Action movies have always been one of cinema’s most reliable crowd-pleasers, but only a select few manage to break through cultural and generational barriers to be enjoyed by almost everyone. These are the films that work just as well for casual viewers as they do for hardcore fans. With memorable action sequences and standout characters, these movies are iconic in their own way.
In this list, we take a look at some universally loved action films. These films find balance in delivering outstanding spectacle and making their characters iconic. They understand the fundamentals of great action filmmaking and know how to entertain the audience. From the globe-trotting, car-loving family of Fast & Furious to Keanu Reeves’s revenge mission in the John Wick universe, these films remind us why action is the most popular genre in cinema. They’re not just thrilling — they’re timeless.
8
‘Furious 7’ (2015)
Furious 7 picks up with Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family facing their biggest threat yet in Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), a highly skilled mercenary seeking revenge for his brother. Shaw immediately puts Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) in the hospital and begins to hunt the crew. Toretto and the others must use a new surveillance tech to find Shaw first before he finds them.
If you’re wondering how a Fast & Furious film could be universally beloved, Universal Studios will show the film’s box office gross, which amounts to over $1.5 billion. The film’s appeal lies in how the ensemble cast is incredibly likable and has its trademark ridiculous action to entertain audiences. This particular film also has an emotional, respectful farewell to Paul Walker, making Furious 7 a sincerely heartbreaking experience that transcends the screen. It’s beloved because the film knows what the audience likes and wants, delivering it in spades.
7
‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt HALO jumping out of a plane in Mission: Impossible – FalloutImage via Paramount Pictures
In Mission: Impossible — Fallout, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has to face the consequences after his team loses some plutonium on a mission, triggering events that threaten global catastrophe. Hunt teams up with suspicious CIA operative John Walker (Henry Cavill) to find a secret society of mercenaries that intends to use the plutonium to destroy the modern world.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout reaches universal acclaim for its character-driven story and commitment to practical spectacle. Tom Cruise did all his stunts, from the HALO jump to the helicopter chase, increasing the danger and stakes that unfold on screen. To keep everything focused and entertaining, Christopher McQuarrie balances the complex story with clarity from beginning to the end. Most importantly, the film is able to reignite interest in the long-running franchise and win new audiences, too. As a result, the franchise is able to end on a graceful note with Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
6
‘Rush Hour’ (1998)
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan with their hands up in ‘Rush Hour’Image via New Line Cinema
Rush Hour follows Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) from Hong Kong and LAPD detective James Carter (Chris Tucker), two wildly mismatched cops forced to work together on a high-profile kidnapping case involving a Chinese diplomat’s daughter. As they investigate the crime, they clash constantly because of their cultural and personality differences.
Rush Hour wins audiences’ hearts for its effortless blend of action and comedy, anchored by the electric chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Chan’s physical brilliance shines through inventive fight choreography, while Tucker’s rapid-fire humor keeps the energy light. The film never takes itself too seriously, but it respects the craft of action, making it endlessly rewatchable. Almost 20 years later, the film is still quoted by many in real life and on social media. The film has two more sequels, but the first one has that magic that makes it beloved by audiences worldwide.
5
‘John Wick’ (2014)
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) checks into the Continental Hotel.Image via Summit Entertainment
John Wick centers on a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, who is pulled back into the criminal underworld after his dog, left by his late wife, was killed by an arrogant gangster. He then begins to unleash his skills to meticulously hunt down everyone who has any connection to the unforgivable crime.
The film is admired by almost every audience because of its simple plot and effective execution. Keanu Reeves returned triumphantly in the action genre in a film that respects the craftsmanship of stuntwork. Every action sequence feels real and dangerous because it is performed by a real stunt crew with minimal CGI and rapid editing. The film’s world-building is subtle, but it opens up a new world for audiences to step into. The film’s success launched a full-fledged franchise that ran to four films, a movie spin-off, and a TV spin-off.
4
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
The Incredibles pose for battle in The Incredibles.Image via Pixar Animation Studios
The Incredibles follows the Parr family, a group of superheroes forced into suburban anonymity after the government bans heroic activity. Bob Parr (voiced by Craig T. Nelson), who used to be Mr. Incredible, struggles with domestic life until a mysterious mission offers him a chance to relive his glory days. However, the emergence of a new supervillain, Syndrome (Jason Lee), threatens the whole family.
This may be an animated film, but the film’s action sequences are as thrilling and meticulously designed as any live-action blockbuster. They are all glued by a relatable family dynamic, and the humor never feels like it’s only aimed at children. With themes that resonate for every age, The Incredibles respects its audience, proving that animation is just another medium to deliver rich, exciting, and emotionally satisfying stories. This Brad Bird film changed the superhero genre and stands as one of the finest Pixar films. A third film is currently scheduled for 2028.
3
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
Bruce Willis, playing John McClane, crawls through a duct with a lighter in Die Hard.Image via 20th Century Studios
In Die Hard, John McClane (Bruce Willis), a New York cop visiting Los Angeles, becomes the only person fighting back against terrorists who seize control of a corporate skyscraper. Armed with his wit, McClane leaps and crawls to save his estranged wife and the other hostages from the ruthless Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman).
Die Hard is a revolutionary action film that sets the blueprint for subsequent action movies. It effortlessly balances tension, humor, and character. Bruce Willis’ everyman hero redefined action protagonists, while Alan Rickman’s Gruber set a new standard for villains. John McTiernan’s tight direction ensures every action beat matters. The film’s winning formula is endlessly copied, but truly, there is only one Die Hard. The film is endlessly rewatchable, offering a masterclass in action storytelling for the mass audience.
2
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
Neo slowing bullets down in the 1999 film, The Matrix.Image via Warner Bros.
The Matrix follows Neo (Keanu Reeves), a disillusioned programmer who discovers that reality itself is a simulated construct designed to enslave humanity. He is liberated from the simulation and joins a rebellion led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). Neo learns that he may be The One, destined to free mankind from the prison created by the machines.
The Matrix is a one-of-a-kind, mind-bending experience. It seamlessly mixed high-concept ideas with incredible, revolutionary action. The iconic bullet time sequence changed cinema forever and became an inspiration for filmmakers to experiment with new techniques. The film’s themes of identity and control are still highly relevant today. It’s beloved by audiences everywhere for its spectacular action that fuses gunplay and martial arts, and for its cerebral ideas that invite audiences to think and ponder. To this day, no other film has the same ambitious ideas and energy.
1
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Indiana Jones thinking about seizing a gold statue in the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)Image via Paramount Pictures
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) bursts onto the screen as an adventurous archaeologist racing against Nazis to recover the biblical Ark of the Covenant. The Nazis, led by Indy’s rival Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman), seek to make the army invincible with the power of the Ark. Together with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy goes through the jungle and deserts, escaping traps and snakes to stop the Nazis.
Steven Spielberg, together with writer George Lucas, created the ultimate action-adventure film with Indiana Jones. The film receives universal love because of Spielberg’s mastery of direction and sense of wonder. Each action sequence, like the boulder chase from the opening that is now immortalized in a Disneyland theme park for everyone to revisit, is iconic. As the main character, Harrison Ford brings wit, heroism, and flaws to Indiana Jones, making him relatable to the audience. The film taps into a shared love of adventure and discovery, making it timeless regardless of age or era.