Genre has been alive this year both in the theater and on streaming. From practical action effects in an F18, to video-game mechanics made real, historical fictions that go larger than you could have imagined, and a multiverse, and even a Predator, we rounded up the Top Action Movies of 2022.
Now, a little ground rules for our Top Action Movies of 2022 list. First, the film had to have been released to audiences in theater, VOD, or streaming subscription within the 2022 calendar year – festival-only screenings don’t count here, sorry.
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Next, the Top Action Films of 2022 have to be considered action in some way – but of course, genre blends, and we gladly include the action-hyphenates as well (hello, action-sci-fi). And that’s it. So, without further ado, here are our top action movies of 2022 as chosen by our writers.
15. Moonfall
Director: Roland Emmerich
Writer: Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser, Spenser Cohen
Stars: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Wenwen Yu
Where to Watch: HBO Max
“Moonfall is the type of disaster movie that only Roland Emmerich could make, and one that he excels at. It boasts engaging performances from Wilson and Berry, leans all the way into its admittedly ridiculous premise, and sees Emmerich returning to the genre that kickstarted his filmmaking career”
14. The Roundup
Director: Sang-yong Lee
Writer: Ma Dong-seok, Min-Seong Kim, Sang-yong Lee, Young-jong Lee
Stars: Ma Dong-seok, Gwi-hwa Choi, Sukku Son
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“The Roundup is a stellar action film that reminds me of the fun that can be had while watching a cop tracking down a criminal. While I’m not the largest fan of police stories, here, it all works. Actor Ma’s charisma as Detective Ma when coupled with a well-paced man-hunt and even better-paced action sequence, is showstopping.”
13. Hunt
Director: Lee Jung-jae
Writer: Jo Seung-Hee
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, Heo Sung-tae, Go Yoon-Jung, Hye-jin Jeon
Where to Watch: In Theaters Now
“Hunt doesn’t necessarily have people that you root for. With complex characters that are propelled by their own motivations and grounded in different shades of righteousness, this is one film that doesn’t do what you expect. Hunt keeps your heartrate accelerated with intrigue, explosions, and an intimate look at political pressure and how it links with justice.”
12. Fast & Feel Love
Director: Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit
Writer: Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit
Stars: Nat Kitcharit, Urassaya Sperbund, Anusara Korsamphan, Kanokwan Butrachart
Where to Watch: Netflix
“Fast & Feel Love is a blast—a high-energy blend of action, comedy, sports, coming-of-age, and romance with plenty of homages, deadpan humor, and heart. It successfully creates an empathetic exploration of the relationship between love, dreams, the unstoppable ticking of the clock, and of course—accurate to the title’s parody—family. ”
11. The Gray Man
Director: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Writer: Joe Russo, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Mark Greaney (based on a book by)
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Henwick
Where to Watch: Netflix
“The Gray Man is an adrenaline-laced thriller that earns its place in the upper echelon of Netflix’s original films. If you loved The Old Guard or Extraction—which the Russos also helped shape—this is right up your alley. And with Greaney having written plenty of Gray Man books, I would not be opposed to the Russos returning for more sequels.”
10. The Adam Project
Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Jonathan Tropper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldaña
Where to Watch: Netflix
“The Adam Project will undoubtedly be a big hit for Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Netflix. The film goes beyond its sci-fi time travel tropes and delivers some wonderful character-rich performances. I was unprepared for the gut-punch of emotion layered into the story and the heart with which Reynolds packed into the role. A very successful outing for newcomer Walker Scobell, and a lot of great performances all around.”
9. Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Director: Jeff Fowler
Writer: Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington, Pat Casey, Josh Miller
Stars: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba
Where to Watch: Paramount+
“Sonic The Hedgehog 2 supercharges the best parts of the first film while adding fan-favorite characters and diving deep into the lore of the video games. With a third film and a spinoff TV series for Knuckles in the works, the Blue Blur is one of the few video game characters who can hold down a successful film franchise. Sonic fans should definitely consider buying tickets if they haven’t already, and parents will have a nice option for family movie night.”
8. Bullet Train
Director: David Leitch
Writer: Zak Olkewicz, Kôtarô Isaka (based on a book by)
Stars: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada
Where to Watch: Netflix
“Bullet Train is hilarious, bloody, and has a number of cameos that actually don’t detract from the story nor the fun you’re having with the film. Are there issues? Yes, a bit. Is it in the running for most fun I’ve had in a theater this year? Hell yeah. Erratic and chaotic in nearly every department, it’s a great watch thanks to actors that get each other and an ending that sticks the landing.”
7. Everything Everywhere All At Once
Director: Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Writer: Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“Everything Everywhere All At Once is everything. The Daniels’ brilliant use of comedy, action, and drama showcase their genre strengths in a way you wouldn’t expect. Without much left to say, Everything Everywhere All At Once sticks every single landing it tries to make and offers up a unique and emotional take on the multiverse.”
6. The Woman King
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Writer: Dana Stevens, Maria Bello, Dana Stevens
Stars: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, John Boyega, Jordan Bolger
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“The Woman King is a fantastic film that not only shows exactly why Gina Prince-Blythewood should helm action and drama alike, but also that Viola can easily best any action star on the screen. A great theatrical experience, and an even greater story, this is one to watch the moment it comes out. It’s an action epic that is sure to make everyone stand up and cheer.”
5. Top Gun: Maverick
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writer: Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Monica Barbaro, Bashir Salahuddin, Jon Hamm
Where to Watch: Paramount+
“Top Gun: Maverick proves to be a near-perfect legacyquel, with its adrenaline-laced dogfights grounded by a top-tier performance from Tom Cruise. If you’re a fan of the original Top Gun or you love a great action movie, you owe it to yourself to check this one out – preferably in IMAX.”
4. Prey
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writer: Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg
Stars: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope
Where to Watch: Hulu
“The Predator franchise has new life thanks to Prey. The film works on a multitude of levels as a perfect prequel, monster movie, sci-fi flick, a badass heroine story, and win for Native representation and portrayals. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to see this on the big screen. It is my hope that with its inevitable success on Hulu, we get a theatrical release that includes the Comanche dub. Prey is that good. It takes what made the first movie great and adds story elements that make it the best installment in the franchise.”
3. The Northman
Director: Robert Eggers
Writer: Sjón, Robert Eggers
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman,Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“The Northman is a film I can recommend to anyone with a love for Vikings, revenge stories, action, fantasy, and the actors on the screen too. It’s violent and beautiful, cutting away at traditional narrative and throwing the audience into Viking storytelling and culture. Not to mention, it’s amazing to finally see Skarsgård in a role that pushes past genre actor who is there brood and look gorgeous. If there is any film that solidifies Skarsgård’s talent and drive, it’s The Northman. ”
2. The Batman
Director: Matt Reeves
Writer: Matt Reeves, Peter Craig
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell
Where to Watch: HBO Max
“The Batman serves as a superhero-infused take on the noir genre, with Robert Pattinson diving deep into the Dark Knight’s state of mind. If this film turns out to be a success—and it probably will be—I look forward to Reeves’ take on other elements of the Batman mythos.”
1. RRR
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Writer: S.S. Rajamouli, Vijayendra Prasad
Stars: N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan Teja, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt
Where to Watch: Netflix
“A colossal orgy of mindblowing action featuring gravity-defying action, heroic poses, a badass homoerotic bromance, a highly satisfying anticolonialism rhetoric, motorcycles being used as freakin’ swords, and the best musical sequence you will ever see. Yeah, RRR kicks all the butts.”
With everything available to watch, open your new year with the top action movies of 2022 and get excited. With films across the world, there was a lot to love. Did your favorite make our Top Action Movies of 2022 list? Let us know on social media: @butwhythopc on all platforms.
Synopses for the Top Action Movies of 2022 list were taken from our previously written reviews or writer contribution.
