Action films are one of the most important genres in the movie industry. They are often filled with intense fight scenes, allowing viewers to become immersed in the characters’ combat skills and intelligence. In doing so, audiences can momentarily forget the troubles of everyday life. Up next, we’ll list the 10 best action movies for you to choose from.
10 Best Action Movies of All Time
This list is based on the scores and comments of viewers on different platforms like Reddit, IMDb, Metacritic, and Rotten Tomatoes.
Rush Hour (1998)
- Run time: 1h 38m
- Critic scores: IMDb: 7/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 62%; Metacritic: 61
Chinese action movies are always on the next level, with real flush combat and deep insights into the meaning of life. Rush Hour is one of the best Chinese action movies on Netflix, with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as the main actors. In the movies, the two heroes work together to punish evil and promote good.
Rush Hour is free on Tubi TV, while it charges a fee on Netflix, Max, YouTube, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video.
The Raid: Redemption (2011)
- Run time: 1h 41m
- Critical scores: IMDb: 7.6/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 87%; Metacritic: 73
The Raid film sequence is certainly the best option for action thriller movie lovers, with its exciting and thrilling brainstorming and fights between the Hong Kong police officer and a bunch of fierce drug dealers.
The Raid: Redemption is on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Roku.
Kill (2023)
- Run time: 1h 45m
- Viewer scores: IMDb: 7.5/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 89%; Metacritic: 74
Indian films have prospered for a long time, featuring a unique filming and narrating style compared to Hollywood movies. The film Kill is undoubtedly one of the best Bollywood action movies. It follows the hero Amrit as he fights against injustice and villains to save his love and the citizens.
Kill is on Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Roku, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies, and Fandango at Home.
Related: 10 Best Hollywood Movies in 2025: A Must-Watch List
Die Hard (1988)
- Run time: 2h 11m
- Critical scores: IMDb: 8.2/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 94%; Metacritic: 72
Die Hard is commonly considered one of the best 80s action movies, available to play on Amazon Prime Video. In the film, the main actor alone uses his wit, courage, and resourcefulness to take down the terrorists inside a company’s building. Meanwhile, he regains his love that is about to be broken.
The film is also on Philo, YouTube, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango at Home.
The Matrix (1999)
- Run time: 2h 16m
- Viewer scores: IMDb: 8.7/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 83%; Metacritic: 73
Sci-fi and action are always combined to give a deep feeling of mystery and fear about the unknown. So does The Matrix, the best action sci-fi movie, which follows a computer programmer, as well as a hacker, unveiling the horror truth of human society and then trying to break the control to save the world.
The Matrix is now on YouTube, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
- Run time: 2h 33m
- Viewer scores: IMDb: 8.6/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 91%; Metacritic: 75
Terminator 2: Judgement Day is reasonably the best action movie in the 90s. It surpasses all the other action movies in the same era, with its timelessly futuristic vibe and excellent plot, while maintaining a realistic portrayal of human struggle. Schwarzenegger’s outstanding performance and unique tough-guy charisma perfectly embodied the film, captivating audiences around the world.
T2 is available on Paramount+, YouTube, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
The Wild Bunch (1969)
- Run time: 2h 15m
- Critic scores: IMDb: 7.9/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 91%; Metacritic: 98
Great wines grow richer with time. So does the best 60s action movie, The Wild Bunch, which deserves to be streamed again and again. It follows a gang of aging outlaws, fleeing, fighting, compromising, but finally being betrayed. In the end, they confront their own sense of honor, brotherhood, and mortality.
The movie is now on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play Movies.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
- Run time: 2h 11m
- Critic scores: IMDb: 7.5/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 96%; Metacritic: 95
The Hurt Locker is the best action movie about war. It follows an elite U.S. army team responsible for disarming bombs. The main character has to stay calm to avoid every danger, but becomes addicted to the excitement that a war brings.
The Hurt Locker is free on PLEX and Tubi TV, while it requires a fee on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
- Run time: 2 hours
- Viewer scores: IMDb: 7.9/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 98%; Metacritic: 94
Kung Fu is one of the best Chinese cultures, but it also leaves an indelible impression on the Western entertainment business. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is great proof. It combines Western taste and Kung Fu culture, together making a huge success in the film industry. In the movie, you’ll see a lot of characters like honor, love, revenge, and betrayal.
The film is now on Max, YouTube, Hulu, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
North by Northwest (1959)
- Run time: 2 hours and 16 minutes
- Critic scores: IMDb: 8.3/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 97%; Metacritic: 98
North by Northwest is considered the predecessor of many modern spy thrillers and is often hailed as one of the best action movies of all time. The movie tells the story of an ordinary advertising executive who becomes entangled in an international espionage plot, blending absurd contradictions, thrilling chases, romance, and intense confrontations throughout the film.
The movie is free on Tubi TV, while it requires a fee on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Other Great Action Movies
Despite the top 10 we listed above, there are also many other great action movies worth streaming.
- Ip Man series (2008–2019)
- Predator (1987)
- The Karate Kid (2010)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Gladiator (2000)
- Train to Busan (2016)
- Nobody (2021)
- Oldboy (2003)
- Equilibrium (2002)
- The Night Comes for Us (2018)
- Fast Five (2011)
- Man of Tai Chi (2013)
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Action Blockbusters Released and Upcoming in 2025
Here’s a list of movies with great potential to become the best action films of 2025.
- Warfare – April 11, 2025
- A Working Man – March 28, 2025
- A Minecraft Movie – April 4, 2025
- Havoc – April 25, 2025
- Karate Kid: Legends – May 30, 2025
- Predator: Badlands (Predator 6) – November 7, 2025
- Black Bag – March 14, 2025
- Nobody 2 – Aug 15, 2025
What Is an Action Movie?
An action movie is a popular film genre that contains physical combat, a drama plot, and high-stakes conflict, giving audiences a feeling of excitement, explosions, and even thrills. This genre of film often portrays the idea of punishing evil and promoting good, with the belief that justice will ultimately prevail.
However, art is not confined to a single definition. Many action movies incorporate more than just physical confrontations—they also blend in elements of science fiction, mystery, or romance to appeal to a wider audience. Some films, in order to depict the downfall of a certain ideal or era, may even feature endings where evil appears to triumph over justice.
What If You Can’t Watch the Best Action Movies in Your Region
If the action movies you select from this blog don’t play in your region, try a reliable VPN to bypass the geo-restriction. (Tip: LightningX VPN is a cheap and trustworthy VPN tool. It is acclaimed by many users on the app store and social media.) Here’s how to use a VPN to watch a movie that is not available in your region.
- Download and install the desired VPN on your device.
- Sign up for an account on the VPN.
- Select a server where the movie is available.
- Go to the streaming website or app to see if the movie can be displayed.
Why is LightningX VPN worth using?
- It uses robust VPN protocols and algorithms, encrypting your data and privacy.
- It offers 2,000+ servers in 50+ countries for you to stream movies around the world.
- It doesn’t limit your bandwidth.
- It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Android TV, Apple TV, and Linux.
- It allows 3 simultaneous connections and supports number customization.
- It costs $5.99 per month.
Wrap Up
Deciding which action movie is the best is subjective because everyone has their own opinions. Besides the movies we listed above, there are also many good action movies in the world. To choose the best action movies for yourself, we recommend that you personally watch this genre on different platforms.
