"ქიქბოქსიორი" იყო ერთ-ერთი პირველი ფილმი, რომელმაც ფართო მაყურებელს გააცნო მუაი-თაი.
: While initiated by a desire for vengeance, Kurt’s journey evolves into a quest for personal growth and respect for martial arts traditions.
Directed by Richard W. Wainwright and produced by Kingsley W. Bricknell, Kickboxer was released in 1989 to moderate success. The film tells the story of Eric McNamara (played by Eric Roberts), an American kickboxer who travels to Thailand to avenge his brother's death at the hands of the ruthless kickboxer, Bangaard (played by Sibongani Ndlovu). Along the way, Eric teams up with his brother's friend, Victor (played by Mickey Rourke), a tough-as-nails Thai kickboxer who helps him to master the art of Muay Thai.
სწორედ ამ ფილმის შემდეგ გახდა ტაილანდური კრივი მასობრივად ცნობილი დასავლეთში.