Several filmmakers around the world are responsible for some truly great movies with non-stop action. The gripping non-stop action sequences in these non-American movies can be enjoyed by audiences worldwide in spite of any cultural or language barriers. This is mostly due to films like Thailand’s Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior or Indonesia’s The Raid prioritizing flashy action set pieces over sound narratives that might get lost in translation.

However, that’s not to say foreign movies with non-stop action can’t simultaneously deliver an emotional story that’ll resonate with audiences. Movies like John Woo’s The Killer and Hard Boiled, as well as Japan’s Battle Royale, prove that when compelling narratives are paired with bold action, critics and audiences respond well. From Brazil to Australia, many movies outside the United States present exhilarating stories with endless action.

10

Elite Squad (2007)

Brazil

The word of mouth surrounding Tropa de Elite, or Elite Squad, in Brazil, played a significant role in the film’s popularity within the country. Following a cut of the film being leaked before its release in theaters, Elite Squad became a box office hit. Still, the movie is not without its controversies, namely due to its thrilling, yet complicated acts of violence.

Elite Squad‘s action-packed narrative introduces a fascinating conversation about police brutality and corruption within BOPE. The film follows three officers in BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion), Captain Roberto Nascimento (Wagner Moura), and rookies Neto and André (Caio Junqueira and André Ramiro), after they’re ᴀssigned to Rio de Janeiro favelas to eliminate the threat of drug dealers. The movie’s action, while often brutal and upsetting, is also impossible to look away from.

9

The Night Comes For Us (2018)

Indonesia

The talent of Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto in both the horror and action genres come together in The Night Comes for Us. The film revolves around a former triad member, Ito (Joe Taslim), who teams up with members of his old gang to evade those who wish to see him ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. This is all a result of Ito’s decision to spare the life of a young villager, Reina, whom he was ordered to kill.

With its bloody and uncompromising violence, The Night Comes for Us is an equally engrossing and frightening watch. The fight choreography is impressive and is balanced with a surprisingly heartfelt story at its center. The father-daughter dynamic between Ito and Reina is touching and never gets lost amid the film’s chaos and bloodshed.

8

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Australia

George Miller’s Mad Max franchise began in 1979 but didn’t truly get going until its sequel a few years later in 1981. Though its predecessor isn’t necessarily a bad movie, Mad Max 2, also known as The Road Warrior, is considered to be a mᴀssive improvement from the first film. The sequel helps establish the franchise’s beloved components that have remained intact since.

The story allows for some appreciated character development of protagonist Max Rockatansky and a few standout supporting performances, particularly that of Bruce Spence as The Gyro Captain. However, The Road Warrior‘s action is truly what impresses audiences most. The practical effects and incredible stuntwork create action sequences throughout the film that are bolder than before and help set the tone for the remainder of the franchise.

7

Run Lola Run (1998)

Germany

Written and directed by Tom Tykwer, Run Lola Run has a simple premise that sees the тιтle character (Franka Potente) in need of 100,000 Deutschmark within the next 20 minutes or else her boyfriend (Moritz Bleibtreu) will die. The film’s high-energy pacing and Lola’s desperate journey throughout the city are supported by a catchy techno soundtrack that increases the tension felt within the film.

However, the unrelenting tension and non-stop action in Run Lola Run are rarely overwhelming for audiences. This is largely due to the film’s unique narrative structure that presents three different outcomes to Lola’s search for money. Each time events are restarted in the movie, audiences are given a chance to breathe. The German film is also more than its thrills, with its narrative exploring the ʙuттerfly effect and touching on themes of free will versus determinism.

6

Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)

Thailand

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior is a martial arts movie that is packed with action from start to finish. The movie provided martial artist Tony Jaa with his breakout film and his most recognizable role. Jaa leads the film as Ting, a villager and Muay Thai expert who defeats an ᴀssortment of mob members during his quest to retrieve a stolen statue.

Ong-Bak isn’t too concerned with the development of characters or plot and instead allows Jaa to show off his skills as a martial artist in the film’s craziest display stunts. Jaa’s athleticism and Panna Rittikrai’s action choreography have earned a positive response from audiences and critics throughout the years, allowing for two prequel films to be released in 2008 and 2010.

5

Hard Boiled (1992)

Hong Kong

In Hard Boiled, acclaimed action director John Woo presents a stylish movie that doesn’t diminish the emotional story at its core. The story of the film follows the rebellious cop “Tequila” Yuen (Chow Yun-fat) after he joins forces with an undercover cop (Tony Leung) to take down an arms dealer. The action throughout the film is intense and unforgiving and incorporates many of Woo’s signature filmmaking techniques.

The combination of innovative fight choreography and a high-stakes narrative in Hard Boiled results in a film that’s plenty of fun for audiences. The plot is somewhat inconsistent at times, which can be expected of a film with such an emphasis on action. Still, though it’s not always expected that action-packed movies will introduce audiences to characters worth investing in, Woo’s film is an exception.

4

Battle Royale (2000)

Japan

Before The Hunger Games or Squid Game, another action-packed dystopian story blew audiences away. Breathing new life into the battle royale genre is the 2000 Japanese film appropriately тιтled, Battle Royale. The movie is based on Koushun Takami’s novel of the same name and sees the government enact a law that requires a randomized group of high school students to battle to the death until one victor remains.

Battle Royale‘s political undertones are supported by a series of gritty action sequences, many of which led to the film being banned in several countries. The film initially drew controversy due to its depiction of violence involving high school students but has since earned high levels of critical acclaim and garnered a cult following.

3

RRR (2022)

India

A high-octane action movie from India, RRR is recognized as one of the best action movies of 2022. The movie’s Telugu language and three-hour runtime didn’t appear to be an issue for audiences across the globe as the film’s storytelling and combination of music and action made S. S. Rajamouli’s film a must-see.

The film takes place during the early 20th century and tells a fictionalized story of famous revolutionaries Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju, portrayed by N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan, respectively. The movie’s 3-hour run is well spent, never feeling bogged down or rushed. This is helped by RRR‘s story of Bheem and Raju, which grounds the film amid its display of over-the-top action set pieces.

2

The Raid (2011)

Indonesia

The contained setting and simple plot in The Raid, or The Raid: Redemption, allow the film’s unmatched action to take center stage. Released at a time when many action movies in Hollywood began to feel repeтιтive and uninspired, Gareth Evans’ film provided much-needed reᴀssurance to the genre’s fans. The film follows an Indonesian police squad as they raid an apartment building where drug lord Tama resides.

Trapped by Tama and the apartments’ other criminal inhabitants, rookie officer Rama (Iko Uwais) and other squad members must fight with the hopes of making it out of the building alive. The characters are interesting, but the greatest appeal of Evans’ film is its shocking violence. The intensity of The Raid‘s fight choreography and general action is proof of a committed creative team and cast who have a strong understanding of what kind of film is being made.

1

The Killer (1989)

Hong Kong

Of Chow Yun-fat and John Woo’s many collaborations, The Killer is often considered to be the best. The film follows Chow’s Ah Jong, who is a hitman wishing to retire from the job. However, Ah Jong is prevented from doing so after he accidentally blinds a singer (Sally Yeh), and his guilt leads him to carry out one last job to make money for her surgery.

Though the film’s story isn’t anything too original within Hong Kong action movies, its compelling themes of redemption and honor make it a story worth investing in. Of course, The Killer‘s action is unparalleled. As is expected from Woo, the action in the movie is characterized by its explosive nature and тιԍнт choreography. In the years since its release, The Killer has also been noted as a major influence on several well-known directors.