The 30 best action movies of all time

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Action heroes have taken over the world in recent cinematic history, and for good reason. With their epic stunts and the visuals to go with them, they capture the attention of a disbelieving audience. But when it comes to action movies, which make the cut for the best of the best?Let's take a look at the 30 greatest action movies of all time. Swipe through the following gallery to (re)discover action cinematic masterpieces!

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

The long-awaited sequel to the original 'Top Gun' delivered on adrenaline-pumping aerial combat with Tom Cruise returning as Maverick. A new generation took flight in a sky-high spectacle.

'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Quentin Tarantino's homage to martial arts delivered unforgettable action, and Uma Thurman's vengeance. The climax's epic showdown in the Tokyo restaurant is one of the bloodiest in film history.

'Bullitt' (1968)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Steve McQueen's iconic car chase is legendary. This film redefined the action genre, and McQueen's charismatic portrayal still captivates.

'The Dark Knight' (2008)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Christopher Nolan's 'Batman' sequel gave us Heath Ledger's iconic Joker and intense, realistic action. 'The Dark Knight' raised the bar for superhero films and offered a dark, complex take on the genre.

'Aliens' (1986)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

James Cameron elevated the 'Alien' franchise, mixing horror and action brilliantly. Sigourney Weaver's Ripley became an action icon, and the suspenseful, intense encounters with the Xenomorphs are unforgettable.

'Predator' (1987)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Arnold Schwarzenegger versus an alien hunting him in the jungle is pure action gold. Its tension-filled build-up and explosive showdown make it a cult favorite.

'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

George Miller's relentless vehicular onslaught brought life back into the 'Mad Max' franchise. The film's practical effects and non-stop action make it an instant classic in the action genre.

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones burst onto the scene with globe-trotting adventures. Harrison Ford's charismatic archaeologist started a craze the world over.

'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

This film marked the epic culmination of the Marvel storyline for so many characters. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and jaw-dropping superhero battles, making it a cinematic landmark.

'Gladiator' (2000)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Ridley Scott's epic combines thrilling combat in the Colosseum with Russell Crowe's powerful performance. It resurrected the historical epic genre.

'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Ang Lee's breathtaking wuxia film combined artistry with thrilling martial arts sequences. Its graceful fights in stunning landscapes set a new standard for action choreography.

'Seven Samurai' (1954)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Akira Kurosawa's epic masterpiece redefined action with its samurai defending a village. Its structure influenced countless films, and its unbelievable combat scenes set a high standard for action sequences.

'Commando' (1985)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

'Commando' marked a turning point in action movies, embracing over-the-top body-count madness. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a retired Special Ops officer on a vengeful rampage to rescue his kidnapped daughter, creating a deliriously insane, yet oddly comedic action spectacle.

'Ben-Hur' (1959)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

'Ben-Hur' is an epic historical action film directed by William Wyler. It follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is wrongfully accused of treason by his childhood friend Messala. The film's highlight is the legendary chariot race, a thrilling and meticulously staged action sequence. With its grand scale, 'Ben-Hur' remains one of the most iconic films in cinematic history.

'Duel' (1971)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

Steven Spielberg's directorial debut, 'Duel' is a masterclass in suspense. A salesman is pursued by a menacing tanker truck on a remote highway, with minimal dialogue but maximum tension. Spielberg's genius is on full display in this thrilling showdown.

'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003), 'Bullitt' (1968), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Aliens' (1986), 'Predator' (1987), 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000), 'Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Commando' (1985), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), 'Duel' (1971), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)

John Carpenter's 'Assault on Precinct 13' is a gritty and suspenseful action thriller. When a nearly abandoned police precinct is attacked by a violent street gang, a desperate group of people, including a police officer, a secretary, and two criminals, must band together to defend themselves.

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