60 Best Action Movies You Need to Watch (2022) – The Trend Spotter
If you’re looking to get your heart pumping but don’t want to get off the couch, check out our list of the 60 best action movies of all time. From wartime action and historical dramas to post-apocalyptic wastelands and superheroes, there’s an action movie to suit everyone.
1. avengers endgame
Superhero movies are the ultimate in heroic action and adventure. Avengers Endgame, the pinnacle film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise, is the continuation of Thanos’ disintegration of half the planet. the film has an all-star cast, as well as time travel, alternate realities, and a high-stakes outcome, resulting in a fast-paced three-hour viewing.
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2. the matrix
matrix isn’t just a great action movie; revolutionized special effects. Filled with notable characters, quotable one-liners, and iconic scenes, it’s a sci-fi masterpiece. Directed by the Wachowskis, it won four Academy Awards and received critical acclaim throughout the industry.
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3. gladiator
an epic story of revenge, gladiator, won countless awards. Set in the Roman Empire, the story follows Maximus Meridius, an army general and enslaved gladiator. The film features numerous coliseum fights and brutal deaths, but is rounded out with compelling storytelling.
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4. the john wick trilogy
never mess with a man’s dog. this story of retribution gained a cult following and two sequels. Starring the ever-popular Keanu Reeves, it packs epic doses of incredible fight choreography and outrageous gunfights, making this neo-noir action thriller a must-watch.
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5. iron man
iron man was the first release of the mcu. It represents Tony Stark’s development from cocky guns and tech tycoon to a mechanically enhanced superhero. the witty banter, visual effects, and charismatic cast were a breath of fresh air and set the tone for future mcu movies.
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6. top gun
Being a fighter pilot has never been as awesome as it is in top gun. Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick, is sent to naval combat weapons school to refine his flying skills. The competition is fierce as he struggles with his recklessness and deals with loss and love.
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7. the fifth element
the fifth element is on the crazier side of sci-fi action movies and stars bruce willis, the king of action. While there’s a desperate attempt to save the world from evil, there’s also flying cars, an alien opera singer, a flamboyant talk show host, and incredible costumes.
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8. the dark knight trilogy
there are infinite versions of the batman story. however, christopher nolan’s dark night trilogy is undoubtedly one of the darkest and most gritty. Backed by excellent performances from Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Tom Hardy, as well as physical rather than visual effects, it’s firmly in the classic action movie category.
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9. aliens
james cameron’s aliens is the sequel to the original alien movie. Just as nightmare-inducing as the original, there’s more aliens, betrayals, space marines, and another chest-busting grotesque scene.
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10. die hard series
Hard To Kill is a genuinely iconic action movie series. hostages, explosions, machine guns, terrorists, assassinations, plane crashes, cyber warfare, bruce willis – it ticks all the boxes for an action movie with ease.
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11. star wars: the empire strikes back
Arguably the best of the original trilogy, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is brilliantly narrated and portrays important story development arcs for many of the main characters. Of course, it’s backed up by plenty of action, including the snowy Battle of Hoth.
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12. mad max: fury road
Mix post-apocalyptic scenery, steam-punk flair and an epic road battle, and you’ve got a recipe for a great action movie. Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, Max Max: Fury Road is a visually dramatic and exciting account of the collapse of civilization.
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13. the bourne identity
The Bourne Identity has a lot less explosions than some of the other action movies on this list, but it makes up for it with close-quarters combat and firefights. Plus, it combines amnesia-induced mystery with character development to create a strong plot to support the action.
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14. taken
Apart from all the throat punching, car chasing, and gunfights, Liam Neeson’s speech about “a very particular set of skills” is the highlight of this film and will give you the creeps.
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15. thor:ragnarok
taika waititi, director of thor: ragnarok, took a fresh and unique approach to this mcu movie. Even though the movie was about the fall of Asgard, it’s surprisingly light and comedic, but still packed with classic MCU action. It also has a spectacular soundtrack.
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16. terminator 2: judgment day
director james cameron has always been a leader in creating films of great genre and ambitious special effects. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is no exception. From truck chases in downtown Los Angeles to the “liquid metal” T-1000 Terminator, the visuals, as well as the story, are genuinely gripping.
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17. guardians of the galaxy
Coming out of the mcu are the guardians of the galaxy, a ragtag team of unlikely allies, who need to save the galaxy from evil. the clever and clever script, spectacular soundtrack and unique characters combine with the iconic action of the mcu to create a hugely entertaining watch.
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18. falling from the sky
skyfall is one of the deepest films in the bonus franchise, and it ends some stories. However, like its predecessors, it still maintains that classic James Bond flavor. As such, there are still high-stakes chases, massive explosions, one-liners, sexual innuendos, and all manner of high-tech gadgets.
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19. 300
stylized action, excellent acting and visual effects set 300 apart from other historical action dramas. it’s really a great movie. Leonidas’ inspiring and aggressive speeches, combined with seas of washboard abs and epic battles between the Spartans and Persians, create a visual masterpiece.
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20. air conditioning
it’s worth seeing air conditioning just to witness nicholas cage’s majestic hair. however, it is also action-packed when a group of high-security prisoners take over a transport flight. Later, Nicholas’s character needs to save the day so he can get home to his wife and daughter.
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21. jurassic park
Does it have much more action than being chased by dinosaurs? Jurassic Park, with Steven Spielberg at the helm, revolutionized visual effects at the time, mixing animatronics with CGI and brilliant acting. It’s an exciting 126 minutes that prove you shouldn’t mess with mother nature.
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22. the lord of the rings: the return of the king
directed by peter jackson, this was the final installation of j. r. r. tolkien’s lord of the rings saga the action is intense. There’s the Witch King of Angmar, the Armies of the Dead, the Battle of Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate, plus Frodo’s ongoing journey to destroy the One Ring.
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23. edge of tomorrow
tom cruise and emily blunt star in this action-packed sci-fi thriller about alien invasions and time loops. the ‘live, die, repeat’ concept ensures there is a multitude of horrific deaths, battles with aliens, and massive explosions as humans fight to regain control of earth.
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24. bad guys
director michael bay is synonymous with over-the-top action movies. As such, his 1995 movie Bad Boys, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, is a classic ’90s action flick. There’s plenty of guns, attitude, and explosions, plus a great soundtrack to back it all up.
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25. first blood (rambo)
The first in the Rambo series, First Blood, is where we meet Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character. Chaos ensues when John Rambo, a former Green Beret in the Vietnam War, is wrongfully arrested by a corrupt cop. there’s guerrilla warfare, massive explosions, and huge cannons.
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26. predator
Sci-fi horror meets action in this film about an invisible alien who hunts for sport. Set deep in the Central American jungle, the predator stalks an elite special forces team on a rescue mission. the film’s success spawned several sequels, as well as crossovers with other alien films.
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27. speed
kidnappings, hostages, bombs, terrorists, high-speed public transportation, keanu reeves – this is the perfect formula for an exciting action movie. Also starring Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper, the film won multiple awards, including two Academy Awards and two Baftas.
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28. robocop
This somewhat satirical action flick is set in a dystopian future and replete with kick-ass cyborgs. While it may not be aged as well as other cheesy ’80s action flicks, it’s worth adding to your watch list for the eerily accurate prediction of the future, with Peter Weller serving as Robocop.
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29. kill bill volume 1
If you’re in the mood for a bloodbath, kill bill volume 1 is the action flick for you. This tale of a murderer’s ruthless revenge is in typical Quentin Tarantino style, with extensive, highly stylized, grand-format fight choreography and blood-soaked sets.
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30. lethal weapon
One of the original buddy cop movies, Lethal Weapon has plenty of recognizable one-liners, brilliant action sequences, and majestic majesty. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover play two mismatched LAPD detectives who need to navigate their new working relationship while solving a murder.
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31. mission impossible
As the start of a hugely successful franchise, Mission: Impossible took the black ops genre to the next level. From the iconic theme song to the insanely crazy action sequences and masked men, Mission: Impossible has everything you need in an action movie.
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32. saving private ryan
Steven Spielberg brings his cinematic magic to this realistic wartime film, set during the Normandy Invasion. is intense, terrifying, and heartbreaking at the same time, as a team of American soldiers seeks to bring home the last living child of a military family.
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33. royal casino
Casino Royale ushered in the Daniel Craig era of James Bond movies. Undeniably fit and much more athletic than its predecessor, this bond movie involves a lot more physicality, including an ambitious parkour chase scene.
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34. underworld
A centuries-old blood war rages between vampires and werewolves in the underworld. this gritty action flick is dark, classy and sexy. With ruthless violence, cgi werewolf transformations, and skin-tight latex, it’s a visually exciting thriller.
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35. django triggered
Quentin Tarantino brings his trademark mayhem and gore to this bounty hunter flick, which is a stylized tribute to the spaghetti western genre. Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz give excellent performances in a film that tackles the difficult subject of slavery in America.
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36. apocalypse now
Set in the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now was directed by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. While it’s a demanding watch depicting the atrocities of war, the star-studded film created iconic moments like the Valkyries’ helicopter ride scene.
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37. break point (the original)
keanu reeves regularly appears on this list for good reason. Point Break is a classic action movie, which should be on everyone’s must-see list. Keanu stars as an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates a gang of thrill-seeking surfers from both the water and deadly bank robberies.
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38. inglorious bastards
Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds is as much a black comedy as it is an action movie. During World War II, a Jewish-American paramilitary unit hunting Nazis set out to strike fear into the Germans. Meanwhile, a former Jewish victim sets in motion an ironic death for the Nazi leadership.
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39. brave heart
Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, Braveheart won a host of awards, including five Academy Awards. This historic action film, based on the first Scottish War of Independence, featured some of the best sword fighting and incredible battle scenes cinema had seen up to that point.
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40. true lies
another james cameron movie, true lies, is a surprisingly funny action flick. arnold schwarzenegger’s character discovers that he leads a double life as a spy, and a suburban husband is complicated. he has to save the world and fix his marriage at the same time.
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41. face to face
When there’s questionable face transplant surgery, you know it’s going to be a wild ride. Nicholas Cage and John Travolta play a terrorist and an FBI agent, respectively, who want to kill each other. enjoy high-speed boat chases, dual-gun shootouts, and plenty of action dives.
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42. rogue one: a star wars story
Like many of the films in the Star Wars universe, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is packed with action. There are a lot of aerial battles, fight scenes and of course the vengeful Darth Vader. however, beware, the ending is unexpectedly brutal.
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43. the reloaded matrix
The revolution against the army of machines continues in Matrix Reloaded, which had twice the budget and much more action. Directed again by the Wachowskis, there’s extraordinary weaponry, enhanced abilities, an epic road fight scene, and a multiplied Agent Smith.
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44. fallen black hawk
black hawk down is based on the battle of mogadishu during the united states mission to end the somalia civil war. It is a brutal film that shows the reality of war when Black Hawk helicopters are shot down by militants loyal to the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.
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45. golden eye
goldeneye is a classic bond film from the heyday of pierce brosnan. Like many of the bond movies, the plot focuses on the potential destruction of the world by an evil villain, accompanied by many attractive women, one-liners, and deadly technological toys.
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46. indiana jones and the last crusade
The world’s most adventurous archaeologist, Indiana Jones, returns on another epic adventure to save her missing father. Sean Connery stars alongside Harrison Ford as Jones Sr. packed with Nazi shootouts, old nemeses, explosions, live rats, plane crashes, and a holy grail; he does not lack action.
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47. start
inception has amazing action on many levels. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, this sci-fi action thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio as an “extractor” tasked with altering people’s subconscious. Filled with easter eggs and physics-defying stunts, much of the film is open to interpretation.
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48. independence day
Nothing says classic action movies like the alien extermination of planet earth. Consequently, Independence Day has many of the action movie tropes that make for a winning formula. Includes rousing presidential speeches, conspiracy theories, lasers, Will Smith one-liners, and massive explosions.
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49. crouching tiger, hidden dragon
ang lee’s crouching tiger, the hidden dragon, was met with critical acclaim. Driven by women at its core, it’s a sensational tale of unexpected warriors and romantic adventures. This classic wuxia movie features visually stunning and physics-defying fight choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, who also choreographed The Matrix.
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50. jug head
The memoir of US Marine Anthony Swofford forms the basis of this biographical war film. is unique in its distinct lack of wartime action, as it delves into the psychology of training men to kill, who are then not faced with the requirement to fire their weapons.
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51. dirty harry
Inspector Harry Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood, is on the hunt for a psychopathic killer who has killed, kidnapped and held innocent people for ransom. Dirty Harry is also the movie that coined the famous phrase, “Do I feel lucky? well, how about you, punk?”.
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52. jumanji
not even robin williams’ comedic chops could keep this movie from being terrifying. After being sucked into the hell game Jumanji, Alan Parrish has to play through rabid monkeys, animal stampedes, and a deranged hunter to finish the game and escape. the rhythm of the jumanji drum will give you chills.
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53. hitman
sicario is an intense action movie, with tense moments of non-action contrasted dramatically with gunfights, explosions and hand-to-hand combat. It follows the blurred lines in the war against the drug cartels in Mexico and is a great moving watch.
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54. kick ass
If you’re offended by profanity and over-the-top stylized violence, kicking butt might not be your cup of tea. the main characters in the movie are great, kind of your average superhero; hit-girl: a true butt-kicking superheroine; and Red Mist, one of the silliest villains in recent cinema.
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55. lucia
lucy is a fascinating exploration of the concept of higher consciousness and human existence. scarlett johansson’s main character becomes an unwitting drug mule, kicking off the events that lead to her becoming a butt-kicking mugger with enhanced abilities.
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56. hell
guillermo del toro’s 2004 hellboy is inspired by the graphic novel. The plot is simple: a demon baby from another dimension grows up to fight bad guys and take on monsters. there’s plenty of guts, gore, pyrotechnics, and secret government agencies to tick all the boxes for action movies.
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57. the fugitive
An innocent man, wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and being chased by the police, is the perfect setting for a thrilling action movie. The main character, played by Harrison Ford, races against time and the police to clear his name and find the real killer.
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58. loop
Looper is a slow-burn action movie set in a time when assassins can travel back and forth in time to kill their targets. worlds and timelines collide when the character joe has to close the loop, i.e. remove the future self from him, but old joe escapes with a different plan.
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59. dr.
judge, jury and executioner is the role of the judges in the future dystopian wasteland of the united states. judge dredd takes on a recruit to take down a drug empire located in a slum of torres. as they get trapped, the gunfire rages, people are thrown from balconies, and bodies pile up.
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60. starship soldiers
directed by paul verhoeven, who also directed robocop, is starship troopers, another satirical sci-fi action film. Soldiers from planet earth travel the universe to fight against aliens attempting an all-encompassing invasion. Similar to robocop, the visuals haven’t aged well, but the cheesy action tropes are still entertaining.
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