Kids from Shaolin 少林小子 (1984): The Movie Where Jet Li Took on 8 Girls, 8 Boys, and a Family Feud — All While Juggling Comedy and Romance
The Sequel That Wasn't a Sequel
Kids from Shaolin is not a sequel to The Shaolin Temple. It's a different film entirely — a comedy, a romance, and a martial arts film all rolled into one. And it's one of the most beloved entries in Jet Li's early filmography.
Directed by Zhang Xinyan, who also directed The Shaolin Temple, the film was released on January 26, 1984, in Hong Kong [citation:1]. It was a massive success, earning HK$23 million at the Hong Kong box office — the fourth-highest grossing Hong Kong film of all time at that point [citation:4][citation:6]. It also became a phenomenon in Singapore and the United States, with audiences lining up in the snow to see it [citation:4].
It holds a 7.4 on Douban with over 11,000 ratings [citation:1].
What Is It About?
The film is set in the picturesque landscape of Guilin, where two families live across the river from each other [citation:1].
The Bao family is a Wudang clan with eight daughters. Their patriarch, Bao Shengfeng (Yu Chenghui), is desperate for a son to carry on the Wudang sword tradition [citation:1][citation:8].
The Long family is a Shaolin clan with eight sons. The two patriarchs, Tianlong (Yu Hai) and Erlong, raised the boys after rescuing them from a bandit ten years ago [citation:1][citation:8].
Tianlong and Erlong have long admired the two eldest Bao daughters, Dafeng and Erfeng (Ding Lan). But Bao Shengfeng hates the Shaolin clan and sets an impossible condition: ten oxen for one marriage [citation:1].
Enter Sanlong (Jet Li) , the third son of the Long family. He devises a series of schemes to win the girls' hands — and along the way, he falls for Sanfeng (Huang Qiuyan), the third daughter of the Bao family.
But the bandit "Bald Eagle" (Ji Chunhua) is still alive. He plots revenge and sends spies to stir up conflict between the two families. Sanlong's mission becomes a race against time [citation:1][citation:8].
The Cast That Made It Work
Jet Li as Sanlong — the third son of the Long family. He's funny, charming, and still deadly with a staff.
Huang Qiuyan as Sanfeng — the third daughter of the Bao family. She was Jet Li's real-life girlfriend at the time (they would later marry). Her chemistry with Li is genuine [citation:1][citation:11].
Yu Chenghui as Bao Shengfeng — the Wudang patriarch. He's the comic relief, the grumpy father, and the source of much of the film's humor.
Yu Hai as Tianlong — the Shaolin patriarch. He's the steady, reliable presence.
Ding Lan as Erfeng — the second Bao daughter. She's the romantic interest for Erlong.
Ji Chunhua as Bald Eagle — the villain who wants revenge. He's as menacing as ever.
The Comedy That Made It a Hit
Unlike The Shaolin Temple, which was a serious martial arts drama, Kids from Shaolin is a comedy. The film is full of slapstick, mistaken identities, and romantic misunderstandings.
One of the film's most famous scenes is the "matchmaking" sequence, where the eight Long brothers try to win over the eight Bao sisters. It's like a martial arts version of a Jane Austen novel — and it's hilarious.
The film also plays with the rivalry between Shaolin and Wudang, but it never takes itself too seriously. It's a family film, a romantic comedy, and a martial arts epic all at once.
Why It Still Matters
Kids from Shaolin is the film that proved Jet Li could do comedy. He wasn't just a serious, stoic martial artist — he could make you laugh. This range would serve him well in later films like Once Upon a Time in China and Kung Fu Cult Master.
The film also marked the beginning of Jet Li's relationship with Huang Qiuyan, who would later become his first wife. Their chemistry on screen is undeniable — and it's one of the reasons the film still resonates with audiences today.
It also features the same core cast as The Shaolin Temple, creating a sense of continuity that fans loved. It's a reunion of old friends, and it shows.
Final Thought
Kids from Shaolin is a film about family, about love, and about the power of reconciliation. It's a film that reminds us that even the most bitter enemies can become friends — if you give them a chance.
And it's a film that proves that martial arts cinema can be more than just fighting. It can be joyful.
Full movie in English with English subtitles
Have you seen Kids from Shaolin? What's your favorite scene — the matchmaking sequence, the final battle, or the moment Sanlong and Sanfeng finally admit their feelings? Let me know in the comments.
Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬
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