Whether it’s our basest human tendencies toward competition and argumentation, an obsessive quirk of some hobbyists, or a simple marketing ploy, fans love ranking things and pitting them against each other. “Best Of” lists are extremely popular and feed into these tendencies, so what better genre to rank than the genre solely focused on people fighting each other —action?
Ranking lists can shine light on titles that more people should see, bringing exposure to a variety of films while also validating the opinions of others and celebrating the truly worthy. Now, it’s tricky to list the best action films ever made, because few films solely exist within one single genre, especially action. While many films debatably could be discussed here, the following are the most essential andgreatest action films of all time.
50Point Break (1991)
Point Break
Point Breakfollows FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) who goes undercover and is quite new to theSoCal beach lifestyle. His job is to infiltrate a surfing gang suspected of robbing multiple banks while disguising themselves as United States presidents. Utah’s way in? Patrick Swayze’s Bodhi, the gang leader who lives a zen-like lifestyle, unintentionally winning over Utah and his friendship with a thrill-seeking philosophy of life. Utah learns to surf and finds a sense of freedom, and while riding the waves, he gets sucked into Bodhi’s ideals of access, chaos, and wanderlust fueled by one action after another.
Point Break Rides the Waves
Keanu Reeves has long been synonymous with starring in timeless action flicks, and this 1991 surfing-themed bank robbery classic is no different. Paired with Patrick Swayze’s fighting skills, along with both his and Reeves' overall characterization, these elements make the film an iconic addition to the genre. Ultimately, the chemistry between the two heroes leads to some really incredible surf scenes and jaw-dropping action that leaves you yearning to find the perfect wave.
49The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The Bourne Ultimatum
Matt Damon reprises his role as CIA agent Jason Bourne, still looking for answers about his past life as a government assassin. However, when a secret operation from his Treadstone days threatens to expose him and his activities at the time, he must do everything he can to keep the Blackbriar details on the down-low. Now on the run as the target of a nationwide manhunt, wewitness Bourne racing acrossmultiple countries, deadly and resourceful at the same time as he tries to outsmart the people trying to kill him.
Matt Damon Delights in The Bourne Ultimatum
One of the best movies in the franchise,The Bourne Ultimatumredefines the action genre with incredible fight sequences and praiseworthy momentum. Despite being amnesiac, Damon’s character is as compelling as ever, conveying a sense of desperation underneath his steely persona. He throws punches, pens, cars, even a laundry bag at his enemies. The action builds like lines on a heart rate monitor — it’s tense, exciting, and designed to leave you baffled.
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48Hardcore Henry (2015)
Hardcore Henry
Henry, a newly resurrected cyborg who must save his wife/creator from the clutches of a psychotic tyrant with telekinetic powers, AKAN, and his army of mercenaries. Fighting alongside Henry is Jimmy, who is Henry’s only hope to make it through the day. Hardcore takes place over the course of one day, in Moscow, Russia.
Hardcore Henryanswers the age-old question: could a first-person video game work as a movie? Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, but those prone to motion sickness may want to avert their eyes. A film deliberately light on plot,Hardcore Henrysees our titular hero revived as a cyborg after an accident leaves him mute and amnesiac. After being attacked by a mysterious organization, Henry and a friendly stranger named Jimmy must fight their way through modern-day Russia to rescue the woman who revived him.
Hardcore Henry Is Unparalleled
Hardcore Henryis a ninety-minute sensory overdose seen through the eyes of our violent protagonist. Director Ilya Naishuller opted to squeeze just about every bit of action they could out of this unique gimmick, with parkour, graphic violence, gunfights, and some physical comedy filling up its brisk runtime. Even if it drew a polarized response from audiences and critics alike, you’d be hard-pressed to find a film that comes close to replicating whatHardcore Henrydoes at such an extreme.
47Total Recall (1990)
Total Recall
This film follows Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a normal construction worker having abnormal dreams about Mars. He soon begins to suspect that his entire life on Earth may be a false product of his imagination, a computer-generated fantasy sold to him by a company that implants false memories into the minds of people. However, as soon as he learns the truth, things go horribly wrong. What follows is a chain reaction of events that leaves Dennis running for his life as a wanted fugitive, all while he attempts to locate the villainous Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox).
Total Recall Is a Mind-Melting Action Flick
A thrilling countdown of action movies would be incomplete without the mention of this science fiction classic.Total Recallis a wildly entertaining trip into the future that packs enough action, adventure, chase sequences, and violence to keep you entertained. Arnold Schwarzenegger is amazing as Quaid, grunting one-liners with innocent wonder while trying to decode what’s real and what isn’t. Being a film by Paul Verhoeven, you may also expect some incredibly over-the-top practical effects as well.
46Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer
Directed by Bong Joon-ho,Snowpierceris a claustrophobic thriller set on a train that won’t stop circling around the globe, taking place in an alternate future where global warming has made Earth into an inhospitable frozen wasteland. The train setting acts as a microcosm of society itself, with different classes filling out specific sections of the train. The lower classes get the dilapidated cars at the rear of the train, and the upper classes get the extravagant cars at the other end. There are the same cultural differences and power struggles as in the real world and soon, the oppressed tail section starts a rebellion. Led by Curtis (Chris Evans), they fight their way toward the engine and confront Wilford (Ed Harris), the person responsible for creating the divide.
Snowpiercer Blends Action With Commentary
The plot of the movie itself is so natural and unique that it is impossible not to be fascinated by how its conflicts work out. The action elements in the film come within the enclosed space, with violence erupting in the form of battling soldiers, killers, and even chefs wielding knives in car brawls. Chris Evans delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Curtis, leading the entire rebellion towards a surprisingly optimistic conclusion. Part commentary, part action, the movie is a masterpiece in its own right.
45Taken (2008)
InTaken, Liam Neeson’s retired CIA agent Bryan Mills is an overprotective, divorced father of a 17-year-old. After being convinced by his former wife to grant permission for their daughter to travel internationally, he finds out their daughter has been kidnapped after landing in Paris. Mills takes matters into his own hands and goes on a relentless mission using his unique set of skills and a no-nonsense attitude to track down the ruthless human traffickers and kill each one of them.
Taken Features an Iconic Liam Neeson Performance
In 2008, everyone already knewLiam Neeson was a fantastic actor, but no one could foresee how much of an excellent action star he would become. At age 56, Neeson took on the role of Bryan Mills and made everyone drop their jaws. The film, directed by Pierre Morel, is one of the most intense thrillers ever made, one that opened the doors for aging movie stars to energize their careers as action movie stars. Neeson’s iconic string of threats over the phone has become a staple of both his filmography and contemporary pop culture, with dozens of references and parodies being parroted to this day.
44Midnight Run (1988)
Midnight Run
InMidnight Run, Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is a bounty hunter who is hired to bring an embezzling accountant named Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Charles Grodin) from New York to Los Angeles for a good price. However, his routine job spirals into an uncontrollable game when he has to deal with another bounty hunter, the FBI, the mafia, and a mad ex-cop. But the mismatched duo of Robert De Niro as the foul-mouthed bounty hunter — who just wants to stay professional and do his job — and Charles Grodin as the criminal with a penchant for inappropriate comments ultimately becomes the heart of this action adventure.
Midnight Run Is as Action-Packed as It Is Funny
Midnight Runis smart, it is fun, and it is extremely exhilarating. The movie hasn’t received the attention it deserves, but that does not make it any less enjoyable. Infusing a mildly energetic comedy into fashionable action set pieces is always a good recipe for a blockbuster and this 1988 movie does just that. The movie is filled with hilarious car chases on L.A. freeways, a climactic gunfight, as well as energetic bursts of violent quips. In a way,Midnight Runcovers the joy of a road trip by delivering heart-in-your-mouth action.
43Crank (2006)
Crank, as well asCrank 2: High Voltage, are some of the most hilariouslyover-the-top action filmsof the mid-to-late 2000s. The first film in this frenetic duology sees Jason Statham play an assassin named Chev Chelios, who finds himself in a particularly sticky situation. In a similar vein toSpeed, Chev is in a race against time to cure a poison currently running through his veins. How can he buy himself more time? It’s simple: all he has to do is keep his heart rate up with a constant stream of adrenaline.
Crank Simply Never Lets Up
Crankis a film that appropriately never lets up. There’s simply no time for breathing room, as Chev bounces between gang fights, reckless driving, illicit drug use, and more in his search for a cure. Combined with Statham’s comedic timing, bothCrankfilms are an uproariously good time if you have an afternoon to kill. There’s just enough self-awareness to balance out some palpable tension, with the film’s licensed soundtrack making the accompanying action truly pop.
42Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale
Casino Royale, as in the 2006 reboot with Daniel Craig, goes back to the beginning of James Bond’s career. After getting his first kill under his belt, Bond is dragged into a poker game that has even higher stakes than usual. Specifically, he’s going up against a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), who weeps blood and has some panicked heat under his collar.
Daniel Craig Is Bond, James Bond
Martin Campbell successfully reinvented the Bond franchise twice, first with the Pierce Brosnan-ledGoldenEyeand then, to an even greater degree, with the Daniel Craig-ledCasino Royale. A spy film masterpiece,Casino Royalebenefits from its realistic tone,committed performances from Craigand Eva Green, and some scene-stealing villainous work from Mads Mikkelsen. The film was the first of five for Craig, and even the worst of his run,Quantum of Solace, has its merits. But, even includingSkyfall, there was no toppingCasino Royale.
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41Top Gun (1986)
In this classic action flick, Tom Cruise stars as daring young pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Among the other students at the United States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school, he competes to be best in the class, and learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.
Top Gunintroduces audiences to Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a reckless but talented fighter pilot who is sent to the titular Top Gun, the Navy’s elite and A-class fighter weapons school. There, he’ll have to get his act together and learn that he’s not the only one flying for his team up there. The film has remained a cultural touchstone since its original release in 1986, with the beloved 2022 legacy sequel,Top Gun: Maverick, going on to become one of the best films of its respective year.
Top Gun Is a 1980s Classic
The late Tony Scott’sTop Gunfairly swiftly gained the love of 1986’s audiences. It’s one of the decade’s biggest successes and was absolutely instrumental in ensuring Tom Cruise’s meteoric rise. There are aspects of the film that haven’t aged particularly well, particularly its lack of interest in developing female characters, but it’s far too charming and exciting to notremain an iconic classic. We have to make brief mention of the iconic soundtrack as well, with smash hits like Kenny Loggins' “Danger Zone” and Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” becoming iconic songs in their own right outside the film’s context. Not to mention,Top Gunhas one of the saddest movie scenes of its decade.
