Top 20 Most Underrated Action Movies of All Time

You might be wondering what action auteur Michael Bay is doing on an “underrated action movies” list — or that Bay had even made “Ambulance” to begin with. And that’s a genuine shame, because the director’s pulse-pounding heist thriller isn’t only a treat for Bay fans, but for anyone who appreciates innovative action filmmaking. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II[b] stars as Will, a financially destitute Marine veteran, who gets talked into participating in a $32 million bank heist by his adoptive brother Danny, played by Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal. As you probably expected, things go terribly awry, and the brothers soon find themselves on the run from Los Angeles’ finest. Featuring strong performances and dizzying action sequences, “Ambulance” finds the “Bad Boys” and “Transformers” filmmaker predictably nailing the genre once again.

While some classics are better left untouched with modern-day remakes, audiences could trust that the late Tony Scott had a vision for his reimagining of director Joseph Sargent’s iconic action picture. Scott’s “Pelham 123” received mixed reviews and was met with a similarly muted response at the box office, but it surprisingly holds up on its own merits, with the director’s electric, hyperkinetic fingerprints all over it. Film critic Ignatiy Vishnevetsky even referred to it as one of Scott’s two best films, alongside 2006’s “Déjà Vu”. And hey, if nothing else, the “Pelham 123” remake reunites “Sopranos” stars James Gandolfini and Michael Rispoli, who played mobsters Tony Soprano and Jackie Aprile, respectively.

One of the first films to break free from under the shadow of COVID-19, “Nobody” was a sizable hit at the time of its March 2021 release, making $57.5 million on a reported $16 million budget. That said, it doesn’t seem to have garnered the same cult appeal that writer Derek Kolstad[d] and producer David Leitch saw from their previous collaboration on the original “John Wick” film. Tightly but unpretentiously directed by “Hardcore Henry” filmmaker Ilya Naishuller, “Nobody” features “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirk pulling a genre 180, and proving himself as a surprising, but highly capable, action movie leading man.

You often have to think outside of the box when trying to keep audiences interested. Such was the case with “Hanna”, which didn’t star a Hollywood beefcake like Bruce Willis — rather, it starred then-16-year-old Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan as the titular character. Trained by her ex-CIA father, played by Eric Bana, to be a ruthless killing machine in Finland’s remote, rural north, Hanna soon becomes involved in a sinister conspiracy that threatens both her and her father. Reuniting Ronan with her “Atonement” director Joe Wright, “Hanna” was praised by Justin Chang of Variety, who said that the film was “an exuberantly crafted chase thriller that pulses with energy from its adrenaline-pumping first minutes to its muted bang of a finish”.

Who said that theatrically released films get to have all the fun? Okay, so no one ever said that, but Israeli director Isaac Florentine[f] successfully pushed back against the stigma that comes with making direct-to-DVD action flicks with this thrilling sequel. A sequel to Florentine’s 2009 film “Ninja”, also released direct-to-DVD, “Shadow of a Tear” continues the story of American-born ninja Casey Bowman, played by genre mainstay Scott Adkins. While you’re not likely to see the cast and crew of the “Ninja” franchise on the Oscars stage any time soon, that’s far from the point: “Shadow of a Tear” uses practical effects and slick fight choreography to its benefit, working as a fitting love letter to the genre.

Including a superhero film on our list today may be a little bit of a cheat. But it’s hard to deny that this Marvel comic book adaptation feels somewhat out of place next to “The Avengers” and “Spider-Man”. Directed with aplomb by former kickboxer and martial artist Lexi Alexander[g], “War Zone” is a bloody good time, violent almost to a fault and ridiculously over-the-top in pretty much every other way. While Alexander’s film was a significant box office bomb, it’s since been reevaluated as being true to the spirit of the original “Punisher” comics, and well worth the watch for not only superhero fans, but fans of action movies as a whole.

Yet another vastly underappreciated Tony Scott joint, “Last Boy Scout” is a multi-genre mashup that critics just didn’t get at the time of its 1991 release. Starring the ever-reliable Bruce Willis as a down-on-his-luck private investigator and Damon Wayans as a former football player, Scott’s film benefits tremendously from its snappy screenplay, courtesy of actor-turned-writer Shane Black. Black, who would later go on to write and direct such subversive buddy comedies as “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and “The Nice Guys”, imbues “Boy Scout” with an irreverent spark that sets it apart from other, contemporaneous shoot-‘em-ups. To that end, a positive retrospective review of the film by Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall[h] noted that the film was “elevated [...] by director Tony Scott's self-awareness of how ridiculous it all is”.

Speaking of Bruce Willis, this lively action comedy also stars such veterans of the genre as… Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren? Based on the DC Comics limited series by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner[i], “Red” upends clichés of the genre by casting just slightly older than you might expect… which makes sense, considering “Red” stands for “Retired, Extremely Dangerous”. The film tracks the exploits of former CIA black ops agents who must reunite — after Willis’ character learns that someone is out to pick them off, one-by-one. Throw “Red”, its sequel, or even both on back-to-back if you need some sheer, unadulterated fun.

Director Rowdy Herrington[j]’s down-and-dirty action flick is perhaps the cult classic to end all cult classics. Blasted by critics for what they perceived as excessive violence and shoddy plotting, “Road House” follows James Dalton, played by Patrick Swayze in a career-defining role, a New York City bouncer who reinvents himself in rural Missouri. Despite frigid critical notices, “Road House” became a decently sized hit for United Artists, and perfectly encapsulated the ridiculous excess of not just the era’s American action cinema, but of the 1980s as a whole. If you’re left wanting more, check out director Doug Liman[k]’s surprisingly entertaining, Jake Gyllenhaal-starring 2024 “Road House” remake.

From its opening moments, you can almost tell that “Speed Racer” was a passion project for “Matrix” directors the Wachowskis[l]. An adaptation of the beloved manga of the same name, “Speed Racer” more than satisfied fans of the source material. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for those unfamiliar with “Speed Racer” — the film failed to recoup its $120 million budget, making it difficult for the Wachowskis to find funding for future films. Which is too bad, because watching “Speed Racer” gives viewers the distinct sense that they’re seeing something fresh, new, and entirely unexpected. Said Reactor’s Dexter Palmer, “Speed Racer” is “an extreme reminder of what films, and especially fantasy and science fiction films, can place on screen”.

We’re not sure if the world was ready for a meta self-parody of the action movie genre back in 1993, but we do know that “Last Action Hero” sure feels smart and vital here in the present day. The film does so much right with regard to its observations on action movie clichés. “Last Action Hero” is also helped along by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ability to laugh at himself, as well as the tropes that tend to run through his enviable filmography of hits. “Last Action Hero” also never forgets to be an action movie, thanks to a smart script co-written by “Lethal Weapon’s” Shane Black. It’s the best of both worlds, and we honestly can’t say enough good things about it.

While “Free Fire” could’ve been equally captivating with its kitschy, 1970s premise by expanding beyond its single location, the film still finds room to be creative. For starters, there’s some incredibly witty and funny banter between these factions of characters that are all trapped in a life-or-death struggle within the confines of a warehouse. The gunshots and insults fly, while moments of black comedy are underscored by scenes of unflinching violence. These characters are all flawed, but the joy of watching “Free Fire” is seeing how things unfold, and who, if anyone, will make it to the end without a bullet in their belly.

Make no mistake, 1993’s “Demolition Man” is way more than just a movie about a dystopian Taco Bell. Nope, this nineties action flick could actually be considered to be something of a minor classic, thanks to a screenplay that plays around with satire and social commentary, while never forgetting to be an entertaining action romp. “Demolition Man” depicts a future where crime is essentially extinct, only for dangerous criminal Simon Phoenix, played deliciously by Wesley Snipes, to escape cryogenic stasis and wreak ultimate havoc. Only a cop from Phoenix’s past is able to stop him, while at the same time adjusting to a new world of law enforcement. It’s great fun.

The writing was clearly on the wall, right from the opening scene from 2003’s “The Rundown:” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had arrived in Hollywood, and was ready to take on the torch. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cameo was clearly clued into this sentiment, but that’s not the only thing “The Rundown” has to offer action movie fans. The flick is a fun crowd pleaser in the form of an “Indiana Jones” sized adventure with riveting action and prime buddy flick chemistry between Johnson and Seann William Scott. “The Rundown” may have shown up early in the Rock’s filmography, but we think it’s held up surprisingly well decades later.

Director John Frankenheimer was no stranger to conducting orchestras of tension, drama and action within his movies. After all, the man’s résumé of flicks like “Grand Prix,” “French Connection II” and the original “Manchurian Candidate” speaks for itself. Still, we’d argue that Frankenheimer still had plenty of gas in the tank when he directed “Ronin” at the end of the 20th century. The film deserves to be mentioned alongside classics like Michael Mann’s “Heat” in terms of dead-to-rights ‘90s action highlights, with Frankenheimer’s film in particular boasting some of the greatest chase sequences of the decade. “Ronin” also benefits from an outstanding cast, headed up by Robert De Niro, that makes this heist/action jam a definite must-watch for anyone remotely interested in the genre.

We’re not sure if 2017 was ordained as the year we needed a female James Bond to give us some serious action movie thrills, but Charlize Theron showed up, we sat down, and were ALL IN on the ride. That said, we’re glad “Atomic Blonde” seemed to do well enough to the point where a sequel is reportedly in development, although we’d argue that the film is still, in a sense, underrated. It’s all about the action set pieces here, as Theron and crew indulge in long takes and complex choreography. The comparisons to the “John Wick” franchise were probably inevitable, but we’d argue that “Atomic Blonde” more than stands on its own two feet.

Subtlety? Restraint? Fuh-gettaboutit. 2007’s “Shoot ‘Em Up” instead prefers to play in that inimitable sandbox of 1980s action, while retaining visual sensibilities that are rooted in the mid-2000s. The film largely eschews plot and character development in favor of breakneck pacing and absurdism with regards to the physics of the average set piece. “Shoot ‘Em Up” isn’t out to break the action movie mold, but instead simply wants to entertain and make you laugh, as Clive Owen and co-star Monica Bellucci find themselves in one ridiculous situation after another. The film may not have been a financial success, but action fans looking for a rollicking good time are well advised to give “Shoot ‘Em Up” another…er, shot.

Logan Marshall-Green had a solid résumé prior to his starring in the 2018 action flick “Upgrade.” This was thanks to his supporting performances in films like “Prometheus” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” However, “Upgrade” managed to surprise just about everyone with its level of intensity and action. The flick was directed by “Saw” franchise veteran Leigh Whannell, and takes 1970s sci-fi tropes about body modification and upgrades them (see what we did there?) to the modern day. Marshall-Green is great as a victim of a violent crime who seeks revenge, while Whannell’s direction balances the more comedic moments with sequences of palpable violence and tension.

Look, we’ll always secretly love the Sylvester Stallone adaption from the nineties (bad press, be damned), but fans of the original “Judge Dredd” comic adventures were largely pleased with this 2012 reboot. This is despite the fact that “Dredd” didn’t do well enough commercially to warrant a franchise. The film’s casting of Karl Urban fulfills its need for a believable, tough guy version of the character, while the world of Mega-City One feels lived in. On top of that, the action alone is intense enough to invite doubters to give “Dredd” another viewing, even if they find some of the CGI wonky and slow-motion effects a tad excessive.

It’s totally understandable to say that action movie fans have perhaps forgotten about this 2014 film from “You’re Next” and “Godzilla vs. Kong” director Adam Wingard. However, “The Guest” almost certainly deserves reevaluation, thanks largely to the level of talent involved. Dan Stevens is great as the stranger who ingratiates himself into a family’s home, claiming to be a friend of their eldest son who was killed in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Zombi keyboardist and songwriter Steve Moore delivers a synth-soaked musical score that echoes action classics from directors like John Carpenter. “The Guest” takes its secret identity story and runs with it, delivering an underrated slice of genre-splicing dread.


Which action movie on our list is your favorite? Are there any we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

[b]YAW-h'yaw abb-DOOL muh-TEEN the second https://youtu.be/f78tPFBpDFo?si=04VnGqV4VAqHBxZT
[c]pellum / PELL-um one two three https://youtu.be/U2ke0QhSfoA?si=efz1jQO2JpTrwOBZ&t=32
SAR-jint https://youtu.be/SITOyEso0Tg?si=UlSoWz5sIA0YR7e3&t=149
igg-NAW-TEE vishna-VET-skee https://youtu.be/AzpuzanwK68?si=6Cj5uVuc-YAjigl-&t=44
gandle-FEE-nee https://youtu.be/oVwkoZIt2IM?si=iJv2pxJsHj9LLpuO&t=10
riss-POH-lee https://youtu.be/Tlb9E2OO1vc?si=kRsf6hNX1xc0Dzm1&t=57
tony suh-PRAW-noh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ac7ce650-ca19-4ef2-9802-74cc3384bda2
ah-PREEL https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/bfec79a8-81cd-4efd-86d4-2e342e923ce2
[d]COLE-stad https://youtu.be/hiZnYzEAyDU?si=92ylCrNEEWtsmJvs&t=530
leech https://youtu.be/LuezePC3Ep8?t=4
ILLY-uh NYE-shoo-lur https://youtu.be/sU4ZgaWzV9I?si=lAW0FsDxz3GNFdVF
ODIN-kirk https://youtu.be/EIpAlY0QD-o?si=xU2W7PzZWI-0Oyb8
[e]HAN-nuh https://youtu.be/wnRERmjjJAI?si=pY-3HiW5tijy55TN&t=235
SAIR-shuh ROH-nin https://youtu.be/RBFpf7LRajY?si=fnghYaD8ISmzBkGK&t=13
chang as spelled https://youtu.be/cvRxu5HLwOg?si=C0g_841eut_2EJIz
[f]flore-en-teen https://youtu.be/ApopiAYUcPQ?si=xGxGhenggoWG-xSH&t=11
CAY-see BOH-min https://youtu.be/pabciQ-MJD0?si=ggvYU5fDL_uHmEu8&t=2360
[g]LECK-see alexander
https://youtu.be/suc7rkzUqT0?si=AaIaAbcG2jm4L2PU&t=29
[h]SEPPIN-wall https://youtu.be/VVsqehBmFIA?si=Z28oAuwvvJ3855ro&t=3
[i]CULL-ee HAM-nur https://youtu.be/pQyRzqpKVic?si=-50ZW2ACstF2LBq8&t=4
[j]RAO-dee HAIR-ING-tun https://youtu.be/4hGmuVam9X4?si=71_OPmLwHWZkdo97&t=51
[k]LYE-min https://youtu.be/EcdK8J74DSY?si=JLxdjxD7lz0lo2v0&t=1
[l]wuh-CHOW-skee / wuh-CIAO-skee https://youtu.be/adXm2sDzGkQ