Best-Reviewed Action/Adventure Movies 2018

From pulse-pounding blockbusters to indepenent period pieces to adventures across the ancient European frontier, this year’s best action flicks represent an eclectic mix of stories fine-tuned to get your adrenaline pumping, with a certain globe-trotting Tom Cruise spy franchise taking the top spot.

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2018. Scores might change over time.

#1

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
98%

#1

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. [More]

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

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie

#2

A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)
92%

#2

Critics Consensus: A Prayer Before Dawn is far from an easy watch, but this harrowing prison odyssey delivers rich rewards -- led by an outstanding central performance from Joe Cole.

Synopsis: The amazing true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world [More]

Starring: Joe Cole , Billy Moore , Pornchanok Mabklang , Panya Yimmumphai

Directed By: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

#3

Creed II (2018)
83%

#3

Critics Consensus: Creed II's adherence to franchise formula adds up to a sequel with few true surprises, but its time-tested generational themes still pack a solid punch.

Synopsis: In 1985, Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former U.S. champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world. [More]

Starring: Michael B. Jordan , Sylvester Stallone , Tessa Thompson , Phylicia Rashad

Directed By: Steven Caple Jr.

#4

Alpha (2018)
80%

#4

Critics Consensus: Well-acted and beautifully filmed, Alpha offers a canine-assisted epic adventure that blends rousing action with an extra helping of canine charm.

Synopsis: Young Keda tries to survive alone in the wilderness after he's left for dead during his first hunt with his [More]

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee , Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson , Marcin Kowalczyk , Jens Hultén

Directed By: Albert Hughes

#5

Black '47 (2018)
78%

#5

Critics Consensus: Black '47 anchors its grim and gritty action in deceptively deep genre storytelling, although its epic ambitions arguably exceed its grasp.

Synopsis: In 1847 an Irish mercenary fighting for the British army abandons his post to seek revenge on those responsible for [More]

Starring: Hugo Weaving , James Frecheville , Stephen Rea , Freddie Fox

Directed By: Lance Daly