What are the greatest action motion pictures of all time? It’s a controversial query, is not it? Any time any publication or web site puts out a new list of what they think about the greatest action motion pictures of all time, it can not support but create a ton of controversy. Nevertheless, we right here at JoBlo have decided to throw our hats into the ring with a list we truly hope generates some nostalgia amongst our viewers but also encourages them to seek out the motion pictures on this list that they may perhaps not have noticed. But initially, some may perhaps wonder exactly where superhero motion pictures are on this list. Given how broad that genre is, we decided to stick to old-college action, so we have left them off the list, as they deserve their personal ranking. There are also a handful of absences from the list, notably some Jackie Chan films (like Police Story), with these to adhere to in one more planned list, so keep tuned! With that out of the way, here’s our Top 25 Greatest Action Movies Ever Made!

25. Hard Target (1993)

Jean-Claude Van Damme is 1 of the greatest action stars of all time, and Hard Target is his greatest action film. Beautifully directed by John Woo in his American film debut, it is not only gloriously violent and lovingly photographed, but it has 1 of the most memorable villains of all time, Lance Henriksen’s Emil Fouchon. It’s a take on the classic Most Dangerous Game formula, but it provides the heroes and villains equal screen time as they play out a game of cat and mouse, generating it very one of a kind as an action film. One note – to completely appreciate this film, you should see the uncensored, unrated version, which Kino lately reissued on Blu-ray.

24. Leon: The Professional (1994)

Luc Besson’s 1994 hitman drama ranks as 1 of the most fashionable action motion pictures ever produced. Sporting a lush score by Eric Serra, and an iconic overall performance by Jean Reno as the titular “cleaner”, this 1 inspired quite a few knockoffs. It also introduced the planet to Natalie Portman, who plays Leon’s pseudo-daughter figure, Mathilda, who he assists avenge her family’s murder (Portman appears curiously mixed on the film now, even though). Plus, Gary Oldman delivers the greatest villain overall performance of his profession as cinema’s most iconically evil corrupt cop. 

23. Casino Royale (2006)

You can not seriously do a list like this with out like at least 1 James Bond film. While I’d wager On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and possibly Goldfinger are much better James Bond motion pictures in terms of action, I assume Martin Campbell produced the greatest general action film of the franchise with Casino Royale. It re-invented James Bond for the 21st century, and it is an fantastic showcase for Daniel Craig. Once people today saw him performing parkour, all doubts about his potential to carry the franchise had been instantly place to rest.

22. Commando (1985)

Arnold Schwarzenegger became a star in Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator, but Commando changed his image from a killing machine to a far more personable, loving variation. Sure, he nonetheless sends 137 souls to meet their maker, but he also establishes a loose persona as a caring dad that truly changed the way people today see him. Plus, Commando has some of the most inventive carnage of all time packed into the insane climax. The woodshed scene alone is glorious.

21. Rambo: First Blood Part 2 (1985)

The Vietnam War was a psychic wound on America of this era, and I’m not confident modern audiences are conscious of the cultural value of Rambo: First Blood Part 2 in the United States all through the eighties. Along with Commando, this was 1 of the initially “one-man-army” motion pictures and was endlessly imitated. It was also the second highest-grossing film of 1985 and boosted Stallone into the stratosphere. It was also name-checked by the sitting president – Ronald Reagan – and, in some techniques, paved the way for far more severe examinations of the Vietnam War, such as Platoon. It’s also worth noting that the MIA concern was broadly debated at the time, so of all the films on this list, it could be argued that this could be 1 of the most culturally important ones. 

20. Top Gun (1986)

Tom Cruise’s Maverick is 1 of the most iconic film characters ever. Rumour has it enlistment into the US Navy skyrocketed following this Tony Scott-directed masterpiece, which stars Cruise as the famously cocky pilot. From a stylistic standpoint, this could basically be the most influential film on the list – the only explanation it is this far down is that the action is primarily contained to aerial dogfights. You could also make a excellent case for the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick becoming 1 of the greatest action motion pictures ever, as well.

19. Road House (1989)

While some may perhaps chuckle at Road House’s inclusion on this list, it belongs right here for quite a few important motives. For 1, it upends the era’s thought of an action hero. Many of the era’s greatest stars had been monosyllabic forms, but Patrick Swayze was unique. His character, Dalton, is intelligent, fashionable and cerebral, with a degree in philosophy and a low-essential vibe that invites people today to underestimate him – to their doom. But, the primary explanation Road House tends to make this list is that the fights in this film really feel true, with them the excellent antidote to the more than-choreographed bouts that followed in its wake. In this 1, people today whack every single other with tree trunks, and by the time it is more than, Swayze’s Dalton can barely stand. It’s a masterpiece of its sort (and we’re excited about the effectively-received remake, even if it will in no way replace the original in our hearts).

18. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Being an action hero is not all about brawn. Attitude has a lot to do with it, and there’s arguably in no way been a hero with far more attitude than Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley. He’s not a muscle man, but he’s young and street-sensible. What’s also fantastic about this film is how director Martin Brest enables the film to be hilarious but requires the action really seriously, specifically towards the finish. I also usually liked that Axel becomes pals by the finish with the true Beverly Hills Cops that initially antagonize him. I’m cautiously optimistic about the upcoming fourth film.

17. The John Wick Franchise (2014 -)

Granted, we’re cheating a bit with this 1, but it is quite awesome how what began as a film that practically went to VOD became 1 of the greatest action franchises of the century. At the time this was produced, Keanu Reeves was on the verge of becoming a DTV star, but this reinvented him for a new generation and gave him 1 of his most iconic characters to play – with him becoming the most iconic film hitman considering the fact that Chow Yun Fat ditched his guns. Chad Stahelski’s take on action choreography has been tremendously influential, with each action flick that comes out currently owing the franchise a sizeable debt. 

16. Kill Bill Volume 1 &amp 2 (2003, 2004)

Quentin Tarantino has produced some outstanding films, but in terms of action, none was far more influential than his ode to Kung-Fu cinema, Kill Bill. The initially volume alone has some of the most fashionable and memorable action sequences of the final quarter century, like the iconic “Showdown at the House of Blue Leaves”. Each volume is half of a larger entire, but in terms of action, overall performance, path and music, I assume a case that Kill Bill is 1 of the greatest action motion pictures of all time can simply be produced.

15. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Not each film is a stroll in the park, and it figures that often, to get fantastic outcomes on the massive screen, you will need a small behind-the-scenes chaos. Indeed, Fury Road was a madhouse of a shoot, with the two stars, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, famously feuding. In the generating of book, Blood, Sweat and Chrome, each appear back at the complicated generating of the film with regret, with it seeming like no 1 ever knew specifically how a lot of a classic it would grow to be, with Hardy specifically noting how his head he was. The outcome on screen was arguably worth it. George Miller took decades to get a new Mad Max film underway lastly, and the outcome was broadly deemed 1 of the greatest motion pictures of its sort ever produced.

14. Point Break (1991)

In 1991, Point Break was deemed one more really strong action film. Still, like one more film starring Patrick Swayze on this list, its legacy grew more than time, with it becoming 1 of the most quotable and rewatchable motion pictures of all time. It helped make Keanu Reeves an action star, and it is 1 of the greatest-directed studio films of the nineties, with Kathryn Bigelow’s film ripped off more than and more than in the years to adhere to- most notably by The Fast and The Furious. There. We stated it. Vin Diesel does not have something on Crazy Swayze. 

13. Predator (1987)

Fact: there has in no way been a far more macho film produced than Predator. Think about it – you have Arnold Schwarzenegger, the late Carl Weathers, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Bill Duke, crazy Sonny Landham, and the Predator! Even ahead of the alien shows up, this would be up there with the greatest “men on a mission” motion pictures ever produced, but when abruptly the group begins finding picked off, and Arnold has to go mano-a-mano with his otherworldly foe, you know you are watching a classic. Also, Predator pulls off a neat trick – it tends to make Schwarzenegger an underdog. This will not be the final John McTiernan film on this list.

12. First Blood (1982)

While Rambo 2 is possibly far more impressive from a pure carnage standpoint, First Blood is devastating and arguably Sylvester Stallone’s greatest-ever film following the original Rocky. John Rambo is a tragic character right here, and the action, although decrease-essential than in the subsequent film, will blow you away, such as his wonderful cliff-dive. There’s an outstanding score by Jerry Goldsmith and Stallone’s astonishing action in the shattering climax. 

11. The Matrix (1999)

The only terrible point about The Wachowskis The Matrix is that it was so excellent a entire slew of motion pictures attempted to copy it, only for no 1 to do it really as effectively. Even the Wachowskis had been in no way really in a position to nail a adhere to-up, with none of the sequels specifically excellent, even if they have their fans. The initially is 1 of the greatest sci-fi action motion pictures ever, with Keanu Reeves reinventing himself as Neo, 1 of the millennium-defining heroes.

10. The Raid (2011)

Audiences who saw Gareth Evans’ The Raid at its original TIFF Midnight Madness screening walked out of this 1 feeling like they’d just been hit by a freight train. The martial arts action film was re-invented by this, and it is an equally impressive sequel, with Iko Uwais displaying off moves as we’d in no way truly noticed on the massive screen ahead of. The sequel, The Raid 2, is arguably just as excellent. We’re quite excited to see Evans’ extended-delayed Havoc, starring Tom Hardy, which need to hit Netflix this year.

9. Lethal Weapon (1987)

While it is not the initially buddy-cop film, this is the 1 that produced it a genre unto itself. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are completely cast as the iconic pals Riggs and Murtagh. Richard Donner’s lean and imply path provides the film a pulse. The (admittedly fantastic) adhere to-ups come close to matching, but not really. Gibson’s Riggs, in specific, feels like 1 of the handful of actually risky action heroes.

8. Robocop (1987)

Paul Verhoeven’s hyper-kinetic, ultra-violent future cop film will in no way be equaled, so of course it has to be on a list of the greatest action motion pictures. Peter Weller is iconic as the tragic Alex Murphy-turned-Robocop, and it is 1 of the handful of motion pictures on this list that no 1 could ever accuse of becoming dated. Everything about it is cutting edge, from the novel use of miniatures to the social commentary and the fantastic score by Basil Poledouris.

7. Aliens (1986)

This is one of a kind due to the fact it is an action film sequel to a tight horror flick. Everyone has their personal opinion about no matter whether James Cameron’s space actioner matches Ridley Scott’s original. Still, it remains 1 of the greatest sci-fi actioners ever produced, with Sigourney Weaver our selection for the greatest heroine ever. Plus, the film also has Michael Biehn in 1 of his greatest roles (Corporal Hicks), Bill Paxton, an awesome score by James Horner and far more.

6. The Road Warrior (1981)

Some will say George Miller’s Fury Road is much better, but for my revenue, absolutely nothing matches the intensity of The Road Warrior, which is shot with out the advantage of CGI and any other bells and whistles. The vehicular carnage is wonderful, and Mel Gibson, like it or not, is the definitive Mad Max. It’s a rollercoaster ride of a film. While 1 could argue that the initially Mad Max film was far more influential, Miller usually deemed it a rough draft of what he wanted to do with the franchise… and clearly what he wanted to do was to make some of the greatest action motion pictures the audience had ever noticed.

5. Enter the Dragon (1973)

Very handful of motion pictures on this list are as influential as the final film produced by the fantastic Bruce Lee this film would have broken him via to a North American audience. Granted, his dying does add to the mystique, but boy, is this ever 1 of the greatest martial arts action motion pictures ever produced? With Enter the Dragon, I wonder if English-language martial arts action stars like JCVD or Steven Seagal would have ever occurred. Simply place, Enter the Dragon gave North American audiences the appetite for martial arts mayhem.

4. Hard Boiled (1992)

John Woo was at the peak of his filmmaking skills when he produced this buddy cop action flick, pairing Chow Yun-Fat’s rebellious cop, Tequila, with an undercover operative played by Tony Leung. The final forty minutes of this film have in no way been matched from a shoot-out standpoint. Someone when told Quentin Tarantino that “John Woo sure can direct an action sequence”, to which he replied, “yeah, and Michelangelo sure can paint a ceiling.” Watch Hard Boiled and see what he’s speaking about.

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’s Ode to Adventure is the most iconic film of its sort, introducing us to the fantastic Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford. What else can be stated about the adventure masterpiece that hasn’t been stated currently? If you have in no way noticed this film in a theater, I urge you to go verify it out if it ever plays close to you. There’s some thing unique about watching this film with an audience in a theater, specifically throughout the final hour, exactly where it just goes from set-piece to setpiece. Also, has any action star ever thrown a much better punch than Harrison Ford as Indy?

2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

The greatest sequel of all time remains the final of its sort, becoming a substantial price range action flick carried out in the old techniques, with true explosions and true heart, with Schwarzenegger providing his most affecting overall performance as the cyborg who gradually learns the bittersweet truth about becoming human. Plus, Linda Hamilton as a newly musclebound Sarah Connor is 1 of the greatest action heroines. So quite a few motion pictures, like Terminator films, have attempted to recapture the magic of this 1, but have failed. It’s 1 of a sort, and certainly 1 of the greatest action motion pictures.

1. Die Hard (1988)

What else could it be? Bruce Willis’s John McClane is the definitive action star, as he is a standard guy forced into action and desires to get household to his family members for Christmas. Willis, Alan Rickman, the score, and every little thing else about this film are iconic, but what tends to make it so fantastic is that Willis is not a superhero but a man. Yes, it is the greatest Christmas film of all time, but it is also – in our opinion (and that of quite a few other individuals) that it is the greatest action film ever produced.  

So, these are our picks for the twenty-5 greatest action motion pictures, but I’m confident there are titles we left off the list that you assume belong on right here with the other individuals. Would you have incorporated the Chow Yun Fat / Michelle Yeoh classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)? Should the Jet Li / Maggie Cheung / Tony Leung film Hero (2002) have produced the reduce, or the Al Pacino and Robert De Niro pairing in Heat (1995)? Let’s go over it in the comments!