35 Best Action Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

IMDb‘s top action movies are a wonderful collection of the greatest the genre has to offer, with many full of flawlessly choreographed fight sequences, badass protagonists, and heart-pounding moments. The impressive selection of beloved films from the established genre are highlighted on the site, with the very best ones being defining classics that pushed the possibilities on the big screen.

Fans looking for similar exhilarating viewing experiences will be glad to know that IMDb users’ votes have made it possible to find the best action movies ever made. The highest-rated action movies on the platform are often award-winning and genre-defining masterpieces. The top 10 action movies on IMDb should be considered must-see action films for fans of the genre.

35

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

One of the most iconic and successful installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: No Way Home brought together three different generations of Spider-Man into a singular love letter to the fans. The film follows Peter Parker dealing with the ramifications of the entire world now knowing about his identity as Spider-Man, with him being unable to separate his normal life from his superhero life. After enlisting the help of Doctor Strange in an attempt to get everyone to forget his secret identity, they unwillingly call forth villains from across the multiverse.

Even for those who weren’t enamored by the prospects of seeing every major live-action Spider-Man coming together, No Way Home still features some of the most satisfying and effective action in the entire MCU. The film finds a lot of creativity in the wide variety of styles of action, thanks to not only the many different villains that Peter faces off against, but also the small differences between each Spider-Man. It’s no wonder that the film became a massive box office phenomenon as well as the defining chapter of the MCU in the 2020s so far.

34

‘1917’ (2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

While 1917 may initially seem to be little more than yet another traditional war action film chronicling the difficulties and hardships of World War 1, it’s all in the striking cinematography and approach to storytelling that makes the film such a technical achievement. The film follows a duo of British soldiers who are tasked with delivering a message that will help put a stop to a deadly attack, saving hundreds of lives in the process. In a method to truly put audiences into the boots of its characters, the entire film is set up as a massive long shot, following each step of their journey from beginning to end.

This exceptional dedication to a massive long shot makes the action and stakes not only more impactful but also deeply impressive and captivating to watch unfold. The film frequently rises above being more than just a “gimmick film”, as it pushes the very limitations of camerawork in a war film to their limits, feeling more impressive and well-crafted with each passing scene.

33

‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

While the film may be the lowest-rated of Christopher Nolan‘s Batman trilogy, Batman Begins still massively wowed audiences when it was released and revitalized the Caped Crusader after a string of lackluster cinematic outings. The dark, gritty take on Bruce Wayne’s origins helped reintroduce one of the all-time greatest Superheroes back into the limelight of exceptional action cinema. It helped set the tone for a style of superhero action filmmaking that would massively influence the genre for over a decade.

While a chunk of the film’s massive praise comes as a result of the subsequent praise that its sequels have received, there are still a great deal of strengths that make Nolan’s first Batman film a well-crafted superhero icon. Cillian Murphy does a great job as Scarecrow, and Christian Bale does a brilliant job of balancing the stern force of Batman with the suave, unsuspecting demeanor of Bruce Wayne. The subsequent Batman masterpieces simply wouldn’t exist without the impact and exceptional filmmaking of this initial film.

32

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via 20th Century Studios

One of the most iconic and widely celebrated action films of the ’80s that continues to be rewatched and celebrated as a striking, high-energy masterclass of action and style, Die Hard is about as iconic as action movies get. The film has maintained its status as a classic of the genre since its release, making Bruce Willis an icon of the action genre and making John McClane one of the most recognizable action heroes.

While many other films have honed in on the specific impact and weight of a single renegade hero taking down hordes of villains thanks to their own strength and ingenuity, Die Hard is one of the absolute best at amplifying this tried-and-true action style. Its influence and impact on the genre continue to grow year after year, often celebrated as one of the most important and influential action movies ever made.

31

‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Miramax Films

The first chapter of Quentin Tarantino‘s iconic revenge story duology, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 follows a deadly assassin known as The Bride, who finds herself having been betrayed by her former employer, Bill. After miraculously surviving the encounter and fueled by vengeance, she finds herself traveling across the world to take down each of the members of Bill’s assassination circle in the ultimate display of her revenge.

Tarantino has achieved a massive reputation for his exceptional action directing for good reason, with Kill Bill: Vol. 1 arguably being the director’s finest work when it comes to satisfying and glorious violence on screen. Everything from the visual flavor to the exceptional music to the raw and unfiltered carnage on display comes together to help the film become an instant classic in the realm of action filmmaking. While each film in Quentin Tarantino’s extensive filmography has been analyzed and beloved over the years, the original Kill Bill will continuously be one of his greatest outings.

30

‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

The instantly iconic box office phenomenon that combined action, horror, family, and adventure into a masterful singular package that defined the decade, Jurassic Park is an icon of ’90s filmmaking. The film sees a group of experts who are invited to visit a massive, unbelievable island theme park experience filled to the brim with living dinosaurs brought back to life using prehistoric DNA. While the display successfully charms and delights the experts at first, when a malfunction causes the dinosaurs to escape, danger finds itself around every corner as they attempt to escape the island.

While it certainly leans into science fiction and adventure as much as it does into action, it’s difficult to deny the impact and legacy that Jurassic Park has left behind, not just on action filmmaking, but filmmaking as a whole. Its usage of special effects is still a visual marvel that holds up over 30 years later, combined with relatable and rootable characters and the simple glory of seeing realistic dinosaurs on the big screen. While the film has had a multitude of sequels and reboots over the years, none of them come close to holding a candle to Spielberg’s original masterpiece.

29

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Paramount Pictures

One of the rare legacy sequels that managed to not only live up to the impact of the original but in some ways even surpass the original film, Top Gun: Maverick proved that in rare circumstances, lightning can strike twice. The film follows all-star pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise), who continuously refuses to advance in rank so that he can continue to fly as a fighter pilot. His rule-breaking reputation ends up making him the perfect candidate in the eyes of Top Gun to return as a mentor, helping the next generation of pilots and training them for a seemingly impossible mission.

While the original Top Gun was widely beloved for its time, its legacy and impact in the modern era are mostly for its exceptional soundtrack and signature ’80s antics. Top Gun: Maverick, however, elevates and builds upon the material of the original film with a modern blockbuster budget, and gives the premise of a fighter jet action film the massive, stunt-based love letter that it truly deserves. The action sequences in the film are some of the best that modern action-blockbusters can provide, with excellent usage of real fighter jets to bring to life its simple yet undeniably impactful story.

28

‘Heat’ (1995)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Warner Bros

A masterful action crime thriller by legendary director Michael Mann, Heat was originally touted as the long-awaited film that had Al Pacino and Robert De Niro sharing the spotlight. The film follows the story of conniving thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) as he leads a top-notch crew on several masterful heists throughout Los Angeles. At the same time, the crew finds themselves in hot pursuit of Detective Vincent Hanna (Pacino), who is determined to stop McCauley by any means necessary. The two men, despite their differences and rivalry, have an unexpected respect for each other’s abilities and dedication.

While the film was already a relatively successful film upon its initial release, nearly 30 years of time and reevaluation have seen many reconsider the film as one of the best action films of all time. The way that the film balances its themes of fate, obsession, and loneliness, when combined with its massive scope and its masterful action setpieces, has made it the inspiration for many action films going forward. The film is still touted as one of Mann’s best films, as well as one of the best outings from both Pacino and De Niro.

27

‘North by Northwest’ (1959)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via MGM

One of the most beloved and iconic films from legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest follows advertising man Roger Thornhill, the furthest thing from an action hero. However, after being mistaken for a world-class spy, he is swept off his feet and forced into a wild and incredibly dangerous chase that will bring him across the entire country, battling for his life. The film blends mystery, comedy, and action to create a perfect blend and one-of-a-kind experience that would prove to be highly influential for action movies as a whole.

North by Northwest proves the creativity and magic of action movies as a whole, showing that highly exhilarating setpieces and sequences don’t have to come from a standard hero storyline. The film’s implementation of comedy was also highly effective for the era, creating a distinct style that was incredibly ahead of its time when it came to action comedy filmmaking. It goes to show just how versatile a filmmaker Hitchcock was, creating a landmark masterpiece of the action genre despite being primarily famous for thrillers and dramas.

26

‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Studio Ghibli

One of the very few animated action movies to be highly praised by IMDb, Princess Mononoke follows the story of Ashitaka, the prince of the disappearing Emishi people. After being cursed by a demonized boar god, Ashitaka is forced to travel west in search of a cure for his impending doom. In the west, he finds himself at the center of an ecological battle, with one side featuring San, a woman raised by wolves fighting to protect the forest, and the other side featuring Lady Eboshi, the leader of a local tribe looking to destroy the forest for the sake of her growing community.

Despite the preconceived notions of an animated film, Princess Mononoke makes the most of the medium to create one of the most enthralling and exciting action movie experiences possible. While Hayao Miyazaki has certainly delved into action with his filmmaking both before and since, Princess Mononoke is the peak of his action filmmaking as a visionary. The action is genuinely top-notch, when combined with the beautiful animation style and the film’s powerful story and themes of man vs nature make for a fulfilling viewing experience.