The Best Action Movies Of All Time Are a Direct Burst of Adrenaline
The Best Action Movies Of All Time Are a Direct Burst of Adrenaline
There’s a rule of thumb in filmmaking: “Show—don’t tell.” In many screenplays, that means swapping a long-winded monologue for an understated glance. When it comes to action movies, this rule reigns supreme, perhaps more so than any other genre. “Show, don’t tell,” levels up to, “Shut up, explode something, and walk away in slow motion.”
Maybe the biggest action fans are adrenaline junkies. Maybe they’re just keen on stories that walk the walk without too much talk. Either way, there are plenty of action movies that pack a massive punch-to-one-liner ratio and ones that do so while still squeezing in an incredible narrative. Judging by the criteria of car chases, ticking time bombs, hand-to-hand combat, vigilante heroes, special effects, and genuinely great storytelling, these are the action movies with the best bang for your binge watch.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road successfully rebooted the Mel Gibson-fronted Mad Max franchise—and even exceeded its quality in the process. (Mostly thanks to Charlize Theron's unforgettable turn as Furiosa.) That's why we consider it one of the best movies of the last decade.
Gladiator
Russell Crowe stars as Roman general Maximus who, upon the death of the current emperor, experiences a major fall from grace in the eyes of ancient Rome’s ruling class. Set to be executed by the successor’s envious son, played by Joaquin Phoenix, Maximus escapes his fate only to find himself on a new chopping block: the floor of the colosseum.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ang Lee's martial arts masterpiece broke new ground for foreign film in the United States. It became the highest grossing foreign-language film in American history and set Academy Awards records with 10 nominations, including one for Best Picture.
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther, which tells the story of a young king learning how to truly become a leader, was a landmark film for diversity in Hollywood.
North by Northwest
It's not Hitchcock's best movie, but you know, it's still a Hitchcock movie, and far from his worst. It's also the best accidental-spy movie ever: Cary Grant is at his comedic peak as a smarmy ad executive who's mistaken for an American spy by the Soviets. Hitchcock is clearly not taking anything too seriously, which allows him the space for some of his most carefully calibrated and astonishing set pieces. The plane chase through a cornfield is basically the starting point for Steven Spielberg's entire career, and De Palma ripped off everything else. Can you blame them?
Apocalypse Now
Lauded as one of the best war films of all time, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is a vivid adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness set amidst the Vietnam War. Martin Sheen stars as an operative captive assigned to venture deep into Cambodia to track down an AWOL colonel, played by Martin Brando. (While the film offers commentary on the sheer violence and uselessness of the Vietnam War, it should be noted that its depiction of citizens in Vietnam and Cambodia is largely insensitive–as native citizens are often erased from the narrative or shown through racist stereotypes.)
Kill Bill
Tarantino’s revenge movie starring Uma Thurman is not for the faint of heart. The Bride (Uma Thurman) is a former assassin who wakes from a coma four years after a jealous ex attempted to murder her on her wedding day, and her quest to get even makes for one of the most violent movies of all time.
6) John Wick
John Wick has nowhere near the amount of lore and stakes as its successors. But that’s exactly why it’s (barely) the best of the three. Bad men kill John Wick’s dog. John Wick sets out to kill those bad men. What else did you need?—Brady Langmann
Die Hard
With a name like Die Hard and a protagonist like Bruce Willis, this film is practically obligated to be action-packed. Willis stars as a New York policeman who is visiting his wife and two daughters when his wife’s work party gets hijacked by terrorists.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
A well-advised revisiting of the movie that brought mainstream attention both to director James Cameron and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator 2 exceeds all sophomore slump pressures with its well-crafted story and special effects. The film catches up with John and Sarah Connor in a time with new urgency, when a future Terminator is sent back in time to kill John. Only one Terminator can protect him and humanity.
From 'Terminator' to 'Mad Max,' these old and new classics will get your heart rate up from your couch.