5. Battle Royale (2000)
The concept behind Kinji Fukasaku‘s modern masterpiece, itself based on Koushun Takami‘s novel, is one that’s been done numerous times both before and after its release. None, however, have managed to match the intensity, style, and awesome effect of Battle Royale. Japanese society has grown worried and fearful of the nation’s unruly youth, so a new program is instituted — random classes will be abducted, dropped on a weaponized island, and forced to fight until only one teenager remains.
While American films would tone things down dramatically — we only want teens dying from gunfire in the real world, not on our screens — Fukasaku embraces the carnage from the very beginning. Students are given miscellaneous weapons from guns to knives to bombs to blades, and all of them find flesh to tear and penetrate. Some teens avoid the fight, others embrace it, and even as events unfold with a slightly heightened style the raw horror of it all is evident. The sequel whiffs it, and we’ll never get an American remake, but happily this original stands tall as a beautifully crafted blend of action, horror, and social commentary. (Rob Hunter)
4. The Mummy (1999)
Brendan Fraser is one of the most perfect movie stars ever to live. He’s charming, funny, and sculpted like a God. In 1999, he put it all on full display as Rick O’Connell in Stephen Sommers‘ The Mummy. Rick is an American adventurer that cuts a deal with a librarian (Rachel Weisz) and her brother (John Hannah) to lead them to the city of Hamunaptra. Along the way, they discover the Book of the Dead, read from it aloud, and accidentally release the mummy, Imhotep.
The Mummy is exactly what everyone should want in a summer blockbuster. Thrilling action meets classic Universal Horror with a perfect touch of humor. It’s the type of movie you can watch over and over again, enjoying it each time as much as you did on the first go around. It also inspired a cool ride at Universal Studios. (Chris Coffel)
3. The Descent (2005)
You’re gonna be hard-pressed to find a gnarlier action/horror movie than The Descent. Hell, even before things truly enter horror-town with the arrival of cannibalistic, underground dwelling humanoid creatures, the film already packs a punch. Following a group of friends reuniting for what should be a by-the-book spelunking adventure, it doesn’t take long for things once buried deep to resurface: resentments, secrets, mysterious tunnels, and flesh-eating monsters. With an impressive all-female cast and a pulse-pounding execution from director Neil Marshall, The Descent is an exhilarating piece of action/horror that can rank among the best of both genres. (Anna Swanson)
2. Mandy (2018)
What do you get when you mix Nicolas Cage with a lot of acid, a giant ax, and a tiger? Why, Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy, of course. His 2018 film is not really a narrative, but rather a hallucinogenic experience that whips you through hell and back as you watch an unhinged Cage get revenge on the cult, led by the slimy Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache) that kidnapped and killed his girlfriend, Mandy (played by the always perfect Andrea Riseborough). Sure, Cosmatos could have made a straightforward revenge thriller.
But what fun would that be? Instead, he has the cult summon some biker demons from hell who love to do drugs and commit murders to do their bidding, only for Red to decimate both groups. The absolute chaos and lack of explanation for pretty much anything happening on screen may be daunting for some, but I promise this is one ride you aren’t going to want to miss. So buckle up, grab your Cheddar Goblin, and get ready to dive into the red-soaked madness of Mandy. (Mary Beth McAndrews)
1. Aliens (1986)
The list of films that didn’t make the cut here include plenty that you’ll most likely think deserved a spot — think Blade, Resident Evil, Versus — but we can probably all agree that James Cameron‘s sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror masterpiece deserves to be number one. Just as Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an action-oriented sequel to the sci-fi/slasher original, Aliens takes the smaller terrors of the first film and cranks everything to eleven. More aliens, more humans, more guns, and a hell of a lot more carnage.
Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is no action slouch, and she’s joined by a squad of murder-hungry Marines amped and armed to the gills with all manner of heavy firepower. Action is unleashed as monsters attack, guns fire thousands of rounds, and blood both human and acidic splashes in every direction. Moments of calm are shattered by violence and terror, big set-pieces unleash beautifully orchestrated carnage, and it all ends with an epic face-off between pissed-off females. This movie is action/horror heaven. (Rob Hunter)
This action/horror list probably left you all pumped up for more 31 Days of Horror Lists!
Related Topics: 31 Days of Horror Lists, Horror
