After a lot of debate over what makes a great action movie, we have built our list of the top 10 best action films ever made. The list can always be freshened up, so we would warmly invite you to share other movies you think would deserve a spot here. If you are looking for latest action films then please visit top 10 Actions Films in 2013.
10. 300 (2007)
“300” is a hyper-visual retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae and the brave attempt of King Leonidas and his 300 brave warriors to defeat the armies of the Persian warlord Xerxes. The 300 Spartans put up a great fight against the overwhelming Persian powers and are even about to win, when a betrayal puts off their hopes of freedom. The movie is directed by Frank Miller, author of Sin City.
9. Braveheart (1995)
The movie shows life and times of medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace, as well as Robert the Bruce’s attempts to unify the nation against the English oppressors. It is packed with sweeping action, drama and romance, and will keep you tied to the screen for almost 3 hours.
8. The Dark Knight (2008)
This 2008 sequel of Batman begins takes the number 8 spot in our top 10 best action films ever made. Christian Bale plays Batman and has to counteract the evil ploys of the Joker, played by Heath Ledger. The movie is far beyond the well-known man in tights genre, so any attempt to compare it to Superman, Spiderman or even Batman Begins is quite laughable.
7. Predator (1987)
When Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his old army buddy are sent in a covert operation in a Latin American country, they find out that they are fighting against a vicious killer from out of this world – the camouflaged Predator, who is hunting them just for fun.
6. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is on a race to solve the mystery of his past, while being hunted down by the members of the very organization that had hired him. The movie is an intelligent, fast-paced and fine-tuned thrill ride, and is worthy of the middle position in our top-ten chart.
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark is by far the best movie of the Indiana Jones series. Indy (Harrison Ford) puts up a 115-minute thrill ride in an attempt to retrieve a long-lost golden idol before Belloq, his French archenemy, finds it and uses it for his evil deeds.
4. The Matrix (1999)
A lot of people argue that The Matrix doesn’t deserve a spot in any chart, due to its sequels being of questionable quality. However, the original Matrix is one of the best action movies ever made, with a perfect mix of Hong Kong-like action, top-notch special effects, innovative camera techniques and a great plot.
3. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Mad Max (Mel Gibson) drives a V8 Interceptor and shoots a sawed-off shotgun. The movie is a full-fledged action fest, from the first few minutes until the very end, and features some of the best driving scenes and stunts ever caught on camera in the history of film. Mad Max 2 is well worthy of the bronze medal in our top 10 action films ever made.
2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Who would have thought that a sequel to an average movie could make history? Critics say that Terminator 2: Judgment Day is the film that put Arnold Schwarzenegger in the A-list of Hollywood stars. John Connors is a rebellious teenager who is protected by a robot from the future against another time-traveling robot. Malicious forces from the future wish the kid dead, because later on he will turn to be humanity’s savior from a robot-controlled Armageddon.
1. Die Hard (1988)
In spite of the many sequels (four of them), it is the very first Die Hard that made it to the top in the list of best action movies. It is Christmas time in Los Angeles, and terrorists overtake a party at the 30th floor of a business building. John McClane goes on a one-man heist to save his wife and her colleagues.