I have watched a lot of action movies in my time, and only a few have kept me on the edge of my seat for their entire runtime. Action movies often have the difficult job of bringing genres together in a way that feels both fluid and action-packed. Because of this, some action movies just don’t click with viewers, showing just how hard it is for films to strike this exciting chord.
There are many things that can help an action movie to find this balance, turning these films from general adventure films to heart-pumping quests. Sometimes, this comes in the way of over-the-top violent action movie scenes intended to gross out viewers. However, an action movie needs more than this if it is to truly be exhilarating, something that can be seen in some of the best action movies of 2024.
10
Mandy (2018)
Horror & Action Come Together In This Film
There are a lot of action movies that center around revenge, and at first Mandy is no different. Things really begin to kick off when the тιтular Mandy is murdered, prompting her boyfriend, a lumberjack named Red Miller, to go on a bloody quest to kill the people responsible. What follows is an LSD-fueled nightmare trip of epic proportions, one that involves cults and otherworldly imagery.
While the action itself in Mandy is compelling enough, the cinematography of the film only adds to the tension. I was often surprised by how frightening the imagery became, twisting the world around Red into a bloody spectacle that toes the line between delusion and reality. If that wasn’t enough, the movie is anchored by Nicolas Cage’s acting performance, one that really exhibits the gravity of Red’s anger.
9
Aliens (1986)
The Sequel To The Alien Horror Classic Is Full Of Action
More action-packed than the original film, Aliens follows the iconic Ellen Ripley as she is once again beset upon by the terrifying Xenomorph threat. Instead of the slow, creeping horror of the original film, Aliens takes a focus that, while still lingering in horror, allows Ripley to fight back a little more than she did previously. This all culminates in the iconic exosuit fight, which features Ripley donning a mᴀssive metal exosuit to fight against the Xenomorph’s queen.
The artist who initially designed the Xenomorphs, H. R. Giger, is well-known across the world for his biomechanical art style.
The horror really helps to add another layer of excitement to the action in the film, and bringing both of those genres together really pays off by the end of the film. This is only elevated by the fact that Ripley is tasked with keeping a young girl safe throughout the course of the film, making the stakes even higher. The danger feels real from beginning to end, and the horror element keeps things from becoming too silly.
8
Dredd (2012)
This Film Is Based On A Comic Book Series
Set in a future where the world has become an unrecognizable wasteland, Dredd takes a look at what society could become if the world falls apart as a result of nuclear war. The story revolves around this idea of Judges, or rather, individuals who take the law into their own hands, operating as judge, jury, and executioner for those they deem unworthy. This comes to a head when a Judge named Dredd is forced to confront a drug lord named Ma-Ma.
Dredd is a constant influx of well-choreographed fight scenes, with explosive back-to-back villains and more bombastic fight scenes than the average action film. The grittiness of the film itself is a fun flashback to movies of the time, and though it definitely feels like a movie produced in the 2010s, this does not detract from the fun whatsoever. In fact, it allows Dredd to focus in on the glorious action.
7
Oldboy (2003)
This Action Film Is Spurred On By Its Tragedy
Originally based on a Japanese manga, Oldboy is a South Korean action film that starts with a kidnapping. Oh Dae-su is stolen away from his family and his life as a businessman and imprisoned in a H๏τel room for 15 years. After his surprise release, he debates his next steps, but ultimately goes on a quest for revenge that ultimately ends in the greatest tragedy.
Oldboy has been remade several times in several languages, including a poorly received American remake directed by Spike Lee.
I am a big fan of one-sH๏τ action sequences, and Oldboy features an excellent hallway action sequence that was all done in one sH๏τ. The action sequences in this film are executed with precision, something that shows the dedication of everyone involved in working on the film. These action sequences, coupled with a storyline that is constantly laying the heart of its main character bare, make for an action film that is sure to tug on viewers’ heartstrings.
6
Sicario (2015)
Benicio Del Toro Gives One Of His Most Frightening Performances
Though not explicitly action-heavy, Sicario begins with a brutal opening set piece and continues to deliver on its unsettling plot points throughout the entire film. The film follows FBI agent Kate Macer as she volunteers for a special task force created to take down a dangerous cartel, detailing her fated meeting with a Sicario, or hitman, named Alejandro. The brutality of the cartel is depicted in broad strokes, but perhaps more important is the brutality of the police force that chases after them.
What makes Sicario so immediately compelling is the point of view the film takes. It is clear from the beginning that Kate doesn’t know what she is getting into and that everyone around her has their own secrets, willing to go to extreme lengths if it means taking down the cartel, and this makes the viewer feel just as isolated and new to the scenario as she is. The mystery surrounding the character of Alejandro only makes this more apparent, the truth of his character only revealed as his morality is questioned further.
5
Monkey Man (2024)
Dev Patel Writes, Directs, And Stars In This Revenge Film
Often criticized as no more than a John Wick clone, Monkey Man is much more than it may initially seem. It tells the story of a man only known as Kid throughout the film, showing his slow progression as he works his way into the best spot to pull off his revenge on the man who killed his mother. Though he does not succeed in his mission at first, this only adds to the overall tension of the film, cementing him in place as the underdog.
Monkey Man is a powerful tale of the marginalized and the downtrodden, offering a surprisingly uplifting narrative while refusing to sacrifice the visceral action at the movie’s core.
Monkey Man is a powerful tale of the marginalized and the downtrodden, offering a surprisingly uplifting narrative while refusing to sacrifice the visceral action at the movie’s core. Dev Patel is especially excellent in the leading role, showing an incredible range of acting skill as he goes from the emotional heart of the film to an avenger for all the people that have been taken advantage of. This works in tandem with Monkey Man‘s bombastic action scenes to make one of 2024’s most exciting films.
4
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
The Third John Wick Film Is Non-Stop Visceral Action
All the John Wick movies are heavy on action with picture-perfect choreography, but John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is where that action is pushed to the extreme. Picking up where the previous film left off, John Wick is immediately on the run from a legion of ᴀssᴀssins, as he had previously killed on the grounds of The Continental, a place considered equal, safe ground for all. This leads the film into several stunning action sequences, continuing at a breakneck pace.
The opening of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is my favorite in the entire series, offering some of the most impactful action in such a short amount of time. Keanu Reeves is continually flawless throughout the entire film, at the top of his game in such an action-packed entry in the franchise. Despite the odds being against him, John Wick doesn’t feel in over his head, and half of the fun is finding out how he will get himself out of this mess.
3
Kill Bill (2003)
Both Of Tarantino’s Volumes Are Incredible Action Adventures
Split into two separate movies, Kill Bill takes place over volume one and volume two of one continuous story. Once a member of a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly team of ᴀssᴀssins, the main character, only known as “The Bride,” is left for ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after her would-be husband and the father of her unborn child sH๏τ her in the head at their own wedding. After waking up from a coma, she swears her revenge, taking out the team that played a part in the affair one by one.
Across both parts, the film is jaw-droppingly dramatic in perhaps the best way possible. Not only is the cinematography colorful and evocative of a comic book, but the action sequences are larger than life in a way that keeps the viewer wondering what could possibly come next. Quentin Tarantino continues to outdo what came before in each progressing scene, making Kill Bill one of the finest action thrillers ever made.
2
Speed (1994)
The Action Is Always Moving Forward, Literally, And Figuratively
As it stands, I am a mᴀssive fan of Keanu Reeves’ acting and have seen most of his films. This includes Keanu Reeves’ under-appreciated тιтles, which, despite poor reviews or lack of interest from audiences, deserve a second chance from viewers and critics alike. While Speed is certainly not overlooked by any means, this non-stop action film is still one of Reeves’ best.
Speed has inspired several other projects, including an episode of Mythbusters that tested whether the film’s famous bus jump was possible.
When the film centers around a bus that cannot stop, or else it will explode, there is a constant sense of panic and danger. The thread of energy throughout the film never breaks, allowing for a unique action film that might have failed with any other creative team behind it. Speed is constantly moving forward, both in its pacing and with the bus’ constant plot-driven movement.
1
Crank (2006)
It Is An Anxiety-Inducing & Continuously Driven Action Film
An action movie cannot only be made up of action scenes, but Crank tries its best to pack as much action into one runtime as possible. Focusing in on an ᴀssᴀssin that has been dosed with a dangerous synthetic drug, Chev Chelios must continue to keep adrenaline pumping through his body or face a slow and agonizing death. This, coupled with the throughline of his quest for revenge against those who seek to kill him, make Crank an interesting and high-octane entry into a genre full of revenge fiction.
When I watched Crank for the first time, I was blown away by the non-stop action the movie managed to pull off. Since then, the movie has only grown on me, quickly becoming a favorite of mine for its constant influx of action. It overloads the senses and arrests the viewer’s attention with jarring action, leaving their heart pumping just as hard as Chev’s must so that he can survive.
