Top 23 Action Movies of Each Year
2000: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
As the 21st Century began, moviegoers were given an epic film that showed the future of the action genre was promising. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is a rich story that incorporates tragic romances, big twists, and martial arts as a sword named green destiny changes hands. But many people were drawn to the phenomenal fight choreography. The martial arts techniques look beautiful and hit hard. Throughout the film, the leads expertly handle a variety of weapons in battle. And the movie also isn’t afraid to step away from realistic movements to give us jaw-dropping one-on-ones.. The strong story and action earned the epic an academy award for best foreign language film. It was definitely this film’s green destiny to steal our hearts.
2001: “The Fast and the Furious”
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This high octane movie used creative techniques to show us speedy heists and even faster street races in whole new ways. The plot centers on a LAPD officer named Brian O’ Connor who’s sent undercover to bring Dominic Toretto to justice. As they bond and race around dangerous threats, the cop is forced to choose between his job and newfound family. The film’s pulse pounding chases and practical stunts blew audiences away. And since the characters were so distinct and loveable, we were genuinely concerned whenever anyone got behind the wheel. While the first movie stands on its own merits, it also deserves credit for being at the starting line of a NOS-fuelled franchise that has spanned over two decades and counting.
2002: “The Bourne Identity”
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Although an injured man can’t recall his life, he remembers how to use his body as a deadly weapon. He soon discovers he’s an agent named Jason Bourne that must figure out why he has amnesia before he’s assassinated. While the movie’s intriguing plot would’ve been enough to keep us interested, the action really elevates the film. Each fight is quick, realistic and brutal. This style of combat would go on to influence the action scenes in countless films and even another notable spy franchise. It was also fun to watch the resourceful Jason get out of tight jams with clever and unexpected maneuvers. This exciting spy film gave the world both a thrilling story and a new action hero icon.
2003: “Kill Bill Volume 1”
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Going into 2003, it seemed like one of the two “Matrix” films would stand as the top action title of the year. However, a vengeful bride cut in and made an even bigger impact. “Kill Bill Volume 1” followed a deadly woman getting revenge against the assassins that took everything from her. Fortunately for genre fans, her quest involved great martial arts choreography, a touch of comedy, and a whole lot of over-the-top violence. But “Kill Bill’s” fantastic action wouldn’t have shone without the compelling protagonist. Audiences leaned into every punch, slice and kill because it brought her closer to her goals. Everything from the Bride’s yellow outfit to her story are still being imitated and homaged over 20 years later.
2004: “Kung Fu Hustle”
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While “Kill Bill Volume 2” was great, the action was scaled back to make more room for the Bride’s story. Within the same year, “Kung Fu Hustle” stood out by putting hilariously exaggerated spectacle at the forefront. This martial arts comedy followed a wannabe gangster named Sing trying to join the notorious axe gang. But after his actions accidentally endangered a community full of really good fighters, he decided to turn over a new leaf. Throughout the film, characters performed superhuman martial arts feats that left you either laughing or awestruck. The ridiculous fights somehow translate perfectly to live-action. While some may have dismissed this film as a silly parody, its commitment to big action makes it a must see.
2005: “Tom-Yum-Goong” [AKA “The Protector”]
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An underdog named Kham played by Tony Jaa grabbed our attention with truly excellent displays of combat. After his beloved elephants are stolen by poachers, he goes on a quest to take down anyone standing in between him and his animals. “The Protector” keeps viewers locked in by ensuring that no two fight scenes are the same. And even after Tony Jaa’s Kham blew us away with impressive choreography he left us speechless again with a long staircase sequence.. Although “The Protector” may not have been the most well-known genre film of its year, it more than earned the title of the best of 2005.
2006: “Casino Royale”
Longtime Bond fans knew the character had been largely reinvented as soon as they saw the film’s brutal and gritty opening. While the lead still wisecracked and womanized, he was now willing to run headlong into realistic and varied action. As 007 tries to stop the twisted Le Chiffre’s schemes, we get excellent car chases, exciting shootouts and more. And we can’t forget the incredible and nail-biting parkour scene that took Bond to dizzying heights. The cocktail of slick action and Daniel Craig’s gruff 007 proved to be the adrenaline shot the franchise needed. After this spy movie debuted, moviegoers believed once more that James Bond had a license to thrill.
2007: “Hot Fuzz”
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It was tempting to give this year to the visually stunning “300”. The “Bourne Ultimatum” also gave moviegoers a tense conclusion to a three-movie story arc. However, the action comedy of “Hot Fuzz” arguably stood the test of time the best. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost shine as two very different cops who must team up to solve one small town conspiracy. Edgar Wright’s distinct visual style made everything from wild shootouts to standard traffic stops feel epic. During their adventures, we’re treated to great jokes and homages to the action genre that are still just as funny and relevant over a decade later. And since “Hot Fuzz” is crammed with Easter Eggs and fun details, it’s rewarding to rewatch this lively parody.
2008: “Taken”
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A tale about a father with a few special skills tasked with rescuing his daughter overseas became a surprising mega hit. The Neeson vehicle was beloved for its close quarters action, breakneck pace, and memorable quotes. It also spawned an entire subgenre of action film. Since Neeson’s Brian Mills was a middle aged man mowing through enemies, many movies copied this formula. This 2008 film re-established that actors of all ages could be action stars while carving out its own identity. By the time the credits rolled on this rescue mission, Neeson’s thriller had “Taken” Hollywood by storm.
2009: “Avatar”
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As of August 2023, this sci-fi adventure stands as one of the highest grossest films of all time. Genre fans only need to look at one of its jaw-dropping set pieces to understand why. After a human soldier named Jake puts his mind into the body of an alien Na’vi, he enters a new world.. The planet is full of unique natural threats that he has run around or soar over. And when greedy villains try to rob the planet’s resources, we’re treated to slick and surprising futuristic battles. “Avatar’s” incredible special effects during these scenes hold up so remarkably well that the sequences still take our breath away. Action never looked as blue and beautiful as it did here.
2010: “Ip Man 2”
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Donnie Yen cemented he was perfectly cast in the role of Ip Man in this incredible sequel. The story revolved around the protagonist trying to teach the Wing Chun style to new students. However, since many people disapproved of him and his martial art, Ip Man has to fight to demonstrate the worth of his techniques. Fortunately for us, the plot opened the door to a wide range of mind-blowing fight scenes. Donnie Yen and his many co-stars fully committed to spectacular matches full of stunts and astonishing choreography. Throughout all the tremendous scenes, the movie never lost sight of Ip Man’s journey to gain respect for his way of fighting.
2011: “The Raid”
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How do you top one movie where characters drag a safe through Rio and another film where a spy scales the Burj Khalifa? If you’re “the Raid”, the answer is to just cram every second of your film with non-stop unfiltered action. The story follows a team of officers who try to arrest a single crime lord that’s holed up in his personal fortress. This simple setup leads to numerous complex and breathtaking fights. During the film, actors like Iko Uwais move so fast that you’ll swear they’re superhuman. And the action is paired with an emotional rollercoaster with extremely well played twists. “The Raid’s” down to earth approach stole the show with its focus on authentic and nail biting confrontations.
2012: “Skyfall”
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After James Bond is seriously wounded during a thrilling train sequence, he tries to quietly retire. But when his old boss is threatened by former MI6 operative Raoul Silva, he reluctantly returns back to duty to stop the villain. All thE setpieces and shoot outs were more suspenseful since Bond wasn’t at his A-game this time around. Although he wasn’t 100 percent, the spectacle and fights constantly delivered throughout “Skyfall”. The filmmakers even made a countryside setting into a pulse pounding sequence. Throughout it all, the performances from actors like Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench kept us invested. By shaking the spy formula up without diluting any of the action, “Skyfall'' became one of the best Bond stories ever told.
2013: “Snowpiercer”
In a dystopian future, the last humans alive all live on one long train. When the oppressed people in the back decide to rise up against the front of the car, cinematic magic ensues. Most of the fight scenes are brutal and vicious because of the close quarters of the train setting. However, there are times where “Snowpiercer” throws a few curveballs to raise the stakes. A scene where the underdogs lose their light during a major battle made for a particularly nail biting watch. Their bloody conflicts build up to a shocking twist that completely turns the violent plot upside down. Between its fantastic action and great writing, “Snowpiercer” is well worth the ride.
2014: “John Wick”
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Although there’s lot of revenge stories out there, this assassin tale made itself unmissable by incorporating top tier fight choreography and stunt work. When Keanu Reeves started playing John Wick, he committed to doing as much action as he could. We can often see his face clearly as he takes down goons during a quest to avenge a dog and reclaim a car. Reeves is at the center of scenes that can go from brutal to hilarious to awesome in a few minutes. And to keep things fresh, there’s a few driving stunts thrown in for good measure. While John Wick was ready to stay retired, the hugely positive reception to this action gem ensured he wasn’t done yet.
2015: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
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The main story of this action classic kicks into gear when the badass Furiosa tries to save a group of women from a harsh life by driving away in a massive rig. In the middle of her desperate escape, Max ends up working with her to escape the villains. During this massive chase, cars explode, people travel between cars, and there’s constant death. Fights between characters also take place on every part of a vehicle imaginable. The quick editing and high speeds keep viewers on the edge of their seats at every minute. After its release, “Fury Road” won an astonishing six Oscars and was nominated for best picture. Even the Academy had to acknowledge this action film was a lovely, lovely time.
2016: “Train to Busan”
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During what should be a normal commute on a train, Seok-woo and his daughter realize they’re on a train full of zombies. The duo has to make quick alliances to avoid getting bitten and make it off the train alive. Throughout the film, the claustrophobic setting is used to make some truly terrifying and pulse pounding action setpieces. And when the characters do have to confront the zombies directly, the scenes are brutal and fast paced. But the best aspect of the film is that main characters can get bitten or devoured at any time. So as you’re watching the excitement unfold, you’ll carry a sinking feeling that one of your favorite characters might never leave that train.
2017: “The Villainess”
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As fun as the car stunts in “Baby Driver” were, 2017 firmly belonged to no-nonsense heroines. “The Villainess” was a dark and action-packed tale full of incredible fights. “Atomic Blonde '' starred Charlize Theron as a spy trying to stay alive while completing a significant mission.. Ultimately, “The Villainess” emerged as the year’s best showcase for action. There are multiple first person point of view fights. Every set piece feels kinetic and dangerous. And just when you think you’ve figured everything out, the compelling plot takes another great turn. Lead actress Kim Ok-vin blew us away with her acting and stunt work. “The Villainess” deserves to be seen as a savior of ambitious female-led genre films.
2018: “Mission Impossible Fallout” (2018)
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If IMF agent Ethan Hunt hadn’t chosen to accept another mission in 2018, the thrilling “The Night Comes For Us” would’ve easily dominated this year. However, Tom Cruise outdid himself by doing unbelievable stunts. He got the audience warmed up by doing a high altitude low opening jump. Later on, Cruise leapt between buildings. In the climax, he climbed up cargo mid-air to take over a helicopter, chased a villain through the sky and fought atop a mountain. And we haven’t even talked about the amazing plot or Henry Cavill’s reloading arms! “Mission Impossible: Fallout” wass absolutely filled to the brim with unforgettable action. At the end of the day, it may be seen as one of the greatest spy flicks of the century.
2019: “John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum”
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This threequel thrusts viewers right in the middle of the action by having a bleeding John Wick race to wrap up affairs before he’s killed by assassins. A few minutes later, he’s forced to take out an intimidating enemy. Fortunately, the movie rarely takes its foot of its gas after that point. Wick mows down legions of assassins with more tremendous choreography and quite a few guns. Along the way, we also get sword wielding goons on motorcycles, fast gunplay, and dogs running into battle with Wick. The action keeps escalating as the assassin gets closer to removing the target on his back. It was astonishing that following Wick here still felt as fresh and impressive as the first time we met this legendary hitman.
2020: “Extraction”
During a year where full movie releases were limited, this Chris Hemsworth vehicle brought big action to our small screens. He stars as a black ops mercenary charged with saving the son of a criminal from corrupt authorities. When Tyler tries to bring the boy back home, he finds that there are numerous enemies that want to take them out. “Extraction” makes every confrontation feel dynamic and vicious. Most of the deaths are so brutal that we can’t show them here! Additionally, the film cleverly uses editing tricks to create jaw dropping long take scenes. The only thing more relentless than the onslaught of action is the unstoppable Tyler Rake himself.
2021: “Nobody”
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Someday, we might get tired of seeing assassins return to their violent ways after having a particularly bad day. But the fantastic “Nobody” suggests that that day is far in the future. After Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch survives a home invasion, he seeks to reclaim his stolen items. His reasonable quest unintentionally takes him down a dark road full of fights and bloody mayhem. What made “Nobody” stand out from the pack is how realistic it feels. Not only are the injuries grounded, but Hutch never feels completely invincible. His physical vulnerability adds a lot of tension to each of his confrontations. Odenkirk also sells how conflicted his character is about returning to a gruesome lifestyle. Hutch is definitely somebody we loved to see work.
2022: “Top Gun: Maverick”
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Early in 2022, “RRR”’s astonishing action set a high bar for the year. It was “Top Gun Maverick” that ultimately soared above those high expectations. Over 30 years after Cruise’s Pete jumped into a cockpit, he returned to prepare a younger team for a dangerous mission. Their training was full of high-flying scenes that were captured by real pilots navigating the skies. Every time someone went into the air, we were ready for our minds to be blown by another wild maneuver. We cared every time a plane ran into danger because every character was fully fleshed out and distinct. And once the final mission began, we held our breath and didn’t let go until the last plane in this Oscar-nominated movie landed.
