The 15 Best Action Movies of the Century So Far

From the silent swashbuckling days of The Mask of Zorro and The Three Musketeers in the 1920s to the cuttin- edge Avatar movies of more recent years, action movies have always been a big draw in and provide the perfect form of escapism for viewers.

As we enter the 25th year of the 21st Century, we take a look back at the best movies of the last quarter of a century that focus on high octane action sequences aimed at getting the audience’s blood pumping. So buckle up and strap in tight, these are the 15 best action movies of the last 25 years.

15

‘Skyfall’ (2012)

James Bond, originating from Ian Fleming’s novels, has graced the silver screen since the release of Dr. No in 1962. Over the years, various talented actors have stepped into the suit, bringing their own interpretations to the suave and daring secret agent. The selection of Daniel Craig to play Bond, at the time, was perhaps one of the more controversial choices, but Craig rose to the occasion and proved any naysayers well and truly wrong.

‘Skyfall’ Is Daniel Craig’s Third Outing as James Bond

While every movie of Craig’s 007 era is considered a classic, Skyfall just about pips the other to the post when crowning greatest due to the willingness of director Sam Mendes’ to delve into Bond’s past and explore his vulnerabilities. This allowed the movie to further develop the character, to an extent unseen before. Of course, it also features the much adored trademark heart pumping 007 car chases, gun fights and jaw dropping stunts, only with a little more heart.

14

‘Gladiator’ (2000)

With the recent release of Gladiator 2, the franchise is back on everyone’s lips again. It’s hard to believe, though, that the original was released almost 25 years ago, way back in 2000. The Ripley Scott directed historical action epic saw Rusell Crowe pick up his sword and sandals as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general, betrayed and reduced to slavery as he battles it out in the gladiator arena, avenging the murders of his family.

‘Gladiator’ Is Now Regarded as an Iconic Piece of Cinema

Redefining the historical epic genre, Gladiator blends brutally violent action sequences with gripping storytelling, sweeping cinematography and unforgettable performances from the likes of Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Neilson. The movie was a commercial and critical smash hit and was nominated for an astonishing 12 Academy Awards, winning 5 including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

13

‘John Wick’ (2014)

Now one of the most successful action franchises of all time, it’s hard to imagine there ever being any doubt around this movie’s potential success. The original John Wick, released in 2014, saw Keanu Reeves making a phenomenal career comeback playing the titular character on a vengeful warpath after his beloved dog is killed.

Not Everyone Initially Embraced the Movie’s Quirky Edginess

Audiences couldn’t get enough of the hyper-stylized violence and intense atmosphere and the movie became an instant classic. However, director Josh Horowitz recalls a very different reaction during the testing process. Following a middling test screening, he was admittedly briefly concerned over the movie’s future. Ultimately, though, he decided to lean into the movie’s quirkiness and fully embrace it; a decision well made.

12

‘Training Day’ (2001)

Taking the buddy cop action genre and injecting it with a healthy dose of gritty realism, Training Day allows viewers to experience a day in the life of a rookie cop (played by Ethan Hawke) as he starts his new role with his corrupt veteran partner played by Denzel Washington.

Denzel Washington’s Flawless Performance Won Him an Oscar

Hawke’s character tries to navigate the murky and morally ambiguous world he finds himself a part of thanks to Washington’s character. All the while, Washington’s commanding performance masterfully embodies the unpredictable and morally complex nature of his character. His performance exudes a raw magnetic energy and natural charisma that rightfully earned him an Oscar win for Best Actor.

11

‘The Bourne Identity’ (2002)

Based on Robert Ludlum’s 1980 novel, The Bourne Identity has grown into one of the world’s most successful action franchises, and it all started with this 2002 release. Already an accomplished actor, Matt Damon was shot into superstardom as he took on the role of Jason Bourne, a man suffering from amnesia who gradually discovers his life was anything but ordinary as he finds himself wrapped up in clandestine conspiracy within the CIA.

‘The Bourne Identity’ Is One of the Biggest Additions to the Espionage Genre Since James Bond

Praised for its action set pieces, bouts of humor and overall tone and atmosphere, it has proven itself as not only the strongest movie in the now iconic franchise, but as one of the most important espionage movies in recent history.

10

‘Kill Bill’ (2003 and 2004)

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Right, we’re considering Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 as one movie, as it seems as if director Quentin Tarantino, himself, has done the same when listing his directing credits. Released in 2003 and 2004 as a two-part movie, it brought a refreshing and empowering change to the action genre by showcasing women actors who fearlessly kicked butt on-screen.

‘Kill Bill’ Shattered Stereotypes

In a genre dominated by male-centric narratives, Kill Bill shattered stereotypes and delivered a much-needed dose of women empowerment. Uma Thurman plays a deadly assassin hellbent on revenge. Elsewhere, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, and Vivica A. Fox showcased their formidable martial arts skills and proved that women could go just as hard as any male counterparts in this stylized, brutal and bloody visceral action epic.

9

‘Avatar’ (2009)

The pressure on James Cameron when going into Avatar was phenomenal. Not only had he had to wait 15 years for technology to catch up with his ambitious vision, he had also managed to secure the largest budget in movie history to plunge into the project. On top of this, his previous movie, Titanic, had been reigning supreme as the highest grossest movie of all time since its release back in 1997.

‘Avatar’ Exceeded All Expectations

Fortunately for Cameron, his ambitions, gambles and hard work all paid off. The movie, a futuristic, sci-fi, action adventure was an instant hit and shattered every box office record imaginable, quickly becoming the most successful movie of all time, knocking his previous film from the top spot.

8

‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014)

It’s always refreshing when a movie hits theaters and completely nails what it set out to do, and it’s even more refreshing when said movie isn’t a sequel, remake or reboot. That’s exactly what happened in 2014 when audiences were hit with the Tom Cruise led sci-fi, action blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow.

‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Takes a Novel “Time Loop” Approach to the Alien Invasion Trope

Taking place in the future where most of Europe is now occupied by a hostile alien race, Tom Cruise plays a PR worker, with no military experience, who is forced to join a landing attack against the aliens. He finds himself in a time loop which he uses to his advantage as he orchestrates a means to defeat the aliens. Full of jaw-dropping special effects, a gripping story and a subtle undercurrent of humor, the movie was a hit with critics and audiences alike and currently sits at an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.

7

‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

7 movies deep (with an 8th due this year) and the franchise has maintained a constant solid standard and continually performed strongly at the box office. The series follows Impossible Mission Force Agent Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, who embarks on a series of “impossible” missions as he serves and protects the free world.

Unlike Many Franchises of its Nature, The ‘Mission: Impossible’ Series Has Avoided Falling Into the Realms of Absurdity

Each movie attempts to up the action of its predecessor and, as a result, has made for some of the most exhilarating viewing in recent history. The series peaked with 2018’s Fallout which featured high speed helicopter chases, a motorcycle chase through Paris, and the climatic cliff hang and fight. The Mission: Impossible series unashamedly revels in its over-the-top stunts and action sequences, but unlike many of its contemporaries, it has managed to do so without becoming too campy and absurd and maintains a level of realism.

6

‘Taken’ (2009)

Liam Neeson is one of the most celebrated and respected actors in his field. Known for his magnetic intensity, he carved a career playing a number of acclaimed dramatic roles in movies like Schindler’s List and Michael Collins. However, it was the unexpected success of 2008’s Taken that catapulted him into a new realm of stardom and transformed his career trajectory. In Taken, Neeson portrayed Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative on a relentless quest to save his daughter from human traffickers, showcasing his commanding presence and intense action sequences.

‘Taken’ Sparked a Renewed Interest In Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson’s performance and the movie itself were a huge hit with critics and audiences alike. The movie’s stylized violence and high-octane action sequences left viewers clamoring for more. As a result, Neeson soon became synonymous the “aging badass” genre. Embracing this new phase, Neeson went on to star in a series of action-packed films, such as Unknown (2011), Non-Stop (2014), and The Commuter (2018), as well as a further two Taken sequels.

5

‘Old Boy’ (2003)

Oldboy a groundbreaking South Korean action-thriller known for its shocking twist and graphic violence. Directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook, it follows the story of a man, hellbent on revenge after being released from capture after 15 years, without a clue of his captors’ identity or motive.

‘Oldboy’ Is a Movie That Won’t Be Forgotten Any Time Soon

Clever, dark, and brutal, Oldboy is a thought-provoking movie that constantly forces its audience to question their own morals and understanding of what is unfolding before their eyes. Its stylistic brilliance, visceral violence and shocking twist makes it not only one of the greatest action movies of the last 25 years, but also one of the most memorable movies you’re likely to ever experience.

4

‘Furious 7’ (2015)

The enormous success of the Fast and Furious franchise may have some scratching their heads, while others will see it as a no-brainer. What started as a series about illegal street racing has elevated into the ultimate exercise in unadulterated action. Compiling the biggest stars of the genre and placing them in the most outrageous scenarios, with the fastest chases, biggest explosions and most intense combat, the series has never been afraid to exploit everything the genre has to offer.

‘Furious 7’ Finds a Balance Between Outrageous Action and Genuine Heart

Unlike some other entries in the franchise, Furious 7 manages to deliver its trademark brand of outrageous stunts, including cars parachuting from planes and death defying skyscraper leaps, whilst grounding the entire spectacle with a level of emotional depth. The relationships among the crew, especially the bond between Dom and Brian (played by Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, respectively), are given real weight. These moments are made all the more poignant knowing that Paul Walker tragically passed during the filming of the movie. His character is given an emotional send-off which adds a genuine layer of sincerity and heart to the movie.

3

‘Snowpiercer’ (2014)

Before it was adapted into a hit Netflix show starring Daveed Diggs, and before director Bong Joon-Ho made headlines worldwide for directing Parasite, the first international movie to win the Best Picture award at the Oscars, there was the 2013 dystopian thriller Snowpiercer. It takes place aboard the eponymous Snowpiercer train as it travels a globe-spanning track, carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed attempt at climate engineering to stop global warming has created a new frozen Earth.

While this train is a literal “lifesaver,” life on the train is far from perfect. The train is split into sections and divided by class. Those at the tail end—the lower class—live in squalid conditions where food is scarce (and barely edible) and are brutally oppressed by the tyrannical ruling class. Revolution was inevitable.

Acting as a meaningful allegory of class struggles within the confines of the dystopian train, Snowpiercer is a thought-provoking movie that combines breath-taking visuals and intense action sequences with a gripping narrative, bolstered by strong performances from the likes of Tilda Swinton and Chris Evans.

2

‘The Raid’ (2012)

The film follows a specialist Indonesian police force deployed to raid a ruthless drug lord’s apartment block in the slums of Jakarta. Finding themselves surrounded by violent criminals, forcing them to fight their way through the complex and take down their target.

‘The Raid’ Is one of the Most Intense Combat Action Movies of All Time

The Raid’s relentless action never lets up, showcasing flawless Indonesian martial arts choreography and highly stylized, ultra-violent cinematography, making for one of the most high octane, heart pounding movies of all time.

1

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Costing just a meager $300,000 or so to make, the original 1979 Mad Max went on to exceed all exceptions and land itself in the Guinness World Records as the most profitable movie of all time after grossing $100 million at the Box Office. Capturing the imagination of millions across the globe, this low budget indie Australian gem catapulted Mel Gibson into superstardom and spawned 2 direct sequels in Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) to critical acclaim but dwindling box office success. Then the franchise went dead.

‘Fury Road’ Was a Long Awaited Return for the Beloved Franchise

After a 2 decade wait, the world was treated to another entry into the Mad Max series, and what a treat it was. With Tom Hardy replacing Gibson in the role of Max and George Miller taking over direction duties, the movie proved to be one of the most exhilarating cinema experiences of all time. Its thrilling car chases, jaw dropping cinematography and newly introduced feminist themes garnered critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase, culminating in a total of 6 Oscar wins.