There’s a special kind of magic in pairing slapstick kung fu with whiskey shots, and no film does it better than Shanghai Noon (2000). Jackie Chan flipping off walls, Owen Wilson trying to flirt his way out of danger, and a cowboy-Chinese culture clash that practically begs for alcohol-fueled commentary. Whether you’re hosting a movie night, a nostalgic rewatch, or just want an excuse to day-drink with structure, this Shanghai Noon drinking game is your golden ticket to hilarious inebriation.
Ready your glass and your lasso — this isn’t just a movie, it’s a full-contact sipping sport.
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What Is the Shanghai Noon Drinking Game?
In Shanghai Noon’s wild blend of kung fu and cowboy chaos, one scene in particular stole the show: a twin-bathtub drinking game showdown between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Mid-saloon soak, Roy (Wilson) tries to teach Chon (Chan) how to chill with a drink—only for Chon to flip the script and bust out a Chinese drinking game full of chants, claps, and hilarious confusion.
Check out the Shanghai Noon drinking game at this TikTok video. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it became a cult favorite. Turns out, it’s not just a funny moment—it’s a legit drinking game that fans have been trying to crack ever since.
How to Play the Shanghai Noon Drinking Game
If you thought this was just another “sip when Jackie Chan kicks” type of game — think again. In Shanghai Noon, there’s a wild, rhythmic, absolutely bonkers Chinese crab-themed drinking game that combines singing, hand gestures, and drinking penalties, all while potentially soaking in a bubble bath. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. And yes, we’re going to teach you how to drunkenly master it.
What You Need
- 2 players (Ideally, someone who can chant or memorize short lyrics)
- Alcoholic beverages (or non-alcoholic alternatives for the brave).
Preparation
Before you launch into full karaoke crab mode, make sure everyone:
- Knows the lyrics (in English or Chinese).
- Knows the corresponding hand gestures for each number/phrase.
- Has seen someone else fail miserably — because trust us, you will.
1. Learn the Crab Song
You’ll be singing this catchy number:
- One crab with eight feet
- Two pointed horns, what a big crab!
- Blinking eyes, shrinking head
- Crawling, crawling everywhere
- Two and two, who should drink?
- Three and three, who should drink?
- Five and five, who should drink?
- Two and two, you drink first!
- Three and three, you drink first!
- Five and five, you drink first!
2. Perform Hand Gestures While Singing
Every number mentioned in the song has a specific hand gesture. Example:
- “One” – Hold up your thumb.
- “Two” – Hold up your index finger and middle finger.
- “Three” – Hold up your middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.
- “Five” – Hold up all five fingers.
- “Eight” – Hold up your thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
Note: The number 4 is skipped on purpose to trip you up. You’ve been warned.
3. Dramatic gestures for lines like:
- “Big crab” – claw hands
- “Blinking eyes” – exaggerated eye blinks
- “Shrinking head” – turtle your neck like you’re confused
It’s best to do a few slow practice rounds before you start the real game. The goal is to get faster and faster as you repeat the song, until chaos (and chugging) inevitably ensues.
Step-by-Step Rules
- Start the Game
- Both players sing together.
- While singing, perform the matching hand gestures.
- As the game goes on, increase the speed. Try not to laugh. (You will.)
- If You Mess Up… Drink! The second someone:
- Misses a lyric
- Botches a gesture
- Skips a beat
- Does the wrong action for “big crab” or “shrinking head”…
- The song STOPS and that person must take a drink.
- Survive to the End? Start Again — Congrats, you’re a kung fu crab master. Now, start over and speed it up until someone fails.
This game is half performance art, half rhythm challenge, and 100% drunken nonsense. For added authenticity, play this in a bubble bath with your rival, just like Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in Shanghai Noon. No idea why that was part of the movie, but it was.
Bonus Round: Coconut Clash
Already mastered the crab song from Shanghai Noon? Ready to take your crustacean chaos to the next level? Enter Coconut Clash: an online crab-themed drinking game that’s part beach party, part battle royale, and all booze-fueled madness.
It’s the perfect post-Shanghai Noon cooldown or pre-game warm-up.
- It’s Crab-Canon: You just sang about crabs. Now be one. You’ve trained for this.
- Zero Setup: No cards, no props. Just click, play, and drink.
- Multiplayer Mayhem: Compete with friends online, no matter where they are.
- Fast-Paced Rounds: Perfect between movie breaks or after someone botches “shrinking head.”
🥥 Tip: Turn on the game’s background music and mix it with the crab song for a full-blown tropical fever dream. Just don’t blame us when you start calling your roommate “Big Crab.”
Let your movie night evolve from wild west wackiness to full-on crab combat. Whether you’re soaking in a tub reenacting Jackie Chan or flinging coconuts online with friends, Coconut Clash is the drunken cherry on top of your Shanghai Noon experience.
Shanghai Noon Drinking Game Variations for Parties
Easy Mode for Beginners
If the clap-clap-snap is too intense, start slow:
- Use cards to randomize who goes next.
- Skip the hand gestures and just call out numbers.
- Or let someone act as the “game master” who watches for rule breaks.
This version keeps the spirit alive without overwhelming newcomers.
Hardcore Cowboy Mode
Ready to go full Roy O’Bannon? Try this:
- Add a dare every time someone drinks.
- Lose twice in a row? You have to toast in cowboy lingo.
- Mess up and blame the rhythm? You’re singing a Western ballad on your next turn.
Bonus challenge: drink every time someone shouts “Uno mas!” whether they mean it or not.
Kung Fu Challenge Round
How It Works: Every 5 minutes, a bell rings (or someone yells “Wang Style!”). Everyone must freeze. Then, players take turns doing their best kung fu pose or move (try to mix this drinking game with Kung Fu Panda).
Judged By: A designated “Master of Drunken Style” chooses the worst form. That player has to:
- Take a drink
- Speak only in kung fu movie dubbed voice for the next round.
Custom “Shanghai Noon” Drinking Game Cards or Props
If you want to turn your Shanghai Noon drinking game from “silly saloon chaos” into a full-blown party experience, adding custom props and printable cards is a game-changer.
Printable Game Cards
Create a stack of action or twist cards players can draw after messing up a round. These add unpredictability and hilarious consequences to every mistake. You can easily print these on cardstock or make a digital version using an app like Canva or Notion.
Examples of Custom Cards:
- “Speak Like Roy” – For the next round, you can only talk in cowboy lingo. Think “howdy partner” and “this town ain’t big enough…”
- “Wang Style” – Use chopsticks instead of your hands for gestures until your next turn.
- “Switcheroo” – Trade numbers with another player on the spot.
- “One-Handed Bandit” – You can only use one hand for gestures next round.
- “Silent Saloon” – Perform your next round without saying a word—just gestures. If you succeed, assign someone else to drink.
Movie Drinking Games Inspired by Jackie Chan Films
Shanghai Knights Drinking Game
- Drink every time a British stereotype shows up.
- Extra sips for horse chases or umbrella fights.
- Bonus round: everyone must speak in a fake accent for five minutes.
Rush Hour Rule Set
- Every time Chris Tucker yells “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”—drink.
- Drink every time Jackie does an impossible stunt.
- Triple shot if a traffic chase ends in an explosion.
Jackie Chan films are a goldmine for drinking game material. Just don’t try the stunts. Seriously.
Themed Props
Why stop at cards? Here are a few simple props to really set the scene:
- Cowboy hats: Whoever’s losing wears the “Loser’s Hat” until someone else messes up.
- “Uno Mas” bell: Ring a small desk bell or hit a gong every time someone says “Uno mas!” or loses.
- Wanted posters: Create fake “Wanted for Bad Rhythm” posters and hang them around your party zone.
These simple, low-cost additions transform a casual game into an unforgettable themed event. It’s all about immersion—and a little friendly humiliation.
Final Toast for Shanghai Noon Movie Drinking Game
This game is half performance art, half rhythm challenge, and 100% drunken nonsense. For added authenticity, play this in a bubble bath with your rival, just like Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in Shanghai Noon. No idea why that was part of the movie, but it was.
Let the claws come out.