Over the last decade, the action movie landscape has evolved with a mix of iconic franchise entries and innovative original films. Established series like James Bond and Mission: Impossible have released some of their most acclaimed films recently, while low-budget thrillers and unique concepts continue to find their place in the genre.
The action genre often overlaps with sci-fi, war, and superhero films. While superhero blockbusters have dominated box offices, only a select few deliver intense, impactful action. Grounded narratives tend to resonate more deeply with audiences.
2015 – Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, notable action films included Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Sicario, and Furious 7, but none matched the impact of Mad Max: Fury Road, which has entered discussions about the greatest action films ever made. George Miller’s revival of the Mad Max franchise set new standards for the genre.
Fury Road replaces Mel Gibson with Tom Hardy in the lead role, presenting a more intense and unfamiliar vision of the wasteland compared to its predecessors. Miller’s worldbuilding is captivating, but the focus of Fury Road is purely on action. The film is a relentless chase across the desert filled with extraordinary stunts.
2016 – Deadpool
In 2016, superhero films dominated the action genre, overshadowing interesting exceptions like The Accountant and Jason Bourne. Major hits included Captain America: Civil War, alongside divisive entries like Suicide Squad. The notion of “superhero fatigue” began to surface, creating an ideal backdrop for the release of Deadpool.
The first Deadpool film cleverly parodied the superhero genre with its irreverent hero who defies conventions. Ryan Reynolds became synonymous with the character, but the film’s intense fight scenes demonstrate that it transcends mere comedy. It satirizes superhero movies while still providing thrilling action that fans appreciate.
2017 – Baby Driver
The action genre remained largely dominated by superhero movies in 2017, yet there were standout “pure” action films like John Wick: Chapter 2 and Atomic Blonde. Among these, <em>Baby Driver</em> stands out as one of the year’s most stylish and entertaining action films, featuring an exceptional soundtrack that complements its thrilling chase sequences.
Baby Driver, Edgar Wright’s first project after completing his acclaimed Cornetto trilogy, is not as overtly satirical but still subverts heist movie conventions. It begins with playful crime caper elements before confronting the harsh realities faced by its charming protagonist.
2018 – Mission: Impossible – Fallout
The action genre saw no competition quite like that of the ongoing success of the Mission: Impossible franchise in full force. Other notable releases from 2018 included the animated triumphs like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, along with creative sci-fi thrillers such as Upgrade. However, it can be argued that none reached the heights ofMission: Impossible – Fallout, which stands as a high point for modern action blockbusters.
Fallout features Ethan Hunt once again fighting for global safety while maintaining a fresh and unpredictable narrative despite familiar elements. The introduction of Henry Cavill as one of the franchise’s most compelling villains adds considerable depth to the story, showcasing an engaging dynamic with Cruise. As always, viewers can expect spectacular stunts that are nothing short of breathtaking.
2019 – Avengers: Endgame
A variety of major action franchises made their return in 2019, including titles likeTerminator,Rambo,Godzilla, although results were mixed. The undeniable blockbuster event wasAvengers : Endgame which concluded an extensive narrative arc built over several years. The Russo brothers masterfully brought together every character and storyline into a cohesive finale.
Avengers : Endgame marked a significant conclusion for the MCU
delivering an epic culmination that met expectations. The film fulfilled its promise by showcasing heroes uniting in unexpected ways while featuring breathtaking action sequences. Many argue that this is where the MCU reached its peak, leaving subsequent entries feeling different.
2020 – Tenet
The year 2020 was challenging for all films due to pandemic-related disruptions affecting release schedules. Despite this,Tenet emerged as one of the few major studio releases not postponed or shifted to streaming platforms.
Although it received mixed reviews upon release, its popularity has continued to rise over time.
Tenet shares similarities with many of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed works by blending complex sci-fi concepts with inventive action sequences akin toInterstellar andInception. The concept of reverse entropy leads to remarkable fight scenes, including one where John David Washington’s character battles a version of himself navigating through a reverse timeline.
20201 – No Time To Die
Nobody,Wrath of Man, andSpider-Man : No Way Home, were among some of the best action films released in 20201 during Hollywood’s recovery from pandemic effects. Notably,No Time To Die
marked Daniel Craig’s final appearance as James Bond.
While it may not reach the heights of previous Bond films,
it still features stunning action sequences such as an Aston Martin chase through Matera and Ana de Armas’ portrayal as a Cuban CIA agent.
The film concludes dramatically, providing Craig with an appropriate farewell while also signaling an end to this era for EON Productions’ Bond franchise.
20202 – Top Gun:Maverick
The year also saw various genres blend into one another effectively.Everything Everywhere All at Once
showcased this blend while highlighting how
robust year for action cinema was.
It featured diverse hits such as period sci-fi thrillerPrey
, entertaining Indian epicRRR
, and noirish superhero rebootThe Batman.
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This year’s top action film was undoubtedlyTop Gun:Maverick
proving legacy sequels can be both thrilling and innovative rather than mere nostalgia-driven cash grabs.
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The flying sequences are breathtaking while Tom Cruise’s character is complemented by fresh faces.
Anticipation for Top Gun 3 now feels genuinely exciting..
20203 – John Wick Chapter Four
The year featured numerous exciting sequels across major franchises including titles like:Indiana Jones,
Mission Impossible,
Guardians Of The Galaxy,
and Spider-Verse.
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The latest installment from John Wick continues its trend towards grander scale productions featuring even more remarkable scenes than before.
With increased runtime and budget comes greater spectacle showcasing memorable moments such as overhead shootouts alongside climactic showdowns at Osaka Continental.
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20204 – Monkey Man
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This year showcased another diverse collection within Action Genre including titles such as:Furiosa:
A Mad Max Saga,
Rebel Ridge,
and The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
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A standout debut wasMonkey Man,
directed by Dev Patel himself showcasing his martial arts credentials alongside impressive fight choreography reminiscent of John Wick while also rooted deeply within Indian culture.
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This marks just beginning for Patel’s journey into martial arts filmmaking!
