Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
The inspiring true story of martial arts legend Bruce Lee — his passion, his struggles, and his unstoppable rise to global fame.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
- Release Year: 1993
- Directed by: Rob Cohen
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History, Action
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 59m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 7, 1993 (United States - PG-13), October 22, 1993 (United Kingdom - 15), June 17, 1993 (Germany - 18), June 23, 1993 (France - 12), June 24, 1993 (Australia - M), December 3, 1993 (Mexico), August 20, 1993 (Italy - T)
- Alternative Titles: Dragon - La storia di Bruce Lee (IT), 李小龙传奇 (CN), ドラゴン/ブルース・リー物語 (JP), Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story (UK), Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story (US)
- Production Companies: Raffaella De Laurentiis Productions, Universal Pictures, Dragon Productions, Orange Sky Golden Harvest
- Production Countries: Hong Kong, United States of America
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Plot
This film is a glimpse into the life, love and the unconquerable spirit of the legendary Bruce Lee. From a childhood of rigorous martial arts training, Lee realizes his dream of opening his own kung-fu school in America. Before long, he is discovered by a Hollywood producer and begins a meteoric rise to fame and an all too short reign as one the most charismatic action heroes in cinema history.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the legend come to life on screen.
The mystery. The life. The love. The legend.
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Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rob Cohen
Main Cast
- Jason Scott Lee
- Lauren Holly
- Robert Wagner
- Michael Learned
- Nancy Kwan
- Lim Kay Tong
- Ric Young
- Wang Luoyong
- Sterling Macer Jr.
- Sven-Ole Thorsen
Writers
- Edward Khmara
- John Raffo
- Rob Cohen
Producers
- Raffaella De Laurentiis
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - FAQs
Is Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on the real life of martial arts icon Bruce Lee. It draws heavily from the memoir 'Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew' written by his wife Linda Lee Cadwell. While some scenes are dramatized or fictionalized for cinematic effect, the core events and relationships depicted are rooted in fact.
Who plays Bruce Lee in the 1993 film?
Jason Scott Lee takes on the iconic role of Bruce Lee in the film. Despite sharing a surname, he is not related to Bruce Lee. His physically committed, charismatic performance earned widespread praise, with many critics noting how convincingly he captured Bruce Lee's intensity, charm, and athleticism on screen.
What is Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story about?
The film traces Bruce Lee's remarkable journey from a disciplined childhood in Hong Kong through his move to America, where he opens a kung fu school, falls in love with Linda (Lauren Holly), and rises to become one of cinema's most electrifying action stars. It blends biography, romance, and martial arts spectacle.
What is the recurring demon in the film?
Throughout the film, Bruce Lee is haunted by a terrifying armored demon — a symbolic representation of the darkness and mortality that shadowed his life. Played by Sven-Ole Thorsen, the demon appears in dream sequences and is widely interpreted as a metaphor for Bruce Lee's inner fears, destiny, and the mysterious circumstances of his early death.
Where can I watch Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story?
You can watch Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story by renting or buying it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently available on a major subscription streaming service, but digital rental is widely accessible across multiple platforms.
How long is Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story?
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story runs for 1 hour and 59 minutes (119 minutes). It's a full-length biographical drama that covers a broad sweep of Bruce Lee's life, from his early years in Hong Kong to his meteoric rise as a Hollywood action icon in the early 1970s.
Did Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story perform well at the box office?
Yes, the film was a solid commercial success. Made on a budget of around $14 million, it earned over $63 million worldwide at the box office. That strong return helped cement it as one of the more successful martial arts biographical films of the 1990s and introduced Bruce Lee's legacy to a new generation of fans.
What are some movies similar to Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story?
If you enjoyed Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, you might also like Birth of the Dragon (2017), which explores Bruce Lee's early years, or the Ip Man series — particularly Ip Man 3 (2015) and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) — which follow the legendary grandmaster who trained Bruce Lee. Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is another recent pick.
More About Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
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