The plenty of disaster movies, superhero franchises, and car chase pictures that dominate the screens year after year, but once in a while, an action film comes along that breaks the mold.
This could be due to the groundbreaking pacing, mind-bending plot, or a playful distortion of a genre that usually has its own set of rules to abide by. Visionary directors and masterful screenwriters have brought to life thrilling stories that continue to amaze after each watch. They are able to attack deep and meaningful topics that not only leave the audience entertained, but also make them think and question the material. These projects constantly enrich the genre, elevating it from popcorn fodder, to more quality-focused cinema.
10 The Fall Guy (2024)
Directed By David Leitch
The Fall Guy
- Release Date
- May 3, 2024
- Runtime
- 126 Minutes
- Director
- David Leitch
Cast
Howie Munson
Colt Seavers
WHERE TO WATCH
The Fall Guy is an action thriller from Bullet Train and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch. Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman who is forced to find a missing movie star, investigate a conspiracy, and repair his relationship with the love of his life. The film was written by Drew Pearce and inspired by the 1980s TV series of the same name.
- Writers
- Glen A. Larson, Drew Pearce
- Main Genre
- Action
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures, Entertainment 360, 87North Productions
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
Mixing humor and action is nothing new. In fact, it gets utilized very often in the genre, as it helps make some of the violence more palatable. But, the blend of self-referential action and self-deprecating comedy made this homage to stunt performers stand out. Ryan Gosling has impeccable comedic timing, and he has proven more than once that he is a capable action man, so his role as Colt Seavers suits him to a tee.
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The action sequences in are very impressive, showcasing just how tough a profession it actually is, and the film also shows just how many of the effects are achieved. The scenes that show the repetitive nature of the job, as well as the physical toll of each fight sequence are some of the most interesting in the whole movie. Seeing the tricks of the trade allows viewers to appreciate the stunts even more, and the underlying mystery also provides a thrilling story that drives the story forward.
9 Children Of Men (2006)
Directed By Alfonso Cuarón
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Children of Men
- Release Date
- January 5, 2007
- Runtime
- 109 minutes
- Director
- Alfonso Cuarón
Cast
Clare-Hope Ashitey
WHERE TO WATCH
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men is a dystopian drama set in the year 2027, where infertility has left humanity facing the possibility of extinction. Clive Owen stars as former activist Theo Faron, with Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, and Pam Ferris in ing roles.
- Writers
- David Arata, Hawk Ostby, Timothy J. Sexton, Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Fergus
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Distribution
Seeing dystopian films set so close to the present makes them hit that much harder, and this particular film is set in 2027, and touches upon topics that feel extremely relevant and poignant. The dystopia in Children of Men feels like a realistic slow burn, and instead of focusing on a zombie outbreak or alien invasion, it takes a look at how the world would look if humans suddenly all became infertile. Cuarón was able to imbue this bleak view of the future with a sense of hope and a lot of political and social commentary.
Thought-provoking action films are rather rare, so to have one so deeply contemplative and philosophical is very special.
Clive Owen breaks the mold as an everyday hero as opposed to a muscular super soldier or trained fighter, who is entrusted with protecting the first woman who was able to get pregnant in years. The importance of this task is huge, as he's not only protecting one person, but also the future of humanity. Thought-provoking action films are rather rare, so to have one so deeply contemplative and philosophical is very special. The action moments feel gritty, and the lengthy shots really take audiences directly into the center of the action.
8 Last Action Hero (1993)
Directed By John McTiernan
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Last Action Hero
- Release Date
- June 18, 1993
- Runtime
- 130 Minutes
- Director
- John McTiernan
Cast
F. Murray Abraham
WHERE TO WATCH
Last Action Hero follows young Danny Madigan, who magically enters the world of his favorite action film through a special ticket. Inside the movie, he teams up with action hero Jack Slater, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, to battle cinematic villains. Directed by John McTiernan, the film blends reality and fiction, offering a whimsical take on action film tropes.
- Writers
- Zak Penn, Adam Leff, Shane Black
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognizable action movie stars, and has played many kinds of heroic roles in his long and illustrious career. But, after a decade of more serious and straightforward actioners, he chose a project that had a bit of a twist to it. The film is very self-aware as it blurs the line between reality and fiction. Seen through the eyes of a young fan of the genre who is transported into the film that he's watching, the film cleverly satirizes itself and projects like it.
Bearing in mind it came out in 1993, it was very ahead of its time and did not resonate particularly well with audiences back in the day. But, through a lens of nostalgia, it feels much like it was a breath of fresh air in a decade of over-the-top thrillers that focused on sex and violence. Arnie flexes his comedic muscles, which is always a pleasant change of pace, and the story feels unique and original.
7 They Live (1988)
Directed By John Carpenter
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They Live
- Release Date
- November 4, 1988
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Director
- John Carpenter
Cast
-
Roddy Piper
WHERE TO WATCH
John Carpenter directs They Live, a sci-fi movie about a drifter known as Nada (Roddy Piper), who discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the evil forces that secretly pull the strings of the world and manipulate people through subliminal messages. The film provides a critical commentary on consumerism and conformism from a science fiction perspective.
- Writers
- John Carpenter
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
Another film that was able to center around a topic that would resonate so hard, so many years on. A social commentary on the influence of the media and capitalism, but mixed with sci-fi and horror, makes this action film stand out in many impressive ways. Having the main protagonist discover that the ruling government is made up of aliens who control the population through subliminal messaging and hidden prompts in commercials and advertising was revolutionary at the time.
Though it feels less farfetched nowadays, the story still hits a nerve. The concept of owning a pair of sunglasses that reveal the truth was exceptionally clever in its simplicity, and sets up the action very well. John Carpenter is known for his love of horror, and he is able to infuse this action film with plenty of it. They Live was based on a comic, and stood the test of time very well and holds a very impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes score.
6 Desperado (1995)
Directed By Robert Rodriguez
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Desperado
- Release Date
- August 25, 1995
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Director
- Robert Rodriguez
WHERE TO WATCH
Desperado is a 1995 action film directed by Robert Rodriguez, featuring Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi, a musician seeking vengeance for the murder of his lover. The film follows El Mariachi's quest to confront a drug lord responsible for the tragic event. Salma Hayek co-stars as Carolina, providing both romantic and practical . Desperado balances intense action sequences with its deeply personal storyline, expanding upon the mythos established in Rodriguez's earlier film, El Mariachi.
Stylized and sensationalist, this revenge film adds a bit of Latino flair to the action genre, with Antonio Banderas bringing to life a ionate and violent protagonist. The gun fights are presented in an almost dance-like way, with slow-motion shots and meticulous choreography that make them feel almost glamorous and romantic. Robert Rodriguez also leans into his penchant for hyper-stylized sequences that feel cinematic in every way.
The director also imbues the sequel to the low-budget El Mariachi with a hefty Hollywood budget, and a sense of coolness that would become his signature. The film feels cool even though it features plenty of violence, and some of the dark and witty humor elevates it from a vengeful bloodbath. The romance of the film does not feel superfluous, and actually adds a lot of emotional depth and motivation to the story.
5 Snowpiercer (2013)
Directed By Bong Joon Ho
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Snowpiercer
- Release Date
- July 11, 2014
- Runtime
- 126 Minutes
- Director
- Bong Joon-ho
Cast
Jamie Bell
WHERE TO WATCH
Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The narrative takes place aboard a perpetually moving train carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed climate-change experiment freezes the planet. Chris Evans stars as Curtis, who leads a group of lower-class engers in a rebellion against the oppressive elite at the front of the train. The film explores themes of class struggle and survival.
- Writers
- Bong Joon Ho, Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, Jean-Marc Rochette
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
The visionary Mickey 17 director introduced the world to a future that is frozen over, and the remnants of humankind are all aboard a high-speed train that races through the icy tundras of what was once a vibrant landscape. As in society, the train is separated into various classes, with the rich living at the front of the train in luxury and excess, and the poorest class living at the back and living off protein bars made of cockroaches.
As Chris Evans' Curtis makes his way through the various sections, viewers get to see the differences between each sector, which mirrors the differences that people experience in the real world. Layers are explored and uncovered as every new carriage is reached, and there is a lot more to the story than meets the eye. Being able to fit a lot of action into such an enclosed space is impressive, and the premise was so rife with possibilities that it even translated into a TV show.
4 Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Directed By Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Release Date
- March 25, 2022
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Director
- Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Cast
Jenny Slate
Ke Huy Quan
WHERE TO WATCH
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, a middle-aged laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) is distracted from her financial and family issues by a multiversal crisis. With just her husband (Ke Huy Quan) to her through the confusion, she must contend with her overbearing traditional father (James Hong), a pencil-pushing auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her emotionally-distant daughter (Stephanie Hsu).
- Writers
- Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
This unconventional action film was absolutely everywhere when it came out. On the cinema screens, streaming, and all across the awards circuit. It was able to introduce audiences to the muddled theme of multiverses, as Michelle Yeoh traversed different worlds in order to save her own. The action scenes are highly original and perfectly choreographed, not to mention filled with so many emotions. Humor melts into sadness, and anger builds into love, as the real meaning of the story becomes more apparent.
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All the accolades brought in viewers who might not usually flock to a film like this, but the high-octane action and incredible visual effects kept them enthralled throughout. To be able to make a film that is practically impossible to summarize and even more difficult to categorize is impressive in itself, but to receive such wide recognition shows that audiences are always ready for something new.
3 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Directed By George Miller
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Mad Max: Fury Road
- Release Date
- May 14, 2015
- Runtime
- 120 Minutes
- Director
- George Miller
WHERE TO WATCH
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller's long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he s up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult's leader, Immortan Joe.
- Writers
- George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nick Lathouris
- Studio(s)
- Village Roadshow Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Kennedy Miller Mitchell
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
The original trilogy was pretty groundbreaking at the time it came out, but this revival for a whole new millennium took it that little bit further. Furiosa is such a fascinating protagonist, and it's no wonder she ultimately got her very own prequel. The action sequences are unrelenting, making the viewers feel fully immersed in this brutal dystopia. Each roar of the engine can be felt right to the bone, and the dust somehow bursts right off the screen.
Mad Max: Fury Road has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A story of a post-apocalyptic society with no rules and no mercy disguises a scathing commentary on the state of the world. With the ruling classes hogging resources and focusing on multiplying their wealth further, a mirror is held up by the Immortan Joe character, who does the same throughout the film. The collaboration between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron also provided a unique dynamic which influenced many action films going forward.
2 The Fifth Element (1997)
Directed By Luc Besson
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The Fifth Element
- Release Date
- May 9, 1997
- Runtime
- 126 minutes
- Director
- Luc Besson
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in 23rd-century New York City, The Fifth Element stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, an ex-army major turned cab driver who unwittingly becomes part of a fight to protect Earth from an approaching evil after a strange woman named Leeloo accidentally falls into his cab. Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker also star.
- Writers
- Robert Mark Kamen, Luc Besson
- Studio(s)
- Columbia Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Columbia Pictures
Depicting the future is always tricky, but Luc Besson's vision somehow feels attainable and realistic in a way. Flying cars don't seem outside the realm of possibility, and seeing that there's still over 200 years to go to get to the timeline of The Fifth Element, it seems fair to assume that might be the mode of transportation of choice at some point. The clever Easter eggs of the various film sequels, adverts, and mundane issues such as traffic jams also ground the sci-fi action in a sort of reality.
The action and premise draw viewers in, and Besson's stylistic choices elevate it from the many run-of-the-mill space adventures with little substance.
But aside from the relatable portrayal of some aspects of the future, there is a mystical story that transcends space and time, an opera-singing alien, and a very camp Chris Tucker. Bruce Willis is at his action hero best and navigates this futuristic world with his signature gruff charm. The action and premise draw viewers in, and Besson's stylistic choices elevate it from the many run-of-the-mill space adventures with little substance.
1 Inception (2010)
Directed By Christopher Nolan
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Inception
- Release Date
- July 16, 2010
- Runtime
- 148 minutes
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
Cast
Cobb
Joseph Gordon-LevittArthur
WHERE TO WATCH
Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan, features a skilled thief who uses dream-sharing technology to steal corporate secrets. He is tasked with planting an idea into a CEO's mind, while confronting his troubled past, which threatens the mission and his team.
- Writers
- Christopher Nolan
- Main Genre
- Action
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
As with many Christopher Nolan projects, this one requires the audience's full attention if they have any hope of following the plot. With layers beneath layers, this action film has a lot to unpack. Being able to live out a whole life within a dream world might seem like something everyone would want, but the connection to reality is a hard one to sever. The explanation of the various levels of one's subconscious is fascinating, and setting the story in a world with very few rules gave the director a lot to play with.
Each action sequence feels fresh and new, with stunning shots and cleverly curated, gravity-defying fights. The impressive cast was also a draw, with each A-list actor playing a pivotal role within the story. Looking inward is something that people sometimes forget to do, so having a whole film focused on how subconscious decisions and subliminal influence might affect big life moments in a very meaningful way. And, that mind-bending ending is one that still has viewers debating whether the spinning totem fell or not.
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