Action movies are incredible. There’s no need for any ostentatious language to state the obvious. Action movies aren’t often made to be profound or to earn critical points. They’re made to excite and entertain, and they do it better than just about any other genre. Through impressive stuntwork, explosive effects, stellar cinematography, and tight editing, action movies leave everything else in the dust. All well-made action movies are technical achievements, but the best of all time are even more than that.
The genre’s best feature relatable heroes, dastardly villains, and captivating plots. It’s the combination of all those elements with the aforementioned technical aspects that make these movies the best. Every single one of them elevates the genre and remains an essential part of it. That’s what makes these ten action movies awesome, and the best of all time.
‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)
Image via Toho
A foundational action movie, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is the best film on this list, and possibly ever made, even if its action has since been surpassed in scale and intensity. The battle sequences are still immaculately staged and incredibly exhilarating, which is impressive considering the film is over seven decades old. Kurosawa pioneered action filmmaking techniques, such as multicamera setups and cutting on motion, that are still fundamental to the genre. Every action filmmaker, in one way or another, is a disciple of Kurosawa, and Seven Samurai is an essential action movie.
The basic premise of the film, that of the titular seven samurai who are hired to protect a vulnerable village from crop-stealing bandits, has inspired dozens of direct and indirect imitators. Its simplicity belies the epic scale of the film, which allows each member of the team to be a developed individual and makes their collective sacrifice in the film’s climactic battle all the more affecting. That rain-soaked climax is still iconic, and Seven Samurai is still one of the greatest action films of all time.
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Image via Lucasfilm
Steven Spielberg is certainly among the filmmakers who took notes from Kurosawa, who he shares the status of directorial icon with. Though not known as an action director, Spielberg’s ability to stage action is second to none. Sequences in films like Saving Private Ryan, <em>Minority Report</em>, and even The Adventures of Tintin are all proof of that, but even collectively they can’t match his action-adventure masterpiece, <em>Raiders of the Lost Ark</em>. The film is iconic from the first scene to the last, filled with old-fashioned stunts and large-scale set pieces. Inspired by classic serials, it set the bar for modern adventure films, which hasn’t been cleared since.
Developed with George Lucas, Raiders of the Lost Ark was designed to be a quick and dirty shoot, with Spielberg wanting to avoid the bloated production woes of his previous film, the notorious bomb 1941. That attitude is apparent in the breezy tone of the film as it moves effortlessly from set piece to set piece, following Harrison Ford in his most iconic role as Indiana Jones as he attempts to procure the legendary Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do. Raiders of the Lost Ark is a film where every individual element of its production adds up to a great whole. Mileage may vary on enjoyment of the sequels, but the original is the best action-adventure movie of all time.
‘Police Story’ (1985)
If Die Hard is considered the quintessential action movie, then John Woo might be seen as its quintessential director. From his early martial arts films likeLast Hurrah for Chivalry, through his Hollywood work likeFace Off, Woo has delivered on all fronts but nothing quite matches his Heroic Bloodshed films. This subgenre was launched by Woo alongside Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam , focusing on themes like brotherhood and honor through highly stylized action sequences. Among these classics lies Woo’s masterpieceHard Boiled, which serves as his final statement on this genre.
The film features Chow Yun-fat as Tequila and Tony Leung as Alan—two cops attempting to take down a Triad from both outside and within. Their conflict drives some major set pieces, three unforgettable gunfights that blend ballistic chaos with balletic choreography. The combination of slow-motion cinematography and dynamic effects elevatesHard Boiled, making it unparalleled in terms of pure action cinema.
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
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The grittiness present inCasino Royale would later reflect a broader trend towards brutality in action films during both 2000s and 2010s with franchises likeJohn Wick &The Raid. The first installment from this series directed by Welsh filmmaker<strong<Gareth Evans , took audiences by storm due to its relentless pacing combined with martial artist Iko Uwais’s physicality along with Evans’ lethal direction.
Iko Uwais plays a SWAT team member raiding an apartment complex controlled by a drug lord where most members are slaughtered forcing him along with survivors to fight through floor after floor against armed henchmen.
What could have been repetitive instead becomes a sustained white-knuckle experience balancing intense fight scenes with quieter moments that feel more suited for horror films.
It’s essentially<emDie Hard </em>– stripped down yet equally deserving recognition.
<h2 id='39-mad-max-fury-road-'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
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The epic nature along with brutal direction seen throughout<emMad Max: Fury Road , demonstrates elements found across other top-tier action films.
It revived a dormant franchise after three decades thanks largely due director George Miller who spent years developing it despite facing numerous production issues.
Ultimately resulting into what many consider one among greatest actions films ever made.
A decade later its reputation remains unchallenged while no other film has managed dethrone it yet!
This installment also introduces Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson while adding new protagonist Charlize Theron’s Furiosa who drives narrative forward.
Max merely tags along throughout each installment post-original.
Miller crafts story along linear path traversing post-apocalyptic desert allowing characters develop within it while visuals often overshadow minimalist dialogue.
Mad Max: Fury Road stands as elemental representation within genre stripping down essentials required for any film deemed among best ever made!
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