This is said with love, but martial arts movies do tend to be pretty simple affairs. They’re often simple in good ways, it should be stressed. These films aim to highlight excellent fight choreography over pretty much anything else, so you’ll get something like The Raid, which is just about fighting one’s way out of a very dangerous apartment building, or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which is about people all trying to get their hands on a prized weapon.

Essentially, it means plenty of martial arts movies can be started and ended pretty seamlessly in just the one film, with the aforementioned The Raid getting a sequel, but only one (well, for now). In a few cases, martial arts movies have gotten two sequels, making for a trilogy, and some of the best martial arts trilogies are ranked below. Also, if something got three or more sequels, and became a series that stretched on longer than a trilogy, then they won’t be counted here (that’s why there’s no John Wick, Police Story, or Ip Man, even though each of those were, for at least some time, definable as trilogies).

7

‘Ong Bak’ (2003–2010)

Image via EuropaCorp

The tagline of Ong Bak (2003) was “No computer graphics. No stunt doubles. No wires.” That does sum it up. It wanted people to know this would be a little more intense and maybe old-school than some of the more recent martial arts movies that had been popular (like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon being wuxia, and The Matrix being sci-fi-heavy). And it’s probably something they wanted to highlight more back in the early 2000s, because CGI was starting to be used a lot more in action movies, and it didn’t always look great.

For what it’s worth, the first Ong Bak is easily the best. Ong Bak 2 is messy and inconsistent, but it does have a good final act that delivers the goods, as far as action’s concerned. Ong Bak 3, though… eh. Not great. Maybe a couple of parts that are sort of fun, if a bit silly. Still, it is technically a trilogy, and like, one and a half movies here are worth watching, so Ong Bak just sneaks in at the bottom of this ranking, is what it is and all.

6

‘Dead or Alive’ (1999–2002)

Image via Daiei Film

This is also a bit of a sneaky pick, because the Dead or Alive movies make up a very loose trilogy, overall. Also, they’re more definable as yakuza movies rather than full-blown martial arts ones, but Takashi Miike, as chaotic as always, throws a lot in to make the films here less and less “normal,” by the standards of the yakuza sub-genre. The third film in the trilogy, Dead or Alive: Final (2002), is a full-on sci-fi movie, of all things.

The first two aren’t, with Dead or Alive (1999) being weird, but still the least weird of them all, and Dead or Alive 2: Birds (2000) ultimately being the best of the bunch by quite a bit, striking the ideal level of bizarre and darkly comedic. Takashi Miike did direct all three, and they’re all crime/action-related while starring the same two actors across the trilogy, but there are different characters in each movie, and various other genres that are dipped into throughout (or, at the very least, it’s accurate to say that each Dead or Alive movie is quite different tonally).

5

‘Armour of God’ (1986–2012)

Image via Golden Harvest

The best way to sell this trilogy is to say that it stars Jackie Chan basically doing his own version of Indiana Jones, and at least the first two movies came out when he was still pretty much in his prime. The first film, Armour of God (1986), has some really top-tier action sequences and stunts, enough so that it’s worth getting through the slower parts of the movie for that good stuff. Then, film #2, Operation Condor (1991), is probably even better, or at least more consistent.

The third film, Chinese Zodiac, came much later (in 2012), and isn’t as good as either of the first two movies, but it’s not awful for a late-stage Jackie Chan movie, with there being some fun in seeing him return to an already-established character and series one last time. If you’re after the best long-running Jackie Chan series, it is the aforementioned Police Story one, but that’s longer than a trilogy now… so, if you want something that’s right on being an actual trilogy, guess you’ve got this one.

4

‘The Samurai Trilogy’ (1954–1956)

Image via Toho

If you don’t like seeing a samurai trilogy here, when the topic is martial arts, tough. It’s kind of hard to find a decent number of martial arts trilogies without including samurai-related ones, so here’s a trio of movies known as the Samurai Trilogy. Well, it’s one of two trilogies known as the Samurai Trilogy, but it came first. There was one a year throughout the middle of the 1950s, the first being Musashi Miyamoto (1954), named after the central character, the second being Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955), and the third being Duel at Ganryu Island (1956).

All starred Toshirō Mifune, and stuck to following the progression of his character from a wannabe samurai warrior to an actual one. The first movie came out the same year Mifune was in the most legendary samurai movie of all time (the one about Seven of them), but these movies in the Samurai Trilogy shouldn’t be overlooked, or entirely overshadowed by that other one… nor some of the other more famous samurai movies Mifune appeared in later on, like Yojimbo, The Sword of Doom, and Samurai Rebellion.

3

‘Dragon Inn’ (1967–2011)

Image via Union Film Company

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Perhaps even looser than most thematic trilogies, here are three movies that kind of tie together, or have some similarities. The first is just called Dragon Inn, and it’s an absolute classic. 25 years later, New Dragon Gate Inn was pretty narratively similar to Dragon Inn, but stylistically different enough to feel like a little more than just a remake, and then nearly 20 years after that, there was a continuation of sorts with Flying Swords of Dragon Gate.

There’s a shared location across all three, more or less, and that location is used as a place for various people to meet at and fight near, all for different reasons. Things get shaken up quite a bit in terms of look and feel, between movies, and then the quality also varies, to some extent… the first is great, the second is good, and the third here is a bit forgettable, but if you wanted to judge them all as one trilogy, it’s an overall far from bad one.

2

Yōji Yamada’s ‘Samurai Trilogy’ (2002–2006)

All the films that make up another Samurai Trilogy (this one can be differentiated from the trilogy starring Toshirō Mifune by mentioning that it’s a collection of films directed by Yōji Yamada) are very quiet and drama-focused affairs, rather than being all-out action films. You get maybe a couple of brief bursts of action found, on average, in each of these movies, but they’re more period dramas about the samurai way of life, exploring things like morality and honor (or a lack thereof).

If Harakiri can count as a martial arts movie, since it’s about samurai and has a couple of moments of action (albeit also with a focus on drama), then this Samurai Trilogy can probably go here, too. The Twilight Samurai (2002) is the first and best of the bunch, with the other two movies being still quite good overall, and admittedly thematically linked, rather than being about the same characters from The Twilight Samurai. All films (including 2004’s The Hidden Blade and 2006’s Love and Honor) were based on stories originally written by Shuhei Fujisawa, too. That’s another thing that ties them up into a thematic trilogy.

1

‘The 36th Chamber of Shaolin’ (1978–1985)

Image via Shaw Brothers Studio

With The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, as in the first movie in what became a trilogy, you get the basics, to some extent, but the basics are also done so remarkably well. If you have an idea in your head of what the typical 1970s martial arts movie might look like, it probably is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, or something real close to it. There’s a young man who’s wronged, and he goes and trains a bunch so he can be skilled enough to get vengeance on those who’ve wronged him, and then once he’s trained enough, he goes out and gets the revenge he wants.

They’re the basics, in terms of an unlikely hero, a prolonged period of training, and some revenge-fueled action, yet handled so perfectly to the point that if you could only watch one classic martial arts movie, it could be wise to make it The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. And, okay, yeah, there’s less to say about the sequels, Return to the 36th Chamber (1980) and Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985), but they find enough to do by way of continuing a story that already felt pretty complete, at the end of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. It also helps, for consistency’s sake, that the same director (Lau Kar-Leung) and lead actor (Gordon Liu) were involved in all three, even if the two sequels here lean a little more into comedy than the first film, and with Liu playing a different character in #2 than he does in #1 and #3 (it kind of works).

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The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

Release Date

February 2, 1978

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Runtime

115 minutes

Director

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Lau Kar-leung

Writers

Ni Kuang

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• 

  Gordon Liu Chia-hui

  Liu Yu-de / Monk San Ta

• 

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Joseph Duggar spoke about his experience in prison while on the phone with wife Kendra Duggar.

“I felt like [the] past two nights, like not last night, but the two nights before that, there [were] people up all night, and it was really loud and stuff, but so I didn’t get good sleep,” Joseph, 31, said to Kendra, 27, during one phone conversation from his recent stay at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas, according to audio obtained by Us Weekly. “So yesterday was a little bit more miserable.”

Joseph added that it can get “busy during the day” but also feels “rough being in there.”

The Counting On alum also claimed to Kendra that the sounds coming from other inmates’ cells were making it hard for him to focus.

“Sometimes I can’t even hear myself think whenever they’re next door,” he said, noting that the noise was “like getting hit by a jackhammer.”

In a second call with Kendra, Joseph shared that he couldn’t get any shut eye claiming another inmate threw a “tantrum.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night. There [were] some tantrums happening. All day yesterday, there’s one guy having this whole tantrum thing. I was kind of waiting till he went to sleep,” he claimed per additional audio obtained by Us. “He got all processed through, and then I went to sleep for just a little while. I don’t know how long, really, but a little while.”

Joseph added there was another person throwing “a fit for two or three hours throughout the night.”

“He was just talking really loud, and they’re having to deescalate him the whole time, and every other word was the F word type thing,” he alleged.

Joseph also recounted an additional tantrum he allegedly heard while in his cell.

“The guy in one of the cells next door, in the holding cell, he was supposed to get checked in. He’s been thrown a tantrum all day,” he claimed. “Almost entertaining, except for, he’s pretty vulgar. So, I focus on my Bible reading.”

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Related: Joseph Duggar’s Wife Says Family Is ‘Disappointed’ in Him During Prison Call

In a prison phone call, Joseph Duggar‘s wife, Kendra Duggar, revealed what his family thinks of his recent arrest. “Just know that everybody loves you, even if they’re disappointed,” Kendra, 27, said in a conversation from Thursday, March 26, later released by TMZ. Joseph, 31, acknowledged that he understood the “disappointment,” but he “absolutely” feels […]

Last month, Joseph was arrested in Arkansas on March 19. He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older after a 14-year-old victim came forward to police accusing Joseph of molesting her when she was 9-years-old during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.

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Joseph was extradited to Florida earlier this week, where he pleaded not guilty. He was released on $600,000 bail.

In addition to the molestation case, Joseph and Kendra were both charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second-degree, and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. These charges are unrelated to the molestation allegations.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

When you’re into a show by the time its fourth season rolls around, chances are you’ll sense it unraveling: storylines that are worn thin, characters repeating themselves, and a general vibe that the show has peaked. Dark Winds isn’t suffering from any of this. In fact, it feels sharper as it progresses through each season, with four consecutive seasons earning a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating intentionality rather than simply good luck in the ratings.

AMC has released a sneak peek from Episode 408, “Ni’ Hodisxǫs (The Glittering World),” which premieres Sunday, April 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC and AMC+. The finale sets up what’s shaping into a brutal endgame — Lt. Joe Leaphorn going head-to-head with Irene Vaggan in what’s being framed as less of a confrontation and more of a battle of wills, the kind that tends to leave at least one person broken on the other side.

‘Dark Winds’ is a Neo-Western Thriller That Refuses to Play by the Rules

Image via AMC

Dark Winds takes place in the sun-drenched, desolate landscape of the Southwest in the 1970s and centers on Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), a lieutenant with the Navajo Tribal Police, and his deputies, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten). On paper, this procedural drama has been done before, as its episodes consist of crime investigations, a close-knit group of friends, and undefined boundaries between right and wrong. However, this series takes a different approach to crime dramas than other programs of its kind, including its predecessors.

Dark Winds’ style is darker and more surreal than other similar series, with each case presented as a slow-building riddle that combines cultural practices (in this instance, Navajo spirituality) with generational trauma and a sorrow that lacks a neat resolution by the end of an episode. One moment you observe a man trailing a suspect through the desert and the next you are immersed in something resembling an other-worldly event; visions, folklore, memories that refuse to be forgotten.

Why That 100% Rotten Tomatoes Streak Actually Matters

Image via AMC

Look, plenty of shows have hit 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. For a season, maybe two, if they’re lucky, but holding that line across four consecutive seasons is rare. The kind of consistency most shows lose the second they get comfortable. The thing that distinguishes Dark Winds from other series is that it continues to improve after its first three seasons. Each season enhances the writing, rather than diluting it. The character growth is natural rather than forced. And when there’s a major change in tone (like Season 4’s move to Los Angeles in the late 1970s), the show doesn’t lose its identity.

Representatively, this series presents the culture, language, and characters of the Navajo Nation in a deliberately crafted way (though there is still room for improvement). You can see the effort here, especially in the changes made to build a stronger foundation for the series as it gained more popularity. This authenticity, combined with outstanding storytelling, is one reason why critics are regularly mentioned in their reviews.

Around McClarnon, the cast fills in the cracks. Gordon’s Chee feels caught between worlds—modern law enforcement and deep cultural roots he’s still trying to understand. Matten’s Manuelito brings this grounded determination, but you can see the strain as the job starts bleeding into her personal life. Their dynamic shifts season to season, never static, never easy. And then there are the guest players—people like Titus Welliver and Franka Potente — who drop in and immediately raise the temperature of whatever storyline they touch.

Season 4 of ‘Dark Winds’ Pushes Everything Further

Image via AMC

Dark Winds moved on to its fourth season with a focus on increasing risk. The connecting mystery of a missing Navajo teenager that was connected to a violent crime spree has expanded into a much larger, more complex, and ultimately more dangerous case than initially believed. The narrative unfolds across multiple locations, including outside the reservation and into parts of Los Angeles, creating an atmosphere of alienation and confusion for the characters as they adapt to their new environments.

It works.

Meanwhile, Chee and Manuelito are dealing with their own mess — injuries, relationships, unresolved pasts that refuse to stay quiet. The show leans harder into psychological horror, threading in unsettling imagery and dreamlike sequences that blur the line between reality and the unknown.

The series has already been renewed for a fifth season, set to arrive in 2027, which says a lot about AMC’s confidence in it—and, frankly, about how steady its audience has become. As for the newest episode, you can catch it on April 5.

Dark Winds doesn’t demand that you’ve been there since day one. You can jump in and catch up—Seasons 1 through 3 are already streaming on Netflix—and once it hooks you, it really hooks you. But more than that, it’s the kind of show that reminds you why television still works when it’s done right.

Season 3 of XO, Kitty showed Kitty making a choice about who she wanted to be with after her past love triangle drama.

During the newest season, which premiered on Thursday, April 2, Kitty (Anna Cathcart) and Min-ho (Sang Heon Lee) faced ups and downs despite acknowledging their feelings for each other. This led to them nearly not ending up together before Min-ho made a grand gesture in the season 3 finale.

Kitty was on her way home back to Portland, Oregon, as Min-ho tried to chase her down, which felt reminiscent of creator Jenny Han‘s other hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Min-ho missed Kitty’s train but was able to send her the song he wrote for her. She listened to it right before they reunited — and finally became a couple.

The final scene showed Kitty and Min-ho on their way back to Portland together as they discussed him meeting the rest of her family. It served as a parallel to her sister Lara Jean (Lana Condor) deciding to make her relationship with Peter (Noah Centineo) work, which she discussed with Kitty earlier in the finale.

Related: Best Love Triangles in TV and Movie History Over the Years

Who doesn’t love a good love story? Girl falls in love with boy, then falls in love with his best friend too, for example. The love triangle has been a frequent plot point in TV and film for years, but there is maybe no more iconic angsty trio than the one between Dawson (James Van […]

XO, Kitty has previously explored Kitty’s personal life after she arrived at Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) to reunite with long-distance boyfriend Dae (Choi Min-yeong). She later developed feelings for Yuri (Gia Kim) while also having surprising banter with Min-ho.

“It’s definitely Kitty’s heart at the end of the day that is what I want to see succeed. I just want her to follow what feels right for her,” Cathcart exclusively told Us Weekly in March 2024. “And if she’s doing that, I definitely think I’ll be supportive of that.”

Cathcart said she enjoyed getting to see Kitty explore her feelings, adding, “I’ve definitely brought up a few times — even just in conversation with writers — and with different people on the show about where this could go. I think Kitty doesn’t always need to be with [a] person either. I think Kitty’s story is kind of a love letter to the world.”

Related: TV Couples We Need Together in 2026: From ‘The Pitt’ to ‘Tracker’

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Fan-favorite TV couples like 9-1-1’s Buck and Eddie, The Bear’s Sydney and Carmy and Tracker’s Colter and Reenie — or Billie — deserve to finally get together on screen in 2026. Based on Jeffery Deaver‘s novel The Never Game, Tracker has viewers tuning in each week to see their favorite fictional survivalist — a.k.a Colter […]

The actress praised XO, Kitty for allowing Kitty’s story to evolve.

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“She’s so excited about so many things and learning about her family and helping out her friends and discovering just what the world has to offer,” Cathcart continued. “It’s not just a love story with another partner necessarily. I think a lot of her love comes from a lot of different directions.”

Cathcart added: “I’m hoping that Kitty just continues letting herself follow her heart. I think that was a really big thing that she was learning all throughout season 1. If she continues to do what feels right for her and be brave in exploring what that might be and who she might be, I really want to see that journey continue and I hope fans do too. So that’s the direction that I’m definitely hoping we head down.”

XO, Kitty is currently streaming on Netflix.

Kendra Duggar opened up to her husband Joseph Duggar about her plans to get their children into “counseling” following his child molestation arrest.

“I’ve been making plans in my head of what I feel like I need to do moving forward with [the kids], and probably try to get counseling for them,” Kendra, 27, told Joseph, 31, during a phone conversation from his recent stay at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas, according to audio obtained by Us Weekly. “I’ve been making plans in my head of what I feel like I need to do moving forward with [the kids], and probably try to get counseling for them.”

Kendra and Joseph share four children: sons Garrett and Justus and daughters Addison and Brooklyn.

Joseph was arrested in Tontitown, Arkansas, on March 19 on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. Bay County, Florida, police say that a 14-year-old victim came forward with accusations that Joseph molested her when she was 9-years-old during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.

On March 20, Kendra and Joseph were both charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, and four counts of second degree false imprisonment. Those charges are not connected to Joseph’s child molestation case.

Kendra was released from custody later that day after paying a $1,470 bond, while Joseph was extradited from Arkansas to Florida on Tuesday, March 31.

Prior to Joseph’s extradition, Kendra opened up to her husband in a phone call about struggling with anxiety since her arrest.

“I was anxious to pick up the phone but I’m glad I did because I know that God is good,” she told Joseph. “You know how I am with anxiety, and this is like a whole other level than I’ve experienced in my entire life.”

The Counting On alum added, “I went up into my bed so I’m so weak, and I didn’t know what to do or what to say. I think I was kind of spiraling downhill. Thankfully, she [Joseph’s mom, Michelle Duggar] visited and sat with me and prayed with me. I think that I can’t be by myself and for too long, and I have to, I can be outside by myself, but that’s just where I’m at. When I get reminded of those promises, it’s very encouraging to me and very uplifting. But it’s hard to stay in that mindset, obviously. And I don’t know how I’m gonna get food in today.”

Joseph assured his wife that he was praying for both her and their children when he wasn’t reading scripture.

“I’ve been praying specifically that you would get rest, that you would get food in, and that your energy would be sustained during this. I’m praying this specifically for you,” he told her.

Kendra responded, “I just want you to know where I’m at. It’s really hard. It’s a really hard spot. I know you’re [not here] but I just feel like I need to be encouraged.”

A slew of phone calls between Kendra and Joseph have come out since their recent arrests. One such conversation revolved around the advice Kendra received from Joseph’s mom, Michelle, 59, while another offered insight on where their children are staying.

In a lighter moment, Joseph shared with Kendra that he was occupying himself by doing a “burn bootcamp-style workout” in his “seven by 11-style” jail cell.

“I figured I might as well do something,” Joseph revealed. “I’m doing squats and push-ups. I can do dips off the edge of the bed.”

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Related: Kendra Duggar Tells Joseph She’s Staying Somewhere ‘Private’ After Arrest

New audio of Joseph Duggar and wife Kendra Duggar shows the couple discussing her whereabouts after their arrests. “It’s good to hear from you,” Kendra, 27, told Joseph, 31, according to a March 20 collect call he placed to her from Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, that was obtained by Entertainment Weekly. In […]

Meanwhile, Joseph’s parents, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, broke their silence about their son and daughter-in-law’s arrests on Wednesday, April 1.

“Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a family spokesperson told Us. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time. They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Jessa Duggar is condemning her brother Joseph Duggar’s alleged actions after he was accused of molesting a child.

“We learned, along with the rest of the world, of the heartbreaking news involving my brother, Joseph, and we are deeply grieved,” Jessa, 33, wrote via an Instagram Story on Thursday, April 2. “Our hearts ache for this innocent young girl and the harm she has suffered.”

She noted, “This is a profound wrong, and we know it grieves the heart of God, who cares deeply for the children and vulnerable. We are lifting her up in prayer, asking for comfort, healing and justice.”

Jessa’s remarks come after Us Weekly confirmed that Joseph, 31, was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas on March 18 after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020.

The alleged victim accused the former 19 Kids and Counting star of sexually abusing her while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Joseph was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.

Two days later, Joseph appeared in court virtually and waived his right to an extradition hearing.

That same day, Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, was arrested and subsequently released on $1,470 bond.

Both Joseph and Kendra, 27, were charged on March 20 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree.

A source exclusively told Us at the time that Kendra’s arrest wasn’t related to Joseph’s child molestation case.

“After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there,” the insider said. “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

Kendra and Joseph were married in 2017 and share four children: Garrett, 7, Addison, 6, Brooklyn, 5, and Justus, born in spring 2022.

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Related: Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Break Silence After Son Joseph’s Arrest

Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar have spoken out after their son Joseph Duggar’s arrest for child molestation allegations. “Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a spokesperson for the Duggar family tells Us Weekly in a statement. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her […]

Us confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that after being extradited to Florida, Joseph pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He was released from custody that day after posting a $600,000 bond.

Following Joseph’s arrest, his family, made famous after starring on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, have slowly begun to speak out.

Jessa, for her part, initially addressed the scandal on March 20 in a since-deleted Instagram post, calling Joseph’s alleged misconduct “saddening news” to hear.

In the statement, which was written on behalf of Jessa and her husband, Ben Seewald, the couple once again said their “hearts are grieving for this innocent young girl,” and keeping her in their prayers.

Related: Joseph Duggar Was Last Seen in Jessa’s Holiday Video Before His Arrest

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Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, were seemingly last seen in a family holiday video released mere weeks before his arrest on child molestation allegations. Footage from the Duggar family’s annual Christmas costume party was included in Joseph’s sister Jessa Duggar’s “Holiday Festivities” vlog, which was published on February 9. In the video, Joseph, […]

Jessa and Joseph’s sister Jill Duggar was one of the first to speak out against him, writing via Instagram in March, “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved.”

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She and husband Derick Dillard added: “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”

Jessa, Jill and Joseph are three of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children. Joseph is the second to go to jail, after their son Josh Duggar, was sentenced to 151 months in prison in December 2021 following a child pornography conviction.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Action television is rife with powerful, larger-than-life characters, and very few of them are able to leave a lasting impression quite like Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) can. The beloved modern action hero is introduced to audiences through the Prime Video series Reacher, an intense action show that focuses on the title character as he travels from town to town, using his sharp instincts and combat skills to take down criminals and uncover conspiracies. Although not many can match up or even surpass the brute-force strength that defines Reacher, they do exist—more than audiences might realize.

Characters like Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) from Netflix’s Marvel series Daredevil, whose blindness rarely hinders him at all, and Xena (Lucy Lawless) from the classic fantasy gem Xena: Warrior Princess, a character whose mythic strength ranks her high on any list of heroes, are just two examples of TV figures who exceed what Reacher brings to the table. Compiled on this list are the action TV heroes who are much stronger than Reacher in various and unexpected ways.

Ah Sahm

‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)

Image via Cinemax

On this list of beings with absolute strength that outshines even the action hero Reacher, Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) stands as one of the most formidable fighters in modern action television as a whole. The character hails from the underrated action drama Warriors, which is set in 19th-century San Francisco during the Tong Wars, and follows the martial artist as he arrives from China only to immediately become entangled in the brutal power struggles between rival gangs.

Reacher may be a tall wall of pure muscled bulk, but Ah Sahm’s lean frame and crazy martial arts skills can definitely take him down. Very few action heroes can even match the raw combat ability that the slick character wields. Ah Sahm is a relentless beast of blood and brutality when he fights, and has more often than not proven himself one of the strongest fighters to ever grace TV screens. With a high-intensity show like Warriors, Ah Sahm makes for the perfect action hero to stand at its center, marking him as the man who defiantly has an icon such as Reacher beat.

Bosco Albert “B.A.” Baracus

‘The A-Team’ (1983–1987)

Image via NBC

This standout hero is the muscle behind one of television’s most iconic teams. B.A. Baracus (Laurence Tureaud)—better known as Mr. T—is from the classic TV show The A-Team, an action-adventure series that centers around four ex–special forces soldiers who become mercenaries that frequently help ordinary people.

B.A. Baracus is his team’s powerhouse. The man is essentially superhuman and is well-known as a “hard as nails,” loyal to a fault type of action hero. Even with The A-Team‘s famous cartoonish violence, seeing Mr. T walk away from a shootout, enduring rocket blasts, and car crashes, all through narrative convention, still makes for pretty entertaining television. Though Jack Reacher is also a pretty tough guy—especially for an entirely normal man—he is very likely to be almost instantly overwhelmed by Baracus’ unshakeable resilience, strength, and durability.

Xena

‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ (1995–2001)

Image via Universal Television

Xena is not only one of the first and finest female heroes depicted on television, but she is also one of the most powerful in the action TV landscape, surpassing most men with her strength. The fantasy classic, Xena: Warrior Princess, focuses on the reformed warlord herself, as she uses her formidable battle prowess to take on evil and defend the innocent.

There exist very few action heroes as capable as Xena, a woman who wields both immaculate combat ability and leadership. Her strength and experience alone can outclass a great and brutal giant such as Jack Reacher. Despite the age of the beloved fantasy action series, Xena: Warrior Princess, the battle goddess’ legacy remains strong and is still rather unmatched. With a mythic strength able to lift a war chariot and overpower a battering ram, it’s safe to say that Xena is an extremely strong action hero who has Reacher beat by miles.

Billy Butcher

‘The Boys’ (2019–Present)

Image via Prime Video

It’s an easy guess why Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) would be considered stronger than Reacher; the man takes on actual superpowered individuals for a living. Billy stands at the center of the dark superhero series known as The Boys. The show focuses on the gruff character and his team of troubled misfits as they set out to bring down the corrupt heroes of the world—mainly the superhero team known as “The Seven.”

Prior to fully gaining powers himself in Season 4, he was a human of ruthless determination. With sheer intensity and grit, Billy Butcher acts as a relentless force against the superheroes of the world, determined to see his goals through, sometimes no matter who he hurts. The character is the perfect anti-hero sort who audiences often hope survives until the end. The vicious character may have some extremely questionable morals, but because he uses not only his physical strength but also mindful cunning as he takes on various superheroes, he counts as a true action hero who far surpasses even a beloved action star like Reacher.

Buffy Summers

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Image via The WB

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This iconic teenage warrior definitely redefined who and what a strong action hero could be. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) stars in the epic supernatural fantasy series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she learns to juggle normal high school girlhood with being “the Chosen One,” a figure destined to hunt for the things that go bump in the night.

Buffy Summers is far from the average teen. Because she actively fights beasts and ghouls alike, she proves that her strength vastly exceeds Reacher’s. The feisty characters routinely overpower vampires and giant demons using sheer muscle alone. Unlike the iconic giant himself, who often takes on seasoned but entirely normal criminals, Buffy’s adversaries are beings that would tear an ordinary person in two with their bite force alone. Her blatant superhuman strength simply means that she is able to handle much more than Jack Reacher ever could, and with such a constant display of extraordinary power, she stands as a much stronger hero in terms of raw physical strength.

Eleven

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) thrillingly brings to the realm of action television immense psychic power. The beloved Netflix series, Stranger Things, follows a group of friends in search of their missing buddy, which leads them right to the psychically powerful Eleven, as she attempts to avoid capture from those who wish to take her back to a life trapped within a laboratory.

Eleven stands as one of the most powerful individuals on modern television. Her abilities not only outmatch her enemies but also allow her to dominate situations through sheer force of will, outdoing any feat Jack Reacher could realistically accomplish. From holding off monsters from other dimensions to excellent tracking skills when she is literally worlds away, Eleven may be much smaller than the brute force that is Reacher, but she definitely outclasses many of his human-level feats.

Matt Murdock (Daredevil)

‘Daredevil’ (2015–2018)

Image via Netflix

This character may be a blind lawyer by day, but his skill, discipline, and resilience make him the perfect vigilante by night. Daredevil, a Netflix Marvel series, centers around the iconic character, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), as he navigates the world with heightened senses after losing his sight in a childhood accident. Focusing on what he has gained instead of what he’s lost, Matt becomes a true action hero, protecting Hell’s Kitchen with unmatched precision.

With a blend of sharp instincts and brutal combat, Matt Murdock stands up to evil in ways that Reacher himself could never fathom. The character counts on his heightened reflexes, hearing, and unwavering determination to save the day, no matter the strength of his opponents. In a head-to-head fight, the beloved Marvel hero would definitely give Jack a run for his money, as the two are mostly equal in combat prowess, but Matt’s lightning-quick ability to react before his attacker even strikes, along with his ability to move assuredly in complete darkness, gives him the win any day against the Prime Video’s action hero.

Bruce Wayne

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

Image via FOX

Batman may be one of the most skilled human beings to ever take to screens, but what many viewers don’t realize is that long before he acquired his alter ego as the protector of the most troubled city in the DC universe, he had begun forging his physical and mental resilience that would ultimately place him on a higher level above characters like Reacher. In the prequel superhero series Gotham, the show follows a young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) before he becomes the iconic vigilante hero known as Batman.

Gotham gifts audiences a view into the boy before he becomes the epic man of darkness they know today. The series displays Bruce’s growth that ultimately sets the foundation for a legend spoken about through generations. The character may be a teen with more athletic prowess than brute force, but what makes him truly “stronger” than Reacher is his unmatched combat training and brutal intellect. Reacher easily exceeds the young Bruce Wayne in raw strength, yet the teenage billionaire’s training, gadgets, experience, and technique give him a solid chance for a decisive win against the broad-shouldered tank.

Chile! Rakai and Tylil James are a duo the internet can’t get enough of, and now, the Clover Boys members have taken “inseparable” to a whole new level with their latest hairstyle.

Related: Puppy Love! Rakai Sparks Reactions After Asking Piper Rockelle To Be His Valentine With Livestream Kiss (VIDEOS)

Rakai And Tylil James Debut Connected Braided Look On Livestream

Tylil James amd Rakai are no strangers to going viral for their over-the-top livestream antics, especially when it comes to their hairstyles. On Thursday evening, the duo returned to streaming with a look viewers didn’t see coming. Rakai first appeared on stream, seated at his computer with six braids cornrow braids. At first glance, the braids appeared unusually long, but moments later, the reason became clear when Tylil also appeared on stream. Tylil stepped into frame, rocking the same braided style and revealing that the two were physically connected by their hair.

The stream continued with the pair attempting everyday activities while literally attached, including using the bathroom, riding through a car wash, and making a stop at a grocery store. Clips from the livestream quickly circulated online, with many social media users reacting to the duo’s commitment to the bit.

Social Media Reacts

Folks in The Shade Room Teens comment section had plenty to say as the video made its rounds online, with reactions ranging from amused to concerned.

Instagram user @jyoubadd wrote, “He’s a terrible influence 😂😂”

Another Instagram user @brookenation wrote, “What in the world 😂”

While Instagram user @bandmafia.sxl wrote, “humiliation rituals”

Instagram user @bi9beanz wrote, “This who the lil kids watching n this what they choosing to do”

Another Instagram user @richie.rondo wrote, “Hair is very spiritual, yall shouldn’t be playing like that 😖”

While Instagram user @qrincessblog wrote, “idk if it’s cause I’m Gen Z but this funny asf 😭😭😭😭😭😭”

Instagram user @niqueatnite_ wrote, “Doing too much for attention”

Another Instagram user @meme_mykings wrote, “Tylil wanna be Rakai so bad….”

While Instagram user @nene.comm wrote, “😂😂😂”

The Clover House Crew Continues To Go Viral

The viral moment is just the latest in a string of antics from the Clover House, where Rakai and Tylil live alongside fellow members Reggie, Ray, Punga and BTB Dezz. Recently, the group also sparked conversation online after Tylil posted a Snapchat video showing a T-shirt used as a tissue and left behind. The post led to speculation among fans about who was responsible. Rakai later addressed the situation during a livestream, admitting he was behind it. He explained that he searched throughout the house for tissue but was unable to find any so he resorted to using the shirt instead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWpdTmyDD4d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Related: Tylil James Sparks Reactions After Posting Cozy Photo With Kae Critch (PHOTO)