In the attempt to define the best action movies of all time, where does one start ?
From the precision of martial arts films to the intrigue of espionage thrillers, from the innovation of sci-fi epics to the charm of timeless classics—many of which are filled with breathtaking stunts, compelling stories, and unforgettable characters—it seems impossible to limit the list to just 4 films.
But as I poured through the hundreds of options, I nailed down the ones that, for me, stand out above the rest.
Top Action Movies
This list aims to be both comprehensive and eclectic, identifying both classics and under-the-radar gems that are essential viewing for action-movie lovers. Here are the 4 best action films of all time.
1- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Acting as the beginning of the end for the Infinity Saga of the MCU, Avengers: Infinity War saw the Avengers finally facing off against the mad titan himself, Thanos. With a plan to wipe out half of all life in the universe, Thanos has been scouring the universe in search of the infinity stones, massively powerful gems that are capable of giving him near-infinite power. The Avengers are forced to split up across the universe, as well as meet up with new friends, to be able to stop the villain before it’s too late.
Infinity War is a film that from the outside shouldn’t work nearly as well as it does, balancing a massive cavalcade of heroes and bringing them all together with split focuses and attention between them. However, Thanos as a central and powerful villain is the key to making the film work as well as it does, as it massively increases the stakes and has the entire film built around him and his ominous power. The result is a film with still highly memorable action sequences, as well as perfectly setting the stage for one of the biggest films in cinematic history (one that will appear later in the list). – Robert Lee
- Release Date April 27, 2018
- Director Anthony Russo , Joe Russo
- Cast Robert Downey J , Chris Hemsworth , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Evans , Scarlett Johansson , Benedict Cumberbatch , Don Cheadle , Tom Holland , Chadwick Boseman , Paul Bettany , Elizabeth Olsen , Anthony Mackie , Sebastian Stan , Danai Gurira , Letitia Wright , Zoe Saldana , Josh Brolin , Chris Pratt
- Runtime 149 minutes
Avengers: Infinity War Where to watch :
2- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
The final installment in Christopher Nolan‘s legendary Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises depicts the events eight years after Batman’s (Christian Bale) disappearance following the controversial death of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). The anti-hero is soon coaxed out of the darkness by an unlikely alliance and a new terrifying villain.
The Dark Knight Rises gave audiences the incredible antagonist Bane (Tom Hardy), who, although often overlooked due to Heath Ledger‘s Joker, has rightly earned his spot in cinematic history and pop culture. The gritty superhero movie brings Christopher Nolan’s renowned trilogy to a satisfying end, cementing the three films as rewatchable masterpieces of the genre.
- Release Date July 16, 2012
- Director Christopher Nolan
- Cast Tom Hardy , Christian Bale , Anne Hathaway , Liam Neeson , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Gary Oldman
- Runtime 164 minutes
- Main Genre Action
The Dark Knight Rises Where to watch :
3- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn-based Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), who struggles to juggle his responsibilities as a student and friendly neighborhood Spidey. When he encounters other versions of Spidey from across the multiverse, things get chaotic.
Known for its jaw-dropping visuals and already considered one of the best animated movies of all time, Into the Spider-Verse is a clear love letter to the comics, as it adapts the art style and storylines in an unprecedented way. Its frantic, chaotic, yet beautiful scenes capture the vast possibilities of the multiverse, while also highlighting Miles’ personal battle against the villainous Kingpin (Liev Schreiber).
- Release Date December 14, 2018
- Director Bob Persichetti , Peter Ramsey , Rodney Rothman
- Cast Shameik Moore , Jake Johnson , Hailee Steinfeld , Mahershala Ali , Nicolas Cage , Brian Tyree Henry
- Runtime 117 minutes
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Where to watch :
4- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
The events of The Infinity Saga culminate in the blockbuster film Avengers: Endgame, in which the remaining Avengers and their allies attempt to undo the devastating consequences of the Mad Titan Thanos’ snap in Infinity War. Their heroic efforts only lead to additional doubts about the lasting impact of Earth’s mightiest heroes’ battles, which are still on full display in this action-packed movie.
Endgame shows the most difficult mission the Avengers have had to confront in the MCU so far, with a story arc spanning years and everything at risk. There is no simple answer to their dilemma, and viewers will remember the heartbreaking moments from Endgame long after they leave the cinema.
- Release Date April 24, 2019
- Director Anthony Russo , Joe Russo
- Cast Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Hemsworth , Scarlett Johansson , Jeremy Renner
- Runtime 180 minutes
