Action is a genre that’s easily one of the most popular in films. It gives an adrenaline kick to the viewers and fills them with excitement. However, overdoing it can quickly make an action film look cartoonish. Here is a curated list of 25 action movies of all time for your viewing pleasure.
Over the years, there have been some really good films in this genre. Some of them blend different genres, while others subvert the existing tropes. Overall, it’s a very rewarding viewing experience. So sit back and scan through this comprehensive list of some great action flicks.
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Top 25 Action Movies Of All Time
25) Die Hard
The film that made Bruce Willis an overnight star, ‘Die Hard‘ follows an everyman trapped in an extraordinary situation. Filled with memorable dialogues and action sequences, this film shouldn’t be missed if you are an action fanatic. It was followed by some underwhelming sequels.
24) Looper
This film perfectly blends action with science fiction. A high-concept film by all measures, ‘Looper‘ chronicles present-day contract killers called loopers who are hired by criminal gangs from the future to terminate victims whom they send back through time.
23) Terminator 2: Judgment Day
22) Inception
This film, directed by Christopher Nolan, follows a bunch of professionals tasked with the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious. Some of the scenes in this action epic are literally jaw-dropping that will leave wondering, how did they shoot it?
21) Aliens
There are very few sequels that eclipse the success of its original. James Cameron‘s ‘Aliens‘ is one such example. The first one is a sci-fi horror classic directed by Ridley Scott. Cameron changed the tone of the film and shifted the genre to action. The result blew everyone’s mind.
20) Mad Max: Fury Road
Directed by George Miller, this film blew everybody’s expectations. Filled with breathtaking action sequences and a relentless plot, this sequel is easily one of the best of all time. it stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron among others. The best part is, the film has a feminist touch to it.
19) Kill Bill
No action list is complete without the mention of Quentin Tarantino. This two-part action martial arts film borrows heavily from Hong Kong action flicks. It has the signature Tarantino dialogues, interesting characters, and a crazy 88-fight scene that’s absolutely bonkers.
18) The Dark Knight
The second film in the Batman trilogy, this one successfully managed to showcase that a superhero film can be taken seriously. In it, the caped crusader faces one of his biggest nemesis of all time, Joker. Heath Ledger gave a memorable performance as the villain for which he won a posthumous Oscar.
17) Bourne Ultimatum
Directed by Paul Greengrass, this one continues the story of former CIA assassin and psychogenic amnesiac Jason Bourne. Unlike most in the genre, this action film has some real and gritty fight scenes done by the actual actors. You can’t afford to miss it.
16) John Wick
The film that marked the return of Keanu Reeves, ‘John Wick‘ and its sequels are worth your time. With a simplistic plot, massive amounts of action, and incredible performance from Reeves and others, it has everything. He plays the titular hitman who is forced into the world of crime.
15) Mission Impossible
One of the biggest action franchises of all time, this one follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) on a dangerous mission in each installment. The actions are really because its Cruise and the script is really gripping. One cannot miss out on any film from this franchise.
14) Fast Five
This film is credited for resurrecting the career of Dwayne ‘The Rock‘ Johnson. It is also one of the most well-received films in the ever-growing ‘Fast and the Furious‘ franchise. ‘Fast Five‘ has received heaps of praise for its action sequences, and the performances of the cast.
13) Edge of Tomorrow
Starring Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise, this sci-fi action flick is adapted from a Japanese light novel. It takes place in the future where most of Europe is occupied by an alien race. Major William Cage, a public relations officer with no combat experience, is forced to join an operation where he gets in a time loop.
12) Kingsman: The Secret Service
Based on Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons’s eponymous comic book, this film follows a man who is trained in a secret spy organization to tackle a global threat from a rich megalomaniac and eco-terrorist who plans to wipe out most of humanity.
11) Speed
A film so fast-paced that it won’t even let you catch your breath, ‘Speed‘ is one of the best action flicks of all time. Starring Reeves and Sandra Bullock, it tells the story of a bus that is rigged by a terrorist to explode if its speed falls below 50 miles per hour. Just watch it if you haven’t.
10) 300
Visually stunning and filled with some impressive slo-mo action and battle scenes, this Zack Snyder-directed film is a visual treat. It follows King Leonidas who leads 300 Spartans into battle against the Persian King Xerxes and his invading army of more than 300,000 soldiers.
9) Upgrade
A relatively lesser-known film, ‘Upgrade‘ is a cyberpunk action flick that follows a technophobe who is implanted with a chip that allows him to control his body after paralysis. Its dark humor and innovative action sequences make it stand out in the crowd.
8) Taken
‘Taken‘ catapulted Liam Neeson into an action star almost overnight. It follows a man in search of his daughter who was kidnapped in Paris. Memorable dialogues, check, beautifully choreographed fight scenes, checked, great performances, check. This film should be seen by all.
7) Snowpiercer
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, the film takes place aboard the namesake train as it travels across the globe carrying the last remnants of humanity. It tackles issues like global warming and class divide among other things. It continues to remain one of the most expensive South Korean productions ever.
6) Skyfall
It is the 23rd film in the James Bond series and the third to star Daniel Craig as the MI6 agent James Bond. The film follows Bond investigating several targeted data leaks and planned attacks on MI6 led by Raoul Silva (played by Javier Bardem).
5) The Raid
This Indonesian action thriller came out of nowhere and blew everyone away with its realistic action scenes. It chronicles an elite squad that is tasked to infiltrate a high-rise building run by a ruthless drug lord in the slums of Jakarta. It also has a sequel named ‘Raid 2.’
4) Commando
In the 1980s and 90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a name to reckon with. ‘Commando‘ has him play a retired US Army Colonel John Matrix who goes after the mercenaries who killed his colleagues. The film is noted for its over-the-top yet brilliant action scenes and sense of humor.
3) Ong Bak (The Protector)
Known as ‘The Protector‘ in the US, ‘Ong Bak‘ is a Thai martial arts film that follows a village that falls into despair after thieves steal the head of a statue. Ting, a villager extremely skilled in Muay Thai, decided to go to Bangkok to recover the stolen head of Ong-Bak.
2) Top Gun: Maverick
A sequel to the 1986 film ‘Top Gun’, this one follows Maverick as he confronts his past while training a group of younger graduates for a dangerous mission. It met with positive reviews for its real dogfight scenes and eventually became the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career.
1) The Matrix
The granddaddy of all action, ‘The Matrix‘ is not just action, but also speculative science fiction. Filled with great slo-mo fight scenes and the famous bullet timing, the film has aged like a fine wine. Its innovative visual effects and action sequences have made it a sure-shot classic.
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