Action movies can lend themselves surprisingly well to an animated format, as seen with several popular movies that could be great animated films. Animated movies open the door to endless creative possibilities. Without the restraints of physical performances, props, and set designs, animated movies can take ideas, regardless of complexity, and turn them into something that stands out.

And one genre of film where this kind of freedom and flexibility could really benefit is action. Action movies are spectacular, explosive, and imaginative by nature, as heroes perform death-defying stunts, and battles become increasingly spectacular. But by taking an action movie idea, and making an animated version, it could open up the world of the story to make something that is ultimately even more impressive than the original.

9

Starship Troopers

When action meets sci-fi, things begin to get really wild. And with Starship Troopers, that is exactly what happens. The film is set in the distant future, with a group of young soldiers who are sent to war against a terrifying alien race. And while the movie did an incredible job of bringing this imaginative concept to the big screen in live-action in 1997, it’s easy to see how an animated version of the movie could elevate the concept even further.

From exploring space fights with mᴀssive ships and lasers, to depicting the bug-like alien race, animation could have really benefited Starship Troopers. Of course, it would lose a degree of realism and intensity, but considering how far-fetched the story is, and the prominent positioning of aliens, there was already a lack of realism. With a hyper-stylized animation style, this movie could be incredible as an animated feature.

8

The Fifth Element

Once again bringing sci-fi and action together, though upping the complexity with fanatical cults and magic rocks that are imbued with the powers of the elements, The Fifth Element would be a stunning film to see animated. The original feature starring Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich is an iconic classic of the genre, but there is no denying that animation could have pushed the concept even further.

From a range of odd-looking aliens, to the powerful weapons on display, there are so many moments in the film that would be incredible to adapt. But beyond that, the effects that stand out in the film could be further enhanced and built upon in an animated format. The only issue is that the original cast would need to return to voice their respective characters because they were perfect.

7

Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2

Quentin Tarantino is a visionary filmmaker whose unique style and penchant for storytelling have made him a legend. And among his greatest works, the Kill Bill franchise stands out as some of the best. With Uma Thurman playing the wronged mother and ex-wife who swears revenge on the organization she used to work for.

As a highly skilled ᴀssᴀssin, Uma Thurman’s character, The Bride, makes short work of her rivals while working towards reuniting with her husband to enact her revenge. However, if the movie was adapted to animation, it could further refine the pace, and build on the incredible narrative that has already been laid out. And if Tarantino returned to direct it, there is no chance that this movie would not succeed.

6

John Wick

Speaking of ᴀssᴀssins caught up in a dangerous world, it doesn’t get better than John Wick. Keanu Reeves, an action star who has been incredibly prominent in the industry since the 1990s and 2000s continues to give these roles his all, as he delivers a stunning physical performance. Interestingly, the character of John Wick also rarely speaks, with his word count decreasing in each entry of John Wick.

So, since Wick doesn’t make a lot of speeches, adapting the action-heavy series could be a great way to build on the franchise and go to darker places than ever before. Instead, an animated adaptation could focus on the action, establishing the wider world of ᴀssᴀssins, and developing the terrifying High Table organization. While live-action films can do similar things, animation would make the journey faster, and potentially even more creative and compelling than it already is.

5

Die Hard

Bruce Willis has already shown up on this list for The Fifth Element, but his most notorious action role to date is likely his role as John McClane in the Die Hard franchise. With stunning and ambitious scenes of McClane crawling through an air vent and walking over shattered glᴀss, the film was already incredibly imaginative. However, animation would take it over the edge.

When considering how an action film or franchise would adapt to animation, it’s important to showcase where it can help and where it can hinder. However, an animated version of events would be something very special. It could enhance the tension, the close-quarters combat, and elevate scenes that are already iconic.

4

Alien

Alien is one of the most outstanding franchises ever made, and the movies’ crossover with several genres. While sci-fi and horror stand out among them, it’s important to recognize that Ellen Ripley is an action hero, and in each entry, there tend to be soldiers locked in combat with the Xenomorphs, which leads to even more trouble. But again, animation could shine more light on the action.

If the series was made into an animated adaptation, not only could it spend more time building out the characters of the Xenomorphs, and help to make explosive deaths even more pronounced, but it could also bring out the action quality of the films over and in combination with sci-fi and horror. However, admittedly, some of the more tense and gruesome scenes would be very different in animation, which could result in big changes to the narrative.

3

Mad Max

Mad Max is an inherently imaginative and distinct dystopian world where the characters all have unique characteristics, and the adventures are endlessly creative. As Max Rockatansky travels the Badlands, and puts the bizarre and demented beings who inhabit this treacherous wasteland, the image of the world begins to expand. However, in saying that, the series can sometimes feel like one note as the characters occupy the same space, doing similar things each time.

With an animated film, there are numerous ways the films can be refined and altered to make them more engaging and distinct. From giving different parts of the Badlands their own visual styles, to recreating the awful and monstrous characters who inhabit the world, an animated film could do things that the franchise hasn’t before.

2

The Terminator

Once again, the crossover between sci-fi and action is a perfect example of where animated action movies could play a big role. With a terrifying android being sent from the future to kill John Connor, Sarah Connor tries desperately to fight back, only to have these machines come with increasing frequency. Now, while the movies broke ground on visual effects, an animated adaptation could do even more.

For instance, while the movies have generally favored using one terminator robot, an animated film could feature dozens, or even hundreds. This would immediately up the ante, and create a more intense and dramatic attack with the Connors on the run. It could also see John Connor at various ages in his timeline, adding further to the lore of the film.

1

Rambo: First Blood

Finally, last but certainly not least, Rambo: First Blood. Sylvester Stallone starred in this unique adaptation of a novel that appears to have sH๏τ the source material and changed direction entirely. But the thing is, Rambo is defined and broken by his past. And an animated movie could provide a fuller image of the character of Rambo, incorporating more flashbacks and defining moments in his history.

It could also help to make the action more palatable, as Rambo cuts through his rivals with relative ease. For the most part, action is served well by a live-action medium, but for some films, animation could give it an oomph, or simply make it more entertaining. Either way, animation and action are an underrated pairing, and there should be a lot more of it on the big screen.