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Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock

Actor and producer, also writer · Born March 8, 1957 (69) · Wilmington, Delaware, USA

Cynthia Rothrock (born March 8, 1957) is an American martial artist and actress in martial arts films. She holds black belt rankings in seven styles of martial arts and was a high-level competitor in martial arts before becoming an actress. In 2014, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall Of Fame. In 2016, Martial Arts History Museum bestowed Rothrock the official title of "The Queen Of Martial Arts." Rothrock was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and began training in martial arts at the age of 13. She quickly rose through the ranks, winning numerous championships in karate, kickboxing and taekwondo. In 1981, she was named World Champion in Forms and Weapons. In 1985, Rothrock made her film debut, alongside Michelle Yeoh, in the Hong Kong action film "Yes, Madam!" The film was a box office success and made Rothrock a star in Asia. She went on to star in several more Hong Kong films, including "Millionaires' Express" (1986), "Magic Crystal" (1986), "Righting Wrongs" (1986) and "Lady Reporter" (1989). Rothrock would return to the United States to further her acting career in many more martial arts films, including two "China O'Brien" movies in 1990, as well as "Lady Dragon" (1992), "Rage And Honor" (1992) and "Sworn To Justice" (1996). In 2024, Rothrock co-wrote, produced and starred in a crowd-funded martial arts western, entitled "Black Creek," for which there's also an accompanying graphic novel. Rothrock made history by becoming the inaugural woman to grace the cover of Karate Illustrated (August 1981)[20] and holds the distinction of being the first woman featured on the cover three times in the magazine's history. In March 2024, Black Belt Magazine named Rothrock in its list of "The Most Influential Women Martial Artists on the Planet." Along with teaching martial arts, Rothrock is also a successful businesswoman, with her own line of martial arts clothing and accessories.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 8, 1957 (69)
From
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Works as
Actor and producer, also writer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 76 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 44% in 30 days

What are Cynthia Rothrock's films like?

Across their 39 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action35 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 24th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 14th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
53%
Bonds
23%
Survival
13%
Power
4%
Self
4%
Society
3%
Justice25 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival12 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 39 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 23 · Serious 13 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 22 · Intense 13

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 20 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 25 · Relentless 9

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 30 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 37 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

33 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 17 of 33 analyzed roles.

Hero
17 of 33
Ally
13 of 33
Shadow
2 of 33
Mentor
1 of 33
Show the 33 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
33
Tense
25
Absurd
17
Joyful
5
Warm
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Fun31 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy27
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Cynthia Rothrock's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Cynthia Rothrock's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

76 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Black Creek: Retribution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    Producer · Writer · as Rose Jennings

  • Prey of Wrath(2026)

    as Brenda Sands

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dying for Living(2026)

    as Sin

  • Darkness of Man(2024)

    as Nurse Leslie

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Black Creek(2024)

    Costume Design · Producer · Writer · as Rose Jennings

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Lady Scorpions(2024)

    as Alena Moore

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Last Kumite(2024)

    as Julie Jackson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Fyre Rises(2024)

    as Commander Bodie

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Taken from Rio Bravo(2024)

    as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • No Time To Think (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Rachel Adams

  • Buckle Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Lady X

  • Ryan Carson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Ally Watson

  • New York Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Det. Janet Flores (voice)

  • Cool Cat Kids Superhero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Momma Cat

  • Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece(2018)

    as Counter Attendant

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Death Fighter(2017)

    as Valerie

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine(2017)

    as Kandra Syn

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • A Doggone Hollywood(2017)

    as Mom in Car

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Asian Ghost Story(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Showdown in Manila(2016)

    as Haines

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Martial Arts Kid(2015)

    Co-Producer · as Cindy

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Cool Cat Saves the Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Momma Cat

  • Mercenaries(2014)

    as Mona

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Badass Showdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Ivy

  • Santa's Summer House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Nanna

  • Sci-Fighter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon

  • Lost Bullet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cynthia

  • Outside the Law(2002)

    Executive Producer · as Julie Cosgrove

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Erin Murphy

  • Manhattan Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Nancy

  • Tiger Claws III(1999)

    as Linda Masterson

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Hostage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Agent Rebecca Peters

  • Deep Cover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason

  • The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!(1997)

    as Bertha Jo

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Night Vision(1997)

    as Kristin O'Connor

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Sworn to Justice(1996)

    Associate Producer · as Janna

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Tiger Claws II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Linda Masterson

  • Eye for an Eye(1996)

    as Tina

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Hercules: The Legendary Journeys(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Enforcer II

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Portrait in Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Laurel

  • Guardian Angel(1994)

    as Cynthia McKay

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Fast Getaway II(1994)

    as Lilly

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Lady Dragon 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan

  • Rage and Honor II(1993)

    Associate Producer · as Kris Fairchild

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Irresistible Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Charlotte Heller

  • Undefeatable(1993)

    as Kristi Jones

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Angel the Kickboxer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Kristi Jones

  • Eek! The Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Cynthia Rothrock (voice)

  • Honor and Glory(1992)

    Producer · as Tracey Pride

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Lady Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Kathy Galagher

  • Rage and Honor(1992)

    Associate Producer · as Kris Fairchild

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Angel Of Fury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Nancy Bolan

  • Martial Law II: Undercover(1991)

    as Billie Blake

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Tiger Claws(1992)

    as Linda Masterson

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Fast Getaway(1991)

    as Lilly

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Tiada Titik Balik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kathy

  • Martial Law(1990)

    as Billie Blake

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Prince of the Sun(1990)

    as Bencheuk

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • China O'Brien II(1990)

    as China O'Brien

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • China O'Brien(1990)

    as China O'Brien

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • No Witnesses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Miao tan shuang long(1989)

    as Inspector Cindy

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Lady Reporter(1989)

    as Cindy

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Top Squad(1988)

    as Madam Law

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Jungle Heat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • No Retreat, No Surrender 2(1987)

    as Terry

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Fight to Win (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sensei Lauren

  • Righting Wrongs(1986)

    as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Magic Crystal(1986)

    as Cindy Morgan

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Millionaires' Express(1986)

    as Mountain Bandit

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Yes, Madam!(1985)

    as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • 24 Hours to Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Devon Grady

  • Anadellia Rises (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Priscilla Kasper

  • Operation Dagon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Vendetta Vette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as LaRue

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles, 72 of them dated from 1985 to 2026; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

Showdown in Manila (2016)

$623K worldwide

Highest rated

Righting Wrongs (1986)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

Millionaires' Express (1986)

Film career

19852026

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting76 of 76: 68 only acting, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score24thWriting2 of 76: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing8 of 76: 0 only producing, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score25thOther crew1 of 76: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

76 titles, 8 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1980s11 · acting1990s32 · 32 acting · 4 crew2000s5 · 5 acting · 1 crew2010s12 · 12 acting · 1 crew2020s12 · 12 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 48% of 27 roles
85909510

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Cynthia Rothrock's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 24th percentile, the median of the 42 of 43 with a score; across their 38 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 25th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Approval · how many liked their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th22

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 43 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed30

Most divisive · actor

Prey of Wrath (2026)

96th percentile spread · 66% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Righting Wrongs (1986)

Midcredits 86th · 71% liked

Reviewers score the acting 43/100 in their films, across 38 reviewed titles; fans 61, detractors 26. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Cynthia Rothrock work with?

People who share at least 2 of Cynthia Rothrock's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Richard Norton shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles