Actionmovies are a cinema staple, a good time, andthe best choice to watchwhen you’re scrolling through your watchlist and don’t know where to land. While the genre is old and long-lasting,it has developed into something incredible over the years. The rise and advancement of technology and equipment hasopened up a path for actionto become more than just an easy-to-follow genre; it now contains some serious stories and themes, wrapped in a bloody bow.
Off the top of their heads, most people would be able to name at least three excellent, properly rated action movies of the past 30 years.John Wick,Mad Max: Fury Road, and the like are well-known and easy to recommend. However, there are some pretty underrated action movies out there. Here are the most underrated action movies of the last 30 years, and feel free to add some of your own, too.
10’Hardcore Henry' (2015)
Directed by Ilya Naishuller
The very interesting, high-octane action movieHardcore Henryevokes the feeling of playing a first-person shooter game (FPS) while watching a movie. This isn’t wholly innovative, but it’s still an exceptional feat of directing by Russian directorIlya Naishuller, for whom this was a directorial debut.Hardcore Henryis heavily underrated, though not the most perfect action movie in the world; still,its first-person perspective holds the viewers' attention long enough to make it interesting. The premise is boosted by exceptional performances fromSharlto CopleyandTim Rothin supporting roles.
Hardcore Henryfollows our hero, Henry, as if we were in his shoes.Henry wakes up on a plane without any memory of his past; there, he meets a woman who claims to be his wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett), and she tells him he was in an accident. Henry and Estelle end up on the run from a powerful criminal organization, with Henry rushing to beat the clock and save his wife.Hardcore Henryis a guilty pleasure sort of movie, and even if you don’t like it, a part of you will be a bit impressed by the mechanics and the idea.
Hardcore Henry
9’Shoot ‘Em Up’ (2007)
Directed by Michael Davis
Theintense and vibrantShoot ‘Em UpstarsClive OwenandMonica Belluccias baby-saving heroes;Michael Davis, writer and director, was inspired byJohn Woo’sHard Boiledand decided to make his own version, or homage.The end result is a funny and hearty action flick that flows during its modest runtime. Despite a poor box office reception and some mixed reviews (leaning more toward the positive),Shoot ‘Em Upis among the favorite action movies of the past 30 years.
Shoot ‘Em Upfollows former black-ops member Smith (Owen), who sees a pregnant woman getting chased by a hitman. After delivering her baby boy, the woman is killed, and Smith takes the boy to the prostitute Donna (Bellucci) to care for him. However,Smith, Donna, and the boy are now all targets of the ruthless killer named Hertz(Paul Giamatti). Clive Owen did most of his stunts, and Paul Giamatti stepped into the role of a ruthless killer and antagonist for maybe the first time in his career. Casting Giamatti against type was a brilliant idea, since Hertz isone of the biggest villains in action movies ever.
Shoot ‘Em Up
8’Polar’ (2019)
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
Jonas Åkerlund’sPolaris bold, wacky, unapologetic, and, well, pretty awesome.Mads Mikkelsenstars as the loner assassin Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, and the film was based onVictor Santos’ graphic novelPolar: Came From the Cold,which follows the same character. The graphic novel inspiration is apparent in the film, too: the characters have vibrant costumes and makeup, the colors are refined and saturated, and the action scenes are fun, funny, and impressive.
Polar follows Duncan “The Black Kaiser” Vizla (Mikkelsen), an assassin working for an organization called Damocles. Duncan is soon turning 50, so he’s supposed to retire, but his final mission to Belarus turns out more dangerous than anticipated. The story also showsDuncan’s unlikely friendship with a young woman who lives next door, Camille(Vanessa Hudgens), which awakens his atonement for past murders and sins. If you like over-the-top, graphic novel-style action,Polarwill be the right pick for you. Rumor has it, a sequel’s in the making, but sadly, we won’t get to see Åkerlund’s prowess on it.
7’Hanna’ (2011)
Directed by Joe Wright
Hannais a brilliant action flick that was underrated, then it wasn’t, then it was again. Its fluctuating success is due to a pretty average rating and reception, which was unfairly mild considering all the epic things that came into creating it. Firstly, the complete original soundtrack for the film wascomposed byThe Chemical Brothers, the legendary British electronic duo. Then,Joe Wrightinfused it with a unique vision that combines fairy-tale landscapes and avicious coming-of-age story.Finally,Saoirse Ronanperformed most of her own stunts at only 17 years old. Many people remember seeingHannamaybe once, butthe movie’s worth a rewatch or two.
Hannais about Hanna, a 15-year-old girl who is raised by ex-CIA operative Erik (Eric Bana) in the deep forests of northern Finland. Erik trained Hanna to be a killing machine, educating her in weaponry, survival, and hand-to-hand combat;Hanna uses all that knowledge to escape after getting captured by the CIAsenior officer Marissa (Cate Blanchett).Hannais a globe-trotting adventure, too, since it takes its protagonist all over the world; she fights, jumps, and falls in love in a quite unconventional yet straightforward story about a trained young assassin.
6’The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)
Directed by Renny Harlin
Geena DavisandSamuel L. Jacksonstepped into action hero roles inThe Long Kiss Goodnight, a frequently overlooked movie that deserves a lot more love. It’s a roleJackson said was his favorite, and a movie people started appreciating more in the subsequent years. It just closely makes the cut for the most underrated action flicks of the past 30 years - lucky us.Renny Harlintook the director’s helm, whileShane Blackpenned the script and stepped into the producer’s shoes.
The Long Kiss Goodnightis about a schoolteacher, Sam (Davis), who lives with her boyfriend and daughter in Pennsylvania. With a blurred past, Sam tries to find out how she ended up there, buther memory only starts to return after she suffers brain damageand learns she has some deadly skills. Many critics have called this premise ridiculous, but it works really well. Davis and Jackson have a non-romantic chemistry that bursts on the screen, with both actorsdelivering some of their best performances. It’s time to makeThe Long Kiss Goodnighta new staple Christmas movie.
The Long Kiss Goodnight
5’Monkey Man’ (2024)
Directed by Dev Patel
Dev Patelworked onMonkey Manfor about a decade, struggling to get funding and support. Taking a project off the ground can’t be easy in the entertainment industry, but Patel’s perseverance came through, and he delivered a brilliant feature film, which he also co-wrote and stars in.Monkey Manwas liked when it came out, but people quickly stopped talking about it. It may seem likeanotherJohn Wick-esque film, but it carries a lot more substance and is, at the same time, atypical and very typical, too.
Monkey Manfollows Kid (Patel), who lives with his mother, Neela, in a village in India. When a spiritual guru orders the corrupt police chief to evacuate the villagers so he can take that area, Kid is the only one who survives that ruthless attack. Kid grows up to become a boxer,plotting his revenge against the guru, the police chief, and the system that allows corruption.Monkey Mancarries themes of social and class inequality, corruption, and rejection, including the symbols of Hanuman, a deity that symbolizes inner strength, rebellion, and commitment.Monkey Manis an interesting lesson on life and faith in India, too, wrapped in a stylish and relentless action flick.
Monkey Man
4’Wrath of Man' (2021)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie’sWrath of Manwas received with some mixed reviews, but in all honesty, that movie is a banger from start to finish.Jason Stathamand Ritchie continue their longtime friendship and collaboration in the 2020s, too, andWrath of Manis one of their best mutual works. The movie was inspired by the French action thrillerCash TruckwithJean Dujardin, with an added Ritchie flair. He began dominating the action genre with this film, becoming consistent and releasing one hit after another;Statham, in his usual badass role, delivers what he promises- badassery, charm, and serious action hero energy.
Wrath of Manfollows H (Statham), who joins a security company as an armored truck driver. Mysterious and quiet, H begins to step on his coworkers' toes by never revealing his cards or thoughts.H is out for revenge, and this particular crew drew him for a reason. As H’s story unravels, we see him in slick shootouts and chases; there’s no one quite like Jason Statham to make a good action movie pretty much great.
Wrath of Man
3'13 Assassins' (2010)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Takashi Miikeis notorious for strange horror movies and over-the-top gore and action, so many would expect13 Assassinsto be one of those. However, this movie is just pure action,full of incredibly coordinated and crafted choreographies and massive, never-ending explosions. The movie was often mistaken or confused for theKeanu Reevessamurai movie47 Ronin, though the two have very few similarities (the samurai and Japan, mainly). Miike’s13 Assassinsis anunderrated feat of action cinemaand one of his own greatly underrated features. It also starsKoji Yakusho.
13 Assassinsis set in the 1840s, near the end of the Edo period. A ruthless and psychopathic lord, Naritsugu (Goro Inagaki), the Shogun’s brother, terrorizes the people in his court and territory, and the Defense Minister realizes that him becoming the next Shogun would be dangerous. That’s whyhe hires a retired samurai, Shonzaemon (Yakusho), and 12 other assassins to kill Naritsuguand rid the empire of a potential disaster. Gathering the crew, preparing for a mission, and executing it with flair and style is a classic storyline that never gets old. When packed into a film like13 Assassins, it’s more than just an ensemble film - it’s “absolute cinema,” as the Scorsese meme says.
13 Assassins
2’Riders of Justice' (2020)
Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen
Well, two Mads Mikkelsen features on a list of action movies might be slightly unexpected, butRiders of Justicejustneedsto be here. It’s a brilliant dark comedy/action thriller that didn’t really extend too much outside of Denmark, where it was made. Director and writerAnders Thomas Jensen crafted one of the most compelling revenge movies ever made,carrying throughout a dark and twisted humorthat reflects life’s most spontaneous and unplanned moments. Mikkelsen is slightly unrecognizable without his signature gray and black hairstyle; instead, he has a buzzcut and a long beard.
Riders of Justicefollows Markus Hansen (Mikkelsen), a soldier who returns home to take care of his daughter after his wife (her mother) dies in a subway explosion.Two men come to Markus' home and claim the explosion was an assassination attemptled by the criminal biker gang called Riders of Justice. Markus and the two men assemble a team of experts and head to exact revenge on the Riders. If you often watch Scandinavian movies, you’ll recognize most of the other cast members, starting withNikolaj Lie Kaas, who’s a well-known name.
Riders of Justice
Directed by José Padilha
Open YouTube, type in “Rap das Armas,” and the song will transport you to a more innocent time - the 2000s. This song was part of the official soundtrack for the Brazilian action movieElite Squad, akaTropa de Elite, and though it was controversial according to Brazilian authorities, it marked the film for everyone who watched and enjoyed it.This movie madeWagner Mouramore famous, andhe reunited withthe director, José Padilha, forNarcos. However, as one of Brazil’s biggest movies of all time,Elite Squadis still heavily underrated across the globe.
Elite Squadis about the Brazilian BOPE (similar to SWAT in the US) and its special ops' leader, Roberto Nascimento (Moura), who decides to crack down on the favela and executevarious busts and operations just before the Pope visits Rio de Janeiro. There’s never been a movie that was as much of a cultural phenomenon in its own country asElite Squad, but besides a domestic cult status, the movie isn’t just limited to Brazilian audiences. It’s a description of a certain time, a certain area of life, and the wild and intense differences between the upper and lower social classes in Brazil.
Elite Squad
KEEP READING:10 Essential Sci-Fi Action Movies, From ‘The Matrix’ to ‘Aliens,’ Ranked
