10 Most Essential Action Movies of the Last 100 Years, Ranked

The best action movies aren’t just mindless and cheap thrills; they’re art that makes cinema incredible. Action isn’t just easy-going excitement. When one of these films stands out, it’s because there’s something truly magnificent about it, whether it’s because of how it’s made, the story it tells, or how it’s able to keep your attention. Throughout its history, many have competed for the greatest action movie of all time; some have succeeded, and some have not. Through it all, the ones that have succeeded and stood the test of time have earned the right to definitely be seen, even if it’s just once. The following are the pulse-pounders, the action-packed blockbusters, and the bona fide masterpieces that have become essential to action cinema. Without them, the genre would never be the same. These are groundbreakers and endlessly rewatchable classics, ones that continue to thrill and inspire countless films today. From martial arts classics to genre-mixers, these ten are necessary for anyone wanting to enter action. 10 ‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973) Endless excitement, revolutionary stunt work, and flawless fight choreography best describe the magic put into making Enter the Dragon the most legendary martial arts movie in history. Featuring the late and never forgotten Bruce Lee in his last but arguably greatest film, in a crowd-pleaser that further cemented him as an icon of the action genre. Enter the Dragon’s action is just as swift and fast as its leading protagonist, and delivers captivating fights and glorious stunts so expertly shown and performed that’s made it a highly rewatchable classic that’s somehow only gotten better with age. Lee was at the top of his game, along with every supporting actor and stunt performer, to create something unforgettable and surprisingly well-acted. Honestly, it sums up everything thrilling about martial arts films and stands as its most influential champion. 9 ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000) Taking martial arts to the highest attention in Western cinema, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon achieved unanimous acclaim and success, turning it into one of the decade’s and this century’s most recognizable action films. Featuring remarkable acting, gorgeous cinematography, innovative fight sequences, and impressive wire stunt work, it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. It can instantly draw any viewer in with its captivating visuals, enticing them with beautiful imagery mixed with incredible and unique fighting choreography that also looks so fluid and natural. There’s no taking your eyes off it once it’s on, and that’s what makes Lee’s enduring classic a film that’s essential and worth constant watching. 8 ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015) There’s an unexpected charm to George Miller’s Mad Max series, as when it had been dominant from the late ’80s to mid-2010s, it almost seemed like there was no more life left in this popular post-apocalyptic action franchise. But miraculously, it pulled itself out of the dust to release 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, which is not only considered to be the best of the franchise but often hailed as one of the greatest of the 21st century. What feels like a wild, pulse-pounding chase, Fury Road, instantly grips you, thrilling you every second with its tense action, competent direction, and captivating visuals, which greatly blend CGI and practical stunt work. The stunts are out of this world in this modern masterpiece, looking flawless and award-worthy, which actually contributed to this film’s sweeping success at the 2016 Academy Awards. Epic from start to finish and powerfully breathtaking, Mad Max: Fury Road can’t be ignored. 7 ‘Predator’ (1987) A bit of action, sci-fi, adventure, and mostly horror were all brought together to create movie history in John McTernan’s Predator. One of the most thrilling genre-benders in cinema, this mix blew audiences away in 1987, providing crowd-pleasing shoot-outs and epic fights, as well as giving horror fans some intense terror and suspense. Just look at its lineup, too: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the late Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Shane Black. From this legendary muscle-bound ensemble to its thrilling story and endlessly quotable one-liners, Predator instantly took its place in action history as a timelessly fun and unforgettable joyride. It spawned a continuously successful franchise, and if the acclaim of its latest installment, Predator: Badlands, has anything to show for it, it’s that this franchise is just rising higher. 6 ‘The Matrix’ (1999) Ending the glorious 1990s on one last explosive high note, The Wachowskis’ The Matrix was the 20th century’s last big hurrah for action and gave it tremendous inspiration. A compelling mix of thought-provoking storytelling and themes and elevated by revolutionary special effects, this was a game-changer that so many films tried to be like for years to come. The Matrix is unlike anything else, as its unique story and visuals not only make it stand out, but have it endure as it’s become a pop-cultural phenomenon, being endlessly referenced, parodied, and talked about constantly in the time since it blew up at the box office. It’s simply iconic, and its impact on cinema is undeniable. While, yeah, it spawned a mediocre franchise of sequels that got worse and worse, the first will always reign supreme as a staple of the genre. 5 ‘Aliens’ (1986) One of the greatest sequels of all time, James Cameron’s more action-packed continuation of Sir Ridley Scott’s Alien series, Aliens, pushed the franchise to new, exciting heights. While some argue the first is slightly better, the second stands on its own, creating a remarkable legacy as a timeless horror adventure with more characters, better effects, and so much action. It’s a futuristic war film with epic weapons and gadgets, and exciting characters taking the fight to the universe’s deadliest species, the xenomorphs. The action is intense and chaotic, and not made to seem triumphant but more like a desperate struggle for survival, which adds to the horror elements of the story. And speaking of horror, Aliens doesn’t skip on that and strikes the right balance of being a fist-pumping action spectacle and terrifying nightmare, which creates one hell of a movie-watching experience that can satisfy anyone. 4 ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981) Join the adventure with one of cinema’s most iconic characters ever, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), in his epic first journey in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. A globe-trotting thrill ride with epic locations, beloved heroes, dastardly foes, fun chase sequences, and exciting lost treasures, this is the prime example of escapism, where you can instantly get swept away in the fun. Raiders of the Lost Ark defined the countless childhoods of generations of young explorers wanting to be like Indy. It’s a highly rewatchable and truly timeless action adventure that endures because of its excitement and pop culture significance. Even now, its lines and some of its best moments are referenced in other forms of media today, and that doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Of course, it’s essential for any action fan and just any casual movie watcher in general. 3 ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991) A masterpiece that is a great example of what every sequel should strive to achieve, Cameron’s second attempt at a continuation, this time with his own Terminator franchise, was a wild success that not only improved on the 1984 original film, but in many outshined it. 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day was one of the biggest, most explosive, and exciting action films of the early ’90s and set a benchmark for the genre thanks to its legendary characters and groundbreaking effects. To say it’s essential to the action genre is an understatement. T2 did everything a sequel should be: improving on the existing story, adding something fresh and new, and elevating the game by bringing more of what audiences loved about the first. From the revolutionary effects used to bring the cybernetic machines to life to Arnold Swarzennger and Linda Hamilton’s iconic heroic performances, T2 can make an action fan out of anyone. 2 ‘Seven Samurai’ (1954) Akira Kurosawa, a Japanese filmmaker who pioneered filmmaking, giving cinema some of the most inspirational and revered classics ever, delivered his greatest masterpiece in 1954 with Seven Samurai. Widely considered to be the definitive action movie, this epic delivers a powerful story and incredible fight sequences that changed the face of the genre and cinema as a whole. With thought-provoking themes, remarkable and one-of-a-kind storytelling, and emotional depth and heartbreaking performances, Seven Samurai has stood near the top of some of cinema’s most influential masterpieces. It’s still an inspiring film today, giving notes to multiple genres like Western and Superhero. Its legacy is undeniable, its story is gripping from beginning to conclusion, and a must-watch for anyone interested in cinema. 1 ‘Die Hard’ (1988) Seven Samurai gave tremendous inspiration to the action genre today, but there’s just one more film that slightly tops it here on this list because of its impact. And that’s John McTiernan’s Die Hard, the magnum opus that not only defined ’80s action, but became a symbol of the genre where it’s still recognizable today.
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