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The 50 Best Action Movies of the Decade

Turns out the 50 best action movies of the decade come from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, the UK, Vietnam, and the US.
Decade Best Action
By  · Published on November 14th, 2019

40. Jailbreak (2017, Cambodia)

Cambodia doesn’t have a rich cinematic tradition of action movies. In fact, Jailbreak might be the first of its kind, and what a strong introduction it is if that’s the case. As the title suggests, the mayhem revolves around a prison riot as a special task force are tasked with overcoming hordes of escaped criminals. The one-note cops versus criminals in a single location scenario is quite reminiscent of The Raid, but both movies are unique in their own way. While Jimmy Henderson clearly shares Gareth Evans’ enthusiasm for raucous brawling, Jailbreak is also packed with humor. I’m also willing to bet my vast blogging wealth on the film’s star, Jean-Paul Ly, becoming a renowned action hero by the time the next decade rolls to an end. (Kieran Fisher)


39. Confidential Assignment (2017, South Korea)

Action/comedies about mismatched “cops” chasing a big bad are nothing new, but while Hollywood is home to the most well-known of the sub-genre with the likes of 48 Hrs (1982), Lethal Weapon (1987), and Red Heat (1988) the rest of the world hasn’t been sitting idle. Case in point is this supremely entertaining effort that sees a young, extremely fit North Korean detective head south and partner with an older, far more slovenly cop to stop some big bads. It’s an extremely funny and surprisingly affecting ride, but it truly shines with the action. Fights and car chases are creative and exciting, but the film’s high point comes in the form of a foot chase that automatically lands itself in the top five alongside the likes of Point Break (1990) and The Presidio (1988). It’s just pitch perfect entertainment from start to finish, and fans of the US films mentioned in this paragraph should seek it out. (Rob Hunter)


38. Nightshooters (2018, UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGg7FqWrstI&t=60s

One of the joys of compiling a list like this is confirming the simple truth that, while a considerable budget can go a long way toward crafting big thrills it’s not a requirement for delivering stunningly memorable action. Several of the films on this list are essentially indies, but this terrific little thriller from the UK doubles down on the idea by actually being about an indie film production too. Like 2017’s One Cut of the Dead, it’s a genre effort that also works as a love letter to independent film making and film makers. That affection for cinema bleeds into the story and gives us even more reason to care about these people, and that in turn gives the deadly action an extra edge. Thankfully, the action is also a shit ton of fun thanks in large part to the lead presence of Jean-Paul Ly (also a standout in Jailbreak above). He exhibits great charisma alongside his endlessly impressive fighting chops, and as the body count rises and surprises we’re gifted with an action/comedy that also recognizes the cost of so much carnage. (Rob Hunter)


37. Re: Born (2016, Japan)

A trend across some of the movies on this list, and across the genre in general, is a simplicity of plot paired with fun, thrilling, and highly satisfying action. This Japanese effort is no different as the story line boils down to an ex soldier coming out of retirement for one last charge uphill, but goddamn is this uphill fight worth the climb. The legendary Tak Sakaguchi (Versus, 2000) returns with a fighting style created for the film and then spends nearly two hours using it to dispatch bad guys. It’s a blast to watch unfold, and the natural setting — he’s literally working his way up a mountain and fighting through waves of enemies — adds to the thrills. (Rob Hunter)


36. No Tears for the Dead (2014, South Korea)

South Korean writer-director Lee Leong-beom shot to international attention with The Man from Nowhere, a movie that wowed audiences with its visceral action and brutality. Operating from a similar thematic premise as that film — a trained killer who feels compelled to protect an innocent party — No Tears for the Dead follows a guilt-ridden hitman who can’t bring himself to murder the mother the child that he accidentally killed. Instead, he becomes her guardian angel and lays waste to the assassins who get sent in his place. As to be expected from a Leong-beom actioner, the fight scenes are expertly choreographed, as we’re treated to some hard-hitting hand-to-hand combat and a top notch knife duel. The dramatic scenes don’t always hit those emotional high notes, but who doesn’t love a movie about a morally ambiguous protagonist searching for redemption? (Kieran Fisher)


35. Ip Man 3 (2015, China)

As mentioned below, the first Ip Man film from director Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen pretty much covers the real man’s life, albeit in exaggerated fashion, leaving nothing of historical note untouched, but they keep making sequels anyway. Happily, while these movies may be “unnecessary” that hasn’t stopped them from being awesome. The same themes remain of honor and anti-colonialism, and Yen continues to kick an abundance of ass in glorious ways. Mike Tyson joins the fray this time around, and while he’s been little more than a gimmick in other Chinese action films of late he delivers what’s promised here with an exhilarating face-off against Yen. He’s just part of the fun, though, as the movie also introduces Jin Zhang’s Master Z character which eventually gave way to an absolutely blistering spin-off of his own (which of course makes the list below). The fourth entry hits theaters this December, and I’m hopeful it might be one hell of a Christmas present for action fans. (Rob Hunter)


34. Eliminators (2016, UK)

WWE Studios movies are less than stellar for the most part, but every once in a while they deliver some entertaining genre flicks. Eliminators, on the other hand, is the studio’s only release that’s legitimately great. Scott Adkins plays a former federal agent on the run from a ruthless assassin (played by a mean-ass Stu Bennett), and he’s out to save his daughter’s life. The plot is as generic as they come, but some well-executed suspense and clean fight sequences elevate this B-grade gem to must-see status. Forget the Adkins diet; it’s all about the Scott Adkins diet. (Kieran Fisher)


33. The Witch: Part 1 – Subversion (2018, South Korea)

What if I told you an action movie exists that seems inspired by the varied likes of La Femme Nikita (1990), X-Men (2000), Hanna (2011), and Thelma (2017), and that it is a brilliantly entertaining watch that leaves you desperate for more? Well, consider yourself told as this South Korean gem is all that and a bag of kicks. It’s a directorial effort from the writer of I Saw the Devil (2010), and he packs it with brutality, wit, surprise, and a lot of bone-crunching, blood-splashing, death-dealing action. It’s a female-led genre effort with a young woman being pursued by all manner of bad guys, and watching her chew her way through the testosterone is guaranteed to leave a gleeful smile on your face. The film delivers a complete tale but still leaves viewers hanging as to what happens next, so hopefully part 2 will make its way into the world sooner rather than later. (Rob Hunter)


32. Ip Man 2 (2010, China)

This series could have ended after one movie with the comfort of knowing that the titular character’s story had received a definitive onscreen treatment. Ip Man concluded with an informative summation of the eponymous subject’s life, and the subsequent sequels have merely been chapters in a story we already know the end of. At the same time, Ip Man’s life (even when it’s exaggerated for dramatic purposes) is still a great story that deserves to be explored time and time again, and the franchise has earned every single entry. Furthermore, seeing a master like Donnie Yen showcasing his martial arts skills is always a treat. The sequel doesn’t boast the same emotional weightiness as its predecessor, but it’s a bone-crunching good time that delivers A+ action and a big middle finger to colonialism. As a Brit myself, I don’t mind it at all. (Kieran Fisher)


31. The Villainess (2017, South Korea)

South Korean genre films put all of their characters through the wringer, male and female, but they’re also well in favor of letting the women take the lead when it comes to handing out ass-kickings. This ridiculously stylish and densely plotted film does just that while also giving viewers another reason to love Kim Ok-bin (Thirst, 2009). She bites into this role with everything she’s got with a character who fights and kills with anything and everything at her disposal resulting in some stunning action set-pieces including a mesmerizing sequence involving motorcycles and swords that was then “homaged” by this year’s John Wick 3. The plot might spin and churn in on itself at times, but the action is exquisitely beautiful and worth re-watching again and again. (Rob Hunter)


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Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he's so damn young. He's our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists 'Broadcast News' as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.