The action film genre is a type of cinema that relies on two things: manly heroes and wanton destruction. Though like every genre it is imperfect, I can say that it has given us some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films of all time. This list celebrates what I believe are the top ten films in this genre.
10. "Robocop" (1987)
What It’s About: Far into the future, crime slowly poisons the city of Detroit, Michigan. Police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) becomes a victim of this plague, mortally wounded after a gang of criminals ambush him. He is saved, however, by a dubious corporation that turns him into "Robocop": a cyborg peacekeeper with deadly strength, intelligence, and durability. Murphy uses his second chance at life for one goal: to bring his assailants to justice.
Why It’s #10: Beneath "Robocop’s" ultra-violence and futuristic aesthetic lies a biting, darkly humorous satire of American culture and politics. It is this satire—along with some reasonably cheesy dialogue and explosive action scenes—that makes "Robocop" memorable. The film’s pulpy, raw atmosphere and tone help make the film a unique action experience. It isn’t the most complex film ever made and it certainly has flaws, but the substance it does have and its strong cast are enough to justify watching it several times over.
9. "Total Recall" (1990)
What It’s About: Mine worker Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is bored with his daily routine, wanting nothing more than to take a trip to Mars. He opts to implant memories of a Mars vacation into his brain when he visits the facilities of Rekall. The implantation quickly goes awry, and Quaid finds himself caught in a web of deceit, chaos, and conflict.
Why It’s #9: The plot summary for this film may seem indicative of a serious, drama-heavy production. There are serious moments, and there is interesting drama, but Total Recall has the over-the-top, slightly campy attitude that only an action film can have. It drips with classic action and sci-fi goodness in both its aesthetics and screenplay. Gruesome practical effects and hilarious one-liners complement the mind-bending story and make Total Recall one of Schwarzenegger’s finest films.
8. "First Blood" (1982)
What It’s About: Former Green Beret John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) finds himself on the run after he escapes police custody. A stubborn and aggressive police sheriff named William Teasle (Brian Dennehy) enlists the help of numerous federal and state forces in a massive manhunt for Rambo, determined to capture the ex-soldier at all costs. Unbeknownst to Teasle, Rambo hides in a nearby forest, prepared for any and every attempt to bring him in.
Why It’s #8: Almost a decade before audiences saw Rambo blast through Viet Cong soldiers with an M60 in the widely-recognized "Rambo: First Blood Part II," this oft-overlooked film brought the character to cinema in a more realistic, intense light. This film is perhaps the most serious entry on the list, especially since it focuses on the effects and aspects of PTSD. The thing about First Blood that is most impressive is its pacing; events and tension cascade and build as the film progresses, paving the way for a shocking, gripping climax. It’s an action movie that understands the importance of keeping the audience’s interest and giving them reasons to care about what happens next.
7. "Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2" (2003-2004)
What It’s About: This Quentin Tarantino feature follows a woman known as The Bride (Uma Thurman), an ex-assassin who is attacked and left for dead by her former colleagues and their leader, Bill (David Carradine). Her dreams of a normal, married life dashed, The Bride sets out on a quest for revenge—a quest that will take her across the globe and reveal truths about her and Bill’s shared past.
Why It’s #7: With "Kill Bill Vol. 1" and Vol. 2, director Quentin Tarantino once again shows his penchant for making films that hearken back to earlier decades of cinema. The film combines the best of classic Westerns and martial arts films, creating an interesting blend of the two that is a sight to behold. Kill Bill also has an episodic form of storytelling, a staple of Tarantino’s filmmaking that gives the film a more dramatic and expansive feel. Violent, occasionally funny, and wonderfully crazy, Kill Bill is a thrill ride of a revenge story that will impress and astound.
6. "The Matrix" (1999)
What It’s About: Hacker Thomas “Neo” Anderson (Keanu Reeves) discovers that he is living in the Matrix: a deceptively real world created by machines who have taken over the world and have reduced humanity to near-extinction. When a mysterious man (Laurence Fishburne) offers him a way out, he takes it, effectively drafting himself into the battle to free mankind from the Matrix. The machines are aware of the plans of Neo and his new allies, and send a deadly operative (Hugo Weaving) to destroy them at all costs.
Why It’s #6: Some might say "The Matrix" is overrated; while there is credence to that argument, it isn’t one I agree with. "The Matrix" is a highly influential film in the action genre, with its tech-noir atmosphere and its like-minded cinematography. It doesn’t just look great, however; the story is multi-layered and is given enough explanation to make it credible and interesting. From the famous slow-motion effects to its oft-quoted dialogue, "The Matrix" is still treasured by many and is a finely crafted action film.
5. "Escape from New York" (1981)
What It’s About: In the year 1997, all of New York City has been converted into a massive, walled super-prison for all criminals in the United States. Unfortunately for the United States government, the President is taken hostage by criminals after Air Force One is downed and lands in the heart of the horrid prison. Left with very little options, the government employs disgraced former soldier Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) to find the President and safely extract him.
Why It’s #5: Director John Carpenter makes "Escape from New York’s" fictitious prison feel unsafe and unpredictable, putting hero Snake Plissken in constant danger and creating various exciting action sequences throughout the film. Narratively, it isn’t nearly as ambitious or deep as some of the other films on this list, but it is nonetheless distinct and intriguing thanks to its grit and hard-hitting action. Furthermore, the subtle soundtrack complements scenes in a way that make "Escape from New York" feel almost like a spy movie. The movie’s greatest strength is its use of tension and conflict building; many action films today would most likely benefit from taking a few notes from this film.
4. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
What It’s About: Archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is recruited by U.S. secret agents to help reclaim the legendary Ark of the Covenant. To find the Ark, he’ll need to reconnect with an old flame (Karen Allen), travel the globe in search of clues, and foil the schemes of Nazi researcher Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman) and his team.
Why It’s #4: Raiders of the Lost Ark is without a doubt one of the most influential films in this genre. It’s a classic tale of a roguish but loveable hero who risks life and limb to save the world, take out the bad guys, and get the girl. Countless films since Raiders have attempted to emulate this story—a testament to how important Raiders is cinematically. Bolstered by awe-inspiring stunts and practical effects, an entertaining and rousing story, and an unforgettable cast, Raiders of the Lost Ark stands to this day as one of the finest action films of all time.
3. "Die Hard" (1988)
What It’s About: Police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) flies to Los Angeles in hopes of making amends with his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). His evening turns into a nightmare when terrorists led by the dangerous Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take control of the corporate building Holly works at. With nothing but his wits and his skills as an officer to help him, John makes a daring attempt to liberate the building from Gruber’s control or die trying.
Why It’s #3: Die Hard is an action film that helped set new standards for the action genre and is enjoyed by many film critics and action genre fans. Its central conflict and its story brim with no-holds-barred battles and high-octane situations. The setting is one that was so original and different that it gave rise to such similar films as White House Down and The Raid: Redemption. When you put all of these qualities together with the stellar performances from Bruce Willis and the late, great Alan Rickman, you get one powerhouse of an action film.
2. "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015)
What It’s About: Max (Tom Hardy) is a nomadic wanderer looking to stay alive in a desert wasteland. When he gets captured by a gang of savages, he discovers an entire population living under the control of a ruthless warlord (Hugh Keays-Byrne). To escape this wretched domain, he must ally himself with Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and set off into the Wasteland in a quest of redemption and repentance.
Why It’s #2: Mad Max: Fury Road—a six-time Oscar winner and Best Picture nominee—is the best action film of the past decade. Its cinematography is lovingly kinetic and frantic, the story is very well-structured and thought out, and the performances, especially that of Charlize Theron, are phenomenal. Much of the credit for Fury Road could be given to its impressive technical feats, but I’d like to give more credit to its story, which is so meaningful and thought-provoking that at times the film doesn’t feel like an action film. Proving to modern cinemagoers that any movie—including supposedly big and dumb action flicks—can be artistic and layered, Fury Road is a wild ride you’ll want to go on again and again.
1. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991)
What It’s About: Several years after the events of 1984’s The Terminator, the life of humanity’s future savior, John Connor (Edward Furlong), is once again in danger when a shape-shifting Terminator from the future (Robert Patrick) is sent back through time to eliminate him. Standing in this new threat’s way are John’s mother, Sarah (Linda Hamilton), and a reprogrammed Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Together, the Connors and their machine ally must destroy the cybernetic changeling and prevent the creation of the deadly Skynet AI.
Why It’s #1: Judgment Day is the quintessential action flick: boisterous, adrenaline-fueled, and compelling. From its still-impressive visual effects to its powerful drama and well-written narrative, director James Cameron’s sequel to The Terminator exceeded its predecessor in nearly every way and set new standards for action films. Today, many action films have larger-than-life stories and settings and plenty of bombastic effects and set pieces; one could credit Judgment Day for starting this trend and inspiring action directors to “go big or go home.” Indeed, Cameron went big with Judgment Day, a film that is still beloved by film buffs everywhere and is exemplary for the action genre and for the blockbuster film.
