Game of Death poster

Game of Death

"Bruce Lee challenges the underworld to a Game of Death."

Movie R 1978 1h 41m 6.4 /10

Billy Lo, a legendary martial arts star, fakes his own death to uncover a deadly conspiracy that wants him silenced. He slips into the shadows of his public persona, using misdirection and careful deception to draw out the people who aim to kill him. Clues surface as he follows a taut trail... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: February 15, 2026

About Game of Death

Billy Lo, a legendary martial arts star, fakes his own death to uncover a deadly conspiracy that wants him silenced. He slips into the shadows of his public persona, using misdirection and careful deception to draw out the people who aim to kill him. Clues surface as he follows a taut trail through boardrooms and backroom deals, staying unseen while matching wits with a web of backers and hired killers. The hunt becomes intensely personal as allies waver and danger closes in with every close call. This thriller blends brisk action with taut suspense, showing that fame can shield a man only if he remains several steps ahead of the conspirators. The outcome hinges on courage, timing, and trust alone.

Directed by Robert Clouse, Game of Death follows Bruce Lee's concept for a multi level martial arts showcase. The 1978 release was assembled after Lee’s death, mixing newly shot scenes with archival footage and stand ins to realize the idea.

The movie earned about 50 million worldwide on a modest budget of 850 thousand, underscoring Bruce Lee’s enduring appeal after his death. The sizable gross reflected fan demand for his action scale and screen presence across markets during its release.

Game of Death helped cement Bruce Lee as a global icon beyond the kung fu arena. The film's tiered fight structure and Lee's kinetic choreography left a lasting imprint on action cinema, influencing later multi level set pieces and the fan fascination with his short but electric screen aura everywhere.

Critics were split on the final product, noting the uneven pace from posthumous editing but praising Lee's charisma and the film's raw kinetic energy. Themes of fame, risk, and personal power surface as Billy Lo uses performance as protection while fighting to survive a conspiracy and defend his legacy today.

Details

Release Date
March 23, 1978
Runtime
1h 41m
Rating
R
User Ratings
715 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama, Action, Thriller
Country
United States
Studio
Orange Sky Golden Harvest +2 more
Budget
$850,000
Box Office
$50,000,000
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee

Billy Lo

Gig Young

Gig Young

Jim Marshall

Dean Jagger

Dean Jagger

Dr. Land

Hugh O'Brian

Hugh O'Brian

Steiner

Colleen Camp

Colleen Camp

Ann Morris

Robert Wall

Robert Wall

Carl Miller

Mel Novak

Mel Novak

Stick

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Hakim

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris

Colt

Dan Inosanto

Dan Inosanto

Pasqual

Written by: Robert Clouse, Bruce Lee

Frequently Asked Questions

Game of Death is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 6.4/10 from 715 viewers, Game of Death is considered solid entertainment worth checking out. It's a good pick if you enjoy drama, action, and thriller stories.

Billy Lo, a legendary martial arts star, fakes his own death to uncover a deadly conspiracy that wants him silenced. He slips into the shadows of his public persona, using misdirection and careful deception to draw out the people who aim to kill him. Clues surface as he follows a taut trail throu...

No. Game of Death is a fictional film. It centers on a martial arts movie star who fakes his death to uncover the people trying to kill him.

Bruce Lee plays Billy Lo, the martial arts movie star at the heart of the story. Billy Lo must fake his own death to uncover the would-be killers.