1992), as Ronnie
- *A New Life* (1991), series, Actor
- *The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead* (1991), as Shiang Chin-Fei
- *The Crime File* (1991), series, Actor
- *Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991* (1991), Actor
- *Tiger Cage II* (1990), as Dragon Yau · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *Flying Squads* (1989), series, as Cheung Ho-nam
- *In the Line of Duty 4* (1989), as Captain Donnie Yan
- *File Noir* (1989), series, Actor
- *Tiger Cage* (1988), as Terry · Martial Arts Choreographer
- *The Last Conflict* (1988), as Dickson Kwan
- *The Close Encounters of Vampire* (1986), Choreographer
- *Mismatched Couples* (1985), as Eddie
- *Drunken Tai Chi* (1984), as Chan Chuen Chung
- *The Miracle Fighters* (1982), Stunt Double
- *Kung Fu*, Actor
- *狠家伙*, Executive Producer
- *Caine*, as Caine · Director, Executive Producer
- *Flash Point: Resurgence*, as Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
- *Ip Man 5*, as Ip Man

## Gallery

- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-b0bcd551d4f7.jpg) Donnie Yen — Will629, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Donnie_Yen_20250323.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Yen at the New York Asian Film Festival (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-b6911b7a90da.jpg) Yen at the New York Asian Film Festival (2012) — May S. Young, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Donnie_Yen_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 02](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-15090801fb7f.jpg) Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 02 — May S. Young from Metro NYC, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Donnie_Yen_%40_New_York_Asian_Film_Festival_2012_-_02_%287543800538%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 03](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-b3a67ed858b4.jpg) Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 03 — May S. Young from Metro NYC, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Donnie_Yen_%40_New_York_Asian_Film_Festival_2012_-_03_%287543801494%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-1862f5b4414a.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-94b99ac80979.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-9f470e9ff882.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB
- ![Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 05](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-c3608ca233be.jpg) Donnie Yen @ New York Asian Film Festival 2012 - 05 — May S. Young from Metro NYC, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Donnie_Yen_%40_New_York_Asian_Film_Festival_2012_-_05_%287543802766%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-e6cef0a2e213.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-b0ad8a6abaa0.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB
- ![Donnie Yen](https://film.one/media/person/21421/gallery-23839079963e.jpg) Donnie Yen — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 6 won, 3 nominated

- Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong 2022: Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong (won)
- Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong 2021: Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong (won)
- Golden Bauhinia Awards 2007: Golden Bauhinia Awards (won), for *Dragon Tiger Gate*
- Hong Kong Film Awards 2006: Hong Kong Film Awards (won), for *SPL: Sha Po Lang*
- Hong Kong Film Awards 2004: Hong Kong Film Awards (won), for *The Twins Effect*
- Golden Horse Award for Best Action Choreography 2003: Golden Horse Award for Best Action Choreography (won), for *The Twins Effect*
- Taurus World Stunt Awards 2002: Taurus World Stunt Awards (nominated)
- Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 1999: Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (nominated)
- Hong Kong Film Awards 1993: Hong Kong Film Awards (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/donnie-yen