Genre film continues to dominate in the theater and on streaming in 2024. From practical action effects to celebrating stunt men, debut feature films that had to fight to be seen, historical fiction that goes larger than you could have imagined, and some ultraviolent goodness, we rounded up the Top Action Movies 2024 has to offer.
Now, here are a few ground rules for our Top Action Movies of 2024 list. First, the film had to have been released to audiences in the United States via theater, VOD, or streaming subscription within the 2024 calendar year – festival-only screenings don’t count here, sorry.
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Next, the Top Action Films of 2024 have to be considered action in some way – but of course, genre blends are great, so we gladly include the action-hyphenates as well. And that’s it. Essentially, festival-only films don’t count – which means a few of the best I saw at festivals had to be left off. In 2025, be on the lookout for Ghost Killer, Cloud, and Baby Assassins: Have A Nice Day.
So, without further ado, here are our top action movies of 2023.
15. Rebel Ridge
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Writer: Jeremy Saulnier
While Rebel Ridge’s ending is up for debate, it’s clear that Jeremy Saulnier has an eye for directing high-octane action that allows his actors to shine. Instead of relying on substantial jump cuts, Aaron Pierre is able to pull off amazing physical feats with Saulnier tracking him. The use of situational action and an expert line delivery that send the film sailing into the second half makes it one of the Top Action Movies of 2024.
From Our Review:
“Rebel Ridge comes out at a critical moment of reckoning in our society regarding law enforcement. Saulnier invites the viewer to question our current systems of power through a semi-allegorical tale of a good man who’s been put through the wringer by an archaic, selfish mode of “protection.” That it manages to be a compelling drama on its own would almost feel like an afterthought if it didn’t feel so propulsive.
Rebel Ridge is a top-tier Netflix original and another notch in a highly under-discussed director’s belt that deserves to be included in any conversation about some of the best films of 2024.” – James Preston Pool
Rebel Ridge is streaming now on Netflix.
14. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writer: Guy Ritchie, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Arash Amel
Look, we’re all here for killing Nazis, and it wouldn’t be a Top Action Movies list without it, especially after last year’s entries. A loose take on a historical plot, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare makes up for its story hiccups with excellent chemistry between its ensemble cast and stellar performances from Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson (with Babs Olusanmokun‘s Heron making an absolute impression).
A loud spectacle that knows how to cater to its audience, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare was a 2024 surprise. While it may not be knocking storytelling out of the park, its action set pieces, large burly men, and dedication to the bit are all the reasons why I would watch it again 10 times over.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is streaming now on STARZ, Hulu, and Prime Video.
13. The Beekeeper
Director: David Ayer
Writer: Kurt Wimmer
The Beekeeper had a wild marketing campaign and was pretty much ignored or chided based on its trailers. Now, though, Action Twitter has reclaimed the title (although most of us never disowned it), and anyone who watches will see the Jason Stethem that we all fell in love with. So yeah, I’m here to tell you that the absolutely unhinged storyline that involves Statham taking on crypto bro scammers after an old friend gets scammed and decides it’s better to take her own life is actually the kind of wild.
The bee puns were surprisingly minimal compared to the trailers, and the violence on display was just what Statham fans needed. While I have not liked many or close to any of director David Ayer’s films, The Beekeeper is genuinely one of the best action movies of the year. Nailing the right balance of absolutely absurd, violent, and endearing, you can’t help but get swept along in the weird ways that Statham’s Adam Clay gets justice.
The Beekeeper is streaming now on MGM+ and Prime Video.
12. Mayhem!
Director: Xavier Gens
Writer: Magali Rossitto, Xavier Gens, Guillaume Lemans, Stéphane Cabel
Revenge and action go hand-in-hand. Directed by Xavier Gens this French revenge thriller features former French national kickboxing champion Nassim Lye in the lead role. The film doesn’t stray too far from the narrative path that has become a winning action movie formula, but its inventive and gorgeous fight choreography is stunning. Nassim Lye can use his athletic ability to the fullest and Gens’ scenario and eye for set pieces keep everything flowing.
With close-quarters fights that absolutely thrill, this French entry to the Top Action Movies of 2024 is eye-catching. Like others on this list, Mayhem! thrives in its minimal jump cuts, and instead, Jude Poyer relentlessly tracks Lye’s movements that, when coupled with stellar bone-breaking ADR, is a true feat for any action fan. This is yet another reason you can’t beat actors who genuinely understand their bodies and how to communicate with their martial arts.
Mayhem! is streaming now on AMC+ and Prime Video.
11. Gladiator II
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: David Scarpa, Peter Craig
While Gladiator II opened to mixed reviews thanks to Ridley Scott committing to bringing [redacted] into the coliseum, it was Denzel Washington‘s masterclass in eccentricity that made it an immediate blockbuster. The film may lean heavier into the absurdity than its predecessor, but it does give the people exactly what they want.
From Our Review:
“While far from profound, Gladiator II is simply too entertaining and sweeping to ignore. The bones of a much richer and weightier epic appear throughout Scott’s film but are quickly buried in favor of pure, unadulterated spectacle. Sure, Gladiator II might not be a transformative piece of filmmaking, but sometimes it’s too tempting to cheer on the madness.” – Prabhjot Bains
Gladiator II will stream on Paramount+ in 2025.
10. Monkey Man
Director: Dev Patel
Writer: Dev Patel
Dev Patel’s feature directorial debut undeniably deserves your attention. Even with a slower-than-necessary second act, Patel’s Monkey Man thrills, and he solidifies himself as not only a student of the genre but as a filmmaker and action star more than capable of securing his spot among the action greats as time continues.
Dressed in a suit and with a need for revenge, the single-minded barrelling toward his target may be slowed, but when he reaches it in the third act, all is right with the world.
From Our Review:
“It is clear that Patel is a student of action. His reverence of the genre allows him to play with the tropes and settings it’s known for. While Patel doesn’t subvert any of these, he knows how to use them with impact, using Indian mythology, beauty, and politics to paint the film from top to bottom.
Whether breaking bones or screaming in pain, Dev Patel has shown his physicality and depth. Monkey Man demands your attention, and Patel deserves it. Glorious in its violence, loud in its commentary, and unashamed of its love of the action canon, Monkey Man is superb.” —Kate Sánchez
Monkey Man is streaming now on Peacock.
9. Uprising
Director: Kim Sang-man
Writer: Park Chan-wook, Shin Chul, Kim Sang-man, Lee Jahye
I am a sucker for swordplay, and Uprising has no shortage of it. In a slow-moving epic, director Kim Sang-man takes his time to unravel the tension between the film’s two leads, Park Jeong-min and Gang Dong-won. What ensues is more action skill than expected for a historical epic with a finale fight sequence that brings catharsis and narrative satisfaction at the same time.
From Our Review:
“Uprising (2024) is a rousing historical epic that embraces personal relationships instead of leaving it all to battles and armies. Instead, every action feels personal, even when it’s happening on a large scale. As people starve in the streets, the faces of rich Japanese hiding their cultural haircuts under their gat and celebrating surrounded by Joseon royalty feels personal. A woman choosing to jump into flames instead of being rescued by a slave feels personal. Every time Cheon-yeong is denied his freedom, it feels personal.
The choice of culture, history, and sins in one person’s life and personal connections makes Uprising (2024) more than just another movie in the robust sageuk genre. It stands out for all the right reasons.” —Kate Sánchez
Uprising is streaming now on Netflix.
8. Veteran 2: I, the Executioner
Director:Ryoo Seung-wan
Writer: Ryoo Seung-wan
If you’re a fan of Korean Dramas, especially romances, then you know who Jung Hae-in is. The sweet second lead and the romantically charismatic leading man, when I saw he was a part of a new detective duo in this sequel 10 years in the making, well, I was excited. Then, he becomes a menacing figure who we’re all pretty sure is using his cute smile as a facade right at the film’s start, and well, damn.
The cast’s chemistry and dedication to physicality make Veteran 2: I, The Executioner absolutely phenomenal, but it’s how the film takes actor Jung and shows us the depth of his acting ability that really helps it leave its mark. Oh, you know, and the fight in the rain on a rooftop, because who doesn’t love those?
From Our Review:
“I, The Executioner may be a sequel, but the truth is that it’s so much more than that. It exists nearly perfectly on its own. Sure, it’s made better with the context behind Do-cheol’s family life, but the truth is that Jung Hae-in and Hwang Jung-min are an action duo I would keep paying to see time and time again. They balance each other, and it all pays off in the film’s rousing finale. Ryoo’s directorial return to action is unmatched.” —Kate Sánchez
7. Baby Assassins 2
Director: Yugo Sakamoto
Writer: Yugo Sakamoto
The first on the list that I had to leave off last year because of our rules, Baby Assassins 2 is a damn good time. Yugo Sakamoto’s current trilogy of films are a new staple in the action genre and proof that women-led action can pack a mean punch. While this sequel ups the comedy of the first, the hand-to-hand fight sequences and gunplay keep showing audiences why Akari Takaishi has begun to build a robust career in the genre while Saori Izawa has beyond solidified herself as an iconic stuntwoman.
From Our Review:
“Stellar, hilarious, and filled to the brim with action, Baby Assassins 2 is an absurdist must-watch for every single action-comedy lover there is. Yugo Sakamoto has an understanding of how to use violence to the extreme in order to do more than just show bloodshed, but to embrace physical comedy too.” —Kate Sánchez
Baby Assassins 2 is streaming now on Prime Video.
6. The Fall Guy
Director: David Leitch
Writer: Drew Pearce, Glen A. Larson (based on a television series created by)
If there is one film in 2024 dedicated to highlighting the ingenuity, fearlessness, and passion that comes with action, it’s The Fall Guy. While it moves differently than the top entries on this list, The Ryan Gosling-led outing by director David Leitch takes an old television series and turns it into a whole book about why action and the people who create and execute it deserve your unwavering applause.
From Our Review:
“Effortlessly funny and absolutely action-packed, this rom-com action hybrid is one of the best films of SXSW. It’s loud and brash but never loses its charming core. The cast has electric chemistry and never stops reeling you in. The Fall Guy’s electricity comes from how it embraces its eccentricity and the tropes it’s built on. David Leitch doesn’t just know what makes action special. He knows what makes it everlasting. The dedication to practical effects and stunt work is what makes this film sing.
The Fall Guy has the longest cannon roll in film history, just in the film’s first act. It gets bigger, louder, and goes full throttle in the end. Every time you ask yourself, “Is there more?” Leitch says yes.” —Kate Sánchez
The Fall Guy is streaming now on Peacock.
5. The Shadow Strays
Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Writer: Timo Tjahjanto
Timo Tjahjanto knows violence. But more importantly, writer-director Tjahjanto has been able to give me some of the best women in action in the recent decade. Absolutely unrelenting, The Shadow Strays is a film propelled by its absolutely brutal lead, Aurora Ribero, who is an absolute star. I have been waiting for a film as mean as The Night Comes For Us again, and The Shadow Strays has brought it and then some.
From Our Review:
“Tjahjanto proves yet again that he is an avid fan and creator of action-genre films. With The Shadow Strays, the action outdoes itself, with enough blood and violence to satisfy. While the story itself is old hat, Aurora Ribero’s 13 leaves a lasting impression that will carry over into future sequels should Tjahjanto go that route. Either way, The Shadow Strays is a grandly vicious time.” – Sarah Musnicky
The Shadow Strays is streaming now on Netflix.
4. 100 Yards
Director: Haofeng Xu, Junfeng Xu
Writer: Haofeng Xu
One of my favorite action films that I saw at a festival in 2023, I have been itching to add 100 Yards to our Top Action Movies of 2024 list. With a 40-minute long fight sequence to cap off the slow-moving jazz-loving political affair, 100 Yards is an equal part Western and martial arts film. With a love of duals, hats, and flair for the dramatic, the film’s aesthetic is unmatched in 2024.
Gorgeous action setpieces, the best costuming on this list, and an absolute killer duo at its core, 100 Yards is unique in every way. After waiting a year for it to be released to a wide audience, it was worth it. High drama and high art, it’s stunning.
From Our Review:
“100 Yards is breathtaking… It succeeds beautifully. A period piece, an intimate epic where the past meets the future, 100 Yards is an artful look at martial arts politics and a film that should be seen on the biggest screen.” —Kate Sánchez
100 Yards is streaming for rent now on Prime Video.
3. The Childe
Director: Kang Dong-woo
Writer: Kang Dong-woo
A good villain goes a long way, and Kim Seon-Ho proves that in The Childe. Adrenaline-filled and absolutely packed with dark humor, this Kang Dong-woo-directed actioner prioritizes style and villainy over anything else. While our leading man, Marco (Kang Tae-Ju) is running for his life, our villain, the Nobleman, played by Kim Seon-ho is on the hunt, and we don’t really know why until the end. Unhinged and in a three-piece suit, he’s the adrenaline pumping in this film’s core, and he just doesn’t stop.
From our review:
“The Childe is a tense action thriller whose driving force is Kim Seon-Ho. Infinitely terrifying and intimidating in his ability to switch between apathy and excited mania while terrorizing Kang Tae-Ju‘s Marco, as the Nobleman, actor Kim is an unstoppable force. Accentuated by his attractiveness and three-piece suit, the Nobleman is a psychotic agent of chaos that allows the film’s pacing to remain high octane.
In fact, actor Kim’s performance is one of the best examples of a villain in recent action films. Cold, calm, yet manic, he’s everything packaged in charisma and humor at the same time. His ability to be both humorous and intimidating is a hard task and is one that sells this film…” —Kate Sánchez
The Childe is available to stream on Prime Video.
2. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Director: Soi Cheang
Writer: Kin-Yee Au, Tai-Lee Chan, Li Jun, Kwan-Sin Shum
Based on Yi Yu’s comic book, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is an absolutely thrilling exploration of the Hong Kong cinema of the past in 2024. Taking audiences into Kowloon, the Walled City, director Cheang is a master at environmental storytelling, showcasing what you can do when you absolutely dial in on a time period and a place, letting your actors unleash.
In cramped quarters across multiple levels, Kowloon is one of the most thrilling and interesting settings in an action film this year. With wuxia and traditionally expected marital arts for more brutality-focused action-culture, Twilight of the Warriors is how you embrace the past while blazing a new trail.
From Our Review:
“It’d be hard to think of something in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In that doesn’t stand out. Making an action film that’s perfectly functional is hard enough. Making an action film with ambitions towards a sprawling narrative is even harder. Putting them together? Forget about it. Somehow, someway, Soi Cheang’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In comes together and is an absolute triumph.
We watch movies, action especially, as a form of transportation to let the world melt away in a flurry of fists and fantasy. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a portal into Hong Kong action cinema bliss that I never wanted to leave.” —James Preston Pool
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is streaming now on Prime Video.
1. Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Writer: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, Ayesha Syed
Kill is the film I wish I had been able to include last year. With a strong showing at different film festivals like TIFF and Fantastic Fest in 2023, I couldn’t wait to finally include it on our Top Action Movies of 2024 list. Why? Well, director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat invests the film’s first 20 minutes into creating a movie that hits the Bollywood Rom-Com to a tee. It’s funny, there are lovers in a complicated situation, and its vibrant as you can get.
Then, the train robbery starts, and Bhat drops you into a kinetic action movie, but one devoid of blood. But this isn’t the film’s final gear. Once the title card shows, the audience is in for one of the strongest, bloodiest, and most fascinating takes on revenge that we’ve gotten in recent years. Filled to the brim with inventive kills, Lakshya is a leading man who enters the halls of great action short kings, and I can’t wait to see more from him and director Bhat.
From Our Review:
“Kill (2023) mines a whole lot from its single location, injecting a new form of action into India’s storied film industry. It’s a rare film that commands viewers to get as vocal as possible and relish each second of its riotous and brilliant bloodbath. Bhat has created the type of movie that theatres were first made for, one that will be revisited for years to come.” —Prabhjot Bains
Kill is available to stream on Prime Video.
With most things available to watch, open your new year with the top action movies of 2024 and get excited. With films across the world, there was a lot to love. Did your favorite make our Top Action Movies of 2024 list? Let us know on social media.
