There have been some truly epic action movies released since 2000. These are the best. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best of action cinema in the 21st century…to this point.
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00:00Watch all episodes of Citadel Diana now on Prime Video.
00:07Reggie, I won't let anything happen to you.
00:09Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best of action cinema in the 21st century.
00:16To this point.
00:17How do you know this place even exists?
00:22I was born there.
00:24If you're looking for even more action, be sure to check out all episodes of Citadel Diana on Prime Video now.
00:36Number 30. Nobody
00:39A former assassin getting pulled back into a life of violence may not be the most original plot for an action movie, but Nobody still pulls it off well.
00:48Am I really now that predictable?
00:52From where I sit, Mr. Mansell, everyone is.
00:56The film follows Hutch Mansell, whose repetitive family life drives him to seek a violent outlet.
01:02However, Hutch ends up in more trouble than he bargained for.
01:06I was just trying to keep damage to a minimum.
01:08How's that working out for you?
01:10Lead actor Bob Odenkirk may not be the typical action hero, but he still manages to kick plenty of ass here.
01:17Car chases, booby-trap-laden ambushes, and that epic bus fight are just a few of the reasons why nobody should overlook this action movie.
01:26Hey, guys, guys.
01:30What are you still doing here, old man?
01:32Number 29. 300
01:35The memes may have added to this movie's fame, but the rest of it holds up as well.
01:42This is Sparta!
01:44Larger than life in the best possible way, 300 is a movie based on a comic book based on real history.
01:51It details the story of 300 Spartans holding out against a far more numerous Persian army.
01:57However, since it's told in-universe as a story, the embellishments and ridiculous muscles make sense.
02:04Earthquake.
02:06No, Captain.
02:09Battle formations.
02:11Featuring more muscles and slow-mo than you can shake a spear at, 300 delivers on epic action.
02:17Its battle scenes feature plenty of visual spectacle that makes every frame feel like a painting, or at least a comic page.
02:25Spartans, prepare for glory!
02:29Number 28. SPL
02:32Sha-Po-Lang, aka Killzone
02:35Hong Kong crime dramas often feature plenty of action and martial arts mixed in, and SPL Sha-Po-Lang is one of the best.
02:43Sometimes known as Killzone, SPL follows Donnie Yen's Ma Kun, a police inspector transferred into a precinct
02:51where his predecessor is determined to catch a triad boss before retirement.
02:56Tinged with an air of tragedy, and featuring plenty of action and twists throughout, SPL really pulls out all the stops for its finale.
03:05Donnie Yen vs Sammo Hung is epic enough, but the penultimate alley fight against Wu Jing regularly makes it onto our best fight lists for a good reason.
03:15The speed of it is spectacular.
03:17Number 27. Kingsman, The Secret Service
03:34After the resourceful and street-smart Eggsy sees a well-dressed agent demolish some thugs, he eventually applies to join the secretive Kingsman agency.
03:43His fantastic journey entertained us while shaking up the spy genre.
03:47Eggsy and the other characters are self-aware enough to poke fun at various action cliches.
03:58At the same time, the narrative embraces its genre with slick and unforgettable fight sequences.
04:05Every time Eggsy and his friends rushed into battle, we knew we were in for a tightly choreographed and refreshing scene.
04:12Their adventures all took place in a quirky world that was later explored in a sequel and a prequel.
04:17In the end, Eggsy's Kingsman's journey opened the doors to a new and exciting franchise.
04:28Number 26. Scott Pilgrim vs The World
04:35Director Edgar Wright brilliantly balanced video game aesthetics, romantic comedy, and fast-paced scenes in this cult classic film.
04:51When Scott Pilgrim falls for Ramona Flowers, he learns that he must defeat her seven evil exes.
04:57He takes on every single one of them, all in fight scenes that stand out from most films because they feel exactly like video game boss battles.
05:05In between climactic frays, Wright loaded the film with plenty of humor, easter eggs, and quotable lines.
05:17The movie also has the added bonus of having an absurdly stacked cast full of hilarious actors and future stars.
05:24If you're looking for a funny film with nostalgic references and innovative action scenes, then Scott's story is a must-see.
05:38Number 25. Upgrade
05:41A man named Grey is living a fairly humble life in an advanced society before it's suddenly turned upside down.
05:56After a vicious assault, he loses his wife and the ability to move his body.
06:00When an advanced computer chip helps him regain full motion, he decides to hunt down the ones responsible.
06:06Since Grey's advanced software can take over his body while he observes, we get darkly funny and unique fight scenes.
06:19All of the movie's heart-pounding sequences are shot extremely well and take advantage of the futuristic setting.
06:24And to top it all off, Upgrade has a few massive twists we won't ruin for you.
06:29The movie's slick action and surprising story made it a twisted and exciting romp through an uncertain future.
06:36Number 24. Taken
06:52We bet most moviegoers could recite the plot of Taken by heart.
06:56Audiences loved watching the middle-aged Liam Neeson fight to save his daughter and her friend from terrible fates.
07:02Although we're pulled in by the relatively grounded and gritty sequences, the movie's structure really stayed with us.
07:09Taken inspired an entire sub-genre of movies where middle-aged characters, usually parents, stepped out of their normal lives to get vigilante justice.
07:18While many have come close to matching Taken's formula, none of them are as quotable as Neeson's original.
07:32The lines he recited before and after thrilling scenes still continue to be parodied and referenced over a decade later.
07:49Number 23. 21 Jump Street
08:03Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum teamed up to star as a duo of unimpressive police officers that are asked to pose as high school students to solve a case.
08:12Not only do they have amazing comedic timing and chemistry, but they also excel at bringing hilarious action scenes to life.
08:19Each bombastic sequence manages to be more creative and funnier than the last.
08:23And along the way, they manage to take shots at everything from movie cop tropes to chase scenes.
08:33All of the nonsensical explosions and failures to fly are weaved into a solid and surprising story.
08:42Fortunately, we got to see the bumbling duo return to give us more high-octane and gut-busting scenes in 22 Jump Street.
08:49Number 22. 13 Assassins
08:53Samurai films may be few and far between these days, but this remake proves the genre remains sharp.
09:00A semi-historical film, 13 Assassins follows a group of samurai determined to kill the shogun's brother, a sadistic madman.
09:16The style of the film is evocative of the greatest samurai films of the 20th century, while production values are the best of the century.
09:24The final battle, in which the assassins lay a massive trap for their target, is positively massive and contains both large-scale and small-scale encounters.
09:3413 Assassins delivers powerful drama, fantastic characters, and incredible action equal to anything in its or any other genre.
09:55Number 21. Hot Fuzz
10:04What appeared to be a silly parody of buddy cop films shattered our expectations once we dove into the story.
10:10After an overachieving officer named Nicholas Angel is sent to a small town, he stumbles upon a dark conspiracy.
10:17He teams up with fellow cop and action movie lover Danny Butterman to bring the guilty parties out into the lights.
10:24The film's fast-paced editing made its high-octane sequences more distinct and funnier to watch.
10:29And we got heavily invested in Nicholas and Danny thanks to great character development.
10:43Every running gag, over-the-top scene, and fourth-wall-breaking movie reference build up a fantastic climactic shootout.
10:50Hot Fuzz isn't just a love letter to buddy cop films, it's a fantastic example of how great they can be.
11:00Number 20. Baby Driver
11:14Edgar Wright's third and final entry on our list featured a getaway driver that stole our hearts.
11:20What Ansel Elgort's baby lacks in social skills, he more than makes up for with his great taste in music and superb driving abilities.
11:28His talents behind the wheel are brought to life with a combination of breathtaking practical stunts and clever editing techniques.
11:35And the music is perfectly weaved into the narrative.
11:38As Baby gets himself into deeper trouble, the sequences only get increasingly ambitious and jaw-dropping.
11:44This is all your fault.
11:54And incredibly talented actors like Jamie Foxx, Lily James, and Jon Hamm all ensure scenes outside the cars are just as compelling to watch.
12:03All of these elements come together in a beautiful symphony of suspense and talent.
12:08Baby, we need to get out of here.
12:10I just need one thing first. And then it's just us, music, and the road.
12:15Number 19. Atomic Blonde
12:17This spy thriller has a particularly stylish flair to it.
12:21Set in Berlin on the eve of the Berlin Wall's collapse, Atomic Blonde follows Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent brought in to recover a list of agents undercover in Berlin.
12:32Well then, shall we begin?
12:36Along with its beautiful visuals, Atomic Blonde features plenty of twists and turns on Lorraine's journey to recover what she needs and escape Berlin.
12:46The action is a major highlight as well, with chases and shootouts galore.
12:51The crown jewel is easily the ten-minute-long fight scene in the stairwell, though, which is shot mostly in a single take.
12:58Atomic Blonde may not be as explosive as some other action movies, but it's still radioactive.
13:04And for once, that's a good thing.
13:07That sounds good.
13:10It's gone.
13:11Number 18. Dread
13:13While it might raid some plot elements from a certain film we'll be discussing later, Dread is still a magnificent movie.
13:21Save me a lot of paperwork if you just confess right now.
13:25Based on the Judge Dread comics, Dread follows the titular judicial supercop as he and his rookie partner are pitted against a massive building run by a drug lord.
13:35The near-future dystopia on display is as fascinating as it is horrible.
13:40Inside the walls, the cursed city, stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C., an unbroken concrete landscape.
13:50The visuals and slow motion are incredible throughout and actually make 3D worth watching.
13:55The explosive action throughout feels like Dread should be the rule for action movies everywhere.
14:01And as Dread himself says, he is the law.
14:04Mama is not the law. I am the law.
14:08Number 17. Gladiator
14:11An action epic with a bit of prestige, Gladiator follows a Roman general who works his way up to challenge the emperor
14:19who betrayed him whilst enslaved as an arena fighter.
14:22My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius.
14:33Gladiator is one of the few movies on our list to win the Best Picture Oscar, and its quality is evident in every element of its production.
14:42The lavish sets and costumes, phenomenal acting, and incredible score lend plenty of majesty to this revenge tale.
14:50Are we so different, you and I? You take life when you have to, as I do.
14:57I have only one more life to take, and it is done.
15:01Meanwhile, the battle scenes, both inside and outside the arena, are every bit as epic as the settings.
15:08Gladiator may not be our champion, but we can't say we're not entertained.
15:13Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?
15:17Number 16. Hero
15:19The early 2000s were a renaissance for wuxia films, and Hero is one of the best.
15:26The film follows a nameless man who recounts defeating assassins who once tried to kill the founder of the Qin dynasty of China.
15:32However, the king doubts Nameless' story, leading to several alternate versions of events, presented thematically in different colors.
15:46Hero is a visually stunning and often tragic retelling of China's unification, with fight scenes that are as beautiful as they are exciting.
15:54No matter which version of events you prefer, Hero is a gorgeous action epic, bursting with atmosphere and powerful themes.
16:10Number 15. Triple R
16:25One of the most fun, crowd-pleasing action movies in recent years, Triple R depicts the fictional friendship between two real Indian revolutionaries and their fight against the British.
16:37There's a little something for everyone in Triple R. Fantastic songs, incredible dancing, romance, bromance, and amazing period costumes.
16:47And we didn't forget about the action, which is positively glorious throughout.
16:52Epic rescues, thrilling escapes, incredible battles, and heartbreaking duels abound.
17:03Absolutely everything in Triple R goes as hard as possible, such that its three-hour runtime positively flies by.
17:11It's no wonder it became a global mega-hit.
17:18Number 14. Oldboy
17:29Why was a man named Oh Dae-su locked in a room for 15 years?
17:33The answer to that mystery requires a lot of detective work and quite a few punches.
17:38Although this film doesn't have as many action scenes as some other picks, the quality of its fights more than make up for that.
17:45The one-take sequence where Oh Dae-su faces a group of attackers alone still takes our breath away.
17:51Ultimately, the best part of Oldboy are the numerous and complex twists that turn the entire story on its head again and again.
17:59Whether you know about the shocking reveals or not, we highly recommend giving this tense Korean classic your full attention.
18:16Number 13. The Bourne Ultimatum
18:30The third entry in the Bourne franchise sees the amnesiac titular character uncover more truths about how he became a dangerous super spy.
18:39As the thought-provoking narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that gaining his impressive skills caused him to lose some humanity.
18:55It was incredible to see Bourne Ultimatum raise serious moral questions and deliver excellent action sequences.
19:01The suspenseful train station trek and window jump are both still stunning to watch today.
19:06No matter how over-the-top the film gets, it never loses sight of its intelligent and subversive story.
19:12Bourne Ultimatum definitely proves that its battle-hardened protagonist is so much more than a weapon.
19:24Number 12. Edge of Tomorrow
19:27Shortly after inexperienced soldier William Cage is sent to the front lines of war against aliens, he appears to die on the battlefield.
19:35But he wakes up and relives the events that led to his demise.
19:39Upon realizing he's stuck in a time loop, Cage teams up with Emily Blunt's Rita Vratosky in the hopes that he can stop the invaders and live to see tomorrow.
19:56When I wake up, you do know what's happening to me.
20:02Come with me.
20:04This Groundhog Day setup is full of gigantic war scenes and scenes where humans expertly use cool exosuits in battle.
20:11It also manages to make many of Cage's untimely deaths extremely hilarious.
20:16Edge of Tomorrow's creative narrative, futuristic action, and genuine humor will make you want to watch it on repeat.
20:26What's next?
20:34Number 11. Ip Man 2
20:37Listen.
20:49During Donnie Yen's second outing as legendary martial artist Ip Man, he struggles to start a Wing Chun school in Hong Kong.
20:56Even after he acquires eager students, he still has to fight bias and other masters for the right to teach.
21:03Every clash Ip Man gets into features lightning-fast blows and spectacular choreography.
21:09The way the movie blends real-life fighting moves with over-the-top wire work and stunts feels natural for the world.
21:15As the stakes and the bouts get increasingly bigger, small dramatic scenes keep the movie grounded.
21:21Great fight scenes and complex character work will inspire anyone who watches to push their limits as far as Ip Man did.
21:27Although people have different status in life, he doesn't believe that one person's integrity is worth more than another's.
21:34Number 10. Top Gun Maverick
21:37Most action franchises that bring back an established star for one last ride decades later fall flat.
21:44Top Gun Maverick is the exception.
21:47Maverick returns and is just as devil-may-care.
21:50But after he pushes things too far again, he gets one final chance to fly.
21:55Well, he isn't here yet.
22:01Well, Mach 10. Let's give him Mach 10.
22:04With time a factor, he has to teach a new generation of hotshot pilots to run an impossible mission.
22:10While tributes to the original film abound, Top Gun Maverick appeals just as much to new viewers.
22:17You survive that, it's a dogfight all the way home.
22:21All requirements for what you have real-world experience.
22:24It has a likable cast, great music, and a ton of aerial action.
22:28Watching this movie will place you firmly in the danger zone and you won't want to leave.
22:45Number 9. Furious 7
22:47When you finally got a killed hunt, what are you going to do?
22:54Words ain't even been implanted yet.
22:56While Fast Five definitely invigorated the Nos-fueled franchise,
23:00the Fast and Furious formula was arguably perfected in Furious 7.
23:05The seventh installment features cars attached to big parachutes,
23:08daring leaps off of falling vehicles, and The Rock firing a giant turret.
23:13And we can't forget the time Dom used a car to jump between skyscrapers.
23:17Our family of heroes do it all to get revenge for one of their own
23:21and recover a dangerous computer program.
23:32After the main story wraps up, the movie slows down to pay tribute to the late, great Paul Walker.
23:37The touching ending served as an unforgettable farewell to a great action star.
23:47Number 8. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
23:51One of the most bizarre films ever made, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once follows Evelyn,
23:57an ordinary woman whose life is turned inside out after she encounters people from multiple parallel universes.
24:04We thought it was some sort of black hole.
24:06But it appears to consume more than just light and matter.
24:10We don't know exactly what it is.
24:13We don't know what it's for.
24:15But we can all feel it.
24:18The movie has a broad range of tones.
24:20It's a family drama, a surreal comedy, an action movie.
24:24It's everything.
24:25Everything, okay.
24:28I think I forget something at home.
24:30The fight scenes, just like the rest of the movie, are as silly as they are creative.
24:34Anything can be a weapon.
24:36Everything, Everywhere, All at Once is a moving look at family and love through an absolutely absurd lens.
24:44But life is like that sometimes.
24:46Number 7. Skyfall
24:48Where the hell have you been?
24:50Enjoying death. 007 reporting for duty.
24:56Casino Royale was full of incredible action that helped establish Daniel Craig as Bond.
25:01However, it was Skyfall that elevated his take on the character to a new level.
25:06After Bond is shot during an awe-inspiring chase scene, he's brought out of retirement to stop the dangerous Raoul Silva.
25:13But the suave spy has to avoid trains and survive tense shootouts if he wants to succeed.
25:18I do hope that wasn't for me.
25:20No, but that is.
25:29Javier Bardem's amazing turn as the devious Silva and Craig's portrayal of a weary but willing Bond are both fantastic.
25:36Their epic clash is full of emotional beats, stunning revelations and beautiful cinematography.
25:42The fact that Skyfall was once England's highest grossing film further cements that you shouldn't miss this Bond mission.
25:49So 007, lots to be done.
25:56Are you ready to get back to work?
25:58Number 6. John Wick Chapter 4
26:01Although every movie in the John Wick franchise is an action masterpiece, the internationally feared assassin saves the best for fourth.
26:10We obviously wanted to say last year, but that's still up in the air.
26:14What is he doing here?
26:15Mr. Wick is our guest.
26:17Mr. Wick's attempt to end his fellow assassin's pursuit of him culminates in a promised duel that his opponent will do anything to stop from happening.
26:26John Wick Chapter 4 is loaded with one spectacular action set piece after another.
26:31With the entire film's global scale adding both beautiful locales and new ways for John to kill a lot of people.
26:38Where will it end?
26:44With him dead.
26:45If there were never another John Wick movie after this one, the series would definitely go out on a high note.
26:51Fortunately, plenty of spinoffs seem to be on the way.
26:57Number 5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
27:09This incredibly complex and engrossing martial arts epic features some of the most talented actors to have ever worked in the genre.
27:19Chow Yun-fat, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, and a few other iconic performers all demonstrate their acting chops and fighting skills in beautiful scenes.
27:28While their story has too many breathtaking bouts to describe here, the duel where Shu Lien attempts to face Jen Yu's with a variety of weapons and moves is a particular film highlight.
27:39Their emotional and stunning face-off is just one example of how the movie expertly layers character motivations and symbolism under every one of its fight sequences.
27:48Their tremendous clashes and epic story of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also earned it the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
27:59Number 4. Mission Impossible, Fallout
28:11As Ethan Hunt put everything on the line to save the world from a nuclear plot on screen, Tom Cruise was pulling off risky stunts behind the scenes.
28:19He jumped across rooftops for a running scene, flew a helicopter for a chase sequence, and did a high-altitude jump from a plane.
28:26All these stunts blew us away while furthering the plot and characters.
28:30While these amazing sequences were great, the emotional narrative and callbacks helped make it the franchise's finest film.
28:37And the cherry on top was the choice to include Henry Cavill and his arms as a foil to Ethan Hunt.
28:43If you have a problem with my methods, you can always stay behind. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, isn't that the thing?
28:52The sixth installment's exhilarating narrative set a new bar for Mission Impossible films and other thrillers to reach for.
28:59Ethan, if you can hear me, we're ready to make the cut. Ethan, come in.
29:04Ben, how do we know if he's got the key?
29:07He'll get it.
29:09Yeah, but how do we know?
29:10He'll get it done.
29:13Number 3. Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2.
29:16When I woke up, I went on what the movie advertisements refer to as a roaring rampage of revenge.
29:24I roared, and I rampaged.
29:27Since this two-part tale about an assassin trying to get revenge on her former boss, Bill, was originally intended to be a single movie, we'll consider both for one entry.
29:36The entire story captured the hearts and imaginations of many viewers.
29:40Fans of westerns, pop culture, and martial arts films found plenty of thrilling homages to each genre.
29:46Watching title character Beatrix take on former co-workers and goons in wildly different ways made each confrontation surprising and exciting.
29:55When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.
30:04Uma Thurman also shook scenes up by portraying a wide variety of assassin's emotions with masterful acting.
30:11By the time Beatrix's gripping mission was over, she had become an unforgettable heroine who is still imitated and praised decades later.
30:19You and I have unfinished business.
30:24Baby, you ain't kidding.
30:27Number 2. The Raid
30:29Masada!
30:33The Raid has arrived.
30:35If a group of officers wants to catch a notorious criminal, they must survive a raid on the Kingpin's hideout.
30:40Unfortunately, the Big Bad has many incredibly capable martial artists and outlaws on his payroll.
30:46Officer Rama has to fight for his life as his co-workers slowly fall one by one.
30:51His scenes contain some of the fastest moves and choreography we've seen this century.
30:56Since these awe-inspiring sequences feature great cinematography and less cuts than normal, it feels like you're in the middle of every fray.
31:04The straightforward premise and tremendous stunt work led to an awesome sequel that left us breathless again.
31:10Even if we never get a third chapter, The Raid stands as a towering genre accomplishment.
31:15Why did you leave?
31:16For the same reason you left, Suragam.
31:22Because it fits!
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31:39Number 1. Mad Max Fury Road
31:46Oh, what a day! What a lovely day!
31:48Although this high-octane post-apocalyptic film doesn't seem like a Best Picture nominee on the surface, it has lots of things going for it underneath its gritty exterior.
31:57After Max Rakitansky crosses paths with a determined Furiosa, they form an alliance to escape the evil Immortan Joe.
32:05Their thrilling team-up is full of creative editing, has incredibly emotional moments, and involves practical action scenes.
32:12Unique characters and earnest performances also made this world memorable.
32:16If you can't fix what's broken, you'll go insane.
32:22And while Max's name is in the movie title, Furiosa constantly commands the narrative thanks to Charlize Theron's nuanced and badass portrayal.
32:31All of Mad Max's fantastic elements earned it six Oscars and near-universal praise.
32:37It deserves to race to the top of any list of 21st-century action films.
32:45Is there an action-packed masterpiece we forgot? We hope your comments about your favorites blow up.
33:07.