Top 20 Action Movies That Deserve More Attention
#20: “The Northman” (2022)
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Director Robert Eggers has established himself as something of a visionary, developing evocative films with tons of personality. This was definitely the case with both “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse,” and Eggers’ winning streak continued with 2022’s “The Northman.” This hyper-violent revenge tale is steeped in Scandinavian mythology, and contains some intense performances. Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Anya Taylor-Joy kill it (pardon the pun) as leads, while singer Björk makes a memorable cameo early on in the film. “The Northman” is visceral viewing and isn’t for the faint of heart, but provides TONS of action for those willing to take a ride.
#19: “RocknRolla” (2008)
With classics like “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” under his belt, Guy Ritchie’s bound to have at least one overlooked gem. Like most of his movies, this action-crime comedy contains multiple storylines that all intertwine through happenstance. Throw in charming English wit and a heavy dose of violence and you’ve got a great action film, albeit one that received mixed reviews from critics but was a hit with audiences. “RocknRolla” was number one at the box office in the UK when it was released and went on to gross over $25 million. That may be a far cry from the $83 million for “Snatch,” but still, Ritchie’s fifth film deserves more appreciation.
#18: “The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996)
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There’s a wealth of creative talent behind the scenes of 1996’s “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” Director Renny Harlin has always been a reliable force for genre cinema, but it’s the script from Shane Black that truly steals the show. The creator of “Lethal Weapon” proves his mettle once again with a story that mixes intrigue with action in a manner that never lets up. Geena Davis is both sexy and powerful in the lead as a woman with a past that she can't recall. Her eventual team-up with co-star Samuel L. Jackson is chock full of chemistry, and the pair make a badass action couple. “The Long Kiss Goodnight” is yet another Shane Black-scripted vehicle that’s become a cult classic.
#17: “Demolition Man” (1993)
Director Marco Brambilla comes from the world of modern art. This actually makes a lot of sense, given the magnificent visual style of 1993’s “Demolition Man.” Brambilla didn’t direct many films, but his creative stamp is all over the lived-in world from this action/science fiction hybrid. The dystopian future of a world without crime is turned on its head when a dangerous fugitive escapes from a cryogenic prison. The script discusses the necessity of violence to combat violence, and doesn't shy away from asking interesting questions. At the same time, “Demolition Man” remembers to be profoundly entertaining and action-packed to a fault.
#16: “Upgrade” (2018)
Logan-Marshall Green had a solid resume prior to his starring in the 2018 action flick “Upgrade,” with supporting appearances in films like “Prometheus” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” However, “Upgrade” was a welcome surprise to many action fans, thanks to its intensity and palpable tension. The flick was directed by “Saw” franchise veteran Leigh Whannell, and took 1970s sci-fi tropes about body modification and gave them an updated coat of creative paint for the modern day. Green is great as a victim of violent crime who seeks revenge, while Wannell’s direction balances the more comedic moments with sequences of realistic violence and outstandingly choreographed execution.
#15: “Attack the Block” (2011)
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You don’t want to mess with the kids on this block. This campy sci-fi action movie is a fun twist on the alien invasion genre. Steeped in youthful innocence, it follows a local gang of kids fighting off aliens with fireworks, baseball bats, and a samurai sword. But that doesn't mean it’s not violent. Director Joe Cornish conceived of the idea after he was mugged and he interviewed kids in youth groups to find out how they’d fight an army of aliens. Plus, the acting is phenomenal for a cast of primarily teen actors. John Boyega, better known now for his role in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” received high praise from critics as the main character, Moses.
#14: “Haywire” (2011)
A hero-on-the-run storyline is always a good premise for an action thriller. In this one, Mallory Kane has been stabbed in the back by her employer slash ex-lover but she can't figure out why. Half of the movie is told through flashbacks, which makes for an interesting and unconventional viewing experience. Actress Gina Carano, an MMA fighter in real life, performs all her own stunts and the movie is all the better for it. The hand-to-hand combat scenes are fantastic, and Carano’s character kicks some major butt. At certain points, viewers are just as lost as the main character is as to what’s happening, but all the pieces of the puzzle come together in the end.
#13: “The Rundown” (2003)
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It’s a rumble in the jungle, and the Rock is kicking butt and taking names. Dwayne Johnson plays Beck, a no-nonsense bounty hunter tasked with retrieving his boss’ son from the Brazilian jungle. Of course, it’s not as straightforward as that. Along the way, Beck ends up getting beaten up by a guy half his size and has an unfortunate encounter with a monkey. Johnson has undeniable chemistry with Seann William Scott, who plays the smart-mouthed bounty. All in all, the movie brings a lot to the table with its delightful back-and-forth dialogue and over-the-top characters. Plus the final scene is pretty badass.
#12: “To Live and Die in L.A.” (1985)
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There’s nothing U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance won’t do to bring down the man who killed his partner. Chance pulls every trick in the book, and many off the book, to bring down counterfeiter Rick Masters. The dialogue is sometimes clumsy and it may have received mixed reviews but there’s no denying the acting is good. Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of Masters as a cold criminal is chilling. The shoot-outs and car chases provide the excitement, but waiting to see how far Chance will go is where the suspense builds. All together, the movie deserves a look from fans that may have once ignored it.
#11: “Shoot ‘Em Up” (2007)
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There’s little in the way of subtlety or restraint when it comes to 2007’s “Shoot ‘Em Up.” The film instead feels like a fleshy, gunpowder-flavored comic book, albeit in the best possible way. “Shoot ‘Em Up” plays in a creative sandbox that feels indebted to 1980s action movie cliches, with a knowing wink and nod of self-awareness. Plot, character development and especially physics are largely put on the backburner, as “Shoot ‘Em Up” instead creates over-the-top set-pieces. Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci and Paul Giamatti are clearly having a blast with the material, and “Shoot ‘Em Up” is made all the better for its audaciousness.
#10: “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)
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There’s nothing quite like good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth. 2014’s “Edge of Tomorrow” initially struggled at the box office, and at first it seemed as if this film would be a flop for star Tom Cruise. Yet, this adaptation of a 2004 Japanese novel managed to eventually come out the other side and gain a following. Fans defended the film’s well-actualized action, as well as the gimmicky plot device of Cruise dying over and over again, while caught in a time loop. It’s sometimes titled as “Live. Die. Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow,” which actually makes a bit of sense. That said, it doesn't really matter which title you see it under: “Edge of Tomorrow” deserves your time.
#9: “Strange Days” (1995)
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Imagine a world where you could have any experience in life from the comfort of your own home. In this science fiction thriller, Lenny Nero deals in SQUID discs - recordings that allow the user to experience someone else’s memories and physical sensations. The James Cameron-written story pulls you in from the start and keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns as Nero tries to track down a sex worker’s killer. Even though it was a commercial failure, it’s hard to see why. Whether it’s Lenny’s expertly crafted dialogue as he waxes poetic about being the “Santa Claus of the subconscious” or the heart-pumping action, “Strange Days” holds its own as a top-tier film.
#8: “Thief” (1981)
Is there any director that combines style and substance better than Michael Mann? We’re not sure, but we do know that this creator of “Miami Vice” certainly knows how to make banger after banger. 1981’s “Thief” may be Mann’s magnum opus, despite utilizing the well-worn trope of “one last big score.” The film’s neon-soaked vision and synthesized score from Tangerine Dream underlines the desperation at hand, as does “Thief’s” seedy criminal underworld. James Caan is simply magnetic in the lead, and Mann’s direction combines bursts of sudden violence with suspense and complex characterization. We’re not, for a second, suggesting that you only watch ONE Michael Mann film, but if you do? Make it this one.
#7: “Ronin” (1998)
Any action movie worth its salt has at least one good car chase scene and thanks to director John Frankenheimer, Ronin has several. According to the DVD director commentary, the movie used 300 stunt drivers and in many of the scenes the actors were actually in the cars when they were shot. When not in a high-speed chase, Robert DeNiro plays a tough ex-special ops agent trying to steal a briefcase, although no one will tell him what’s inside it. Throw in shoot-outs and DeNiro blowing up a car with a bazooka and you've got a great, but under-seen action movie.
#6: “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” (1999)
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Mob movie meets samurai on the big screen in this Jim Jarmusch film. Forest Whitaker plays a mysterious soft-spoken hitman following the ways of the ancient Japanese warriors. And he soon finds himself the target of the man he once worked for. This isn't your classic hard-hitting guns-blazing action movie. Shoot-outs are kept to a minimum and there isn't much dialogue, but the story and its main character make for a compelling film. Plus hip-hop fans are sure to like the soundtrack produced by the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, who also makes a cameo appearance.
#5: “Dredd” (2012)
We'd like to think that we live in a world where fans of this comic book character can enjoy both the Sylvester Stallone and Karl Urban iterations of “Judge Dredd.” That said, this 2012 version presented the character in a much grittier and more violent light than its nineties predecessor. 2012’s “Dredd” may not have performed well enough financially to warrant a franchise, but fans largely approved of Urban’s believable, tough-guy persona. The world of Mega-City One feels lived-in here, where danger (along with excessive slow-mo and dodgy CGI, unfortunately) is always lurking around the corner. Who knows? Maybe with the success of “The Boys,” Urban’s Dredd will be given the green light to defend the law once more.
#4: “A Better Tomorrow” (1986)
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Almost everyone deserves a second chance. But does that extend to gangsters responsible for their own father’s death? This Hong Kong blockbuster directed by John Woo struggles to answer that question, with a healthy dose of action on the side. This movie may not be considered a classic in North America, but it was a smash hit in Asia, breaking Hong Kong’s box office records. Plus, co-star Chow Yun-fat just looks so cool chewing on a matchstick, wearing a trench coat, and mowing down gangsters with a machine gun. Woo would go on to use Yun-fat in his influential 1992 action flick, “Hard Boiled”. So even if reading subtitles isn't your thing, you won’t be disappointed.
#3: “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003)
Oscar season can be a funny thing. Some films that are lavished with awards or nominations go on to become rewatchable classics, while still others fall into the fog of history. “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” was well-regarded back when it was released in 2003…well, at least by critics and the Academy. The film underperformed at the box office, however, leading it to be a somewhat underrated entry in lead Russell Crowe’s filmography. This was an era of big-budgeted, high adventure epics like “The Lord of the Rings” franchise, as well as another naval franchise you may have heard of called “Pirates of the Caribbean.” That said, we think that this “Master and Commander” is more than worthy of another look.
#2: “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005)
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Shane Black proved that he was more than just a screenwriter back in 2005 when he helmed his first full-length feature. Titled “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” the film brought together all of Black’s trademark wit with a stacked cast. Leads Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer possess a great rapport, while Black’s adaptation of the 1941 novel, “Bodies Are Where You Find Them” updates classic mystery tropes for the modern day. This is a movie where the city of Los Angeles features heavily as a character all its own, and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” relishes in digging deep into the muck of moviemaking. It’s a movie that just seems to know how cool it is, and we’re 100 percent in for the ride.
#1: “Snowpiercer” (2013)
More action movies should take place on trains. This sci-fi thriller is set on the never-ending “rattling ark” built to save humanity from a new ice age induced as an effort to combat global warming. The premise for the movie, based on a French graphic novel, is unique and the action scenes are epic. And we guarantee that you've never seen an axe-fight scene as brutal as in this one. The Czech-Korean movie did phenomenally abroad but barely made money when it was released in the U.S., despite rave reviews. Considering the movie grapples with larger themes of class warfare, population control, and climate change, “Snowpiercer” is much better than its North American box office numbers indicate. Wanna shoutout your favorite action flick? Let us know in the comments!