Theactiongenre is known for its intense fight sequences and bloody violence, but this isn’t the only reason to recommend these movies. Many underrated action films that fewer audiences are aware of incorporate fast-paced action choreography and incredible stunts that hold viewers' attention while adding innovative storytelling techniques and emotional journeys for the characters. Whilehigh-octane action movies typically do well at the box office even if the reviews aren’t as strong,there are rare cases when critics adore action films, and they don’t reach the widest possible audience.
Whilecritical and audience opinions can be very different,these films are favorites among reviewers for a reason. These projects don’t skimp on violence but understand how to balance gore with intricate storytelling. There were manyunderrated action movies in 2024that audiences will have a chance to revisit as they get added to streaming services. However, it’s not just recent additions to the genre that should get their due. Films from every decade have made their mark on action cinema and deserve to be recognized for their contributions to film and the stylization of action and fight scenes.
The Night Comes For Us
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The Night Comes For Us is a 2018 Indonesian action thriller film that follows Ito, a former triad enforcer, who must protect a young girl from a gang of assassins while on the run in Jakarta. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, the film features a high-octane mix of martial arts and gunfights as Ito faces off against his former allies.
The Indonesian thrillerThe Night Comes for Usis a terrifically violent addition to the action genre,pushing the boundaries of what can be shown on film and leaving a mark on everyone who watches it. Thanks to the extreme level of violence, the graphic details ofThe Night Comes for Usalmost immediately desensitized the viewer to the gore, allowing them to view it as outlandish and thrilling fiction. Though the plot can be a little thin, the fun ofThe Night Comes for Usis how the story is crafted to elevate the action.
As Ito carves his way across the film, his nemesis and former friend, Arian (Iko Uwais), is in hot pursuit, and the two actors are well-matched in terms of fighting skills.
Joe Taslim stars as Ito, a man who defects from his participation in organized crime and spends the rest of the movie fighting off the people coming after him. As Ito carves his way across the film, his nemesis and former friend, Arian (Iko Uwais), is in hot pursuit, and the two actors are well-matched in terms of fighting skills. Watching Ito fearlessly fight against the men who would cut him down and prevent his escape keeps the audience enthralled from start to finish.
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RRR
Directed by S.S. Tajamouli, the Telugu epic RRR tells the fictional story of two real-life figures, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Rama Rao), who become friends while fighting the governing forces as Indian revolutionaries during the British Raj.
The emotionally impactful and action-packed historical epicRRRwas immediately heralded as one of the most innovative action movies of the decade upon its release. Telling the sweeping story of a pair of friends and revolutionaries, Raju (Ram Charan) and Bheem (N. T. Rama Rao Jr.),RRRis a fictionalized version of the real lives of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem,who fought against British oppression and colonialism in India. Everything from the visual effects to the heart-pounding score completely immerses the viewer in this tale of triumph over subjugation.
One of the most famous parts of the movie, the musical sequences featuring the award-winning song “Naatu Naatu,” showcases whatRRRdoes best. Though it grapples with real and harrowing historical subjects, the movie and its characters never lose their hope and commitment to their cause.SinceRRRwas added to Netflix, the film has grown in popularityon the international stage. Every action fan deserves to lose themselves in the inspirational and brilliantly choreographed tale ofRRR.
RRR (2022)
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Sisu
Sisu is a World War II action film directed by Jalmari Helander. The film centers on an ex-commando who finds gold in the Lapland wilderness. But as he tries to smuggle it into the city, an SS officer and his band of Nazis hunt him down. The film stars Finnish actor Jorma Tommila as the main character Aatami.
Set during World War II, the Finnish action movieSisupokes fun at some of the over-the-top dramas within the genre. Similar in tone to movies likeInglourious Basterds,Sisuis so bloody and packed with gore that it’s almost impossible to see through the carnage during the outlandish battle sequences. However, this is the fun of a film likeSisu, which revels in its extremities and pulp influences, creating a world where the biggest moments in history are as cinematic as possible.
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The WWII-set movie Sisu brings back what cinema has been missing after Inglourious Basterds: Fun, gory, & critically acclaimed Nazi-killing excess.
Of all the historical epics to come out in the 2020s,Sisustands apart and will likely be remembered as a worthy successor to the films that influenced it.Jorma Tommila stars as Aatami Korpi, the one-man army who takes on a legion of SS soldiersinvading Lapland and attempting to rob him of the gold he discovers. As the action escalates and Aatmai faces increasingly outlandish threats,Sisuonly leans into its intensity, leaving audiences breathless by the time the credits roll.
SIsu (2022)
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Lady Snowblood
Lady Snowblood is a Japanese film released in 1973, directed by Toshiya Fujita. The narrative follows Yuki, a woman born in prison whose life is dedicated to avenging the brutal crimes committed against her family. Raised solely to execute a vendetta, Yuki embodies a relentless pursuit of revenge.
One of the most influential action movies of the 1970s,Lady Snowblood, is a must-watch film for fans of Quentin Tarantino or any modern director who draws from the Martial Arts genre. One of the best female-led Martial Arts movies,Lady Snowblood, is largely considered the pinnacle of the action-revenge genre, with the unforgettable Meiko Kaji leading the cast as the titular Lady Snowblood.Not only are the fight sequences bloody, but they’re also gorgeously composedand look as much like a dance as they do a battle.
With time,Lady Snowbloodhas reached viewers on an international scale and is still remembered thanks to the many films that it inspired. WhileKill Billis the most famous film that referencesLady Snowblood,it’s well worth viewing the original to see the skill and precision that went into making this unforgettable project. The sequel,Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance, is a strong return to form for both the lead actress and director, continuing the epic tale with panache.
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Polite Society
Polite Society (2023) is a British action-comedy film directed by Nida Manzoor. The film follows aspiring stuntwoman Ria Khan, played by Priya Kansara, as she plans to save her older sister Lena from an impending marriage. Navigating a blend of martial arts and sisterly bonds, Ria enlists the help of her friends to execute an elaborate and bold rescue mission.
Without the work of thecast ofPolite Society, this recent action movie wouldn’t have been possible. They bring to life the writer-director Nida Manzoor’s work faithfully, breathing life into the close family dynamic that’s essential to the plot. The story revolves around Ria (Priya Kansara) as she becomes obsessed with preventing her sister Lena (Ritu Arya) from getting married to a suspicious man and giving up her dreams.Ria is defined by her love of stunt work and obsession with becoming a stuntwomanlike her hero, Eunice Huthart.
Manzoor cemented herself as a filmmaker to watch in the coming years, as her TV showLady Partshas also garnered attention from fans of her work.
Polite Societyis in conversation with many different niches of cinema,from Martial Arts films to classic Bollywood musicals. ThoughPolite Societyhad a limited release, it connected deeply with the audiences who saw it and received positive reviews from critics who praised the tight script and feminist themes. Manzoor cemented herself as a filmmaker to watch in the coming years, as her TV showLady Partshas also garnered attention from fans of her work.
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The Day of the Jackal
The Day of the Jackal is a political thriller directed by Fred Zinnemann. The film follows an anonymous British assassin known as “The Jackal,” who is hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and meticulous planning, the story showcases the relentless cat-and-mouse chase between the elusive assassin and the determined authorities working to thwart his deadly mission.
The Day of the Jackalhas recently re-entered the cultural conversation thanks to the popularity of the new Peacock TV showof the same name that modernizes the story. While Eddie Redmayne plays the mysterious and brutal Jackal in the new series, Edward Fox was the first to portray the elusive assassin. The French action thriller is not quite as high-octane as some of the other entries, but its slow build of tension and fantastic characters keep the audience enthralled from beginning to end.
Thedifferences betweenThe Day of the Jackalshow and the movieare numerous, asthe older film is of its time, lacking the technologies and innovations that have altered crimeand investigations forever. However, this is part of the charm of the 1973 movie, as it’s reminiscent of a time when espionage and political intrigue seemed even more possible, and gentleman spies and assassins could be around every corner.The Day of the Jackaldeserves to go down in history as a classic addition to the genre.
The Day of the Jackal (1973)
The Man From Nowhere (2010)
ThoughThe Man From Nowheremade waves in South Korea, it didn’t make as big an impact internationally. However, those who did watch this violent project were swept away by the incredible story and the lead performance by Won Bin. His character, Cha Tae-sik, is a man who ends up on a harrowing odyssey while protecting a young girl. Though little is known about Tae-sik,his abilities and decisive wins in battle make him a compelling protagonistto watch.
Touching upon drug trafficking, organ harvesting, and a conspiracy that goes further than the audience would believe,The Man From Nowherebalances its intensity with a soft sensitivity.
The violence and gore inherent to the story ofThe Man From Nowherearen’t for the faint of heart, but for those who like a decent amount of blood in their action films, it’s the perfect project. Touching upon drug trafficking, organ harvesting, and a conspiracy that goes further than the audience would believe,The Man From Nowherebalances its intensity with a soft sensitivity. The relationship between Tae-sik and So-mi (Kim Sae-ron), the child he cares for, strikingly juxtaposes the brutality of the movie’s world.
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True Romance
True Romance is a romantic crime drama by Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino that follows two lovers, a kindly nerdy man and a prostitute, who decide to elope after a series of events. When a murder and an accidental theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars of cocaine from a mafia occur leading up to their engagement, the couple goes on the run, realizing no amount of talking will fix their mistake.
Unfortunately, the rave reviews thatTrue Romancereceived in 1993 didn’t save the action movie from flopping at the box office.The star-studded project barely broke even at the worldwide box office,making a little over $13 million against a budget of $12.2 million (viaBox Office Mojo). Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette lead the project as young lovers who accidentally find themselves on the wrong side of a mob boss and on the run with a bag full of illegal drugs.
SinceTrue Romancewas released, it’s developed a cult following.Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott,True Romancecombines the best parts of both filmmakers' talents. While many fans of Tarantino and action film buffs are well aware of the movie, it has yet to connect with a wider mainstream audience. This is a shame since it’s likely that most viewers would instantly see why critics were such big fans of the ensemble drama.
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Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior follows a young martial artist from a rural Thai village as he embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve the stolen head of their sacred Buddha statue, facing dangerous adversaries and showcasing remarkable Muay Thai skills.
Considered one of the best Thai Martial Arts films of all time,Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warriorhas the kind of innovative fight choreography and skilled performances that most action movies can only dream of. Using no CGI or wires, the performers execute mind-bending stunts and immerse the viewer in the world ofOng-Bak.Tony Jaa is the heart and soul of theOng-Bakmovies,anchoring the projects through his unmatched abilities.
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Though theOng-Baktrilogy is Jaa’s most famous work, he’s been part of many stellar action moviesthat showcase his skill as a martial artist. The chase scenes are one of the most memorable parts ofOng-Bak, as watching Jaa race down twisting streets and dodge impossible obstacles will get the audience’s heart pounding. It’s no surprise that critics immediately connected with Jaa as a protagonist and recognized the longevity ofOng-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior.
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Mads Mikkelsen stars inRiders of Justice, the Danish action-comedythat flew under the radar due to its pandemic-era release. However, this doesn’t change the fact thatRiders of Justiceimmediately connected with critics thanks to the darkly comic tone and Mikkelsen’s incredible performance. Though most American audiences associate Mikkelsen with his work in the TV showHannibal, he’s an effective action star who commands attention onscreen. Every move Mikkelsen makes as the fearsome Markus in this classic tale of vengeance is utterly believable.
Mikkelsen isn’t the only reason that audiences should be more aware ofRiders of Justice. The fight scenes are compelling, and it’s easy to connect to the emotional thrust of the story. Throughout the film, Markus attempts to reconcile with his daughter, Mathilde (Andrea Heick Gadeberg). Some viewers might be hesitant to watchRiders of Justicebecause it’s in Danish. However, as anactionmovie,it’s easy to understand the fight sequences and big emotional beats ofRiders of Justicewithout understanding the language.
Riders of Justice (2021)
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