You might be the biggest action film fan, but with the abundance of options, there are films that you might have missed or forgotten about. These movies might have slipped through the cracks because they were overshadowed by others, had limited releases, or are just hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These are the movies people discover years later and immediately wonder how they missed them the first time around.
We take a look at some of the amazing action movies that you might have slept on. These movies stand out because of their commitment to action. From Hollywood actioners to an Indonesian martial arts flick, these actioners are stylish, smart, relentless, and often far more ambitious than their reputations suggest. Whether it’s the political tension of Elite Squad or the neon-lit streets of <em>Black Rain</em>, these movies are the action movies you don’t want to miss.
‘Raging Fire’ (2021)
Image via Emperor Motion Pictures
Raging Fire follows veteran Hong Kong police officer Cheung (Donnie Yen) as he investigates a string of violent robberies and attacks carried out by a crew of highly trained ex-cops led by his former protégé, Yau (Nicholas Tse). Yau wants revenge on Cheung after he was put in jail for killing a suspect in a high-profile case.
Raging Fire is the final film directed by prolific Hong Kong director Benny Chan, who previously made several movies with Jackie Chan. It shows the modern evolution of Hong Kong action movies with massive explosions in crowded streets and brutal hand-to-hand fights. Donnie Yen delivers exactly the kind of physical, commanding performance you want from him, while Nicholas Tse gives the movie a genuinely memorable villain performance. In an era where many action movies are buried under CGI and weightless editing, Raging Fire feels refreshingly bone-crackingly physical. It’s one of the great modern Hong Kong action films, and you can feel decades of filmmaking craft behind every sequence.
‘Den of Thieves’ (2018)
Den of Thieves follows two warring sides in Los Angeles: one is “Big Nick” O’Brien (Gerard Butler), a reckless, morally compromised cop and on the other is a highly disciplined crew led by ex-marine Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber). Merrimen meticulously plans a heist to rob the Federal Reserve, and Big Nick suspects something major is coming. As they try to stay one step ahead of everyone else, they struggle to execute their jobs.
Den of Thieves is a pleasant surprise. The movie clearly takes inspiration from Heat, but instead of copying its elegance, it leans into something dirtier and more aggressive. The gunfights are loud and chaotic in a way that feels frighteningly authentic, especially during the climactic downtown shootout, which has some of the best tactical action choreography in recent American crime cinema. Den of Thieves is the kind of action film that understands criminals and cops often operate with the same mentality, just on opposite sides of the law. The film is followed by a sequel, <em>Den of Thieves 2: Pantera</em>.
‘Black Rain’ (1989)
The firstElite Squadis often mentioned as one of the best action imports from South America, but the sequel is almost always overlooked.Elite Squadis more ambitious, more political and bigger than its predecessor.
The film was overshadowed by the lighterRush Hourduring its release but it still holds up well today.
