Top 20 Action Movies That Were Way Better Than We Expected

An unhinged guy stalks and terrorizes his ex. Simple. Well, except for the fact that he is invisible. So it’s kind of like a classic slasher set-up, minus the colorful, flamboyant, visible villain. Sheesh. Based on a 19th century H. G. Wells' book, some may have been a little dubious about this old-school-style horror - which by today’s standards has a pretty vanilla plot. But its excruciating tension and superb, emotional performance by Elisabeth Moss blew people away. It was hugely popular with movie fans during its limited cinema release, grossing $129 million worldwide against a measly $7 million budget.

How many final destinations can there really be, huh? Similar to franchises like “Saw,” “Scream,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” the “Final Destination” series has totted up quite a few additions in its catalog. But surely by this fifth film, its over-the-top, convoluted, gory kills wear a little thin? Well, surprisingly, no. Its opening bridge sequence delivers on big, thrilling drama, and the intricacies of Death’s kills throughout never fail to disappoint. The fifth movie also continued the series’ trend of being watchable in 3D, further enhancing its in your face, blink and you’ll miss it violence.

In this movie, Nicolas Cage goes up against a crazed cult – and no, it's not “The Wicker Man”. Instead, “Mandy” sees Cage play Red Miller, a lumberjack whose wife is kidnapped by a demonic, cult-following biker gang – and Red stops at nothing to save her. A movie where Cage passionately screams down a camera lens can easily be dismissed as just another Nic Cage meltdown showcase, but its devilish characters, LSD-infused visuals and over-the-top violence, allows Cage to really explore his wild side, in all the right ways. Showing us a huge range of emotions, and of course some of that trademark Cage-ness – “Mandy” is an awesome horror thriller with just the right amount of ridiculousness.

There’s something unnerving about creepy kids in horror movies, especially when they’re seemingly cute and cuddly on the outside. Of course, creepy kids isn’t a new concept - it’s been done to death in the horror genre - but 2009’s “The Orphan” throws a spanner in the works with a twist late on that you definitely won’t see coming. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say that it will probably make you fear the name Esther forever. And the young Isabelle Fuhrman who plays Esther in this movie is the real hero here, with her chilling performance - that’s frankly way beyond her years - compared to that of Linda Blair’s in “The Exorcist.” That’s high praise.

Proof that there is still hope for the spooky mansion setting, “Ready or Not” makes us fear marriage and the idea of having in-laws with horrifying and hilarious precision. It’s essentially a big ol’ game of cat and mouse, with newly wed Grace being told that she has to survive a night of being hunted by her husband’s family in order to properly be initiated. It’s violent, surprisingly funny in places and leaves its hooks in you from start to finish. It also carries a smartly crafted critique on social class. It may be littered with horror cliches, but it reminds us why so many of them are so effective.

Some horror movies bank solely on the genre's well-worn cliches while adding nothing of their own. However, 1996’s “Scream” presented us a treasure trove of old-school slasher tropes laced with post-modern commentary. But, after a few of its sequels didn’t quite measure up, “Scream 4” arguably represented a return to form for Ghostface. The movie still relies heavily on a meta format of typical horror set-ups, but it does so in a more self-aware way. Instead of merely going through the motions, Wes Craven shows more of an awareness for the franchise's potential staleness, mixing things up with some interesting kills and plot twists.

Featuring the inspired pairing of Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox, who star as father and son coroners, “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is another great example of adept writing making the most out of a claustrophobic setting. Given the task of carrying out an autopsy on a mysterious woman, sinister happenings start to reveal her horrific backstory. The movie ultimately takes us somewhere completely far-fetched, but the perfectly-paced way we get there, with subtle moments of silence and rising tension – as well as some awesome performances – make this a must-see for fans of the horror thriller genre.

If you prefer your horrors with less gore and more psychologically-exhausting uncertainty, then look no further. Although by today’s standards it appears pretty low-budget and cheesy, at least at the beginning, this story of a group of asbestos removal workers who enter an asylum is anything but. The fact that this movie was shot in a real asylum certainly comes across in its authentic atmosphere, which alongside its unsettling soundtrack, creates something that will stay with you long after the movie has finished. In essence, it’s a classic haunted house set-up, but it serves up one of the most immersive, uncomfortable, and intelligent movie experiences.

The first “Zombieland” was unique in the fact that its highly-stylized nature made us all kinda wish we were in a zombie apocalypse - kinda. So bringing out a sequel was a tall order. But they nailed it. “Zombieland: Double Tap” gives us tons of hilariously-gory fight scenes and cutaways, with some of the action sequences - particularly the RV scene - being comparable to household zombie flicks like “Dawn of the Dead.” Its main quartet remains its biggest draw, though, with their comedic chemistry managing to make the end of the world seem pretty cool for the most part.

Another zombie-esque flick, this 2010 movie retreads the footsteps of the 1973 movie by the same name. And although it could have easily fallen into the predictable undead formula we’ve seen time and time again, “The Crazies” manages to offer a compelling story that takes itself just seriously enough. Focussing on a military virus that infects the inhabitants of an Iowa town, neighbors and locals start acting increasingly strange, then increasingly violent. At times, it’s tense and exhilarating, and at others, it’s deeply upsetting and unapologetic. But all in, it’s definitely one of the better zombie movies out there that substitutes mass hordes of the undead for intricate storytelling.

Upon hearing the premise of a group of women discovering a nest of monsters while caving, one might be quick to label the British-made “The Descent” as just another cheap jump scare flick. True, “The Descent” has jump scares in spades, but it also has the directorial deft to go with it. Praised for its intense “claustrophobic atmosphere”, it’s unbearably intense in parts and boasts a host of bulletproof performances. Plus, for added kudos, it also features a pretty shocking twist towards the end. “The Descent” just goes to show that impressive direction and acting can reign supreme over a complicated story.

The sheer amount of found footage movies out there has kind of sullied the genre’s effectiveness. So when this ghostly, home-based found footage horror was gearing up for release, most of us were likely thinking the same thing - why? Well, “Paranormal Activity” captured audiences everywhere. Its ruthless suspense and deafening silence reminded us just how terrifyingly-realistic relatable and plausible horror can be. Although on paper its formula isn’t anything new, its minimal approach still leaves viewers staring agape at the screen, terrified of the littlest things, like shadows, temperamental light switches, and creaking doors.

A deaf woman, in a house in the woods, being hunted by a guy with a crossbow. That’s all “Hush” is. But boy does it do a helluva lot with what it's got. Delivering a slightly different twist on the typical home invasion horror we’re used to seeing, “Hush” is a brilliant suspense-filled hour and a half that will have you sat perfectly still while watching, in fear of making any noise. The thrill of the hunt and the eeriness of its white-masked villain, make “Hush” a chaotic, yet calculated, slasher.

Offering a similar supernatural who's next vibe to “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “It Follows” certainly offers a unique take on the villain aspect of horror. In this movie, an elusive, shape-shifting, demon-like presence, which is passed on via sex, hunts people down and kills them. And the only way to escape it is to just keep passing it on to others. Highly metaphorical, obviously, this movie manages to avoid the cliche teen horror framework and instead gives us something totally distinctive. It still has some excellent jump scares and weird, disturbing characters, but its clever plot shines brighter than both those things - and will have you cynically staring and slow walking strangers in the street.

This movie poses the question, “what if the monster in your closet was real?” And no, we’re not talking about the furry and friendly “Monsters, Inc.” kind, far from it. “The Babadook” follows the tumultuous relationship between a mother and son - which gets increasingly more difficult when a mysterious pop-up book appears in their house - the book’s titular character being the dreaded Babadook. The resulting pursuit of this creepy character is one of the most terrifying things you’ll ever see. Instead of giving us erratic jump scares, “The Babadook” gives us about a million little ones, all subtle, but poignant enough to leave you constantly on edge.

From subtle to not so subtle next, as we take a look at director James Wan’s hugely successful “The Conjuring.” As we’ve already seen on this list, possession stories aren’t new news, but somehow the loud jump scares of “The Conjuring” mixed with its compelling story of married paranormal team Ed and Lorraine Warren, make it engaging in all the right ways. In parts, it’s predictably unpredictable, but thanks to its solid cast and eerie aesthetic, it manages to take well-worn themes and deliver something that will have you literally jumping out of your seat.

When it was announced that “The Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise was going to get a 7th addition to its line-up, there was a collective sigh in the cinema world. But what fans didn’t expect was a completely new direction, which sees Freddy Krueger step into the real world to terrorize Nancy actor Heather Langenkamp. Meta as heck and by far the most original plot line since the first movie, “Wes Craven's New Nightmare” features tons of familiar faces and horrific dream-like sequences, but in ways you’ve never seen before.

The aforementioned “Scream” was long the go-to horror movie for poking fun of the genre’s recycled banality. But then “The Cabin In The Woods” came along and took every horror trope you can think of, blended them up together, and yet still managed to offer up an original story. In fact, its convincing horror themes and meta humor is so on point, you’re unsure when it’s being genuinely scary and when it's being ironic. And it's that guessing game that makes the movie so enjoyable to watch. Plus, it’s downright hilarious, and features Chris Hemsworth, Sigourney Weaver and Bradley Whitford, which is just gravy.

Making the leap from comedy to horror can be tough. But not for writer and director Jordan Peele it would seem. In 2017 he blew everyone away with “Get Out”, a surprising hit horror about social class and racism. Those themes are strong by themselves, but the movie’s genius plot line and fleshed-out characters allow Peele to have fun with a whole host of cliches, and a heady bit of humor too. If you’re the type of person who’ll only watch a horror if it’s going to offer you something new, then look no further.

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Underwater” (2020)
“The Abyss” Gets a 21st Century Remake - Sort of - Starring Kristen Stewart

“Rubber” (2010)
Who Would’ve Thought a Story About a Killer Tire Could Even Get Made, Let Alone Be Any Good?

“Last Shift” (2014)
Rookie Cops, Don’t Worry: This Ain’t a Typical Day on the Job…We Hope

“Dawn of the Dead” (2004)
A Worthy Retelling of George A. Romero's Zombie Classic

Some films should never be remade. However, a remake of “Evil Dead” did happen in 2013. Director Fede Álvarez is known for his smart, twisting storytelling – like 2016’s “Don’t Breathe” – and he created an all out gore fest with his “Evil Dead” remake. Fans loved it. With a host of new, modern effects, the visuals and realism in this installment is turned up to 11. It may not have the originality of the 1981 movie, but it certainly doesn't skimp on shocking content, which was what the original was all about. And it even got the seal of approval from Bruce Campbell’s Ash in the form of a post-credits cameo!