Top 60 Action Movies of All Time
Action movies have always been the pulse of cinema, blending danger, defiance, and raw adrenaline. From relentless gunfights to heart-stopping car chases, the genre gives us heroes who defy odds, villains we love to hate, and set pieces that leave us breathless. These are the top-rated ones that don’t just entertain—they set the standard.
Across decades, the best and coolest movies have definitive action scenes that have come to define what thrills us on screen. Whether it’s the stylistic flair of Hong Kong martial arts, the dystopian madness of a post-apocalyptic highway, or a lone hero battling insurmountable odds, this list delivers an electrifying tour of cinema’s most explosive entries.
So buckle up—here are 60 must-see action movies to watch, ranked and reviewed with the full cast, genres, and what makes each one unforgettable.
1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Widely hailed as one of the top rated action movies of all time, T2 blends sci-fi spectacle with emotional depth. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 returns—this time as a protector—tasked with saving a young John Connor from the liquid-metal menace of the T-1000 (Robert Patrick). Director James Cameron revolutionized visual effects with groundbreaking CGI and choreographed some of the best fighting movie sequences ever put to screen.
From freeway chases to the climactic steel mill showdown, T2 is not just a sequel—it’s a game-changer. A must-watch for anyone who is a fan of dystopian stories with consequences!
2. Die Hard
Is it a Christmas movie? Maybe. Is it one of the best movies ever made? Absolutely. Bruce Willis redefined the everyman action hero as NYPD cop John McClane, caught in a hostage situation at Nakatomi Plaza. Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber delivers one of cinema’s most charismatic villain performances.
Tense, clever, and full of practical stunts, Die Hard is the blueprint for all modern “lone hero vs. many” thrillers. It's gritty, funny, and endlessly rewatchable—a definitive entry among good action movies.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones is more than a professor—he’s the ultimate cinematic adventurer. Raiders set a new bar for action movies to watch, with pulse-pounding set pieces, witty banter, and epic globe-trotting storytelling. From dodging boulders to fistfights atop moving trucks, Spielberg crafted a timeless tale of myth, mystery, and mayhem. It’s one of those good movies that effortlessly blends genre elements: it's part treasure hunt, part war thriller, and 100% iconic.
4. The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel isn’t just a superhero film—it’s an urban crime epic. With Heath Ledger’s chilling, Oscar-winning turn as the Joker, The Dark Knight confronts the morality of justice in a chaotic world. This is one of those rare top rated action movies that balances spectacle with substance. From the armored truck chase to the skyscraper fight in Hong Kong, every scene is soaked in tension. It’s smart, explosive, and one of the most important movies to watch in the modern era.
5. Mad Max: Fury Road
A pure adrenaline injection, Fury Road is the gold standard of cool action movies. George Miller returns to his wasteland with Tom Hardy’s Max and Charlize Theron’s unforgettable Furiosa. What follows is a non-stop, high-octane convoy chase across a scorched Earth. With real stunt work, minimal dialogue, and explosive visuals, this isn’t just one of the best fighting movies of the 2010s—it’s a symphony of speed and fury.
6. Gladiator
"Are you not entertained?" With that single line, Gladiator carved its place among the all-time top-rated movies. Russell Crowe delivers a career-defining performance as Maximus, a betrayed Roman general turned enslaved warrior. Director Ridley Scott transforms the Roman Colosseum into a brutal, blood-soaked stage for vengeance. This is one of those movies that strikes the perfect balance between historical drama and cinematic combat. From emotional arcs to epic-scale battles, Gladiator remains a must-see action movie to watch—and rewatch.
7. The Matrix
Red pill or blue pill? The Matrix redefined what cool action movies could look like, combining cyberpunk visuals, martial arts choreography, and philosophical musings. Keanu Reeves plays Neo, a hacker pulled into a hidden war between man and machine. With its “bullet time” slow-mo sequences, rooftop gunfights, and dojo battles, The Matrix is a touchstone for best fighting movies in sci-fi cinema. It didn’t just push boundaries—it shattered them.
8. John Wick
They killed his dog. They shouldn’t have. With John Wick, Keanu Reeves delivered a sleek, stylish masterclass in revenge-fueled chaos. Retired assassin turned reluctant executioner, Wick takes on the entire criminal underworld with tactical precision and balletic violence. The film’s gun-fu sequences are some of the most inventive in modern cinema, cementing it as one of the most cool action movies of the 2010s—and a trendsetter for future fighting movies.
9. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ang Lee’s martial arts epic is a poetic blend of romance and wire-fu action. Featuring gravity-defying swordplay and breathtaking cinematography, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon elevated wuxia cinema to global prestige. Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi’s performances, in particular, bring emotional weight to every elegantly choreographed duel.
This isn’t just a top rated action movie—it’s one of the most beautiful fighting movies ever made, with every slash and leap steeped in longing and legend.
10. The Bourne Identity
Matt Damon’s turn as amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne marked a sharp pivot for spy thrillers. The Bourne Identity introduced a grounded, gritty style of action that would go on to influence Bond and beyond. The film’s hand-to-hand combat, car chases, and quiet tension feel real, raw, and relentless. For fans of action movies with brains and brawn, this is essential viewing. It’s one of the most influential movies to watch if you want to see how modern espionage thrillers found their edge.
11. First Blood
The origin of John Rambo isn’t just a shoot-’em-up revenge fantasy—it’s a raw, emotional tale of trauma and survival. First Blood introduces the Vietnam vet as he’s pushed into conflict by a small-town sheriff, triggering a psychological battle in the forested Pacific Northwest. Less bombastic than its sequels, this is one of those action movies to watch when you want both tension and thematic depth. It’s a defining entry in the “one-man-army” subgenre—and still one of the coolest movies ever made.
12. Casino Royale
When Daniel Craig took over as James Bond, Casino Royale flipped the franchise’s formula on its head. Gritty, grounded, and emotionally driven, this reboot put 007 in brutal fistfights, parkour chases, and psychological warfare—all while playing the longest and most intense poker game in cinema. With one of the best fighting movie bathroom brawls ever filmed and a memorable performance from Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, this entry is easily one of the top rated action movies of the 2000s. A high-stakes reinvention.
13. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to samurai films, spaghetti westerns, and grindhouse cinema is a stylized symphony of vengeance. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) on her blood-soaked path of revenge, delivering one of the most visually iconic fighting movies ever made. From the anime-inspired backstory to the Crazy 88 showdown, this is peak Tarantino—bloody, beautiful, and relentlessly entertaining. If you’re building a list of cool action movies, this belongs near the top.
14. Point Break
“Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.” That’s the ethos of Point Break, a sun-drenched, adrenaline-soaked crime thriller that pits FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) against surfer/robber/spiritual guru Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this is one of the most quotable, rewatchable, and downright good action movies of the ’90s. With bank heists, skydiving, and philosophical showdowns, it’s as soulful as it is thrilling.
15. Aliens
If Alien was horror in space, Aliens is a war movie in a hive—and one of the top-rated movies to watch if you want white-knuckle intensity. James Cameron ups the ante with pulse rifles, flamethrowers, and marines versus xenomorphs. And at the center of it all? Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, delivering a performance that redefined the female action hero.
Whether it's the Queen showdown or the iconic power loader scene, this is one of the coolest action movies in sci-fi history—and arguably one of the best fighting movies featuring humans vs. monsters.
16. Blade
Before the MCU existed, Blade showed us how slick, R-rated superhero action could look. Wesley Snipes stars as the half-human, half-vampire Daywalker, slicing his way through bloodsuckers with style and speed. The underground club bloodbath that opens the film? Instant classic. With martial arts duels, explosive shootouts, and swordplay, this is one of the best fighting movies of the late ’90s—and arguably one of the most influential cool action movies of the pre-2000 superhero era.
17. The French Connection
Gritty, raw, and grounded in real-world tension, The French Connection helped redefine American action cinema. Gene Hackman’s Popeye Doyle is an obsessive NYPD detective trying to bust a French heroin ring, and what follows is one of the most iconic car chases in movie history. This Oscar-winning thriller isn’t flashy—it’s ferocious. And its realistic pacing and moral ambiguity earn it a lasting place among top rated action movies and one of the more serious-minded movies to watch.
18. Atomic Blonde
Set in Cold War Berlin and drenched in neon, Atomic Blonde is an audiovisual knockout—and Charlize Theron cements herself as one of the best modern action leads. MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton navigates a web of deception with a brutal efficiency that rivals John Wick (fitting, since it's from the same stunt team). The stairwell one-shot fight scene? Pure cinema. If you want cool movies with brains, bruises, and a killer soundtrack, this is one of the good action movies that proves stylish doesn't mean shallow.
19. The Raid: Redemption
The Raid isn't just a movie—it's a clinic in combat. A SWAT team gets trapped inside a Jakarta high-rise controlled by a drug lord, and rookie officer Rama (Iko Uwais) must fight floor by floor to survive. This Indonesian masterwork features bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat that makes it one of the best fighting movies of all time. No CGI. No gimmicks. Just pure, high-impact martial arts that raised the bar for global action cinema. Among action movies to watch, this is one you feel in your spine.
20. Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
A devastating blend of epic war drama and personal tragedy, Tae Guk Gi follows two brothers drafted into the Korean War. What starts as a promise of protection turns into a story of sacrifice, betrayal, and loss—told with sweeping cinematography and relentless battlefield intensity. This film doesn’t just belong among good action movies—it deserves a place among the top-rated movies for its emotional depth and large-scale combat scenes. For fans of Saving Private Ryan with a distinctly Eastern perspective, this one hits hard.
21. Supercop
No green screens. No doubles. Just Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh doing their own death-defying stunts in one of the most jaw-dropping movies to watch of the '90s. Supercop (also known as Police Story 3) sends Chan’s detective character undercover with Interpol to take down a drug lord. Whether it’s Chan hanging off a helicopter or Yeoh driving a motorcycle onto a moving train, this film is a masterclass in physical stuntwork. It’s pure kinetic joy—one of the most cool action movies ever shot on real streets with real pain.
22. True Lies
James Cameron goes full popcorn with this action-comedy hybrid that still delivers massive set pieces. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a secret agent posing as a dull suburban husband, while Jamie Lee Curtis—unknowingly married to a spy—gets pulled into a high-stakes terrorist plot.
With tango scenes, jet fights, and Curtis’s iconic strip-tease moment, True Lies is one of those good action movies that’s as funny as it is explosive. Bonus points for being one of the few top rated movies that balances domestic drama with spy thrills.
23. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Slick, stylish, and wildly underrated, Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. revives Cold War espionage with modern swagger. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Hammer) are forced into an uneasy alliance to stop a global threat. With its ‘60s aesthetic, jazzy soundtrack, and sharply choreographed fight scenes, this is one of the movies that doesn’t rely on chaos to thrill. A breezy but polished entry for anyone looking for action movies to watch that feel fresh.
24. Why Don’t You Play in Hell?
A yakuza turf war. A wannabe film crew. And one final chance to make the greatest movie ever. Sion Sono’s Why Don’t You Play in Hell? It is an unhinged bloodbath of passion, ambition, and cinematic madness. If you like your good movie with meta-commentary and mayhem, this one’s for you. It’s loud, absurd, and gleefully violent—a cult favorite among fighting movies that doubles as a love letter to low-budget filmmaking.
25. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sergio Leone’s epic western isn’t just iconic—it’s foundational. The story follows three gunslingers racing to find hidden Confederate gold amid the chaos of the American Civil War. With its sweeping visuals, Ennio Morricone’s legendary score, and Eastwood’s cold-blooded cool, this is one of the greatest movies to watch before you die. It might not feature martial arts or modern explosions, but make no mistake: this is one of the all-time top-rated action movies—a slow-burn showdown masterpiece with unforgettable tension.
26. Hero
Zhang Yimou’s Hero is a visual poem told through combat. Jet Li plays Nameless, a mysterious warrior who recounts how he defeated three infamous assassins targeting the King of Qin. Each version of the story unfolds in a different color palette, emotion, and martial arts philosophy. This is one of the most visually stunning movies ever made, where every duel is a blend of choreography and cinematography. If you're curating a list of cool action movies that lean lyrical, Hero stands tall among the genre’s most elegant epics.
27. Revenge
Revenge is not for the faint-hearted—but it’s essential viewing in the canon of good action movies with raw, emotional stakes. After being assaulted and left for dead, Jen (Matilda Lutz) survives and exacts gory vengeance in a sun-scorched desert.
Directed by Coralie Fargeat, this French feminist thriller pushes the genre to extremes, delivering relentless tension and one of the bloodiest final acts you’ll ever see. It’s grim, stylish, and absolutely one of the most brutal best fighting movies led by a woman in recent memory.
28. Beverly Hills Cop
A perfect cocktail of action and comedy, Beverly Hills Cop turned Eddie Murphy into a global superstar. As street-smart Detroit cop Axel Foley, Murphy brings charisma, wit, and just enough recklessness to make every car chase and shootout unforgettable. This is one of those good action movies that’s endlessly rewatchable and still hilariously sharp. For fans who love high-stakes mayhem wrapped in humor, it’s a classic among cool movies from the ‘80s.
29. Commando
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most gloriously over-the-top role? It might be Commando. Playing retired Special Forces Colonel John Matrix, Arnold mows down armies of bad guys with rocket launchers, saw blades, and one-liners—just to save his kidnapped daughter. This is pure ‘80s adrenaline and an essential entry for fans of cool action movies with zero subtlety and 100% firepower. It's not just one of the best fighting movies for muscle-bound mayhem—it's a cult classic in the action pantheon.
30. Equilibrium
Before John Wick made gun-fu famous, Equilibrium introduced us to “Gun Kata”—a fictional martial art combining firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Christian Bale stars as a government enforcer in a dystopian society where emotions are outlawed, only to awaken to rebellion after missing a dose of his daily suppressant. Slick, philosophical, and surprisingly poignant, this is one of those action movies to watch if you want sci-fi with heart, style, and some of the coolest fighting choreography of the early 2000s.
31. The Incredibles
Pixar does superheroes—and the result is one of the most emotionally resonant and cool action movies of the 2000s. The Incredibles follows a family of undercover supers forced back into action after years of hiding. It’s stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with inventive action set pieces that rival live-action blockbusters. With brilliant character work and a retro-futuristic aesthetic, this is not just a great animated movie—it’s a must-see among the top rated action movies for all ages. Dash’s forest chase alone earns it a spot on any best fighting movies list (yes, even animated ones).
32. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Matthew Vaughn delivers hyper-stylized mayhem in this violent and irreverent twist on the spy genre. Kingsman: The Secret Service is packed with brutal hand-to-hand combat, absurd gadgets, and one of the most talked-about action scenes of the decade: the church massacre, choreographed to perfection. Taron Egerton’s Eggsy is the working-class underdog turned elite agent, and Colin Firth proves he’s secretly one of the best movie leads in years. If you’re after good movies with a punk-rock energy, Kingsman is your next watch.
33. Lethal Weapon
Before buddy cop was a trope, Lethal Weapon made it legendary. Mel Gibson’s unhinged Martin Riggs is paired with Danny Glover’s family-man Murtaugh, and their volatile chemistry carries this sharp, explosive crime thriller.
With Christmas gunfights, freeway brawls, and that rooftop negotiation scene, this is one of the most enduring action movie of the ’80s. It’s also the blueprint for every odd-couple action duo that followed—making it essential for fans of character-driven action movies to watch.
34. The Villainess
If John Wick had a South Korean twin sister, it would be The Villainess. This brutal and balletic tale of betrayal, vengeance, and identity follows a deadly assassin trained from childhood and caught between two lives. Opening with a dizzying POV fight sequence and ending with one of the most insane highway brawls ever filmed, this is one of the cool action movies that puts style and substance on equal footing. An absolute gem for fans of fighting movies you’ve never heard of—but should’ve.
36. The Road Warrior
This post-apocalyptic sequel to Mad Max cranks everything up to eleven—more vehicles, more leather, and way more explosions. In The Road Warrior, Mel Gibson’s stoic loner defends a community’s fuel supply from a violent gang in one of the most iconic vehicular warfare films ever made. With its chaotic chases and practical stunts, this film helped define dystopian cinema and remains one of the most influential action movies ever shot. A gritty, roaring essential for fans of cool movies that do their damage on wheels.
37. The Transporter
Before Jason Statham was a household name, The Transporter showed us what he could do behind the wheel—and in a fistfight. Playing Frank Martin, a courier with a strict set of rules, Statham blends tactical driving, high-impact martial arts, and sheer screen presence. From oil-slicked brawls to highway takedowns, this is one of the most rewatchable movies if you love momentum and precision. It’s lean, stylish, and launched one of the coolest action franchises of the early 2000s.
38. RoboCop
Set in a crime-ridden future Detroit, RoboCop blends corporate satire with brutal sci-fi action. Peter Weller stars as Officer Alex Murphy, murdered in the line of duty and resurrected as a cyborg law enforcer—caught between machine programming and human memory. It’s one of the top-rated action movies of the ’80s for a reason: outrageous violence, sharp social commentary, and some of the most quotable lines in cinema. For fans of dystopian justice and metal-on-meat mayhem, this one still slaps.
39. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
It’s easy to forget, but A New Hope is fundamentally a space action movie. From the Death Star escape to the trench run finale, this is pure, thrilling spectacle. George Lucas redefined cinema with dogfights, laser battles, and a rebel hero's journey that would echo across decades. It remains one of the top rated action movies of all time and a cultural cornerstone. For anyone compiling movies to watch before you die—start here. The Force is strong with this one.
40. The Equalizer
Denzel Washington brings gravitas and menace to Robert McCall, a former black ops operative turned quiet vigilante. When he steps in to protect a teenage girl from Russian gangsters, all hell breaks loose—and he delivers justice with methodical brutality. The Equalizer is one of the most satisfying action movies of the 2010s. It’s sharp, stylish, and full of edge—anchored by one of the most controlled performances in any of the best fighting movies involving power tools and hardware store justice.
41. Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim is Guillermo del Toro’s love letter to kaiju and mecha genres—massive robots battling monstrous sea creatures with entire cities as their battleground. When the world faces extinction from an interdimensional threat, humanity’s last hope lies in Jaegers: towering machines piloted by mind-linked duos. This is one of those cool action movies that fully embraces its scale and spectacle. From the neon-soaked Hong Kong brawl to the oceanic throwdowns, Pacific Rim delivers top-tier popcorn thrills with emotional weight and world-saving urgency.
42. Furious 7
The Fast & Furious saga went full superhero in Furious 7—dropping cars from planes, launching them between skyscrapers, and punching physics in the face. It’s pure blockbuster bravado, anchored by an emotional farewell to Paul Walker that adds unexpected heart to the high-octane mayhem. If you’re hunting for good action movies that are big, loud, and impossibly entertaining, this is a franchise peak. And yes, it’s got one of the best fighting movie showdowns: Dom vs. Shaw. Wrenches and concrete are optional.
43. The A-Team
A modern update of the classic ’80s series, The A-Team is all about impossible missions, ridiculous stunts, and chaotic camaraderie. Liam Neeson leads a misfit crew of ex-military operatives who must clear their names after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Tank battles in midair? Check. Helicopter hijinks? Definitely. It’s one of those movies to watch when you want to have a blast. The A-Team may not win awards, but as far as cool action movies go, it knows exactly what it's doing.
44. Underworld
Underworld fused Gothic horror with leather-clad action and created a cult hit. Kate Beckinsale stars as Selene, a vampire assassin caught in the middle of a centuries-old war with Lycans (werewolves). The movie is drenched in blue filters, slow-mo gunplay, and operatic drama. It’s pure style, —and one of the most distinct good action movies of the early 2000s. While not your traditional best fighting movie, it 'sits blend of supernatural mythology and Matrix-inspired choreography makes it unforgettable.
45. The Expendables
If you like your action movies to be watch loaded with testosterone, explosions, and throwback one-liners, The Expendables is your movie. It unites nearly every ‘80s and ‘90s action icon—led by Stallone, with brutal support from Statham, Li, and Lundgren—for a guns-blazing mercenary mission. Is it subtle? No. Is it one of the cool action movies where the body count reaches absurd heights? Absolutely. It’s a glorious, grenade-tossing tribute to old-school good action movies—and the perfect excuse to see legends kick ass together.
46. Face/Off
Face/Off is John Woo at his most gloriously unhinged. FBI agent Sean Archer (Travolta) and terrorist Castor Troy (Cage) literally swap faces, resulting in a high-octane identity crisis full of slo-mo gunfights, doves, and double-crosses. The performances? Cage and Travolta try to out-Cage each other. It’s beautiful. Whether you’re in it for the boat chases or balletic shootouts, this is one of the most iconic cool action movies of the ’90s. It’s a top-tier entry in any list of action movies to watch if you love pure, operatic chaos.
48. The Fifth Element
Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is colorful, chaotic, and completely unique. A taxi driver (Bruce Willis), a perfect being (Milla Jovovich), and an opera-singing alien all team up to save the world in this hyper-stylized space opera. It’s not your typical good action movie, but its blend of wild design, genre-defying storytelling, and explosive action has earned it cult status. If you like your cool action movies with a side of weird, this one delivers in every frame.
49. Dredd
Forget the campy Stallone version—Dredd is dark, violent, and brutally efficient. Karl Urban’s stoic lawman and rookie Judge Anderson are trapped inside a massive housing block and must fight their way up against an army controlled by drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). This gritty, visually stunning reboot has become a sleeper hit and is now one of the most recommended action movies to watch for fans of stripped-down, no-nonsense action. Gritty, stylish, and uncompromising—just like the Judge himself.
50. The Magnificent Seven
This remake of the 1960 classic (itself inspired by Seven Samurai) is a crowd-pleasing western reboot that brings star power and serious firepower. A mismatched team of outlaws and sharpshooters defends a town from a corrupt industrialist, —and the final showdown is worth the buildup. With Denzel Washington leading the charge and Chris Pratt adding swagger, this is one of the good action movies that brings the Old Wes into modern multiplexes. A rock-solid choice for fans of team-up revenge stories and classic shootouts.
51. The Hitman’s Bodyguard
This odd-couple action comedy teams up Ryan Reynolds as a neurotic bodyguard with Samuel L. Jackson as a gleefully chaotic hitman who never shuts up. Together, they dodge bullets and bicker across Europe on a high-stakes mission to testify against a war criminal. It’s fast, loud, and hilarious—one of the more self-aware action movies in recent memory. The chemistry between Reynolds and Jackson alone makes this one of the more entertaining movies to watch when you want big laughs with your big explosions.
52. Salt
Angelina Jolie dives headfirst into the spy genre as Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. As she goes on the run to clear her name (or fulfill her mission?), the film keeps you guessing with twist after twist.
Featuring rooftop chases, close-quarters combat, and daring escapes, Salt is a slick, fast-paced thriller that earns its spot among the most underrated good action movies of the 2010s. And Jolie? She owns the screen.
53. Sicario
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario is less about flashy spectacle and more about tension so thick you can’t breathe. Emily Blunt plays an FBI agent dragged into the morally gray world of cartel takedowns. Benicio Del Toro delivers one of the most haunting performances in any modern action movie. This is one of the most gripping, atmospheric, top-rated action movies of the last decade. It won’t give you comfort, —but it will give you a masterclass in psychological pressure, political complexity, and surgical violence.
54. The Accountant
Ben Affleck stars as Christian Wolff—a math savant with autism who moonlights as a forensic accountant for dangerous criminal organizations. When things go sideways, we quickly learn his skill set includes more than spreadsheets.
Combining cerebral intrigue with sudden, brutal action, The Accountant is a standout among modern good action movies that has something different to say. Plus, it boasts one of the most grounded, realistic sibling rivalries in any best fighting movie of the 2010s.
55. The Last Stand
Schwarzenegger’s return to the big screen as a leading man is exactly what you'd expect—and exactly what you want. As a small-town sheriff defending his quiet border town from a drug kingpin’s escape route, he delivers old-school action with fresh energy. There’s nothing fancy here—just hard hits, gunfights, and a Gatling gun mounted on a Camaro. It’s one of the cool action movies that knows its audience and hits every nostalgic beat. Think High Noon meets Fast & Furious with a thick Austrian accent.
56. Wanted
Bending bullets. Looms of fate. Adrenaline-drenched training montages. Wanted takes comic book logic and runs with it—fast. James McAvoy stars as a mild-mannered office worker turned elite assassin, trained by Angelina Jolie’s enigmatic Fox in a secret society that takes justice into its own hands. Slick, stylish, and unhinged, Wanted is one of those cool action movies that leans hard into its premise—and makes it work. If you’re hunting for action movies to watch that never slow down, this one’s a bullet-riddled blast.
57. Kick-Ass
What if an ordinary teen decided to become a superhero, —with no powers and no plan? Kick-Ass takes that idea and douses it in blood, profanity, and jetpacks. Dave (Taylor-Johnson) suits up to fight crime but is quickly outclassed by Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage). It’s gleefully violent, absurdly funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. One of the most subversive good action movies of the decade, Kick-Ass also gave us some of the most jaw-dropping kid-led fight scenes in the the best fighting movie.
58. The Mummy (1999)
Equal parts Indiana Jones and supernatural horror, The Mummy resurrects the fun of pulp adventure with modern effects and a charismatic cast. Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell leads a dig that accidentally unleashes a cursed priest, and what follows is a nonstop gauntlet of monsters, traps, and high-stakes battles. This is one of the most beloved action movies to watch for sheer entertainment value. Fraser’s physicality, the chemistry with Weisz, and the creature-feature energy make it a standout among good action movies of the late '90s.
59. Sherlock Holmes
Guy Ritchie’s reinvention of Sherlock Holmes turns the world’s greatest detective into a bare-knuckle brawler and borderline action hero. Downey Jr.’s Holmes is chaotic genius meets cocky street-fighter, while Jude Law’s Watson brings wit, loyalty, and just enough eye-rolling. From slow-mo fight analysis to gothic London backdrops, this version blends mystery with bruises, making it one of the most enjoyable cool action movies with brains and biceps. Elementary? No. Electric? Absolutely.
60. Starship Troopers
Do you want to know more? Starship Troopers is a satire disguised as a sci-fi shoot-’em-up. In a future where Earth battles giant alien bugs, young soldiers are indoctrinated into a propaganda-fueled military-industrial complex. It’s campy, clever, and packed with explosive set pieces. Often misunderstood at release, it’s now one of the most analyzed and beloved top-rated action movies in cult circles. Come for the bug-splattering warfare, stay for the brilliant critique of authoritarianism buried inside a good action movie.
