Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Best Action Movies: 33 Top Action Movies Of All Time

Tags: film movie

Do you have a favorite action movie? What are the best action movies? In this guide, we’ll seek to answer that exact question

Action movies are a dime a dozen, but the best of them are classics.

You might be surprised to find out that some of the best action movies are not what you would expect.

Best Action Movies

This list is an ode to some of the most epic Action movies ever made.

They’re not in any particular order because they’re all great!

These movies, which are all on my top list, will take your breath away!

Léon: The Professional (1994)

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French action thriller Film written and directed by Luc Besson.

The protagonist of Léon: The Professional is Leon, a skilled assassin with no qualms about killing people for money.

His latest job brings him into contact with Mathilda, a twelve year old girl who lives next door to his target and witnesses her family murder.

Mathilda follows him everywhere while trying to learn everything she can about being an assassin so that she can kill the men who murdered her entire family.

Léon (1994) is a French action film directed by Luc Besson.

It tells the story of an assassin, Léon (Jean Reno), who lives with twelve-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman), and teaches her his skills in order to help her find revenge on corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman).

The film has since become popular for its stylistic touches of humor and graphic violence which have helped to make it one of the most influential films in modern cinema.

A Better Tomorrow (1986)

“A Better Tomorrow” is a 1986 Hong Kong action-crime drama film directed by John Woo. The movie stars Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, and Alan Tam.

The protagonist, Ah Jong (Ti Lung), is a triad member who has gone through many years of suffering and hardship because of his gangster lifestyle. However, he decides to retire from the underworld after being betrayed by some friends in the gangland.

His only wish now is to lead a normal life with his girlfriend (Liza Wang) and mother (Bin Fong). But soon he realizes that it’s not an easy thing to do as long as one still carries the label “Triad.”

BEST ACTION MOVIES

What Are Action Movies?

Action movies are a type of film that contain sequences or scenes of violence and action, usually depicting vigilantism, war, or espionage.

Action films often include fast-paced battle sequences with guns and other weapons.

Hell Drivers (1957)

Hell Drivers (1957) is a British film noir crime drama film directed by Cy Endfield and starring Stanley Baker, Herbert Lom, Peggy Cummins and Patrick McGoohan.

The working-class personal/political tension leads to a splendidly drawn immigrant characterization by Herbert Lom and the human drama of Baker dangling from a precipice.

Tom Yately (Stanley Baker) is an ex-convict who takes a job as a construction-supply trucker. He soon befriends Lucy (Peggy Cummins) and Gino (Herbert Lom), who help him adjust to the fast-paced, competitive nature of the dangerous job. Red (Patrick McGoohan), the company foreman, encourages the truckers to drive as fast as possible in order to complete more trips, while he pockets the extra money. Yately finds himself torn between beating Red’s driving record and exposing his crooked schemes…

Seven Samurai (1954)

The 1954 film, Seven Samurai, was one of the first movies to portray a realistic portrayal of feudal Japan.

The samurai in this movie are portrayed as honorable warriors who fight for the common good and protect their village from bandits.

Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece is rooted in history and offers an insightful look into Japanese culture during the feudal era.

For those of you who have not seen this movie, it is a Japanese epic about an oppressed village that hires seven samurai to help defend them from bandits. It’s been called “one of the most influential films in cinematic history.

Akira Kurosawa was able to create such an iconic masterpiece through his use of cinematography, editing, sound design, and other techniques.

Released in 1954, it has been called one of the most influential films ever made.

13 Assassins (2010)

13 Assassins is a 2010 film directed by Takashi Miike and written by Kazuhiko Kato.

The movie was based on the true story of the assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi in 1932.

It follows 13 assassins who are assigned to kill their target, but they find themselves outnumbered and outmatched as they face one another in battle.

The movie has been praised by critics for its well-crafted narrative and attention to detail in the setting.

Directed by Takashi Miike, this acclaimed film is available on Netflix instant streaming.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

In the late 1800s, a wild west era was ripe with outlaws and gunslingers. The film “Once Upon A Time in the West” is an American Western directed by Sergio Leone.

It tells the story of three men who arrive to find jobs for railroad workers but end up fighting each other.

This movie stars Charles Bronson as Harmonica, Henry Fonda as Frank, Claudia Cardinale as Jill McBain, and Jason Robards Jr.

The opening scene sets up this wild west era by introducing three characters on a train: Harmonica sitting on his gun while wearing a harmonica around his neck; Frank holding onto his rifle while he sleeps in one of the seats; and Jill McBain reading her book.

The Bourne Identity (2002)

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum and follows amnesiac Jason Bourne as he is on a quest to find out who he really is and how he came into this world.

Directed by Doug Liman, it was adapted for the screen by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron from Robert Ludlum’s novel of the same name.

The title character played by Matt Damon is a former CIA agent who suffers amnesia after being attacked in Moscow, and must discover his true identity with the help of a doctor played by Franka Potente.

Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale is the first James Bond film to be made without any involvement by original producer and director, Albert R. Broccoli. It was directed instead by Martin Campbell.

The screenplay was written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis; Haggis also wrote the story outline for the film and acted as a script doctor during filming.

James Bond is a British spy who has been active for over 50 years. One of the best, was Casino Royale (2006) starring Daniel Craig as James Bond 007.

This movie is an origin story that shows us how he became the man we know him to be today.

The first James Bond film to be made in over a decade, Casino Royale is the twenty-first entry into the franchise.

The movie has been praised for its more realistic take on the character of James Bond and for capturing some of Ian Flemming’s original vision for his character.

This time around, he’s not just saving the world from nuclear weapons and terrorism; he’s also working to save his relationship with Vesper Lynd.

The Wages of Fear (1953)

In 1953, director Henri-Georges Clouzot released the film The Wages of Fear. Although it was not a commercial success, this French thriller is often considered to be one of the best suspense films ever made.

The movie includes many plot twists and turns as it portrays how greed can lead people into making bad decisions that have long-reaching consequences for themselves and others around them.

The film tells the story of four men who are stuck in a remote part of South America during an oil well fire and must drive two trucks filled with nitroglycerine over rough terrain to put out the flames.

The Wages of Fear explores themes such as existentialism and nihilism through its characters’ reactions to events like their difficult work situation or being caught for committing various crimes. In addition.

Yojimbo (1961)

In 1961, Akira Kurosawa released his famous samurai film Yojimbo.

The movie is about a ronin who arrives in a small town that has been under the control of two warring factions and offers to help whichever side pays him the most.

He soon discovers that both sides are corrupt, but it is unclear which one he should work for.

Yojimbo is a black and white Japanese film, starring Toshiro Mifune.

It’s set in the late 1800s during the Meiji Restoration and follows a ronin, who defends a small village from industrialists attempting to take over their land. The film blends together samurai films with Westerns for an interesting result.

Runaway Train (1985)

The film Runaway Train is a classic 1985 thriller that tells the story of two convicts who escape from prison and hop onboard an out-of-control freight train.

The movie stars Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, John P. Ryan, and Tommy Lee Jones.

The plot follows these two convicts as they try to find a way off the runaway train with their freedom at stake.

This action-packed film will keep you on the edge of your seat until its dramatic climax where one convict sacrifices himself so his partner can live free again in society.

Trying to escape from the law, a criminal takes hostages and hijacks a train. The only hope for the passengers is a retired railroad worker who has been wrongfully accused of being an accomplice. Can he stop the runaway train?

The film was directed by Andrei Konchalovksy in his native country of Russia, but it was filmed all over North America.

It won an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing with most of its sound effects created at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank California.

Battle Royale (2000)

In the film Battle Royale, a group of students is taken to an island and forced to compete in a deadly game. The rules of this game are simple: the last student alive wins.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as these teenagers fight for their lives against each other, while also trying to escape from an island that has turned into a war zone.

This is one of those movies where you just can’t stop watching because it’s so intense!

The movie was based on the novel by Koushun Takami and written by Kinji Fukasaku. It features Masanobu Ando, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Chiaki Kuriyama, Aki Maeda and Riki Takeuchi.

Battle Royale is a dystopian thriller that follows the lives of middle school students who have been chosen to participate in “The Program.”

The program chooses one student from each class and puts them on an island where they must kill each other until only one remains.

The goal of the program is to teach the children that life has no value and everything can be taken away from them at any moment.

Duel (1971)

In the 1971 movie, Duel stars Dennis Weaver as a man who is being chased by a truck driver across the country.

This terrifying film was directed by Steven Spielberg and written for TV in 1972. Check out our blog post to learn more about this iconic movie!

The 1971 movie “Duel” is a suspenseful thriller that follows the journey of David Mann, a salesman who finds himself being chased by an unknown truck driver.

His car is wrecked in the process and he must find some way to escape his pursuer.

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards with Steven Spielberg as one of its producers.

The goal of this movie was to scare its audience in order to make them feel the same fear as Mann while driving in their own cars.

This blog post will go over all of the notable features within Duel and how they were created or used for effect so you can have your own personal experience watching it!

At one point in the film, they both end up on top of her.” “It’s not just your typical love triangle because it has some pretty intense moments where you’re not sure if they’ll be able to make it out alive.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a 2000 film directed by Ang Lee.

The movie takes place in the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng and stars Chow Yun-Fat as Li Mu Bai and Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien.

It tells the story of warrior Li Mu Bai’s journey to find his missing sword with help from fellow fighter Yu Shu Lien.

Along their quest they find themselves fighting brutal warlords, supernatural forces, and each other while trying to protect the Green Destiny Sword that holds mythical powers.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been lauded for its stunning visuals and intense action sequences that combine both Chinese martial arts styles along with breathtaking choreography.

In addition, it was nominated for 10 Academy awards.

Deep Cover (1992)

In the early 1990s, a crack epidemic was sweeping across America.

In response, President George H. W. Bush created a new federal agency called The National Drug Control Policy Office (NDCPO).

One of their strategies against drug trafficking was to infiltrate gangs and supply lines with undercover agents who would report back to headquarters on possible disruptions in the flow of drugs into communities.

This is what Deep Cover is about; it tells the story of one such agent who infiltrates an Atlanta-based drug ring that’s been supplying cocaine to New York City for years and just might be responsible for Chicago gang wars too!

The film’s title refers to the undercover operation of an agent or spy who has infiltrated a criminal organization to get information about them.

Johnny Utah infiltrates a bank robbery crew led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), but after he becomes friends with Bodhi and his girlfriend Tyler (Lori Petty) he realizes that they’re not the criminals he thought they were…

Baby Driver (2017)

The 2017 film Baby Driver is a heist movie with an edge.

It has action, comedy, and romance wrapped up into one package for your viewing pleasure.

This movie was written and directed by Edgar Wright. It stars Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, Eiza González, Jamie Foxx and Lily James.

Baby Driver is about a young man named Baby who is coerced into working for a crime boss as his getaway driver. The film has been praised by critics for its action sequences and soundtrack.

The film follows the adventures of Baby, a getaway driver for an Atlanta-based heist crew after he’s offered a chance to take part in one last job before going straight.

Director Edgar Wright does an excellent job at balancing humor with drama throughout this movie which makes it hard not to enjoy every scene.

Commando (1985)

In 1985, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the height of his career. He had just starred in “Commando” and went on to star in “The Running Man”.

The film’s opening scene features a group of thugs breaking into a family’s home.

One man carries an infant out of the house and another grabs the woman, played by Rae Dawn Chong, who is wearing only a bath towel.

She then says that her husband John Matrix has been killed and she doesn’t know what they’re going to do with her daughter Jenny (played by Alyssa Milano).

They take off with them as well when suddenly Matrix jumps from around the corner and starts shooting all over them like crazy.

Commando (1985) is a classic action film following an ex-special forces soldier, John Matrix, as he tries to rescue his daughter from a gang of murderous thugs.

The movie has been credited with bringing back the popularity of Arnold Schwarzenegger and was nominated for two Golden Globe awards.

One of the most iconic action films is Commando (1985).

Produced by and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s a film where he plays John Matrix.

Watching this movie has always been my favorite because of how much I love action movies like this one.

This style of the movie was popular during the 1980s when they were coming out more often than now.

Robocop (1987)

Robocop is a 1987 sci-fi action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. It follows the story of Detroit police officer, Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), who after being brutally murdered, is resurrected as  Cyborg.

Robocop was directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Edward Neumeier & Michael Miner. It stars Peter Weller and Nancy Allen.

When the sci-fi satire Robocop (1987) was released, it was a groundbreaking film that changed the way we viewed movies in general.

It is this blend of genres which has made Robocop one of the most iconic films of all time as well as a cult classic for many viewers today.

Robocop tells the story about Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), a Detroit police officer who is critically injured on duty by one of his fellow officers during an armed robbery.

In the near future, Detroit is a crime-ridden city.

The government decides to replace the police force with an army of robotic policemen called Robocop.

After being killed in the line of duty, policeman Alex Murphy is turned into Robocop and struggles with his new life as he tries to find out who killed him and why.

In this futuristic world where robots are commonplace, one man must fight against injustice for all humanity.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The movie stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.

In 2015, George Miller brought Mad Max: Fury Road to theaters and it was met with mixed reviews.

Critics said that the movie’s use of violence is too much, while fans say they enjoy its intense nature. But what does this mean for other films in the future?

The movie had a budget of $150 million and made over $378 million at the box office worldwide.

It has been called one of the best action movies ever created by critics as well as many others.

The film itself earned six Academy Awards nominations and won for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing.

A group of five women, known as “The Five Wives” (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee Kershaw, and Courtney Eaton), have escaped from a tyrannical leader who keeps them as concubines to be used at their will. They meet Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) who helps them get revenge on the man that stole their lives away from them.

Speed (1994)

The 1994 film Speed is a high-octane action thriller that examines the risks and rewards of heroism.

The film features Keanu Reeves as an LAPD cop who is assigned to protect the city bus from terrorists on its way to Los Angeles International Airport.

The story follows Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), an LAPD bomb squad lieutenant, who becomes involved in a citywide bus station hostage crisis while on his way to visit his girlfriend Annie (Sandra Bullock).

After being forced to take an off-ramp for Central Station downtown, he finds himself partnered with Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels), a transit officer who knows the ins and outs of the bus system.

Speed was released on June 10, 1994, and became the then highest-grossing live-action movie for its time, after earning $350 million at the box office worldwide against a $30 million budget.

It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing (Mark Stoeckinger) and Best Sound Mixing (Tom Ricketts; Doug Hall; David Campbell).

In Speed, Keanu Reeves stars as LAPD officer Jack Traven who has to rescue civilians from a city bus rigged with a bomb.

Police Story (1985)

Police Story is a 1985 Hong Kong action-crime film written and directed by Jackie Chan, who also stars in the lead role.

Police Story contains many large-scale action scenes with elaborate, dangerous stunts, performed by Chan and his Jackie Chan Stunt Team.

The film includes an opening sequence featuring a car chase through a shanty town, an action scene where Chan is dangling from a speeding double-decker bus before he stops it by standing in front of it with his service revolver, and a climactic fight scene in a shopping mall where Chan and his stunt team smash into a large number of glass panes.

The plot is about an honest Hong Kong cop protecting a Triad boss’s girlfriend-turned-informer, who finds himself framed for the murder of a dirty cop and going on the run. The movie mixes slapstick with wild stunts and features some painful outtakes during the final credits.

Black Panther (2018)

“Black Panther” is a Marvel movie about the hero, T’Challa. The film takes place in Wakanda which is an African country with advanced technology that has never been conquered.

When his father dies, he returns to Wakanda to take on his rightful throne and become king. But when two enemies conspire against him, he must fight them off and hold onto the country’s precious resources while doing so.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, it features an all-African American cast and tells the story of T’Challa, king of Wakanda.

The film has been praised for its representation of black people in cinema as well as its portrayal of Afrofuturism.

The film is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film was directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Snowpiercer is a film that tells the story of a post-apocalyptic future where an engineer named Curtis Everett (played by Chris Evans) and his allies are on a mission to fight their way through the Snowpiercer train in order to reach its front end.

The movie was directed by Bong Joon-ho, who also wrote the screenplay with Kelly Masterson.

This science-fiction thriller has been praised for its fast-paced action sequences as well as its great acting performances from Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, John Hurt, Ed Harris, and Ewen Bremner among others.

In 2013, a French film company and Korean director Joon-ho Bong released Snowpiercer.

The movie is about the last survivors of what was once humanity’s wealthiest society who are left on a perpetually moving train in search of food and water.

Wilford (Ed Harris), who runs everything inside the snow-covered world outside. This movie has been called one of “the most original sci-fi movies” that has come out in recent years by many critics such as Roger Ebert, Todd McCarthy and Joe Neumaier.

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix, released in 1999, is one of the most influential science fiction films ever made and has been a favorite for many years.

The film was the first to be filmed entirely on a green screen set and features groundbreaking special effects that are still being copied today.

The Matrix is an epic science fiction film that deals with the idea of reality and how we perceive it. It was written and directed by Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski, who wrote together as The Wachowskis. Released in 1999, it stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer who learns about his connection to a cyber-world he had been living in for his entire life.

Blade II (2002)

Blade II is a 2002 American superhero film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro.

It is the sequel to the 1998 Marvel Comics film, “Blade”, starring Wesley Snipes as Blade.

The plot follows Blade’s battle with the Reapers (vampires). In this movie, Blade has to team up with his sworn enemy Whistler in order to stop their leader, Deacon Frost from turning humanity into bloodthirsty vampires.

This sequel isn’t just an inferior carbon copy though; it has some new tricks up its sleeve that set it apart from its predecessor including a completely different tone and feel that make this one worth watching if you’re looking for something different than what you might have seen before!

The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success grossing $130 million worldwide.

Con Air (1997)

The movie Con Air (1997) is an action-packed crime thriller starring Nicolas Cage and John Cusack.

The film follows the exploits of Cameron Poe, played by Nicolas Cage, who was wrongly convicted of killing his wife and daughter.

After he escapes from prison with some fellow inmates aboard a hijacked plane, they land in Las Vegas where they are pursued by U.S. federal agents led by Johnny “Soap” Mackey played by John Cusack.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Tom Cruise, a Hollywood superstar and the most bankable actor of his generation, stars in this summer blockbuster.

The film is based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s Japanese novel All You Need Is Kill.

The movie Edge of Tomorrow is a thrilling science fiction film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt.

The plot follows the story of Major William Cage, played by Tom Cruise, who finds himself in a time loop that forces him to live out the same day over and over again.

The war is going badly and the aliens have taken over much of Earth, when Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is doused with a chemical that makes him relive the same day over again; he’s forced to find a way out of his never-ending loop before the end of time.

Witnessing the brutal battles firsthand has given Major Cage some new insights on how to defeat them, but being stuck in time means he can’t share what he knows with anyone else – not even General Brigham (Brendan Gleeson), who believes that Major Cage has gone insane and needs a military psychiatric evaluation…

This film has everything I love: sci-fi action and spectacular visuals, a witty script with snappy dialogue, and two excellent actors at the top of their game.

Point Break (1991)

Point Break, starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, is a 1991 movie about FBI agent Johnny Utah’s infiltration of the surfer gang called “The Ex-Presidents.”

The film starts with an introductory sequence showing how the lifeguards save people from drowning at sea while simultaneously robbing them of their money and jewelry.

Point Break was filmed in California, Mexico, Tahiti, and Australia for a total production cost of $25 million.

It grossed $83 million worldwide on its theatrical release and was ranked as one of the most financially successful films in history up until that point in time.

The screenplay was written by W. Peter Iliff and John Huyck, with the story being conceived from an original draft by Kenny Beaumont and James Cameron.

The movie has become known for its iconic scenes such as the “Big Drop,” in which Johnny takes off on his mountain bike from the top of a skyscraper and rides down it, or when he surfs with members at night during one scene.

Aliens (1986)

In 1986, a movie was released that changed the way we looked at aliens. Called “Aliens,” this film by James Cameron is considered to be one of the best science fiction movies of all time.

In it, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her team are sent into space in search of salvage from an abandoned spaceship when they become stranded on a planet inhabited by hostile aliens.

Aliens was the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror classic Alien.

The story follows Ripley as she returns to LV-426 with a group of Colonial Marines where they encounter an entire hive of Xenomorphs.

The post Best Action Movies: 33 Top Action Movies Of All Time appeared first on Filmmaking Lifestyle.



This post first appeared on Filmmaking Lifestyle, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

Best Action Movies: 33 Top Action Movies Of All Time

×

Subscribe to Filmmaking Lifestyle

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×