Genre films continue to dominate the theater and streaming in 2025. From practical action effects to celebrating stunt men, debut feature films from former stunt coordinators, sequels with teeth, new original stories, and the return of the action B-movie, we rounded up the Top Action Movies 2024 has to offer.
Now, here are a few ground rules for our Top Action Movies of 2025 list. First, the film had to have been released to audiences in the United States via theater, VOD, or streaming subscription within the 2025 calendar year – festival-only screenings don’t count here, sorry.
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Next, the Top Action Films of 2025 have to be considered action in some way – but of course, genre blends are great, so we gladly include the action-hyphenates as well. However, these hybrid films are judged on their action first and foremost; their set pieces, stunts, and fight choreography are the key elements here, not the story or the drama.
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. But that means some honorable mentions that missed the cut last year do get to make the cut now.
So, without further ado, here are our top action movies of 2025.
15. Caught Stealing
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writer: Darren Aronofsky
“While it may be rough-around-the-edges, that’s kind of the key to Caught Stealing‘s charm. Its blend of anxiety-inducing NYC crime thriller, dark comedy, and tragedy makes a cinematic stew with a little extra zip than American moviegoers are used to. Darren Aronofsky exits his self-serious era by going for marquee entertainment, and Austin Butler cements his all-but-already-guaranteed movie star bona fides.
Caught Stealing is the kind of movie that gets one excited about the power of the movies. Whether this film leads to sequels following Charlie Huston’s sequel novels or not, it’s clear that Caught Stealing brings out the best in its assembled talent. In other words, we need more of what everyone brings to the table here.” – James Preston Poole
Watch now on Hulu and Disney+.
14. One Battle After Another
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
“One Battle After Another is a mixture of disparate elements that shouldn’t work, but against all odds does. Paul Thomas Anderson brings his requisite toolbox while exploring new territory, buoyed by a series of incredible performances. One Battle After Another is the kind of movie that is essential to the 2025 landscape.
It’s hardly the only big mainstream social commentary this year, nor is it the first example of an auteur stepping outside of their comfort zone, but it has a magnetic appeal in the same way as Sinners does, destined to entice audiences into something out of their comfort zone. One Battle After Another is having one battle after another with itself, and who wins? The audience.” – James Preston Poole
Watch now on HBO Max and VOD.
13. The Running Man
Director: Edgar Wright
Writer: Edgar Wright, Michael Bacall
“This take on The Running Man won’t dethrone Arnold’s film in the pop culture consciousness. Still, Glen Powell’s dad-action winning streak continues even with a messy ending. It’s fun with a bucket of popcorn, hits a theme that will resonate, and gives audiences a good time.
The Running Man (2025) is a reminder of the kind of action film that we don’t get in cinemas anymore, and while it isn’t perfect, Glen Powell once again bringing dad action back is a good thing. And I mean, who doesn’t want to watch Glen Powell in disguises again?” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on Paramount+ and VOD.
12. A Working Man
Director: David Ayer
Writer: David Ayer
“Do you laugh at them? Yes. However, the aesthetics that David Ayer plays with in production and costume design clearly exist to ensure that you do.
While the single father storyline is a little too much piling on of struggle, it does add some narrative intention to how and why Levon chooses what he does. That said, the moments with his daughter disrupt pacing for both the slower investigation moments and the larger action sequences.
A Working Man understands the assignment, and it’s better for it. For too long, Jason Statham’s action charisma was relegated to direct-to-DVD or streaming forays as studies invested less in the mid-budget romp. But now? The B-action movie is back in theaters, and that’s something to celebrate.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on HBO Max and VOD.
11. The Old Woman with the Knife
Director: Kyu-dong Min
Writer: Gu Byeong-mo, Kim Dong-wan, Kyu-dong Min
“This cat-and-mouse game between Hornclaw and Bullfight is compelling enough. The addition of flashbacks to Hornclaw’s past, coupled with her present physical conflicts, creates an undeniably fascinating protagonist. One can almost forgive the mostly bland stranger that Hornclaw finds herself drawn to. When the flashbacks fill in the gaps of her reasoning, it strangely comes together. However, the stranger likely could have been anyone, given how generally forgettable the character is.
The idea of an aging hitperson is nothing new in the action genre. Yet, in The Old Woman With The Knife breathes fresh air into the familiar with Lee Hye-young’s Hornclaw. Every ounce of her struggle to survive reverberates off the screen, and her internal and external struggles prove compelling enough to hook even the most coldhearted. It’s a must-watch.” – Sarah Musnicky
Watch now on Hi-Yah and VOD.
10. Ballerina
Director: Len Wiseman
Writer: Shay Hatten
“Eve wears all of her kills on her face, and she finds herself deeper and deeper. It’s easy to see how changed she has become. Where the beginning of the film overdoes exposition, its ending lets the sets, environments, and actions do the work, rather than relying on dialogue. The Eve we see at the film’s end and the one we met as she was completing her Ruska Roma training are two different women—two sides of one coin.
Additionally, Ballerina isn’t afraid for Eve to be wounded, to be bloodied, or to just be ugly. There isn’t an emphasis on keeping her pretty for the camera, especially in the second and third acts. Unlike other women in American action films, this isn’t about how she looks. Sensible combat boots and a suit keep her in the Wickian uniform, but her flair is all in her ability to fight.
Ballerina is good. It may stumble, but it’s proof that other assassins can hold together the world of John Wick in his wake; however, small pieces of the film point toward an entirely different movie that wouldn’t have worked. Lucky for us, however, Ballerina is an actioner with teeth and hopefully a solid start to a long action career for Ana de Armas.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on HBO Max and VOD.
9. Warfare
Director: Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland
Writer: Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland
“Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland approach the film with a jarring intimacy that is only possible because of how they chose to tell the story. Within the context of the press tour and understanding that the only pieces of this night that made it in were the ones that Mendoza and the others in his unit who volunteered to be a part of the project could remember, makes all of it feel like something we shouldn’t be watching.
Warfare (2025) is one memory and expertly directed, with excruciatingly impactful sound and emotive performances. It’s a gripping film that captures the fear and loss of innocence, and yet, that’s only one side of the conflict, and everything after the dedication brings that home. What’s featured in the credits removes the sentiment and reduces the movie to spectacle.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on HBO Max and VOD.
8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
“As an action movie, Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning is a monumental achievement. Multiple stunts leave you scratching your head over how the teams pulled them off, captured them, and translated them correctly.
From a death-defying plane sequence to a deep-water dive that is absolutely incredible and anxiety-inducing, this is an American action spectacle at its best. While this Mission: Impossible doesn’t feature as many hand-to-hand combat sequences, it does invest in stellar set and production design to pull off set pieces that can’t be understated.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on Paramount+ and VOD.
7. Baby Assassins: Nice Days
Director: Yugo Sakamoto
Writer: Yugo Sakamoto
“Baby Assassins 3 ups the action ante with louder fights, fewer angles to hide behind, and new, innovative kills. Akari Takaishi is a certified action star as Chisato. Her ability to work a room and maintain a charismatic connection with every actor opposite her is essential to executing difficult fight choreography.
Saori Izawa is also amazing in just about every way as Mahiro. Carrying the film’s emotional weight, Mahiro’s exploration and evolution as a fighter mirror her journey to learn about herself and the past. Her inability to quit gets her into deep trouble, but at the same time, it keeps her from falling for too long. Mahiro is the heart of Baby Assassins 3. Her narrative development highlights how action sequences with only action ADR and limited dialogue can tell a story just like a page of conversations.
Baby Assassins 3 is another stellar addition to Yugo Sakamoto’s assassination trilogy (although I would take even more of these if Sakamoto is looking to keep the train moving). Chisato and Mahiro belong in the action pantheon, and this film highlights why. This is the best Baby Assassins has ever been through and through.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on Hi-Yah and VOD.
6. Avatar: Fire & Ash
Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron & Rick Jaffa, & Amanda Silver
“Avatar: Fire and Ash is a cinematic wonder and highlights what can still be done with computer-generated special effects when care and love are poured into it. At a time when this kind of effect keeps getting worse from the small to the big screen, this film gives me hope that there is life in the medium.
Still, with epic storytelling and even grander visuals, James Cameron’s work becomes a beacon of hope. Even now, mythologies can still be created on screen, and, more importantly, they can tell us to fight back.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now in theaters.
5. Sisu: Road To Revenge
Director: Jalmari Helander
Writer: Jalmari Helander
“With little dialogue, director Jalmari Helander has once again demonstrated that fight sequences can speak just as loudly narratively as words can. While the film may not be perfect in terms of story cohesiveness (or Stephen Lang’s accent), Sisu Road to Revenge is still a movie that prioritizes action, to the point where almost every big set piece received a raucous round of applause from the crowd. It’s just a bloody great time at the movies.
Helander’s love of action cinema and physical comedy is on full display, as well as his creativity for mayhem. While I don’t want to go back on a Sisu journey for a trilogy or prequel, I am anxiously waiting to see what Jalmari Helander does next. I hope it’s action, and I hope it’s Finnish as hell.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on VOD.
4. Novocaine
Director: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Writer: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
“Dan Berk and Robert Olsen bring their experience with horror movies to Novocaine, delivering tons of gore as well as exciting yet gnarly action set pieces that are well-staged and choreographed. Out of them, a kitchen fight relatively early in the film is a clear standout of their ability to craft effective action scenes that pack a punch, while a torture scene late in the film shows they know how to use violence and mayhem to deliver big laughs.
Novocaine (2025) is a high-concept action-comedy that doesn’t compromise on either genre, crafting thrilling action scenes but also making you laugh out of your chair at the sight of a guy just getting the everloving crap beat out of him. Novocaine turns Jack Quaid into an unlikely action star in a hilarious and hard-punching action-comedy about a guy that can feel no pain and gets the everloving crap beat out of him.” – Rafael Motamayer
Watch now on Paramount+ and VOD.
3. Ghost Killer
Director: Kensuke Sonomur
Writer: Yugo Sakamoto
“The real reason to watch Ghost Killer is the action. Sonomura is a master of fight choreography and here he delivers one of the best hand-to-hand combat sequences you’ll see this year. Every breath, punch, kick, block, and even the movement of clothes is enhanced by a ferocious sound design that made my entire theater shake; Sonomura’s action direction is like a dance that mesmerizes you with its satisfying spectacularity.
With Ghost Killer, Kensuke Sonomura continues to establish himself as an action film ace, and Akari Takaishi as a rising acting powerhouse. The film is an entertaining and occasionally charming experience that features mouth-watering action and makes good use of its high-level concept despite some bumps in its script.” – Ricardo Gallegos
Watch now on VOD.
2. Nobody 2
Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Writer: Derek Kolstad
“Nobody 2 wouldn’t be the same film without the small moments. It’s a bloody adventure through a small town with a guy who really just wants to be on vacation but couldn’t abide someone hitting his daughter. But it’s also a little family story about burnout and maintaining a work-life balance for the sake of your family.
That’s the magic that Derek Kolstad and Timo Tjahjanto bring to the film, and that the entire ensemble cast captures. The filmmaking duo embraces action cinema and its many tropes. They’re students of the genre, but it’s how they ground them and subvert the lone man running from violence archetype that makes it interesting. Hutch is never alone in Nobody 2, and that’s what makes it special. “- Kate Sánchez
Watch now on Paramount+ and VOD.
1. Fight or Flight
Director: James Madigan
Writer: Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona
“I don’t particularly like describing films by comparing them to others. Still, for those who love action, knowing that Fight or Flight is a cross between Bullet Train, Baby Assassins, and John Wick 3 (specifically) just may make sure that no one sleeps on this action movie.
Fight or Flight is absurdist action violence, making it a top contender for the year’s best action movie. Josh Hartnett’s electric physicality and top-notch comedic timing make every moment he’s on screen a raucous joy, and the chaos bouncing off the walls of the two-story plane is the right kind of over the top. While the film may boast that it has producers from John Wick involved in the project, the reality is that it doesn’t need a pedigree once the boarding doors shut and the seat belt sign turns off.” – Kate Sánchez
Watch now on Paramount+, Showtime, and VOD.
