Top 10 Action Movies of All Time
With today’s glut of Hollywood tentpole movies revolving around big-budget action movies, the prospect of finding the ten best action movies ever made can seem daunting. Although there are thousands of potential candidates, here is a list of the top ten that have remained steadily popular through several years.
North by Northwest (1959)
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller is one of the director’s most popular movies. For good reason, as the film’s nail-biting set pieces remain just as exciting today as they were over 50 years ago. And the movie’s story of a man pursued cross-country by spies and police still influences Hollywood thrillers today.
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller is one of the director’s most popular movies. For good reason, as the film’s nail-biting set pieces remain just as exciting today as they were over 50 years ago. And the movie’s story of a man pursued cross-country by spies and police still influences Hollywood thrillers today.
Goldfinger (1964)
Although some might argue that there are better films in the series, Goldfinger inarguable deserves a spot on any top 10 list of James Bond movies. While some Bond films may have aged rather badly (IE: almost every Roger Moore Bond), Goldfinger still holds up as the quintessential Bond adventure.
Although some might argue that there are better films in the series, Goldfinger inarguable deserves a spot on any top 10 list of James Bond movies. While some Bond films may have aged rather badly (IE: almost every Roger Moore Bond), Goldfinger still holds up as the quintessential Bond adventure.
Enter the Dragon (1973)
The legendary Bruce Lee died with less than half-a-dozen adult starring roles to his credit. Enter the Dragon is frequently cited as the best of those films. Not only is it one of the top 10 best action movies, it’s one of the top 10 best martial arts movies.
The legendary Bruce Lee died with less than half-a-dozen adult starring roles to his credit. Enter the Dragon is frequently cited as the best of those films. Not only is it one of the top 10 best action movies, it’s one of the top 10 best martial arts movies.
Escape From New York (1981)
Although most of the films on this top ten list are associated with big budgets, director John Carpenter’s gritty, 6-million-dollar Escape From New York proves that big bucks aren’t always needed for a big bang. It also helped its star Kurt Russell escape his squeaky-clean, former child star image.
Although most of the films on this top ten list are associated with big budgets, director John Carpenter’s gritty, 6-million-dollar Escape From New York proves that big bucks aren’t always needed for a big bang. It also helped its star Kurt Russell escape his squeaky-clean, former child star image.
The Road Warrior (1981)
By the late 70’s, the car-chase action movie had practically turned into a parody of itself. Genre classics like Bullitt and Vanishing Point had paved the way to for dozens of low-budget rip-offs like Eat My Dust and Thunder and Lightning.
By the late 70’s, the car-chase action movie had practically turned into a parody of itself. Genre classics like Bullitt and Vanishing Point had paved the way to for dozens of low-budget rip-offs like Eat My Dust and Thunder and Lightning.
Director George Miller deconstructed these goofy crash-up flicks in 1979’s bleak Mad Max, but it was 1981’s sequel The Road Warrior that would end up a definitive top ten action movie. The film’s climactic chase sequence is still considered to be one of the best ever put to film.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
In 1977 George Lucas reworked the dusty old archetypes of science fiction movies with Star Wars, which ended up becoming on of the top ten most popular movies of all time. In 1981 Lucas teamed up with director Steven Spielberg to revitalize the old-fashioned movie serials of old with Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the process, the two created a multi-movie franchise that forever changed the formula for a Hollywood blockbuster.
In 1977 George Lucas reworked the dusty old archetypes of science fiction movies with Star Wars, which ended up becoming on of the top ten most popular movies of all time. In 1981 Lucas teamed up with director Steven Spielberg to revitalize the old-fashioned movie serials of old with Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the process, the two created a multi-movie franchise that forever changed the formula for a Hollywood blockbuster.
First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone was already a household name by the time Rocky Balboa punched his way through a few sequels. However, it was this film that made him a true action star. This blood-drenched tale of a Vietnam vet fighting a one-man-war against small-town police practically defines the word “antihero.”
Sylvester Stallone was already a household name by the time Rocky Balboa punched his way through a few sequels. However, it was this film that made him a true action star. This blood-drenched tale of a Vietnam vet fighting a one-man-war against small-town police practically defines the word “antihero.”
Robocop (1987)
Paul Vernhoven’s dystopian satire was a huge smash at the time of its release, and still remains as relevant today. It might be most remembered for Peter Weller’s titular hero and his unnervingly extreme brand of justice. But the film also explores the issues of self-identity in a conformist, corporation-controlled society. With weighty themes like those, is it any wonder how it still tops many critics’ top ten best lists?
Paul Vernhoven’s dystopian satire was a huge smash at the time of its release, and still remains as relevant today. It might be most remembered for Peter Weller’s titular hero and his unnervingly extreme brand of justice. But the film also explores the issues of self-identity in a conformist, corporation-controlled society. With weighty themes like those, is it any wonder how it still tops many critics’ top ten best lists?
Die Hard (1988)
During the 1980s, action movies tended to feature heroes who were grim, emotionless engines of unstoppable destruction. Just watch any movie from this period featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone and note how little the hero emotes.
During the 1980s, action movies tended to feature heroes who were grim, emotionless engines of unstoppable destruction. Just watch any movie from this period featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone and note how little the hero emotes.
Then along came 1988’s Die Hard and Bruce Willis’ John McClane. Unlike the invincible, stoic, and closed-off heroes that had become en vogue in the 1980s, John McClane was charismatic, profane, and slightly vulnerable. Having him face off against a villain as memorable Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber cemented the movie’s reputation as one of the all-time best action flicks.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
James Cameron is no stranger to action movies (one could argue that any of the director‘s films belong on a list of the top 10 best action movies). Those seeking his best probably couldn’t do much worse than 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. More or less a remake of Cameron’s original Terminator, T2 is a rare case where the sequel improves upon the original.
James Cameron is no stranger to action movies (one could argue that any of the director‘s films belong on a list of the top 10 best action movies). Those seeking his best probably couldn’t do much worse than 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. More or less a remake of Cameron’s original Terminator, T2 is a rare case where the sequel improves upon the original.
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