The 25 best action movies of all time (and where to buy them)

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Ever since The Great Train Robbery wowed audiences back in 1903, the action genre has been a mainstay of cinema.

Over the years, we've seen some incredible action movies that have set the bar high for others to follow. Here's a list of 25 action classics that every fan should own.

1. Die Hard


Year: 1988
Cast: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Alan Rickman

Considered by many to be the greatest action movie of all time, Die Hard stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City cop who finds himself trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a Christmas party. The building is taken over by terrorists, and McClane must use his wits and skills to save the hostages. Die Hard introduced the concept of an "everyman" hero and revolutionized the genre by having an action star who was vulnerable to serious injury.

Fun fact: the lead role of John McClane was offered to several other actors before Bruce Willis, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Burt Reynolds, all of whom declined the role. Frank Sinatra was also considered, but turned it down due to his age.

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2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day


Year: 1991
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick

Terminator 2: Judgment Day sees Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son John (Edward Furlong) being pursued by a more advanced and dangerous Terminator (Robert Patrick). Arnold Schwarzenegger also returns as the iconic T100 cyborg, but this time reprogrammed to help the heroes. The movie was the most expensive ever made at the time of its release, costing around $100 million. A lot of the budget went towards the ground breaking computer generated effects (CGI). To fund the movie, director James Cameron mortgaged his house and his own life insurance policy.

  • Watch Terminator 2: Judgment Day on Stan

3. The Matrix


Year: 1999
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving

The Matrix is a science fiction masterpiece that explores the concept of reality and the human condition. In a dystopian future, a computer programmer named Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers that his reality is a simulation created by machines. He joins a group of rebels who are fighting to free humanity from the machines' control. The Matrix was praised for its innovative visual effects and bullet-time action scenes, and it was a massive commercial success. It also spawned two sequels and a video game. Despite "borrowing" liberally from landmark anime such as Ghost In The Shell and Megazone 23, it received praise for its thought-provoking plot and design, cementing its place in the annals of sci-fi action.

4. Lethal Weapon


Year: 1987
Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe

Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched pair of cops who team up to take down a drug ring. The film's blend of humour, action and heart make it a classic of the genre. Lethal Weapon was one of the first "buddy cop" movies and set the standard for years to come.

5. Die Hard with a Vengeance


Year: 1995
Cast: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene Colleen Camp

The third installment in the Die Hard franchise sees John McClane teaming up with a Harlem shop owner played by Samuel L. Jackson to stop a terrorist who is targeting New York City. With thrilling set pieces and great chemistry between Willis and Jackson, Die Hard with a Vengeance is a worthy successor to the original and a significant improvement over the overblown Die Hard 2. It also stars Jeremy Irons as the villain, giving Alan Rickman from the first film a run for his money for scenery chewing.

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6. The Raid: Redemption


Year: 2011
Cast: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, Donny Alamsyah

The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian action movie that follows a SWAT team as they attempt to take down a ruthless drug lord. With incredible fight choreography and intense action, The Raid is a must-see for action movie fans. The Raid had some of the most intense fight scenes ever filmed and was a game-changer for the martial arts action movie genre.

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7. Mad Max: Fury Road


Year: 2015
Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne

Mad Max: Fury Road is a post-apocalyptic action movie that stars Tom Hardy as Max, a man who teams up with a group of rebels to overthrow a tyrannical ruler. With stunning practical effects and thrilling action, Fury Road is a modern classic. The action sequences in Fury Road were some of the most intense and imaginative ever put on film, and the movie was a masterpiece in its use of practical effects.

8. John Wick


Year: 2014
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan

In John Wick, Keanu Reeves plays a retired hitman who is forced back into the game after a group of gangsters steal his car and kill his dog. With incredible gunplay and fight choreography, John Wick is one of the best action movies of the last

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9. Speed


Year: 1994
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton

Speed stars Keanu Reeves as a LAPD cop who must rescue a group of hostages on a bus that will explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour. The movie is known for its thrilling action sequences and for its innovative concept. Interestingly, the role of Jack Traven was originally offered to several other actors, including Jeff Bridges and Tom Cruise, before going to Reeves. Speed was a massive commercial success and has since become a cult classic.

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10. The Terminator


Year: 1984
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield

The Terminator tells the story of a cyborg assassin sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the future leader of the resistance against the machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a human soldier, is also sent back in time to protect Sarah and stop the Terminator. Director James Cameron came up with the idea for The Terminator while he was suffering from a fever and had a nightmare about a metallic torso dragging itself out of an explosion.

11. Aliens


Year: 1986
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen Bill Paxton

Aliens is a sci-fi action movie that stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of an alien attack. Ripley returns to the planet with a group of space marines to take on the alien threat in this intense and thrilling movie. Aliens was a game-changer for the sci-fi genre, and its influence can still be seen in movies today.

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12. Robocop


Year: 1987
Cast: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Daniel O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer

Robocop is a sci-fi action movie that follows a police officer who is transformed into a cyborg after being brutally injured in the line of duty. With its blend of satire and action, Robocop is a classic of the genre. The film's themes of corporate greed and corruption are still relevant today.

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13. Rambo: First Blood


Year: 1982
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, Bill McKinney, Jack Starrett

Rambo: First Blood stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a former Green Beret who goes on a rampage after being mistreated by a small town's police force. With its thrilling action sequences and powerful performances, Rambo: First Blood is a classic of the genre and set the stage for a successful franchise.

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14. Raiders of the Lost Ark


Year: 1981
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott

Raiders of the Lost Ark is an adventure classic that introduced audiences to the iconic character of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford). The film follows Indiana Jones, an archaeologist hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can use it to take over the world. Raiders of the Lost Ark was directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. It was a massive box office success and spawned three sequels and a TV series. The film's thrilling action scenes, witty humor, and memorable characters have made it a beloved classic.

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15. Point Break


Year: 1991
Cast: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, James LeGros

Point Break stars Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of surfers who are also bank robbers. With intense action sequences and great performances from Reeves and Patrick Swayze, Point Break is a classic of the genre. This movie had some of the most exciting and creative action sequences ever filmed and is a favorite of many fans of the genre.

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16. Predator


Year: 1987
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke

Predator follows a team of commandos who find themselves hunted by an alien warrior in the jungles of Central America. With intense action and suspense, Predator is a classic of the sci-fi/action genre. The film's iconic alien villain and intense action sequences have made it a favorite of many fans of the genre.

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17. The Bourne Identity


Year: 2002
Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox

The Bourne Identity stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin who suffers from amnesia and must uncover his true identity. With intense action sequences and a gripping plot, The Bourne Identity is a standout in the spy/action genre. The film's use of practical effects and gritty realism set it apart from other action movies.

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18. Oldboy


Year: 2003
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Kang Hye-jung, Yoo Yeon-seok.

While not an action movie per se, Oldboy contains one of the most celebrated fight sequences in the history of cinema. Starring Korean screen legend Choi Min-sik, the film tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years without knowing who is behind it or why. Then one day, he is abruptly released and attempts to hunt down his captor. The film was remade in 2013 with Josh Brolin, but the original is definitely the superior flick.

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19. Heat


Year: 1995
Cast: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora

Heat follows a group of professional criminals led by Robert De Niro as they plan and execute a series of heists while being pursued by a dedicated police detective played by Al Pacino. The movie is known for its intense action sequences and its exploration of the themes of loyalty and betrayal. The movie's climactic bank heist scene was filmed on location at a real bank. The filmmakers had to negotiate with the bank's owners to allow them to use the location, and they had to shoot the scene in a single take to avoid disrupting the bank's operations.

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20. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol


Year: 2011
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they attempt to stop a terrorist who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes. With intense action sequences and great performances from its cast, Ghost Protocol is a standout in the spy/action genre. The film's use of practical effects and its thrilling set pieces set it apart from other action movies.

21. The Rock


Year: 1996
Cast: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe

The Rock stars Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage as they team up to stop a group of rogue US Marines who have taken control of Alcatraz Island and threatened to launch chemical weapons on San Francisco. With intense action sequences and great performances from its cast, The Rock is a standout in the action/thriller genre. The film's use of practical effects and its suspenseful plot have made it a favorite of many fans of the genre.

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22. Kill Bill: Volume 1


Year: 2003
Cast: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen

Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a modern classic of the action genre. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, a former assassin who seeks revenge on her former boss and his deadly crew. With stunning fight choreography and a killer soundtrack, Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a non-stop thrill ride.

23. John Rambo


Year: 2008
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Paul Schulze, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish

Sylvester Stallone returns as John Rambo in this brutal and gritty action movie. Rambo is tasked with leading a group of mercenaries into Burma to rescue Christian aid workers from a ruthless military regime. John Rambo is a visceral and intense movie that shows just how brutal and unforgiving the world can be.

24. The Bourne Supremacy


Year: 2004
Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban, Gabriel Mann

Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in the sequel to The Bourne Identity. The Bourne Supremacy takes the action to the next level, with incredible car chases and hand-to-hand combat scenes that will leave you breathless. If you loved the first Bourne movie, you won't be disappointed with this one.

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25. Escape from New York


Year: 1981
Cast: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence

John Carpenter's Escape from New York is a cult classic of the action genre. Set in a dystopian future where Manhattan Island has been turned into a maximum-security prison, Escape from New York follows Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) as he attempts to rescue the President from the inmates. With a killer synth soundtrack and a great performance by Russell, Escape from New York is a must-see for any action movie fan.

26. Hard Boiled


Year: 1992
Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Teresa Mo, Philip Chan

John Woo's Hard Boiled is a masterpiece of the action genre. Chow Yun-fat stars as a hard-boiled cop who teams up with an undercover agent to take down a group of ruthless gun smugglers. With incredible action scenes and a killer finale set in a hospital, Hard Boiled is one of the greatest action movies ever made.

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27. Total Recall


Year: 1990
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this mind-bending sci-fi/action movie about a man who discovers that his memories are not his own. Total Recall is a rollercoaster ride of action and adventure, with incredible special effects and a great performance by Schwarzenegger. If you're in the mood for a sci-fi/action movie that will blow your mind, Total Recall is the perfect choice.

28. The Raid 2


Year: 2014
Cast: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad

While The Raid: Redemption may not be on this list, its sequel, The Raid 2, certainly is. The Raid 2 takes the action to the next level, with even more brutal fight scenes and a more complex plot. If you're a fan of martial arts movies, The Raid 2 is a must-see.

29. The Bourne Ultimatum


Year: 2007
Cast: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine

Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne for the third and final installment in the Bourne trilogy. The Bourne Ultimatum is the perfect conclusion to the series, with incredible action scenes and a satisfying resolution to Bourne's story. If you're looking for a smart and intense action movie, The Bourne Ultimatum is the way to go.

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30. Enter the Dragon


Year: 1973
Cast: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri

Enter the Dragon is widely regarded as one of the greatest martial arts movies of all time. The film stars Bruce Lee as a character who is invited to a martial arts tournament on a private island. He soon discovers that the tournament is a cover for an evil crime lord's drug trafficking operation. Enter the Dragon was Bruce Lee's final completed film before his untimely death at the age of 32. The movie showcased his incredible martial arts skills and made him a legend in the genre.

31. The French Connection


Year: 1971
Cast: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi

The French Connection stars Gene Hackman as a tough New York City detective who is determined to bring down a French drug smuggling operation. The movie was based on a real-life drug bust that took place in New York City in the 1960s. Interestingly, the famous car chase scene in the film was not scripted. Director William Friedkin wanted the scene to look as real as possible, so he had the stunt drivers drive at high speeds through the city streets without blocking off traffic. The French Connection won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

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