2022 has been stuffed full of high-octane blockbusters, but what were the best action movies of 2022? Audiences have been thrilled by the action genre for decades, whether that's characters getting flung into space, spies infiltrating the criminal underworld, or superheroes taking down dastardly villains. With special effects better than ever and budgets skyrocketing, 2022 has delivered some groundbreaking action movies, full of jaw-dropping stunts that often defy the laws of physics.
The backlog of delayed projects due to the coronavirus pandemic has meant that 2022 has been a fantastic year for action movies, as studios have waited for theaters to be full again before releasing their potential box-office hits. The year has been stacked full of original action movies, highly anticipated sequels, and adaptations of beloved novels. With that in mind, here are the best action movies of 2022.
10. Bullet Train
An adaptation of Kōtarō Isaka's novel of the same name, Director David Leitch brings his wealth of experience in the action genre to Bullet Train to create hilarious set pieces that take full of advantage of the movie's unique setting, Japan's high-speed railway.
9. The Northman
After the critical success of The Northman's box-office performance was disappointing, its distinctive aesthetic and intensely absorbing leading performance from Alexander Skarsgård makes it an unmissable cinematic event.
8. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
2022 has been an up-and-down year for the MCU, with recent criticism aimed at Marvel’s sloppy VFX and finds a way to respectfully move the franchise forward with Shuri becoming the new Black Panther.
7. Avatar: The Way Of Water
13 years in the making, Avatar 2’s ground-breaking motion capture technology.
6. The Batman
The latest incarnation of Gotham's Dark Knight, Robert Pattinson's multiple Batman spinoff series in the pipeline.
5. RRR
Outside this year's English-language blockbusters, Squid Game by offering unmissable entertainment that has shattered the Western language barrier to become a global sensation.
4. The Woman King
Historical epic The Woman King boasts an impressive ensemble cast, Viola Davis is the highlight. Davis proves once again why she is one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors, with a physically imposing performance that is underpinned by her ability to evoke emotion, which will undoubtedly make her a front-runner for major accolades in the 2022/23 awards season.
3. Prey
A prequel to the Prey stays true to Predator's roots by keeping viewers on edge throughout before launching into violent action, but breathes fresh life into the stalling franchise with its creativity and emotional punches.
2. Everything Everywhere All At Once
in-fashion multiverse blockbusters like the MCU, and does so in a way that is smarter and more polished than the likes of Marvel Studios, making it a genuine candidate to be the first sci-fi Best Picture winner.
1. Top Gun Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick rewards Top Gun fans and is also a joy to watch for newcomers thanks to its jaw-dropping jet stunts and emotive storyline, making it the best action movie of 2022.
