One of the most popular brands of film that cinema has to offer, the action genre has witnessed some of the greatest movies of all time. While pure action films are typically ᴀssociated with classic outings like Die Hard or modern standouts like John Wick, action also often acts as a hybrid genre with the likes of sci-fi, comedy, and horror. Renowned for their sense of excitement and spectacle, these outings leverage the entertainment factor from an array of gripping fights, chases, and shootouts to produce a thrilling and easily digestible viewing experience.

While many of the best action movies ever made possess a runtime that is considerably north of 90 minutes, the genre also plays host to a number of fun, awesome entries that you can run through in an hour and a half or less. Highlighting this brand of cinema’s considerable scope, these shorter entries encompᴀss a wide array of outings, from silly ’80s action flicks all the way to some of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best action movies.

10

Commando (1985)

Runtime: 90 Minutes

A classic ’80s action flick that is long overdue a prequel, 1985’s Commando is the quintessential fun action movie that you can run through in less than two hours. Clocking in with a screen time of exactly 90 minutes, Mark E. Lester’s picture stars Arnie as John Matrix, a former black ops soldier forced into a desperate race against time to save his young daughter, Jenny, after she is kidnapped.

Spearheaded by Schwarzenegger in one of his most beloved one-man army roles, Commando is unabated, riotous action fuel from start to finish. A critical and commercial success, this ’80s classic is also notable for boasting some of the cinematic icon’s most legendary pieces of dialogue and action sequences, rubber-stamping the film’s credentials as a must-see entry for any self-respecting action fan. In particular, Schwarzenegger’s howl-worthy “Let off some steam, Bennett!” one-liner is the stuff of legend.

9

Cobra (1986)

Runtime: 89 Minutes

Boasting an iconic Sylvester Stallone character that we’ll never forget, 1986’s Cobra has garnered cult classic status over the years, despite clocking in with a dismal Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score of 17%. Citizen Kane this panned entry decidedly is not, but George P. Cosmatos’ outing still offers up large portions of riotously entertaining action viewing across 89 frenetically paced minutes, even if it is of the “guilty pleasure” variety.

Stepping into the boots of Marion “Cobra” Cobretti, the film follows Stallone’s elite police officer through a haze of wanton destruction and cheesy one-liners as he investigates a series of increasingly violent crimes. In spite of the movie’s negative reviews, Cobra remains one of Stallone’s most beloved action roles, a state of affairs that has led the Rocky star to campaign for a series based on Cosmatos’ original.

8

Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)

Runtime: 86 Minutes

While it’s decidedly not a perfect movie, Shoot ‘Em Up’s many flaws are overshadowed by just how fun Michael Davis’ action outing actually is in practice. Led by Clive Owen, the shortcomings ᴀssociated with the 2007 movie’s nonsensical plot and clichéd characters are lost in a glorious haze of chaotic gunfights and immortal one-liners. Seriously, try and maintain a serious facade as Owen rams a carrot through a goon’s head, grimly ᴅᴇᴀᴅpanning “Eat your vegetables” without a hint of irony.

Unabashed pandemonium from start to finish, Shoot ‘Em Up is the perfect example of a thoroughly enjoyable action flick that doesn’t require a great deal of attention from anybody watching. Presenting comfort genre viewing that’s done and dusted after 86 electrifying minutes, Davis’ fan-favorite number is the perfect action movie for fans of the genre looking for an easily digestible number.

7

Phone Booth (2002)

Runtime: 81 Minutes

While 2002’s Phone Booth may be more of a thriller at its core than a fully-fledged action flick, there are more than enough white-knuckle action sequences dotted throughout Joel Schumacher’s heart-pounding offering to justify its conclusion when one considers that this highly underrated movie from the 2000s clocks in at just 81 minutes long. The film stars Colin Farrell as Stuart Shephard, a young publicist who finds himself held hostage in a phone booth by Kiefer Sutherland’s unseen sniper.

Speaking to his tormentor through the telephone in the booth, Farrell’s charge is informed he must follow the marksman’s instructions in recompense for his infidelities or face the ᴅᴇᴀᴅly consequences. A nail-biting action-thriller that crackles with intensity from start to finish, Phone Booth is a movie that makes the utmost out of its limited premise and setting, an entertaining, suspenseful outing that holds up to this day.

6

Mayhem (2017)

Runtime: 86 Minutes

Led by horror standouts Steven Yeun and Samara Weaving, 2017’s Mayhem blends its parent action genre with those of comedy and horror to produce a chaotic outing worthy of its тιтle. An outing that has evoked comparisons with The Belko Experiment, Mayhem’s broad premise depicts the pandemonium in an office building after a virus that removes all social inhibition and moral integrity is released into the air system, precipitating a smorgasbord of Sєx, murder, and general depraved bedlam.

Earning highly positive reviews, Mayhem’s blend of cutting corporate commentary and supremely graphic violence saw the movie earn an impressive Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of 85%. Director Joe Lynch manages to cram an insane amount of bloody fun into 86 minutes to make for a relentlessly enjoyable action movie, a hidden gem that blends multiple genres for an unashamedly awesome viewing experience.

5

Attack The Block (2011)

Runtime: 88 Minutes

Set in South London on Bonfire Night, Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block follows a gang of teenage hoodlums forced into a fight for survival in the midst of a predatory extra-terrestrial invasion. Featuring a baby-faced John Boyega as the group’s leader, the 2011 outing is still arguably one of the best monster movies of all time despite bombing at the box office, earning highly effusive reviews from critics for its blend of action, comedy, and fully-fledged horror.

Offering a high-quality, whistle-top viewing experience with a healthy side of astute social commentary, the dust has settled on Attack the Block’s action-packed story after just 88 minutes. A chronically underrated and unabashedly fun piece of modern British cinema, there have even been rumblings that a potential sequel could be on the cards further down the line.

4

The Wall (2017)

Runtime: 88 Minutes

While it gets bad scores for historical accuracy and military realism, 2017’s The Wall leverages a limited setting and premise to maximum effect to produce one of the more gripping war action-thrillers that you’ve probably never heard of. This visceral entry stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena as two American soldiers who find themselves lured into an ambush by a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly insurgent sniper during the Iraq War.

Unsurprisingly for a movie that is based around a man being sH๏τ at from behind a wall, Doug Liman’s picture only clocks in at 88 minutes, but crams a surprising amount of entertainment into its short runtime. The darkly humorous back and forth over the radio between Taylor-Johnson and Laith Nakli’s sinister unseen marksman adds an interesting element to this intense outing, one that only becomes more memorable in light of one of the 2010s’ more devastating twist endings.

3

Zombieland (2009)

Runtime: 88 Minutes

Released to glowing reviews in 2009, action-comedy Zombieland is widely regarded as one of the best zombie movies of all time. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast, Ruben Fleischer’s sidesplitting outing proved to be a critical and commercial success. Boasting an 89% Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score, Zombieland was the highest-grossing zombie movie of all time until it was surpᴀssed by World War Z in 2013.

A riotous blend of outrageous comedy and unᴅᴇᴀᴅ carnage that you can run through in just 88 minutes, Zombieland features some of the most memorable zombie action sequences in history. Depicting Woody Harrelson’s Tallahᴀssee mowing down literal waves of the unᴅᴇᴀᴅ as he roars with maniacal glee, the movie’s explosive climactic showdown at Pacific Playland is worth taking the time out of your day in and of itself.

2

Free Fire (2016)

Runtime: 90 Minutes

The most star-studded film that you’ve probably never heard of, Free Fire’s ensemble cast includes the A-List likes of Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, and Sharlto Copley, to name but a few. One of Ben Wheatley’s most ambitious movies to date, the 2016 action-comedy descends into utter pandemonium in short order, depicting a frenetic shootout between two gangs in a deserted warehouse after a weapons deal goes disastrously wrong.

Free Fire doesn’t break any particularly new ground but offers up an abundance of surprisingly brutal shootout sequences, gleefully black humor, and razor-sharp dialogue to keep action fans entertained for 90 minutes on the dot. The movie is arguably a waste of the stellar talents presented by its all-star cast, but Wheatley’s outing still unquestionably provides a fun watch that you can run through in less than an hour and a half.

1

Crank (2006)

Runtime: 87 Minutes

Quite possibly the most chaotically insane action movie of all time, there’s arguably never been a film quite like 2006’s Crank. Starring Jason Statham as hitman Chev Chelios, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor’s offering is an offering literally infused with adrenaline. After being poisoned with a substance that slows his heart down, Chelios must keep adrenaline constantly pumping through his veins to stay alive, keeping his dying ticker beating through a frantically paced cocktail of Sєx, drugs, and violence.

Clocking in with a runtime of just 87 minutes, Crank’s relatively short duration is reflective of the white-knuckle race against time that consтιтutes the movie’s central premise. Earning positive reviews from critics and spawning an equally far-fetched sequel in 2009’s Crank 2: High Voltage, this outrageously fun action movie presents relentlessly over-the-top action from start to finish through its shocking violence and depraved humor.