Let's be honest: the best action movies are often better - or at least more entertaining - than the best movies from any other genre. Good action movies are worth celebrating, and that's what the following list of titles aims to do: show the action genre at its very best. Adrenaline junkies and action fans should make it a priority to check out all the following, as they comprise what can be definitively declared the best action movies of all time. In celebration of what could be the most cinematic genre out there, here's an overview of the action genre throughout the decades, and the movies that represent it best. With a mix of classics and newer films, the following is an attempt to rank some of the greatest action-packed movies of all time, with all being essential viewing for fans of the action genre.
50
'Coffy' (1973)
- Directed by Jack Hill
Few actors or actresses have ever been quite as cool as Pam Grier, especially when she was at the height of her popularity in the 1970s (though she had a great comeback in the 1990s, partly thanks to Jackie Brown). Of her early films, Coffy and Foxy Brown are likely Grier's most iconic, with the former being the slightly stronger one overall, particularly for those after a satisfying crime/action movie.
Coffy sees a nurse taking matters into her own hands when the drugs and crime that surround her life overwhelm her, and she enacts vengeance against the various nefarious individuals responsible for such wrongdoing and hardships. It’s a no-nonsense approach to being a vigilante movie, but it all works exceedingly well, and Grier is more than up to the task of considerably elevating the already solid material found elsewhere in the film.
49
'Sorcerer' (1977)
- Directed by William Friedkin
It's always hard to top a film that’s already seen as a classic when it comes to doing a reboot/remake, and William Friedkin therefore had a difficult task ahead of him when it came to making Sorcerer. This 1977 film is a reimagining of The Wages of Fear, which is one of the best movies of the 1950s. Both films are white-knuckle thriller/adventure films, following individuals tasked with transporting highly explosive material across rough terrain.
It's hard to say which is better between The Wages of Fear and Sorcerer, and it is safe to say that both are worth checking out for fans of the thriller/action genres. But Sorcerer is a little shorter and snappier, and it was made more recently (comparatively speaking), so its more surprising scenes hit harder and feel more visceral. It’s an intense and unnerving experience in all the best ways.
48
'Goldfinger' (1964)
- Directed by Guy Hamilton
Though it feels like the James Bond movies have been around forever, back in 1964, the film series was relatively new. In fact, Goldfinger was only the third of the bunch, but to this date, it’s still usually considered up there as one of the greatest movies featuring 007 and includes perhaps Sean Connery’s greatest single performance in the lead role out of all of them.
Narratively, Goldfinger is typical spy/adventure/action stuff, with the main villain having an ambitious plan that involves a heist at Fort Knox, the consequences of which intend to disrupt the entire world economy. Of course, Bond is the only person up to the task of stopping such a thing from happening, and he does this while traveling to exotic locales, charming beautiful women, and kicking/punching/shooting various adversaries for good measure. You know, classic 007 stuff.
47
'North by Northwest' (1959)
- Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Though he made many great movies throughout his time, few Alfred Hitchcock films can strictly be labeled as action movies. Most of the time, Hitchcock was focused on suspense, favoring the build-up to an explosion more than showing the explosion itself, for example. But then came North by Northwest, which was one of his most action-packed efforts and showed the filmmaker was more than capable of tackling that broadest and most wide-appealing of genres.
North by Northwest is also a thriller, an adventure movie, something of a comedy, and a film that doesn’t skimp on romance, with Cary Grant being paired excellently with the always delightful Eva Marie Saint. Both shine in scenes both comedic and action-focused in nature and to this day, North by Northwest is simply a relentlessly fun ride about a desperate chase playing out in the wake of an ordinary man getting accused of being a spy.
46
'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One' (2023)
- Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
It’s not the easiest thing in the world to label one of the Mission: Impossible movies as the best, as they all have different things to offer while having generally consistent action and sequences of impressive stunt work. The ever-committed Tom Cruise sought to outdo what had been done in previous installments with 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and the results were largely successful and genuinely thrilling.
Like any Mission: Impossible movie, the plot of Dead Reckoning Part One is a bit all over the shop and not too important, ultimately benefitting from an interesting AI villain and using what it has narratively to showcase some truly impressive sequences. It’s a movie that’s worth watching for the final act on board a train alone, but everything up until that point is also great, ensuring Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a top-tier action/adventure/thriller movie.
45
'Why Don’t You Play in Hell?' (2013)
- Directed by Sion Sono
Yakuza movies tend to get pretty violent, but at the same time, few can hold up to the level of carnage and bloodshed on display in the over-the-top Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (a movie that also might have one of the best titles in recent memory). It’s about a film crew going to great lengths to capture authenticity in the movie they’re making, which leads to them finding themselves in the middle of a genuine yakuza gang war.
It's not the most serious of looks at the infamous Japanese criminal organization, but the yakuza movie is certainly one of the most entertaining and darkly funny. Balancing the bloody violence and comedy with some occasional drama and simple but compelling characters, Why Don’t You Play in Hell? is a winner overall, so long as you’re not too squeamish a viewer.
44
Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind' (1980)
- Directed by Tsui Hark
Speaking of violent, dark, and fairly wild movies, Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind is genuinely unlike anything else out there and serves as one of the most uncompromising and cynical action/crime/thriller movies of all time. The lead characters comprise a trio of social outcasts who one day begin setting off explosives in public places, seemingly for a laugh, which catches the attention of a much more violent and ruthless young woman who wants to use them for her own violent means.
Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind (not to be mixed up with a certain Steven Spielberg movie) looks at social isolation, the tedium of life in the 20th century, terrorism, misanthropy, and the cruel nature of fate. It’s the sort of thing that’s unpredictable from scene to scene, and it moves at a good pace, all the while having brief bursts of uneasy violence and tense action. It’s not for everyone, but it deserves credit for how out there it’s willing to get.
Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.
43
'Magnificent Warriors' (1987)
- Directed by David Chung
Michelle Yeoh is best known for starring in movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Everything Everywhere All At Once (winning a well-deserved Oscar for the latter), but her filmography goes back surprisingly far. Something like Magnificent Warriors isn’t as well known as those aforementioned later films she starred in, but is amazing and underrated nonetheless, and certainly deserving of more love.
It delivers so much action within a relatively short runtime and is one of those excellently paced movies belonging to this genre that somehow keeps on one-upping itself with every big scene. It takes place during a time of war but focuses more on explosive action and entertaining spectacle than being a traditional war movie. There are also key places in Magnificent Warriors where one can see other films that may have influenced it, but that’s okay when such influences are remixed and reimagined the way they are during this entertaining ride of a film.
42
'Revenge' (2017)
- Directed by Coralie Fargeat
When a movie has a simple title, it can be a relatively safe sign that it will also have a simple premise, and that’s definitely the case for Revenge, which is about revenge. Specifically, the individual seeking vengeance is a young woman who’s horrifically mistreated and then left to die in the desert by a trio of men. When she miraculously (and perhaps even supernaturally) survives, she goes about getting back at them in an exciting, cathartic, and sometimes stomach-churning fashion.
Revenge gets extremely brutal at times, and even those who are okay with 99% of violent/gory scenes may find a couple of points in this film to be too much (the self-surgery scenes look way too convincing; that’s all that needs to be said). Still, by committing to this simple premise and tackling it in such a visceral and stylish way, Revenge is a hard movie to forget or shake, and instantly established its director, Coralie Fargeat, as someone to keep an eye on going forward (especially considering this was only her feature film debut).
41
'Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril' (1972)
- Directed by Buichi Saitō
Not to be mixed up with the similarly named Chuck Norris film Lone Wolf McQuade, Lone Wolf, and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril is instead an installment in the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub samurai movie series. This is the fourth film that was made within that series and somehow came out the same year that the first three did: 1972. It’s remarkable how quickly they were all churned out, considering how good they are.
Baby Cart in Peril continues the adventures of the revenge-seeking former executioner Ogami Itto and his young son, here being assigned with killing a notorious assassin while clashing with a feared clan of fighters. The plot isn’t always super necessary, with this Lone Wolf and Cub movie – like most of them – being most concerned with delivering bloody, over-the-top action and taking no prisoners in the process. In that sense, it’s a rousing success, and a blast to watch.
40
'Last Hurrah for Chivalry' (1979)
- Directed by John Woo
Any discussion about great on-screen action is inevitably going to involve name-dropping John Woo one or several times. Few directors have delivered explosive shootouts quite as well as he has, but less well-celebrated are his efforts within the martial arts genre, and it’s one of his earliest movies – Last Hurrah for Chivalry – that shows his surprising knack for staging elaborate combat sequences that don’t contain firearms.
Last Hurrah for Chivalry is one of the most underrated action movies of its era, and an essential martial arts film for those who like this brand of action. Its plot can be convoluted, throwing together a group of skilled fighters and giving them all intense reasons to dislike each other and clash, but it never loses the plot entirely, and even if it did, most wouldn’t mind when the fight scenes are as good as they happen to be here.
39
'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
- Directed by Steven Spielberg
While it’s not the only Indiana Jones movie worth bringing up when discussing great action movies, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is usually considered a series highlight, and likely to be either the second-favorite or favorite for most people. It retreads some familiar territory during this third time around for the titular roguish hero, but The Last Crusade does have an ace up its sleeve in the form of Sean Connery.
He's paired expertly here with Harrison Ford’s protagonist, portraying Indy’s father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr., with their dynamic injecting a healthy dose of comedy into the proceedings and making this action/adventure film also feel like a buddy movie. That coupled with typically great action sensibilities from the ever-versatile Steven Spielberg ensures The Last Crusade is a great time, and one movie that manages to blend action with suitable amounts of humor and heart very well.
38
'The Good, The Bad, The Weird' (2008)
- Directed by Kim Jee-Woon
Anyone who’s a fan of both action cinema and the classic Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly owes it to themselves to stop whatever they’re doing and watch The Good, The Bad, The Weird. It’s a Korean film that takes a similar premise to Sergio Leone’s legendary 1966 film and injects it with broader comedy and more over-the-top action, making for a relentless and dizzying viewing experience.
The characters of The Good, The Bad, and The Weird inhabit a cruel world and are similarly hard-edged for survival’s sake, all the while scheming and competing to get to a hidden stash of treasure before anyone else. It’s a film that shows how you don’t, by any means, need to come up with a brand-new plot for a movie to have a reason to exist, as the presentation, emphasis on action, and style of The Good, the Bad, the Weird prove to be more than enough to make it feel fresh and unique.
37
'Mad Max 2' (1981)
- Directed by George Miller
Though it feels, in hindsight, a bit like a feature-length warm-up for a certain 2015 film within the same series, Mad Max 2 is still an excellent action/sci-fi movie in its own right. Sometimes called The Road Warrior, Mad Max 2 takes the character and world of the first movie and does something radical with them, while the original from 1979 was more of a revenge thriller that was surprisingly light on action, Mad Max 2 goes for broke and feels a great deal bigger.
And sure, the Mad Max series as a whole would wage into even more grand territory further down the road, but Mad Max 2 was pretty unreal for its time. The titular character clashes in a post-apocalyptic landscape with a foe known as Lord Humungus, who lives up to his name and becomes a great source of conflict, leading to a ton of action crammed into a runtime that’s only a little over an hour-and-a-half long.
36
'A Touch of Zen' (1971)
- Directed by King Hu
A Touch of Zen could well be definable as a fantasy movie, as it gets pretty mystical in parts and has an overall strange and otherworldly atmosphere. While it does eventually reveal itself to be a rather fantastic martial arts movie, it's a patient film that takes some time to get to the action, so to speak. For the first hour or so of the fantasy-action movie's mammoth three-hour runtime, there's little to no action to be found.
Instead, A Touch of Zen is all about atmosphere and is dedicated to being a slow-burn, though once the action does start, it's spellbinding to watch. The plot is fairly straightforward overall, being about a woman on the run and how she joins forces with a group of monks to eventually stand up to those pursuing her, but it's the execution that makes the film special and an undeniably essential watch for any and all martial arts fans.
35
'Dune: Part Two' (2024)
- Directed by Denis Villeneuve
The Dune duology has two distinct halves, with 2021’s Dune being mostly focused on world-building and set-up before having a more action-heavy final act. Dune: Part Two isn’t necessarily constant action and fighting, but it has noticeably more compared to the first film. Characters are established, the stakes have been set, and the climactic action here is even bigger and more spectacular than comparable scenes found in the first movie.
Denis Villeneuve uses Dune: Part Two to further demonstrate his mastery of the science fiction genre, with both Dune movies standing together to be an immense and amazing epic blending adventure, sci-fi, drama, and action to stunning effect. Dune: Part Two isn’t just an action movie by any means, but that side of it impresses more than enough for it to be considered a great action film alongside being an excellent sci-fi flick.
34
'The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter' (1984)
- Directed by Lau Kar-Leung
Like the aforementioned Touch of Zen, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter is another absolutely essential martial arts movie classic that's lost none of its impact in the decades since its original release. The plot is minimal, all things considered, with The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter's narrative essentially boiling down to an elongated and bloody quest for revenge on the part of one inexperienced martial artist (who soon becomes very experienced) after a violent and bloody betrayal.
It might be a little unclear what all the hype is about surrounding The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter at first, but viewers should stick with this one for the long haul. The final 15 to 20 minutes delivers some of the best and most brutal action sequences in the history of the action genre, and it's all a sight to behold (so long as one isn't looking away from the screen, owing to all the surprisingly gruesome violence that still feels a little hard to watch to this day).
33
'To Live and Die in L.A.' (1985)
- Directed by William Friedkin
When it comes to the filmography of the legendary William Friedkin, you can’t really go wrong with much of what’s there. And sure, his best efforts were probably from the 1970s (looking at you, The French Connection and The Exorcist), but beyond that decade, his best single film might well be that of To Live and Die in L.A., which is a gritty blend of crime/action/thriller genres that feels of its time, yet also somehow timeless.
Like a great many action movies, the plot here never gets too complex, more or less being focused on one man’s quest for revenge against an elusive criminal after his Secret Service agent partner is killed in cold blood. To Live and Die in L.A. is relentless, violent, and unpredictable, and delivers some seriously impressive action within its runtime, including an all-time great car chase sequence.
32
'Hero' (2002)
- Directed by Zhang Yimou
For a movie that’s got a title as simple as Hero, this 2002 martial arts epic does have a surprisingly complex and intricate structure, even if the plot itself isn’t too convoluted, at the end of the day. Things revolve around one hugely talented warrior detailing how he took down three assassins in rapid succession, each playing out through a series of gorgeously filmed and quite stunning flashbacks.
Once the stories are over, other things transpire that aren’t worth spoiling, but the overall structure and slow-burn narrative building in the film’s present do somewhat mimic the storytelling found in Masaki Kobayashi’s Harakiri. Hero is a good deal more action-centered than that iconic samurai drama movie, though, and is worth a watch for just how visually beautiful it is alone (that the action is also very good honestly just feels like icing on the cake).
31
'Drunken Master II' (1994)
- Directed by Lau Kar-Leung
It’s impossible to talk about great action movies without bringing up the legendary Jackie Chan, who’s been in so much (and many of those titles get underrated/overlooked). One of his earlier starring roles was in Drunken Master, and while that film was a more than a solid piece of martial arts entertainment, its eventual sequel, 1994’s Drunken Master II (sometimes known as Legend of the Drunken Master) was a significant improvement in almost every regard.
This 1994 flick is funnier and far more bombastic when it comes to action, delivering some huge sequences where Chan’s character and an ally take on dozens of foes, as well as a climactic fight where Jackie Chan fights another skilled martial artist in a scene that feels like it never ends, all the while continually escalating. Those who aren’t familiar with martial arts outside American cinema ought to make watching the martial arts classic Drunken Master II a priority because it undoubtedly represents this genre at its best.
30
'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)
- Directed by Joseph Kosinski
The original Top Gun is a solid enough movie, but not one that holds up particularly well. It's probably liked for nostalgic reasons, rather than for being a genuinely great movie, but thankfully, Top Gun: Maverick was able to build upon it and spin the familiar into something great, in turn feeling like one of the very best movies released during the 2020s so far. It's also no secret at this stage that it's one of the highest-grossing in recent memory, too.
It was far better as a movie than just about anyone was expecting, and arguably stands as one of the greatest sequels of all time, given how much of an improvement it is on the first. Tom Cruise's dedication to the role makes it shine, and all the scenes of aerial training and combat are genuinely thrilling to watch.
29
'Predator' (1987)
- Directed by John McTiernan
Even if Predator isn't the very best Arnold Schwarzenegger movie out there, it has to be a contender. Predator is a fantastic blend of action, sci-fi, and even a little horror, given it pits a fearsome team of commandos up against a rarely-seen alien enemy who hunts them for sport, and with ruthless efficiency, deep in a Central American jungle.
It's at its best in the final act, when Schwarzenegger's character is essentially alone against the titular monster/alien, with the extended one-on-one battle of wits playing out with minimal dialogue, and plenty of suspense. It's a well-polished movie that's far less schlocky than its reputation might have one believe, and deservedly stands as a 1980s action classic, with the film perfectly combining action and sci-fi to stunning effect.
28
'The Killer' (1989)
- Directed by John Woo
A John Woo movie that was clearly influential on the action movies that followed in its wake, The Killer is an overall excellent and action-packed film. It follows a remorseful assassin who wants to atone for a hit that went wrong with unintended consequences, only for his personal quest to land him in even deeper trouble.
It's both a tragedy and an explosive, gunfight-heavy spectacle, and the way it balances its somber story with very over-the-top action is something of a filmmaking miracle. Later John Woo movies might deliver even more wild action set pieces, but few action movies hit as hard as The Killer does when it comes to the emotional content of the stories they tell. For that main reason, it's pretty much an action movie masterpiece.
27
'Heat' (1995)
- Directed by Michael Mann
Heat might not have as frequent action scenes as most action movies, but here, it's all about the quality, rather than the quantity. Its legacy as a great action cinema is cemented by its bank robbery/shootout sequence alone, which is a perfectly executed - and ferociously intense - scene that's lost none of its power in the years since Heat was first released.
Also helping Heat is the fact that it has a fantastic cast led by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and a solidly told story that unfolds steadily over an almost three-hour-long runtime. It earns that length and feels suitably epic, making it among the best action movies of its decade. It's also a film that could well rank as the greatest achievement within Michael Mann's career, which is certainly saying something, considering how many high-quality movies he's made.
26
'Speed' (1994)
- Directed by Jan de Bont
There's a wonderful simplicity and silliness to Speed's premise that makes it instantly hook the viewer in. The characters are stuck on a bus that is set to explode if the bus drops below a certain speed, and so things are always moving forward and feeling tense, given the danger inherent from such a premise; a danger that never fully goes away.
It helps make Speed one of the best movies of 1994, with its cast - including Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper - enhancing things further. Speed is a constantly thrilling action movie, and it delivers something that's consistently fast-paced and never boring, making it easy to recommend for fans of cinematic excitement.
25
'Fast Five' (2011)
- Directed by Justin Lin
The Fast and Furious series has turned into a behemoth franchise at this point in time. It began in 2001 and had a 10th entry released in May 2023, with the series focusing on illegal street races near the beginning, and then transitioning to more spy/espionage-focused stories in later entries.
Fast Five was the point where the series made that dramatic transition, with far more explosive and over-the-top action, and less street racing than had been seen before. It was instrumental in transforming the series into one of the 21st century's biggest action-heavy movie franchises so far, and holds up as a series high point, ultimately being worthy of squeezing into a list of the best action movies of all time.
24
'RRR' (2022)
- Directed by S.S. Rajamouli
In a year when some people began to express a certain amount of superhero fatigue, RRR stepped up to the plate and showed the world how modern action blockbusters should work. It fictionalizes the exploits of two Indian revolutionaries (who never actually met in real life), essentially turning the pair into superheroes while showing them teaming up to take on the Crown rule in India during the early 1900s.
RRR has a lengthy three-hour runtime that nevertheless flies by thanks to good pacing, fantastic action, and a straightforward yet emotionally satisfying story filled with likable heroes and immensely hateable villains. It's explosive and over-the-top in the best way possible, with RRR deserving worldwide success in 2022.
23
'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
- Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo
The impact of Avengers: Endgame is only truly felt when one's seen the majority of the MCU movies that came before it. It was technically the second-last Phase 3 film, but still served as a climax for the first three phases of the MCU as a whole, given it centered on fighting back against Thanos and reversing the damage he caused to the universe at the end of 2018's Infinity War.
Through a time-travel narrative, it manages to revisit previous films in the series and view them from different perspectives, all before things culminate in the largest superhero battle depicted in the MCU so far. It's a great finale, earning its huge runtime and setting a high bar that subsequent MCU movies have (so far) failed to match. Grand superhero crossover movies haven't gotten much better than this, and it remains to be seen whether it'll ever be equaled or topped in the future.
22
'The Bourne Ultimatum' (2007)
- Directed by Paul Greengrass
Beginning with The Bourne Identity in 2002, the series about Jason Bourne - a CIA assassin struggling to recollect his past - proved hugely influential for the action genre. The first three movies were particularly great and helped usher in a fresh style of action movies, focusing on grittier, more realistic fights, fast-paced editing, and often shaky camerawork. When it came to the last of those, such a stylistic choice did become less aggressive and in-your-face as the series went on.
It's a style that certainly only sometimes gets imitated well, but the first three Bourne movies pulled it off. The best of them is likely 2007's The Bourne Ultimatum, which wraps up many of the trilogy's mysteries satisfyingly and makes for a great ending (especially considering 2012's The Bourne Legacy and 2016's Jason Bourne weren't so good).
21
'Casino Royale' (2006)
- Directed by Martin Campbell
The James Bond series is one of the longest-running in cinema history, and it's a vitally important one within the action genre as a whole. For as great as the campier, escapism-heavy entries could be, however, there's a case to be made that 2006's Casino Royale is the best of the lot.
It took some inspiration from the aforementioned Bourne movies, with a darker tone and slightly more grounded action. It's a tough, lean, brutally effective take on James Bond, and ushered Daniel Craig into the titular role in immense style, cementing him as a star and one of the best on-screen Bonds so far. Purists might still want to stick to Sean Connery, but Craig established himself as a 007 to be reckoned with in this dynamite film; one of the very best in the entire long-running movie series.
20
'Face/Off' (1997)
- Directed by John Woo
Face/Off is a gloriously wild movie, and easily one of the best action films of the 1990s. Who could resist a movie that sees John Travolta and Nicolas Cage as adversaries who end up swapping faces and getting wrapped up in the other's life, all the while continuing their violent rivalry that only one can emerge from alive?
It's also easily the best movie John Woo's made while directing in Hollywood, with its ridiculous plot that never lets up, entertaining and funny lead performances, and action that's as silly as it is spectacular. It takes a crazy premise and actually makes it work, becoming a classic of the action genre in the process. With its rather ludicrous plot, Face/Off also functions as a genuinely great piece of science fiction cinema, too, even if it's most concerned with delivering action-packed thrills.
19
'Police Story' (1985)
- Directed by Jackie Chan and Chi-Hwa Chen
Truth be told, many Jackie Chan movies could be considered among the best in the action genre. Few martial arts stars have committed themselves with such dedication to their craft and the stunts they do on-screen, with Chan's earlier movies, in particular, having awe-inspiring (and painful-looking) stunts and fight scenes constantly.
Few offer quite as much as the original Police Story, though. It's less comedic than most of Chan's other Hong Kong action movies, but makes up for it with incredible action sequences, with the climactic fight in a shopping mall being a particularly staggering scene that needs to be seen to be believed. It's a movie that kicks off almost straight away and then never lets up, making Police Story a blast to watch from start to finish.
18
'Bullitt' (1968)
- Directed by Peter Yates
Few action scenes are as consistently reliable as the good old-fashioned car chase, and few action movies deliver car chases like Bullitt does. It's one of the best-known Steve McQueen movies and focuses on his character - a San Francisco cop - trying to find the person who killed a witness who was in his protection.
Truth be told, it's relatively light on the action until its climax, but the way it ends is more than enough to make it an all-timer within the genre. Its lengthy car chase in the final act is legendary for how well edited, paced, and shot it is, memorably using the unique layout of San Francisco to its advantage, and is a go-to example of how to make a chase scene exciting. Even if you only watch Bullitt for one scene, that single sequence makes it all worthwhile.
17
'Gladiator' (2000)
- Directed by Ridley Scott
Winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Gladiator was a huge commercial and critical success, and a high point in the careers of its star, Russell Crowe, and its director, Ridley Scott. Its revenge-focused story is a tale as old as time, but it's the execution and visceral gladiator sequences that make it shine.
It's all incredibly well-made and easy to get invested in and also helped kick off a short-lived trend of big-budget historical action epics (like Troy, Kingdom of Heaven, and arguably even 300). Few were anywhere near as good as Gladiator, though, and as a throwback to the Hollywood epics of old, it works amazingly well. Whether you want to assess it alongside Ridley Scott's other historical films or rank it among his movies in general, Gladiator emerges as one of his very best either way.
16
'The Raid 2' (2014)
- Directed by Gareth Evans
Make no mistake: The Raid (2011) was a fantastic and brutal martial arts movie. It largely took place inside a single apartment complex, following a SWAT team getting trapped inside and forced to fight their way out or risk certain death. Its 2014 sequel, however, escalated things to a whole other level and was somehow even better.
The Raid 2 had a larger scale and a more complex story revolving around a gang war, but made sure to keep the action frequent and consistently exciting. Like the first, sequences in it prove absolutely brutal to watch, meaning it's likely not an action movie for all... but those who can handle some fairly grisly on-screen violence should make checking out both films a priority.
15
'Hard Boiled' (1992)
- Directed by John Woo
While Face/Off might well be John Woo's best American film, he also made numerous films in Hong Kong that are just as good, or arguably even better as action movies. The Killer (1989) might have the best and most emotional story of all his Hong Kong movies, but it's 1992's Hard Boiled that delivers the best and most explosive action. It honestly has numerous scenes that need to be seen to be believed; the action is gloriously over-the-top.
Its simple plot about two cops taking on a large criminal gang gives plenty of excuses for huge action sequences to occur, with the largest of all taking up much of the final act. Plenty of slow motion, thousands of bullets fired, and a body count in the hundreds all make Hard Boiled one of the biggest and most exciting shoot-em-up action movies ever.
14
'Enter the Dragon' (1973)
- Directed by Robert Clouse
Bruce Lee's tragically early death meant that he only got to be the lead in a handful of films in his brief yet impactful career as a martial arts actor. Those films still manage to deliver plenty of action paired with Lee's natural charisma, with the best of all his movies being his final completed film: Enter the Dragon.
It was released one month after he passed away, and though scenes Lee shot for Game of Death ended up in that 1978 film, it didn't feel complete or as satisfying overall as Enter the Dragon. Martial arts movies don't get much better than this, with a plot about a martial arts tournament that expands into something more. Enter the Dragon serves as a perfect showcase for what made the late Bruce Lee so great.
13
'John Wick: Chapter 4' (2023)
- Directed by Chad Stahelski
As far as modern-day action franchises go, few do it better than the John Wick series does. The films may have some flaws, but they shine brighter than the vast majority of modern-day action movies, with increasingly creative fight-and-chase sequences throughout, and excellent stunt work that's often presented with minimal editing or close-up shots designed to hide imperfections.
And it's hard not to admire a series that continually gets better and more exciting with its action set pieces, culminating with the remarkable (and epic-length) John Wick: Chapter 4. If it's the last viewers see of Wick and his adventures, it's a great note to end on, with the final hour of the movie, in particular, delivering one thrilling and off-the-wall action sequence after another.
12
'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' (2018)
- Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Alongside the John Wick series, the Mission: Impossible franchise has also done a great job at continuing to get better with pretty much every new release. Anticipation is high for what comes next, but the high point of the series at this stage is arguably the sixth film in the Tom Cruise-led franchise: 2018's Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
It doesn't offer much new narrative, with the kind of twisty spy story fans of the series are likely familiar with, but benefits from having great action and awe-inspiring stunts. And it's hard not to be impressed by how Cruise does increasingly wild things in each new movie - he may be getting older, but you sure can't tell from watching him in something like Fallout.
11
'The Dark Knight' (2008)
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight is the middle chapter in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy. It's easily the best of the three, delivering the most consistently thrilling action and the best story of the lot, with a tense crime/thriller narrative pairing perfectly well with the grand-scale superhero action.
And it does all this while having the main villain be one of Batman's least physically imposing villains: The Joker, here played by the late and legendary Heath Ledger. The psychological torment and chaos he causes keep things moving at a non-stop pace, with unpredictable turns in the narrative making The Dark Knight both a great crime saga and a fantastic action/thriller, as well as what could well be the very best superhero movie of all time.
10
'The Matrix' (1999)
- Directed by The Wachowskis
Movies that combine action and science fiction rarely get more iconic than the first Matrix film from 1999. It plunges its protagonist - and the audience - into a battle for humanity, as much of the population has been enslaved in something of virtual reality by machines, with only a select few people knowing the truth, and fighting to break everyone free.
The look of the film and its characters - as well as the iconic slow-motion action scenes - have all been referenced and parodied to death, but that wouldn't have happened if The Matrix wasn't great to begin with. Its sequels proved to be more divisive, but few can argue against the original being one of the best action movies of the last few decades.
9
'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)
- Directed by James Cameron
Seven years after the original film, James Cameron returned to the Terminator series with a movie that blew what came before out of the water. And that's no easy task, considering 1984's The Terminator was a low-budget classic... yet 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day upped the stakes and the scale considerably.
You can see where all the money in Terminator 2: Judgment Day's increased budget went, and all the big action sequences are still stunning enough to hold up to this day. At its core, it's also a surprisingly heartwarming story about the bond that forms between a machine and a young boy who just so happens to be instrumental in the coming war between the human race and the all-powerful Skynet.
8
'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003)
- Directed by Quentin Tarantino
By paying homage to old martial arts movies, samurai films, and Westerns, Quentin Tarantino made one of the best revenge movies of all time with the two-part Kill Bill. However, when it comes to action, Vol. 1 stands as the best of the two, given that that's where most of the large-scale fight sequences occur, and the second leans heavier into the Western side of things.
The climax of Vol. 1 sees Uma Thurman's character taking on a small army of gangsters inside a Tokyo restaurant, with the result being one of the bloodiest and most spectacular fight sequences of all time. It might be the single most violent scene in any Tarantino movie, and that's certainly saying something. And, if watched in conjunction with Vol. 2, Kill Bill could well be an all-time great revenge epic.
7
'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)
- Directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is a filmmaker who can seemingly master any genre, with Raiders of the Lost Ark being the clearest indicator of how well he can do action/adventure movies. It's the first film to feature Indiana Jones in what's become a long-running series, and it's one instance where the original is still the best. Similarly, it's one of the greatest things Spielberg's ever made as a director, and could also arguably be his most entertaining film to date.
It helped make Harrison Ford even more of a star than he'd already become thanks to Star Wars, and its old-fashioned thrills and pulpy, action-packed storyline still ensure it's a hugely enjoyable movie. Globe-trotting action/adventure movies don't get much better than Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it's hard to imagine another similar film ever topping it.
6
'First Blood' (1982)
- Directed by Ted Kotcheff
The Rambo series has become synonymous with excessive, over-the-top action, but its beginnings were surprisingly humble. First Blood is the first film to feature John Rambo, and it's easily the best, with a down-to-earth story focusing on a veteran living with PTSD and sent on the run because of a villainous Sheriff.
It's fairly serious stuff, especially considering the direction the series went in, but also functions well as an action/thriller movie. The body count is low, and the story is personal and grounded, but that keeps it easier to get invested in and also ensures the action is genuinely impactful when it does come around. Those who want more action might be better off checking out the sequels, but those wanting to see a compelling blend of action and drama that ranks as a highlight within Sylvester Stallone's body of work ought to give this one a shot.
5
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000)
- Directed by Ang Lee
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a groundbreaking martial arts movie, given it focused as much on romance and fantastical drama/adventure as it did on action. Its story surrounding heartbreak and redemption resonated with audiences on a global scale, making it a surprise hit and an Oscar winner.
After watching the movie, it's easy to see why. Few martial arts movies capture their action scenes in quite the same way as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, making it a sometimes gentle, yet sometimes heartbreaking movie that's filled with great characters and one beautifully shot sequence after another.
4
'Aliens' (1986)
- Directed by James Cameron
Just as James Cameron injected more action into The Terminator's sequel, so too did he redefine the Alien series with his 1986 movie Aliens. He didn't direct the first, which was a sci-fi/horror movie more concerned with survival than combat but took over with the acclaimed sequel, making things considerably more action-heavy.
Some may prefer the atmosphere and overall approach of the original, but it's hard to deny that Aliens works fantastically well as an action movie. Aliens build well and have perfect pacing, starting off steadily with things getting considerably bigger and more harrowing as the film approaches its fiery climax. It's great, satisfying stuff through and through, and arguably a high point for the franchise as a whole.
3
'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
- Directed by George Miller
There was certainly a degree of anticipation for Mad Max: Fury Road ahead of its 2015 release. However, few were expecting the fourth film in the Mad Max series to be as good as it ended up being, with this non-stop, large-scale, and truly explosive car chase/action movie being one of the best of the 2010s, action movie or otherwise.
The other films are very good (especially 1981's Mad Max 2), but ultimately can't match the intensity and constant forward momentum offered in Fury Road. It's stunning to look at, gets the heart racing from beginning to end, and despite being a relatively recent release, it's likely to endure as one of the great all-time action films as the years go on.
2
'Die Hard' (1988)
- Directed by John McTiernan
The original Die Hard is essentially a textbook example of how to make a great modern action/thriller movie. It pits a vulnerable, underdog hero against a powerful and charismatic villain, keeps its straightforward storyline moving forward ceaselessly, has some great side characters, a memorable setting, and just the right amount of action generously spread throughout the whole runtime.
In short, it's just difficult to try and find many flaws with Die Hard. Its sequels are uneven, sure, but the original is a classic for a reason, and it's the rare kind of movie that everyone - regardless of how much they love action movies - is likely to find exciting and engaging.
1
'Seven Samurai' (1954)
- Directed by Akira Kurosawa
It's hard to pin down when the action genre was created. Movies before 1954 certainly didn't lack action, but it was rare to get a movie that centered on constant physical conflict (or the threat of it) throughout, and similarly rare to see an extended action sequence that lasted more than a couple of minutes. There's an argument to be made that Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai was the film that changed all that.
It's a 3+ hour epic revolving around a village whose inhabitants are being targeted by bandits, and so they enlist samurai (seven of them!) to help in defending themselves. Its structure of forming a team, training, and then doing battle - each of the three taking up one act - has influenced countless other action movies, and the way it displays the combat is more visceral and believable than anything else from its era. Filmed action has become more bombastic since 1954, sure, but the majority of action movies owe something to Seven Samurai for paving the way for the genre as a whole. For that reason, it's the greatest action movie of all time.