Top 10 Best Kung Fu Panda Moments
#10: Oogway Ascends
“Kung Fu Panda” (2008) Oogway is the wise tortoise master who taught Shifu the ways of kung-fu, and of life. The elderly mentor is contemplating things beneath a peach tree when Shifu rushes up in a panic about Tai Lung’s escape. Although Oogway is confident that the Dragon Warrior will overcome Shifu’s former pupil, Shifu has difficulty believing in Po. Using the peach tree as a metaphor, Oogway suggests that Shifu help Po to become the best version of himself, not what Shifu envisions he should be. And with that final lesson, Oogway, knowing his passing is imminent, instead rises to the Spirit World, disappearing in breathtaking, blossoming fashion. The heartfelt life lesson, along with the gorgeous imagery and soundtrack, make this quiet scene positively soar.
#9: Po Plays with Li
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“Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016) The third film sees Po meet his birth father, Li. Po shows his dad the Jade Palace and all of the priceless kung fu-related treasures contained within. And since they have so much in common, Li doesn’t have to work too hard to convince Po to goof around and play with the various artifacts. The duo’s shenanigans are both heartwarming and hilarious. The sequence is the two of them making up for lost time. Plus, all the unique armor, weapons, and other accouterments are quite creative and cool. While Shifu and the Furious Five are less than enthused when they first catch them in the act, we still think it’s adorable.
#8: Po Trains with Shifu
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“Kung Fu Panda” (2008) After learning what he needs to do to unlock Po’s potential, Shifu brings him to the birthplace of kung fu. There, he channels Po’s love of food to incentivize him during training. The ensuing montage is exhilarating and entertaining. However, the crown jewel of the sequence occurs when Shifu and Po engage in a duel using chopsticks to fight over dumplings. Despite primarily featuring objects meant for eating, the choreography and speed of the fight is surprisingly great! Po finds himself satisfied enough to go without eating, and we find their battle similarly rewarding.
#7: Battle at the Jade Palace
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“Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016) Kai, a former friend of Oogway, returns from the Spirit Realm after being banished there by the aged master. Intent on obtaining the chi of every kung fu master in China and demolishing all Oogway built, he attacks the Jade Palace with jade-ified versions of some of the Furious Five members. Kai’s bladed chains make for some creative attacks, and there’s a particularly great long shot sequence as he battles Shifu and the other members of the Furious Five. Kai ultimately converts most of Po’s friends into his jade minions and destroys the palace using Oogway’s own statue. The bull’s assault isn’t very long, but it quickly establishes him as a threat.
#6: Tai Lung vs. Shifu
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“Kung Fu Panda” (2008) This battle is particularly tragic, considering where these two began. Shifu essentially raised Tai Lung and groomed him to dream of being the Dragon Warrior. And when the snow leopard villain arrives, his confrontation with his old master is fraught with emotion. The exchange of blows is suitably spectacular, with a great use of verticality and some truly incredible moves - how about that blade redirection by Shifu?! Tai Lung is as much a product of Shifu’s teachings as he is of his own drive, and Shifu’s defeat is heartbreaking to watch. The atmosphere, great use of the environment, and the charged emotions throughout help make this one of the most narratively satisfying fights in the franchise.
#5: Po & Kai Face Off
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“Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016) When Kai assaults the panda village, Po gets the drop on him, hoping to finish his foe off with his Wuxi Finger Hold. However, when that plan doesn’t work, they fight on the ice, before the battle moves to the village. With no other option, Po sends himself and Kai to the Spirit Realm by using the move on himself. There, Kai nearly defeats Po. However, empowered by his family and friends, Po’s chi takes the form of a dragon and he’s able to turn the tides against the villain. This fight feels like a story in and of itself, with great progression from hopelessness to a triumphant conclusion. Kai may not be able to handle all that chi, but we can’t get enough!
#4: Tai Lung’s Prison Break
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“Kung Fu Panda” (2008) Tai Lung is a phenomenal martial artist, and his introduction certainly leaves an impression! After news emerges that the Dragon Warrior is being selected, Tai Lung uses a mere feather to escape his binds. He then proceeds to scale his impossibly elaborate prison, using practically everything the rhino guards shoot or throw at him to climb higher. Even with the ground crumbling beneath him, Tai Lung just doesn’t stop! It gets to the point where we almost root for the guy! Incredibly epic and chock full of incredible shots (and comedy), Tai Lung’s escape is a real breakout scene.
#3: “Who You Choose to Be”
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“Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) Following his confrontation with Lord Shen, Po is left floating in the river and confused about where he came from. Thankfully, he is rescued by the Soothsayer. She reveals to him that he’s in the village where he was born. Seeking inner peace, Po meditates and recovers repressed memories of his mother sacrificing herself to save him, putting him on the path to be raised by his adoptive dad. With some advice from the clairvoyant goat (we don’t often say that in a sentence), Po realizes that it’s his decisions that make him who he is, not his origins. It’s a scene loaded with strong feels, which sets up big emotions during Po’s reunion with his dad. Cue all the tears!
#2: Bridge Battle
“Kung Fu Panda” (2008) Once Tai Lung breaks out, the Furious Five decide to intercept their former peer. The quintet confronts the snow leopard on a precarious rope bridge. With the ropes cut, Tigress confronts Tai Lung in the middle while increasingly fewer of her friends hold the structure up. The sheer degree of creativity in this fight is incredible! Tigress and Tai Lung fight on top of the bridge, underneath it - with it! And when the other members of the Five get involved, their own unique styles and their combination moves are just as great! Tai Lung ultimately defeats the Five, but the fight they put up beforehand is one of the best in the franchise. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Harbor Battle, “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) This Fight Brings the Fireworks Oogway & Kai’s Battle, “Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016) We Love Seeing the Tortoise Master in Action Shen’s Backstory, “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) An Intense Tale Told Through Stunning Visuals Po in the Spirit Realm, “Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016) Oogway & Po Need More Scenes Together! “The Stuff of Legend”, “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) Po’s Dreams Are the Stuff Dreams Are Made Of — The Traditional Animation is Cool Too
#1: Po Defeats Shen
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“Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) Although Po’s confrontation with Tai Lung is also worthy of mention, we feel that his triumph over Shen is ultimately the best - because it’s personal! Po faces down Shen’s fleet. Despite taking multiple cannonballs head-on, he manages to redirect them all - some of them into Shen’s ships! On Shen’s wrecked flagship, Po faces off against the peacock himself. Shen is incredulous that Po found inner peace, despite everything he did to him. While their battle may not be the most impressive from a technical standpoint, it’s arguably the greatest from a character one. Po is able to let go of the past, and move forward. And Shen refuses to let go of his mistakes, which ultimately proves to be his undoing. We have chills. Is there a “Kung Fu Panda” moment you found totally awesome, but were disappointed we left out? Go easy on us in the comments - no Wuxi Finger Holds, please!
