Best Action Films
Ranked #145 in Entertainment, #1,670 overall
Great Action Movies
The great action movies included on this ranking span 29 years from Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981 to Inception in 2010. Only two leading men appear on the list twice, Harrison Ford and Keanu Reeves, but many other big name action stars make the list including Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.
This list of best action films is based on the blended average of all member rankings at Rankography top ten movies and it is a mix of many of these different action genres. While it is likely you have heard of all the action movies in the top 10, there are many more action films on the composite ranking including many lesser known action movies to discover.
If you want to browse through the full list of top action films, then click through to the best action movies category on Rankography.
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Photo from Raiders of the Lost Ark courtesy of Paramount Pictures
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10. Speed (1994)
The Ultimate Non-Stop Action Movie Thriller
Whatever your opinion of Keanu Reeves as an actor, there is no denying that this is an outstanding fast-paced action movie and there is great chemistry between Reeves and Sandra Bullock. As usual, Dennis Hopper gives a stunning performance as the deranged retired cop villain. This is definitely one of the best action movies of all time.
Get a signed Keenu Reeves photo from Speed
or get a Speed movie poster
9. Fight Club (1999)
An Action Film with Layers and Layers of Depth
David Fincher delivers a film that is incredibly complex with many layers of subtext that grows in depth with each viewing. The cast is superb with Brad Pitt, Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. While I am sure many were turned away from this action movie because of the title, but this is not a film filled with needless violence. Yes there is violence, but it fulfills the plot line and woven into the fabric of the movie. It is an excellent movie that requires at least one viewing.
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Buy this limited edition original movie poster or you could get a replica poster from one of the great action movies
Check out the movie soundtrack for this best action movie
8. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The Grand Finale in the Bourne Trilogy Really Delivers
Each of the Bourne movies are filled with high energy while Bourne is chased across the world by his old employer. However, The Bourne Ultimatum is the best of the three films both because it has a more complex and interesting plot and also because it provides us with many answers to the mysteries of the series. If you enjoy fast-paced action and intrigue in a spy setting, then the Bourne series is about as good as they come.
Get an autographed Matt Damon as Bourne photo in Paris
or buy this original limited edition movie poster or you can get a replica poster of this top action film.
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7. The Fugitive (1993)
On the Run to Prove his Innocence
This is one of the great action movies, but it is also a murder mystery that we unravel with Dr. Kimble throughout the film. The cast is excellent and also includes Julianne Moore and Sela Ward. If you like sophisticated action films, The Fugitive is one of the best you will find.
Get an autographed Harrison Ford photo
or buy a limited edition original movie poster or this framed replica poster of this great action film.
6. The Dark Knight (2008)
A Nemesis as Formidable as Batman
The Dark Knight is definitely one of the greatest action movies of all time and solidified Christopher Nolan's place as the best young Director in Hollywood.
Buy this limited edition original movie poster or you can get a framed replica of this poster of one of the best action movies.
Get this Great Dark Knight T-Shirt
5. Inception (2010)
A Fast Paced Action Movie that Entertains on Many Levels
In an undefined time period, technology has been developed to invade another person's dreams. Naturally, a black market has developed for thieves that can steal corporate secrets through others dreams and Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is the master of this dream deception. In Inception, Cobb and his band of thieves are attempting a very dangerous "mind heist" that involves multiple dream levels. They are in a race against time as well as some dangerous "dream protectors". It is a highly entertaining action movie with many layers of complex that will keep you guessing throughout the film. Definitely, one of the best action films ever.
Autographed Leonardo DiCaprio photo
Buy this framed Inception movie poster
4. T2 Terminator 2 (1991)
Cutting Edge CGI and a Loveable Cyborg Hero Make this Film
In T2, Arnold Schwarzenegger's cyborg character returns from the future , but this time he has been sent by future John as an ally and protector for young John Connor (Edward Furlong) and his mother Sarah (Linda Hamilton). The three are in a race to find the creator of Skynet, the future network that will become self aware to allow machines to take the world from humans. However, they also must evade the the T-1000 which has been sent by Skynet to kill young John Connor so that he cannot save the human race.
There are few sci fi action thrillers that can even compare to T2. If you like your action mixed with sci fi technology, then this is one of the greatest action films that you will ever find.
Get an autographed Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron photo from Terminator 2
or buy a limited edition original movie poster or you could get a framed replica poster from one of the great action movies.
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3. The Matrix (1999)
Revolutionary Technology Movie that Blew our Minds
It was a shame that neither of the two sequels could live up to The Matrix. However, this first film was so good that it really was an impossible task. Keanu Reeves is the star of this film as Neo and he is one of only two leading men (with Harrison Ford) that appear twice on this top action movies list. While the entire cast is good, Laurence Fishburne is fantastic as the cult leader, Morpheus.
Get a signed Keenu Reeve, NEO photo
or buy a limited edition original movie poster or you could get a less expensive framed replica poster of the best action films.
Sample songs from The Matrix Movie Soundtrack
2. Die Hard (1988)
John McLane's Debut as an Action Movie Hero
Long before Alan Rickman played Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series, he was Hans Gruber, the heartless mastermind of the kidnapping plot in Die Hard. Rickman is excellent as the cold-blooded Gruber which paved the way for an outstanding career of villain roles for Rickman. This is one of the great action movies and a must see for any action junkie.
Get a signed Bruce Willis, Die Hard photo
or Buy a limited edition original movie poster or you could get a framed replica poster from one of the greatest action movies of all time.
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1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The Grandaddy of all Adventure Movies
In 1981, Harrison Ford made Archeology sexy in Raiders of the Lost Ark, which most feel is the greatest action movie of all time. This is an archeological quest film for the ultimate archeological find, the biblical Ark of the Covenant. We travel the globe with Indiana Jones (Ford) looking for clues to the whereabouts of the Ark. It is a wonderful adventure and time will fly by while you are enthralled in this film.This is one of Steven Spielberg's most beloved films. What truly sets this film apart is its timeless quality. Because it is set in archeological settings with with lots of hand to hand combat with little technology, it works as well today as it did back in 1981. Indy is a man's man hero whose likability is as strong among men as it is among women. This film is the granddaddy of Adventure Movies and a really great action film.
Buy an original Raiders movie poster here, original, reissued in 1982; mint condition, folded.
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From this Memorable Action Movie Soundtrack
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- China action was the market's second biggest opening of 2012, and the seventh biggest opening weekend ever for a Hollywood film, beating the recent China bows of The Avengers and Battleship. Japan ($7.98 million at 980 venues) and South Korea ($8.53 ...
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- Khiladi Kumar deliberately moved out of action
- Mumbai, May 25 -- After many years, actor Akshay Kumar is set to make his comeback in action with his soon-to-be released Rowdy Rathore. He says that he deliberately left doing such movies and chose to return to the genre only because of the popular ...
- Jackie Chan Retiring from Big Action Movies, But Has One Last Trailer
- Chan recently appeared at the Cannes Film Festival to do some promotion for his new film, and apparently revealed he's retiring from action movies - or maybe just "big action movies", but we're not entirely sure. The first set of quotes comes from The ...
Any Feedback for this Top Action Films Lens?
I would love to know what you think about this lens on the Best Action Movies of all time. If you liked it, you might want to check out our other lens about the Best Movies in a number of genres.
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surfer1969
May 27, 2012 @ 7:34 pm | delete
- A very nice lens,fight club Is 1 of my fave movies.
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cinefile
May 24, 2012 @ 5:26 pm | delete
- Raiders all the way!
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karmicchristian
May 24, 2012 @ 8:37 am | delete
- Love this action packed list!
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Camden
May 21, 2012 @ 11:04 pm | delete
- I'll have to see some of these movies with the kids this summer - they've hardly seen anything on the list.
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Bill_Lawrence
May 7, 2012 @ 10:43 am | delete
- I'm a Die Hard fan. Bruce Willis was the man.
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poddys
May 1, 2012 @ 2:13 pm | delete
- The Fugitive was good, as was Dark Knight, the Die Hard series, Speed, well most of the list.
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MaryStuart
Apr 27, 2012 @ 9:07 pm | delete
- Great list! "The Fugitive" and "Terminator 2" tie as my favorite action films.
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greasergirlalex
Apr 10, 2012 @ 2:58 pm | delete
- This lens is awesome and I love the Dark Knight
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rantheman1
Apr 10, 2012 @ 10:10 am | delete
- Another great lens! Action movies are awesome!
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goo2eyes
Apr 9, 2012 @ 10:41 am | delete
- i don't want any boxing film but i saw 80% of the films you featured here.
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