140 Essential Action Movies To Watch Now

Critics Consensus: Running Scared struggles to strike a consistent balance between violent action and humor, but the chemistry between its well-matched leads keeps things entertaining.

Synopsis: Ray and Danny (Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal) are two Chicago police detectives hot on the trail of drug kingpin Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits). They manage... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Jimmy Smits, Steven Bauer

Directed By: Peter Hyams

Critics Consensus: Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.

Synopsis: In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs, Angus Macfadyen

Directed By: Kurt Wimmer

Critics Consensus: With death-defying action sequences and epic historic sweep, Hero offers everything a martial arts fan could ask for.

Synopsis: In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter (Jet Li) is being honored for defeating three of the king's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Donnie Yen

Directed By: Yimou Zhang

Critics Consensus: Whether Road House is simply bad or so bad it's good depends largely on the audience's fondness for Swayze -- and tolerance for violently cheesy action.

Synopsis: The Double Deuce is the meanest, loudest and rowdiest bar south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has been hired to clean it... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott, Ben Gazzara

Directed By: Rowdy Herrington

Critics Consensus: As fast, loud, and relentless as the train at the center of the story, Unstoppable is perfect popcorn entertainment -- and director Tony Scott's best movie in years.

Synopsis: When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn

Directed By: Tony Scott

Critics Consensus: This is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man. Can you dig it?

Synopsis: John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is the ultimate in suave black detectives. He first finds himself up against Bumpy (Moses Gunn), the leader of the black... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Christopher St. John, Charles Cioffi

Directed By: Gordon Parks

Critics Consensus: The Villainess offers enough pure kinetic thrills to satisfy genre enthusiasts -- and carve out a bloody niche for itself in modern Korean action cinema.

Synopsis: Honed from childhood to be an elite assassin, Sook-hee embarks on a rampage of violence and revenge to finally earn her freedom and escape her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Sung-joon, Kim Seo-hyung

Directed By: Jeong Byeong-gil

Critics Consensus: People hate Highlander because it's cheesy, bombastic, and absurd. And people love it for the same reasons.

Synopsis: When the mystical Russell Nash (Christopher Lambert) kills a man in a sword fight in a New York City parking lot, he leaves a sliver... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown

Directed By: Russell Mulcahy

Critics Consensus: It lacks the fresh thrills of its predecessor, but Die Hard 2 still works as an over-the-top -- and reasonably taut -- big-budget sequel, with plenty of set pieces to paper over the plot deficiencies.

Synopsis: A year after his heroics in L.A., detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is mixed up in another terrorist plot, this time at Washington Dulles International... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: National Treasure is no treasure, but it's a fun ride for those who can forgive its highly improbable plot.

Synopsis: Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean

Directed By: Jon Turteltaub

Critics Consensus: Despite some impressive fight scenes, this trimmed-down version of the Thai action pic is an off-putting mix of scant plot, choppy editing, and confusing subtitles and dubbing.

Synopsis: A young fighter (Tony Jaa) travels to Australia to retrieve stolen elephants that were promised originally to the king of Thailand. Once there, he enlists... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tony Jaa, Johnny Nguyen, Nathan Jones, Phetthai Vongkumlao

Directed By: Prachya Pinkaew

Critics Consensus: Revenge slices and dices genre tropes, working within an exploitation framework while adding a timely -- yet never less than viscerally thrilling -- feminist spin.

Synopsis: Jen is enjoying a romantic getaway with her wealthy boyfriend -- until his two sleazy friends arrive for an unannounced hunting trip. As tension mounts... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Kevin Janssens, Vincent Colombe, Guillaume Bouchède

Directed By: Coralie Fargeat

Critics Consensus: Made on a shoestring budget, El Mariachi's story is not new. However, the movie has so much energy that it's thoroughly enjoyable.

Synopsis: El Mariachi (Carlos Gallardo) is a traveling guitar player with the modest desire to play music for a living. Looking for a job, he stops... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Reinol Martinez, Peter Marquardt

Directed By: Robert Rodriguez

Critics Consensus: A brilliantly directed feast for the eyes with an epic story to match, A Touch of Zen marks a groundbreaking achievement in the wuxia genre.

Synopsis: Ku Shen Chai (Chun Shih), an unmotivated artist in his early 30s, still lives with his mother, but he is shaken from his comfortable rut... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Pai Ying, Roy Chiao

Directed By: King Hu

Critics Consensus: Though it features some of the most memorable and electrifying aerial footage shot with an expert eye for action, Top Gun offers too little for non-adolescent viewers to chew on when its characters aren't in the air.

Synopsis: The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School is where the best of the best train to refine their elite flying skills. When hotshot fighter pilot... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer

Directed By: Tony Scott

Critics Consensus: Con Air won't win any awards for believability - and all involved seem cheerfully aware of it, making some of this blockbuster action outing's biggest flaws fairly easy to forgive.

Synopsis: Just-paroled army ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is headed back to his wife (Monica Potter), but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi

Directed By: Simon West

Critics Consensus: Taut, violent, and suitably self-deprecating, The Expendables 2 gives classic action fans everything they can reasonably expect from a star-studded shoot-'em-up -- for better and for worse.

Synopsis: Mercenary leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the Expendables team reunite when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) hires them... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren

Directed By: Simon West

Critics Consensus: It's difficult to make a persuasive argument for The Mummy as any kind of meaningful cinematic achievement, but it's undeniably fun to watch.

Synopsis: The Mummy is a rousing, suspenseful and horrifying epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925. Stumbling upon an ancient... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo

Directed By: Stephen Sommers

Critics Consensus: Although this action-romance suffers from weak writing and one too many explosions, the chemistry generated by onscreen couple Pitt and Jolie is palpable enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable summer action flick.

Synopsis: John and Jane Smith, a couple in a stagnating marriage, live a deceptively mundane existence. However, each has been hiding a secret from the other:... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody

Directed By: Doug Liman

Critics Consensus: While it won't win any awards for originality, the combustible chemistry between its stars means Rush Hour hits just as hard on either side of the action-comedy divide.

Synopsis: When a Chinese diplomat's daughter is kidnapped in Los Angeles, he calls in Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) to assist the FBI with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, Elizabeth Peña

Directed By: Brett Ratner

Critics Consensus: The Equalizer is more stylishly violent than meaningful, but with Antoine Fuqua behind the cameras and Denzel Washington dispensing justice, it delivers.

Synopsis: Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a man of mysterious origin who believes he has put the past behind him, dedicates himself to creating a quiet new... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour

Directed By: Antoine Fuqua

Critics Consensus: Captain America: Civil War begins the next wave of Marvel movies with an action-packed superhero blockbuster boasting a decidedly non-cartoonish plot and the courage to explore thought-provoking themes.

Synopsis: Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Critics Consensus: This late-period Harrison Ford actioner is full of palpable, if not entirely seamless, thrills.

Synopsis: After making a speech in Moscow vowing to never negotiate with terrorists, President James Marshall boards Air Force One with his family and advisers. When... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Critics Consensus: This is where it all began for the Muscles from Brussels, but beyond Van Damme's athleticism, Bloodsport is a cliched, virtually plotless exercise in action movie recycling.

Synopsis: U.S. soldier Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has come to Hong Kong to be accepted into the Kumite, a highly secret and extremely violent martial-arts... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres, Norman Burton

Directed By: Newt Arnold

Critics Consensus: Though some may find the plot a bit lacking, Blade's action is fierce, plentiful, and appropriately stylish for a comic book adaptation.

Synopsis: A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother's death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright

Directed By: Stephen Norrington

Critics Consensus: Bad Boys stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have enjoyable chemistry; unfortunately, director Michael Bay too often drowns it out with set pieces and explosions in place of an actual story.

Synopsis: Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) blow a fuse when $100 million worth of heroin they recently confiscated is heisted... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Téa Leoni, Tchéky Karyo

Directed By: Michael Bay

Critics Consensus: Die Hard with a Vengeance benefits from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson's barbed interplay, but clatters to a bombastic finish in a vain effort to cover for an overall lack of fresh ideas.

Synopsis: Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is now divorced, alcoholic and jobless after getting fired for his reckless behavior and bad attitude. He is called back... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: Combining slick production values and a strong cast with predictable thrills and a surprisingly muted Schwarzenegger, The Running Man is an uneven albeit occasionally rousing sci-fi action satire.

Synopsis: In the year 2019, America is a totalitarian state where the favorite television program is "The Running Man" -- a game show in which prisoners... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson, Yaphet Kotto

Directed By: Paul Michael Glaser

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In Chicago, honor-driven Sgt. Eddie Cusack (Chuck Norris) and his team stake out a drug exchange involving notorious drug czar Luis Camacho (Henry Silva). Cusack... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chuck Norris, Henry Silva, Bert Remsen, Mike Genovese

Directed By: Andrew Davis

Critics Consensus: As preposterous and over-the-top as Shoot 'Em Up may be, its humor and non-stop action make for a very enjoyable film.

Synopsis: After saving a newborn infant from assassins, carrot-crunching gunman Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) teams up with a prostitute named DQ (Monica Bellucci) to protect the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Daniel Pilon

Directed By: Michael Davis

Critics Consensus: Crank's assaultive style and gleeful depravity may turn off casual action fans, but audiences seeking a strong dose of adrenaline will be thrilled by Jason Statham's raucous race against mortality.

Synopsis: Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away, then he awakes the next morning to a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Efren Ramirez

Directed By: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Critics Consensus: Machete is messy, violent, shallow, and tasteless -- and that's precisely the point of one of the summer's most cartoonishly enjoyable films.

Synopsis: After nearly being killed during a violent fight with a powerful drug lord, a former Mexican Federale known as Machete roams Texas streets as a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal

Directed By: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis

Critics Consensus: With its hyper-stylized blend of violence, music, and striking imagery, Drive represents a fully realized vision of arthouse action.

Synopsis: Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Critics Consensus: An eerie, haunting spectacle, Batman succeeds as dark entertainment, even if Jack Nicholson's Joker too often overshadows the title character.

Synopsis: Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: A well-directed action thriller that makes the most of its confined setting, Under Siege marks a high point for early '90s action -- and its star's spotty filmography.

Synopsis: A heroic loner takes on a group of nuclear terrorists in this seagoing tale. Posing as a rock band, the terrorists get themselves hired for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steven Seagal, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Busey, Erika Eleniak

Directed By: Andrew Davis

Critics Consensus: The plot is thin and so is character development, but as a thrilling, spectacle-filled summer movie, Independence Day delivers.

Synopsis: In the epic adventure film "Independence Day," strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell

Directed By: Roland Emmerich

Critics Consensus: Steve McQueen is cool as ice in this thrilling police procedural that also happens to contain arguably the greatest movie car chase ever.

Synopsis: Senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) is aiming to take down mob boss Pete Ross (Vic Tayback) with the help of testimony from the criminal's hothead... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon

Directed By: Peter Yates

Critics Consensus: Wanted is stylish, energetic popcorn fare with witty performances from Angelina Jolie (playing an expert assassin), James McAvoy, and Morgan Freeman that help to distract from its absurdly over-the-top plot.

Synopsis: Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is an office worker whose life is going nowhere. After his estranged father is murdered, he meets Fox (Angelina Jolie), who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp

Directed By: Timur Bekmambetov

Critics Consensus: Superman: The Movie deftly blends humor and gravitas, taking advantage of the perfectly cast Christopher Reeve to craft a loving, nostalgic tribute to an American pop culture icon.

Synopsis: Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder

Directed By: Richard Donner

Critics Consensus: Ronin earns comparisons to The French Connection with strong action, dynamic road chase scenes, and solid performances.

Synopsis: Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) puts together a team of experts that she tasks with stealing a valuable briefcase, the contents of which are a mystery. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård

Directed By: John Frankenheimer

Critics Consensus: A politically subversive blend of horror and sci fi, They Live is an underrated genre film from John Carpenter.

Synopsis: Nada (Roddy Piper), a wanderer without meaning in his life, discovers a pair of sunglasses capable of showing the world the way it truly is.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George "Buck" Flower

Directed By: John Carpenter

Critics Consensus: While it can't escape comparisons to the movies it borrows from, Cliffhanger is a tense, action-packed thriller and a showcase for the talents that made Sylvester Stallone a star.

Synopsis: Outdoor thriller in which a former mountain rescuer is pitted against a group of criminals who have lost their $100 million stash during a plane... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, Janine Turner

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes' humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies.

Synopsis: When Thor's evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Critics Consensus: The brilliant minds behind Shaun of the Dead successfully take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Hot Fuzz. The result is a bitingly satiric and hugely entertaining parody.

Synopsis: As a former London constable, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) finds it difficult to adapt to his new assignment in the sleepy British village of Sandford.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine

Directed By: Edgar Wright

Critics Consensus: As violent as it is stylish, The Warriors is a thrilling piece of pulp filmmaking.

Synopsis: A turf battle between New York City street gangs that rages from Coney Island to the Bronx. The Warriors are mistakenly fingered for the killing... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler

Directed By: Walter Hill

Critics Consensus: A fun movie...if you can accept the excessive gore and wooden acting.

Synopsis: In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey

Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

Critics Consensus: Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is a bleak, violent descent into the Brazilian underbelly, ripping into the favelas with unstoppable and kinetic force.

Synopsis: Dirty cops and corrupt, powerful politicians threaten Nascimento (Wagner Moura).

Starring: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro, Pedro Van-Held

Directed By: José Padilha

Critics Consensus: Absurd, over-the-top, and often wildly entertaining, Point Break is here to show you that the human spirit is still alive.

Synopsis: After a string of bizarre bank robberies in Southern California, with the crooks donning masks of various former presidents, a federal agent, Johnny Utah (Keanu... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

Critics Consensus: Smart, sharp-witted, and fueled by enjoyably over-the-top action, The Long Kiss Goodnight makes up in impact what it lacks in consistent aim.

Synopsis: Schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives an average suburban life -- until she begins having strange memories of unexplained violence and discovers... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, Craig Bierko

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: Boasting enough intelligence to bolster its darkly violent thrills, The Guest offers another treat for genre fans from director Adam Wingard.

Synopsis: A string of mysterious deaths leads a teenager to become suspicious of a soldier (Dan Stevens) who showed up on her family's doorstep and claimed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Leland Orser, Sheila Kelley

Directed By: Adam Wingard

Critics Consensus: Taken is undeniably fun with slick action, but is largely a brainless exercise.

Synopsis: A former government operative comes out of retirement and uses all his extensive training to rescue his estranged daughter from a slave trade operation.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser

Directed By: Pierre Morel

Critics Consensus: A simple-minded but visually exciting experience, full of blood, violence, and ready-made movie quotes.

Synopsis: In 480 B.C. a state of war exists between Persia, led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Greece. At the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas (Gerard... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Critics Consensus: If it doesn't reach the heights of director James Cameron's and star Arnold Schwarzenegger's previous collaborations, True Lies still packs enough action and humor into its sometimes absurd plot to entertain.

Synopsis: Secretly a spy but thought by his family to be a dull salesman, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tracking down nuclear missiles in the possession... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton

Directed By: James Cameron

Critics Consensus: A better-than-average sci-fi shoot-em-up with a satirical undercurrent, Demolition Man is bolstered by strong performances by Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock.

Synopsis: With innocent victims caught in the crossfire in Los Angeles' intensifying war on crime, both cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) and violent thug Simon Phoenix... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne

Directed By: Marco Brambilla

Critics Consensus: Hardcore Henry seems poised to reinvent the action flick, but without a story or characters worth caring about, its first-person gimmick quickly loses its thrill.

Synopsis: A man wakes up in a Moscow laboratory to learn that he's been brought back from the dead as a half-human, half-robotic hybrid. With no... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett, Darya Charusha

Directed By: Ilya Naishuller

Critics Consensus: Blending brilliant physical comedy with thrillingly choreographed set pieces, Police Story makes a persuasive case for Jackie Chan as one of the all-time genre greats.

Synopsis: A kung-fu policeman (Jackie Chan) must protect a female witness (Brigitte Lin) from a Hong Kong drug lord for whom she used to work.

Starring: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Bill Tung

Directed By: Jackie Chan, Chen Chi-Hwa

Critics Consensus: Brotherhood of the Wolf mixes its genres with little logic, but the end result is wildly entertaining.

Synopsis: In a rural province of France, a mysterious creature is laying waste to the countryside, savagely killing scores of women and children. Unseen, possessed of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Émilie Dequenne, Vincent Cassel

Directed By: Christophe Gans

Critics Consensus: Stylish, subversive, and above all fun, Kingsman: The Secret Service finds director Matthew Vaughn sending up the spy genre with gleeful abandon.

Synopsis: Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton), whose late father secretly worked for a spy organization, lives in a South London housing estate and seems headed for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Critics Consensus: Visually inventive and gleefully over the top, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a fantastic piece of pop sci-fi that never takes itself too seriously.

Synopsis: The Earth is about to be destroyed by a huge ball of fire racing toward the planet. Cornelius, an old monk, knows how to stop... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich

Directed By: Luc Besson

Critics Consensus: Brimming with energy and packed with humor, Big Trouble in Little China distills kung fu B-movies as affectionately as it subverts them.

Synopsis: Kurt Russell plays hard-boiled truck driver Jack Burton, who gets caught in a bizarre conflict within, and underneath, San Francisco's Chinatown. An ancient Chinese prince... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong

Directed By: John Carpenter

Critics Consensus: Atomic Blonde gets enough mileage out of its stylish action sequences -- and ever-magnetic star -- to make up for a narrative that's somewhat less hard-hitting than its protagonist.

Synopsis: Sensual and savage, Lorraine Broughton is the most elite spy in MI6, an agent who's willing to use all of her lethal skills to stay... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Eddie Marsan, John Goodman

Directed By: David Leitch

Critics Consensus: An entertaining Jackie Chan stunt-fest in which the impressive action sequences overcome the low production value and by-the-numbers plot.

Synopsis: Hong Kong policeman Keung (Jackie Chan) arrives in New York for the wedding of his uncle Bill (Bill Tung), a grocer who recently sold his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Bill Tung, Françoise Yip

Directed By: Stanley Tong

Critics Consensus: A nonstop thrill ride, District B13's dizzying action sequences more than make up for any expository flaws.

Synopsis: In 21st-century Paris, a member (Cyril Raffaelli) of an elite police squad must enter a crime-ridden ghetto to defuse a bomb that has fallen into... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Tony D'Amario, Bibi Naceri

Directed By: Pierre Morel

Critics Consensus: The buddy cop movie continues its evolution unabated with this Eddie Murphy vehicle that's fast, furious, and funny.

Synopsis: After his childhood buddy is murdered while visiting Detroit, rebellious cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) follows the leads to Beverly Hills, Calif., under the auspices... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher

Directed By: Martin Brest

Critics Consensus: While Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior may be no great shakes as a movie, critics are hailing the emergence of a new star in Tony Jaa, whose athletic performance is drawing comparisons with Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li.

Synopsis: In Thailand, the impoverished village of Ban Nong Pradu has its most precious Buddha statue stolen from the temple. Luckily the small town also has... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tony Jaa, Phetthai Vongkumlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Suchao Pongwilai

Directed By: Prachya Pinkaew

Critics Consensus: Driven by director Michael Mann's trademark visuals and a lean, villainous performance from Tom Cruise, Collateral is a stylish and compelling noir thriller.

Synopsis: A cab driver realizes his current fare is a hit man that has been having him drive around from mark to mark until the last... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: Iron Monkey may not have the poetic lyricism of Crouching Tiger, it makes up for it in fun and energy.

Synopsis: In a desperate and unjust land, where government corruption rules the day, only one man has the courage to challenge the system and fight back.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Yu Rong-Guang, Donnie Yen, Sze-Man Tsang, Jean Wang

Directed By: Woo-Ping Yuen

Critics Consensus: Featuring an atmospherically grimy futuristic metropolis, Escape from New York is a strange, entertaining jumble of thrilling action and oddball weirdness.

Synopsis: In 1997, a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union is concluding, and the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kurt Russell, Ernest Borgnine, Adrienne Barbeau, Lee Van Cleef

Directed By: John Carpenter

Critics Consensus: Battle Royale is a controversial and violent parable of adolescence, heightening teenage melodrama with life-or-death stakes.

Synopsis: 42 9th graders are sent to a deserted island. They are given a map, food, and various weapons. An explosive collar is fitted around their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Andô

Directed By: Kinji Fukasaku

Critics Consensus: Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, Spider-Man 2 is a nimble sequel that improves upon the original.

Synopsis: When a failed nuclear fusion experiment results in an explosion that kills his wife, Dr. Otto Octavius is transformed into Dr. Octopus, a cyborg with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina

Directed By: Sam Raimi

Critics Consensus: Takashi Miike's electric remake of Eiichi Kudo's 1963 period action film is a wild spectacle executed with killer, dizzying panache.

Synopsis: In this remake of a 1963 film based on historical events, Shinzaemon Shimada leads a team of assassins in 19th-century Japan to eliminate the ruthless... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kôji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki

Directed By: Takashi Miike

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Jeff (Chow Yun-Fat), who works as a nightclub bouncer in Bangkok, saves his friend Sam (Wong Chow-Sang) from a beating by the local loan shark.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Simon Yam, Bonnie Fu, Wong Chow-Sang

Directed By: Ringo Lam

Critics Consensus: Lighter and more comedic than its predecessor, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade returns the series to the brisk serial adventure of Raiders, while adding a dynamite double act between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.

Synopsis: An art collector appeals to Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. He learns that another archaeologist has disappeared while searching for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: Kung Fu Hustle blends special effects, martial arts, and the Looney Toons to hilarious effect.

Synopsis: When the hapless Sing and his dim-witted pal Bone try to scam the residents of Pig Sty Alley into thinking they're members of the dreaded... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Siu-Lung Leung

Directed By: Stephen Chow

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A Hong Kong policeman (Leslie Cheung) blames his reformed-gangster brother (Chow Yun-Fat) for the death of their father.

Starring: Ti Lung, Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Emily Chu

Directed By: John Woo

Critics Consensus: Powered by Robert Downey Jr.'s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun.

Synopsis: A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him to force him to build... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Critics Consensus: A bloody thrill ride designed to test the limits of more squeamish viewers, The Night Comes for Us wields a stylishly violent, action-packed punch.

Synopsis: Ito, a gangland enforcer, is caught amidst a treacherous and violent insurrection within his Triad crime family.

Starring: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle, Sunny Pang

Directed By: Timo Tjahjanto

Critics Consensus: Hugh Jackman makes the most of his final outing as Wolverine with a gritty, nuanced performance in a violent but surprisingly thoughtful superhero action film that defies genre conventions.

Synopsis: In the near future, a weary Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) at a remote outpost on the Mexican border.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Richard E. Grant

Directed By: James Mangold

Critics Consensus: Goldfinger is where James Bond as we know him comes into focus - it features one of 007's most famous lines ("A martini. Shaken, not stirred.") and a wide range of gadgets that would become the series' trademark.

Synopsis: Special agent 007 (Sean Connery) comes face to face with one of the most notorious villains of all time, and now he must outwit and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton

Directed By: Guy Hamilton

Critics Consensus: Lean, taut and compellingly gritty, John Carpenter's loose update of Rio Bravo ranks as a cult action classic and one of the filmmaker's best.

Synopsis: When the LAPD kills several members of the South Central gang Street Thunder, the remaining members avenge themselves by way of a bloody war waged... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West

Directed By: John Carpenter

Critics Consensus: Thrilling, earnest, and buoyed by Gal Gadot's charismatic performance, Wonder Woman succeeds in spectacular fashion.

Synopsis: Before she is Wonder Woman, she is Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright

Directed By: Patty Jenkins

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Chen Zhen leaves his homeland of China and relocates to stay with family in Thailand. Chen, who swore to his mother that he would avoid... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, James Tien, Robert Baker

Directed By: Lo Wei

Critics Consensus: Suspenseful and politically astute, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a superior entry in the Avengers canon and is sure to thrill Marvel diehards.

Synopsis: After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), lives in the nation's capital as he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Critics Consensus: Violent and definitely not for the squeamish, Park Chan-Wook's visceral Oldboy is a strange, powerful tale of revenge.

Synopsis: Dae-Su is an obnoxious drunk bailed from the police station yet again by a friend. However, he's abducted from the street and wakes up in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung, Ji Dae-han

Directed By: Park Chan-wook

Critics Consensus: Realistic, fast-paced and uncommonly smart, The French Connection is bolstered by stellar performances by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, not to mention William Friedkin's thrilling production.

Synopsis: New York Detective Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner (Roy Scheider) chase a French heroin smuggler.

Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco

Directed By: William Friedkin

Critics Consensus: Serving up a fresh round of over-the-top thrills while adding unexpected dramatic heft, Furious 7 keeps the franchise moving in more ways than one.

Synopsis: After defeating international terrorist Owen Shaw, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and the rest of the crew have separated to return to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez

Directed By: James Wan

Critics Consensus: A zany out-of-control thriller that gives lead Anne Parillaud a big character arc and plenty of emotional room to work within.

Synopsis: Convicted felon Nikita (Anne Parillaud), instead of going to jail, is given a new identity and trained to be a secret police assassin controlled by... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anne Parillaud, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Tchéky Karyo, Jeanne Moreau

Directed By: Luc Besson

Critics Consensus: Blending hand-to-hand combat with breathtaking stunts and slapstick comedy, Supercop reminds us why Jackie Chan is one of the world's great entertainers.

Synopsis: To infiltrate a drug cartel, police Inspector Chan Ka Kui (Jackie Chan) goes undercover in a Chinese prison. There, he earns the trust of Panther... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Kenneth Tsang

Directed By: Stanley Tong

Critics Consensus: As tough and taciturn as its no-nonsense hero, Dirty Harry delivers a deceptively layered message without sacrificing an ounce of its solid action impact.

Synopsis: Cop Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) attempts to track down a psychopathic rooftop killer before a kidnapped girl dies. When he is found Harry abuses the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Larch

Directed By: Don Siegel

Critics Consensus: Gripping, well-acted, funny, and clever, Edge of Tomorrow offers entertaining proof that Tom Cruise is still more than capable of shouldering the weight of a blockbuster action thriller.

Synopsis: When Earth falls under attack from invincible aliens, no military unit in the world is able to beat them. Maj. William Cage (Tom Cruise), an... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Paxton

Directed By: Doug Liman

Critics Consensus: Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.

Synopsis: Stryker (Brian Cox), a villainous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of the X-Men. This threat re-ignites... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Critics Consensus: Exhilarating and intense, this high-impact chase thriller is a model of taut and efficient formula filmmaking, and it features Harrison Ford at his frantic best.

Synopsis: Wrongfully accused of murdering his wife, Richard Kimble escapes from the law in an attempt to find her killer and clear his name. Pursuing him... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore

Directed By: Andrew Davis

Critics Consensus: Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of the MCU's most absorbing stories -- and introducing some of its most fully realized characters.

Synopsis: After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira

Directed By: Ryan Coogler

Critics Consensus: Smart, innovative, and thrilling, Inception is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually.

Synopsis: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His skill has... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: Distractingly violent and historically dodgy, Mel Gibson's Braveheart justifies its epic length by delivering enough sweeping action, drama, and romance to match its ambition.

Synopsis: Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack

Directed By: Mel Gibson

Critics Consensus: Thought-provoking and visceral, Steven Spielberg successfully combines high concept ideas and high octane action in this fast and febrile sci-fi thriller.

Synopsis: Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: Exciting, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, Avengers: Endgame does whatever it takes to deliver a satisfying finale to Marvel's epic Infinity Saga.

Synopsis: Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Critics Consensus: Fueled by bombastic violence and impressive special effects, rooted in self-satire and deadpan humor, Dredd 3D does a remarkable job of capturing its source material's gritty spirit.

Synopsis: Mega City One is a vast, violent metropolis where felons rule the streets. The only law lies with cops called "judges," who act as judge,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Wood Harris

Directed By: Pete Travis

Critics Consensus: Expertly blending genre formula with bursts of unexpected wit, The Bourne Identity is an action thriller that delivers -- and then some.

Synopsis: A man, salvaged, near death, from the ocean by an Italian fishing boat. When he recuperates, the man suffers from total amnesia, without identity or... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen

Directed By: Doug Liman

Critics Consensus: At once beholden to the established conventions of the genre and delightfully subversive of them, Ip Man is one of the most exciting -- and refreshingly character-driven -- martial arts films in years.

Synopsis: The life story of Yip Man, the first person to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun.

Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-wong Fan, Ka Tung Lam

Directed By: Wilson Yip

Critics Consensus: John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence.

Synopsis: Obsessed with bringing terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) to justice, FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) tracks down Troy, who has boarded a plane in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola

Directed By: John Woo

Critics Consensus: With coke fiends, car chases, and Wang Chung galore, To Live and Die in L.A. is perhaps the ultimate '80s action/thriller.

Synopsis: When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab... View Full Synopsis

Starring: William Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Debra Feuer

Directed By: William Friedkin

Critics Consensus: Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.

Synopsis: With the help of allies, Lt. Jim Gordon and DA Harvey Dent, Batman is able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works.

Synopsis: Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government, while the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton

Directed By: Brad Bird

Critics Consensus: Sleek, loud, and over the top, Fast Five proudly embraces its brainless action thrills and injects new life into the franchise.

Synopsis: Ever since ex-cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) broke her brother Dom (Vin Diesel) out of custody, they've traveled border to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson

Directed By: Justin Lin

Critics Consensus: The most successful installment in a phenomenally successful series, Lethal Weapon helped redefine action movies for the 1980s and 1990s.

Synopsis: Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan

Directed By: Richard Donner

Critics Consensus: For visceral thrills, it can't be beat. Just don't expect The Rock to engage your brain.

Synopsis: FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) is sent on an urgent mission with a former British spy, John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn

Directed By: Michael Bay

Critics Consensus: While over-the-top and gory, Robocop is a surprisingly smart sci-fi flick that uses ultraviolence to disguise its satire of American culture.

Synopsis: In a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the police force. To test their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Dan O'Herlihy

Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

Critics Consensus: John Wick: Chapter 2 does what a sequel should -- which in this case means doubling down on the non-stop, thrillingly choreographed action that made its predecessor so much fun.

Synopsis: Retired super-assassin John Wick's plans to resume a quiet civilian life are cut short when Italian gangster Santino D'Antonio shows up on his doorstep with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio

Directed By: Chad Stahelski

Critics Consensus: Casino Royale disposes of the silliness and gadgetry that plagued recent James Bond outings, and Daniel Craig delivers what fans and critics have been waiting for: a caustic, haunted, intense reinvention of 007.

Synopsis: After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench

Directed By: Martin Campbell

Critics Consensus: Stylish, exciting, and fueled by a killer soundtrack, Baby Driver hits the road and it's gone -- proving fast-paced action movies can be smartly written without sacrificing thrills.

Synopsis: Talented getaway driver Baby relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman of his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal

Directed By: Edgar Wright

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Chinese martial arts student Chen Zhen is studying in Kyoto, Japan, when he learns his mentor has died in a match against Ryuichi Akutagawa. Returning... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jet Li, Siu-hou Chin, Shinobu Nakayama, Billy Chow Bei-Lei

Directed By: Gordon Chan

Critics Consensus: The Killer is another hard-boiled action flick from John Woo featuring eye-popping balletic violence and philosophical underpinnings.

Synopsis: Mob assassin Jeffrey (Chow Yun-Fat) is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh, Kenneth Tsang

Directed By: John Woo

Critics Consensus: Although its high-energy plot and over-the-top violence may play better with genre aficionados, The Raid 2 definitely delivers more of everything audiences loved about its predecessor.

Synopsis: After surviving a bloody fight with powerful gangsters, rookie Jakarta cop Rama thinks he can resume a normal life. However, his exploits during that fateful... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara

Directed By: Gareth Evans

Critics Consensus: Badass to the max, Enter the Dragon is the ultimate kung-fu movie and a fitting (if untimely) Bruce Lee swan song.

Synopsis: Bruce Lee plays a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for the death of his sister. Lee enters... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri

Directed By: Robert Clouse

Critics Consensus: The ultimate '80s Schwarzenegger movie, replete with a threadbare plot, outsized action, and endless one-liners.

Synopsis: Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells

Directed By: Mark L. Lester

Critics Consensus: Much darker and more sensitive than the sequels it spawned, First Blood is a thrilling survival adventure that takes full advantage of Sylvester Stallone's acting skills.

Synopsis: Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend, but is met with intolerance and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, David Caruso

Directed By: Ted Kotcheff

Critics Consensus: Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation continues the franchise's thrilling resurgence -- and proves that Tom Cruise remains an action star without equal.

Synopsis: With the IMF now disbanded and Ethan Hunt out in the cold, a new threat -- called the Syndicate -- soon emerges. The Syndicate is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie

Critics Consensus: With its impressive action sequences, taut economic direction, and relentlessly fast pace, it's clear why The Terminator continues to be an influence on sci-fi and action flicks.

Synopsis: Disguised as a human, a cyborg assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Sent... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield

Directed By: James Cameron

Critics Consensus: While not everyone will be entertained by Gladiator's glum revenge story, Russell Crowe thunderously wins the crowd with a star-making turn that provides Ridley Scott's opulent resurrection of Rome its bruised heart.

Synopsis: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Critics Consensus: Kill Bill is admittedly little more than a stylish revenge thriller -- albeit one that benefits from a wildly inventive surfeit of style.

Synopsis: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Pivoting on the unusual relationship between seasoned hitman and his 12-year-old apprentice -- a breakout turn by young Natalie Portman -- Luc Besson's Léon is a stylish and oddly affecting thriller.

Synopsis: Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life: her abusive father stores drugs for corrupt... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello

Directed By: Luc Besson

Critics Consensus: A terrific popcorn thriller, Speed is taut, tense, and energetic, with outstanding performances from Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock.

Synopsis: Los Angeles police officer Jack (Keanu Reeves) angers retired bomb squad member Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) by foiling his attempt at taking hostages. In revenge,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton

Directed By: Jan de Bont

Critics Consensus: Jackie Chan sends up some amazing and entertaining fight sequences in The Legend of Drunken Master.

Synopsis: From a land where honor and tradition reign, comes the legend of a martial-arts hero unlike any other -- the "Drunken Master" -- who can... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ti Lung, Anita Mui, Chia-Liang Liu

Directed By: Chia-Liang Liu

Critics Consensus: Stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic, John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves -- and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise.

Synopsis: Legendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe

Directed By: Chad Stahelski

Critics Consensus: Catapulting Ang Lee into the upper echelon of Hollywood filmmakers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon features a deft mix of amazing martial arts battles, beautiful scenery, and tasteful drama.

Synopsis: In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) gives his sword, Green Destiny, to his lover (Michelle Yeoh) to deliver to safe keeping,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen

Directed By: Ang Lee

Critics Consensus: Predator: Part sci-fi, part horror, part action -- all muscle.

Synopsis: Dutch, a soldier of fortune, is hired by the U.S. government to secretly rescue a group of politicians trapped in Guatemala. But when Dutch and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Elpidia Carrillo

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: The Bourne Ultimatum is an intelligent, finely tuned non-stop thrill ride. Another strong performance from Matt Damon and sharp camerawork from Paul Greengrass make this the finest installment of the Bourne trilogy.

Synopsis: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) continues his international quest to uncover his true identity. From Russia to Europe to northern Africa to the United States, he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, David Strathairn

Directed By: Paul Greengrass

Critics Consensus: Under Paul Verhoeven's frenetic direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced rush of violence, gore, and humor that never slacks.

Synopsis: Douglas Quaid is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox

Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

Critics Consensus: The Road Warrior is everything a bigger-budgeted Mad Max sequel with should be: bigger, faster, louder, but definitely not dumber.

Synopsis: After avenging the death of his wife and young son at the hands of a vicious gang leader, Max drives the post-apocalyptic highways of the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Emil Minty, Vernon Wells

Directed By: George Miller

Critics Consensus: Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share but a handful of screen minutes together, Heat is an engrossing crime drama that draws compelling performances from its stars -- and confirms Michael Mann's mastery of the genre.

Synopsis: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: No frills and all thrills, The Raid: Redemption is an inventive action film expertly paced and edited for maximum entertainment.

Synopsis: A rookie member of an elite team of commandos, Rama (Iko Uwais) is instructed to hang back while his comrades-in-arms go ahead with their mission... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian

Directed By: Gareth Evans

Critics Consensus: Fast, sleek, and fun, Mission: Impossible - Fallout lives up to the "impossible" part of its name by setting yet another high mark for insane set pieces in a franchise full of them.

Synopsis: Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie

Critics Consensus: Featuring bravura set pieces, sly humor, and white-knuckle action, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most consummately entertaining adventure pictures of all time.

Synopsis: Dr. Indiana Jones, a renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the ark of the covenant, which... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Wolf Kahler

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver.

Synopsis: After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. Upon arriving at LV-426, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser

Directed By: James Cameron

Critics Consensus: Boasting impactful action as well as surprising emotional resonance, Hard Boiled is a powerful thriller that hits hard in more ways than one.

Synopsis: A cop who loses his partner in a shoot-out with gun smugglers goes on a mission to catch them. In order to get closer to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Bowie Lam, Philip Chan, Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Directed By: John Woo

Critics Consensus: Thanks to the Wachowskis' imaginative vision, The Matrix is a smartly crafted combination of spectacular action and groundbreaking special effects.

Synopsis: Neo believes that Morpheus, an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving

Directed By: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Critics Consensus: T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.

Synopsis: In this sequel set eleven years after "The Terminator," young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the key to civilization's victory over a future robot uprising, is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick

Directed By: James Cameron

Critics Consensus: Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic.

Synopsis: New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: With exhilarating action and a surprising amount of narrative heft, Mad Max: Fury Road brings George Miller's post-apocalyptic franchise roaring vigorously back to life.

Synopsis: Years after the collapse of civilization, the tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors inside the desert fortress the Citadel. When the warrior Imperator Furiosa leads... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne

Directed By: George Miller