The year 2020, despite its global challenges, delivered a plethora of action-packed films that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. From high-octane thrillers to superhero sagas, the action genre thrived, offering viewers an escape into worlds filled with adrenaline and excitement. Below is a curated list of the 50 best action movies of 2020, each accompanied by a brief description to guide your next movie marathon.
1. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Margot Robbie reprises her role as Harley Quinn in this vibrant, high-energy film. After splitting from the Joker, Harley teams up with Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from the crime lord Black Mask. The movie is praised for its dynamic action sequences and strong performances.
2. Bad Boys for Life
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The duo faces off against a mother-and-son pair of drug lords who wreak vengeful havoc on their city. The film combines humor, action, and nostalgia, revitalizing the beloved franchise.
3. Extraction
Chris Hemsworth stars as Tyler Rake, a fearless black-market mercenary on a mission to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. Set in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the film is renowned for its intense action sequences and gripping storyline.
4. Tenet
Directed by Christopher Nolan, this mind-bending thriller follows a protagonist armed with only one word—Tenet—as he fights for the survival of the world. The film explores themes of time inversion and features complex action scenes that challenge the perception of reality.
5. The Old Guard
Charlize Theron leads a group of immortal mercenaries with the ability to heal themselves. When their secret is exposed, they must fight to protect their freedom. The film is noted for its unique take on immortality and well-choreographed fight scenes.
6. Project Power
Set in New Orleans, this film explores the consequences of a pill that grants temporary superpowers to its users. Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback team up to stop the distribution of the drug that’s causing chaos in the city.
7. Mulan
A live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Mulan” tells the story of a young Chinese woman who disguises herself as a male warrior to save her father. The film is celebrated for its stunning visuals and epic battle sequences.
8. The Hunt
A satirical thriller where twelve strangers wake up in a clearing, not knowing they’ve been chosen for a deadly game. The film offers sharp social commentary wrapped in intense action and dark humor.
9. Da 5 Bloods
Directed by Spike Lee, this film follows four African American veterans who return to Vietnam decades after the war to find their squad leader’s remains and a hidden treasure. The movie blends historical context with action and drama.
10.Greyhound
Yom Hanks stars as a U.S. Navy commander leading an Allied convoy across the Atlantic during World War II, pursued by German U-boats. The film is lauded for its realistic naval combat sequences and Hanks’ compelling performance.
11. Bloodshot
Vin Diesel portrays Ray Garrison, a slain soldier brought back to life with advanced nanotechnology, giving him superhuman strength and healing abilities. As he uncovers the truth about his past, intense action ensues.
12. Underwater
Kristen Stewart leads a team of researchers trapped seven miles beneath the ocean’s surface after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory. They must navigate the ocean floor to reach safety, facing unknown creatures along the way.
13. The Gentlemen
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film follows an American expat (Matthew McConaughey) in London who tries to sell his highly profitable marijuana empire, leading to schemes and plots involving various characters. The movie combines sharp dialogue with stylish action.
14. Sonic the Hedgehog
Based on the popular video game franchise, the film follows Sonic, a speedy blue hedgehog, as he navigates life on Earth and battles the evil Dr. Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey. The movie offers family-friendly action and humor.
15. The Invisible Man
Elisabeth Moss stars as a woman who believes she’s being stalked by her abusive and wealthy ex-boyfriend, even after his apparent suicide. The film masterfully blends psychological horror with intense action sequences.
16. Love and Monsters
In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mutated creatures, a young man embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his high school sweetheart. The film balances action, humor, and heartwarming moments.
17 The Outpost
Based on true events, this war film depicts the Battle of Kamdesh, where a small unit of U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan faces an overwhelming Taliban force. The movie is praised for its realistic portrayal of combat and soldier camaraderie.
18. Enola Holmes
Millie Bobby Brown stars as Enola Holmes, the teenage sister of Sherlock Holmes, who embarks on a quest to find her missing mother. The film combines mystery, adventure, and action, offering a fresh perspective on the Holmes legacy.
19. The New Mutants
A group of young mutants held in a secret facility must fight to escape their past sins and save themselves. The film blends elements of horror and action within the X-Men universe.
20. Honest Thief
Liam Neeson plays a notorious bank robber who wants to turn himself in and live an honest life, only to be double-crossed by corrupt FBI agents. The film delivers the intense action and suspense Neeson is known for.
21. Ava
Jessica Chastain stars as Ava, a deadly assassin working for a black ops organization. When a job goes dangerously wrong, she finds herself targeted by her own employers. The film boasts high-stakes combat and a strong lead performance by Chastain.
22. Monster Hunter
Based on the popular video game franchise, this action-packed sci-fi adventure stars Milla Jovovich as a soldier transported to another world, where she must battle monstrous creatures with the help of skilled hunters.
23. Peninsula
The sequel to Train to Busan, this South Korean zombie thriller follows a group of survivors attempting to retrieve a hidden fortune from the zombie-infested wasteland of Korea.
24. Greenland
A disaster thriller starring Gerard Butler, Greenland follows a family’s desperate journey to reach safety as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth.
25. Rogue
Megan Fox leads a team of mercenaries on a rescue mission in Africa, only to find themselves trapped between armed insurgents and a dangerous lioness.
26. The Doorman
Ruby Rose plays a former Marine turned doorman who must protect a family from mercenaries seeking a hidden treasure in a high-rise building.
27. Becky
A teenager (Lulu Wilson) fights back against a group of escaped convicts led by a menacing Kevin James in this brutal home-invasion thriller.
28. Alone
This survival thriller follows a woman kidnapped by a mysterious man, who must use all her wits and resilience to escape his clutches.
29. Lost Bullet
This French action thriller centers on a car mechanic framed for murder, who must find a missing bullet to prove his innocence.
30. Skylines
The third installment in the Skyline franchise sees a team of elite soldiers traveling to an alien planet to save humanity.
31. Hard Kill
Bruce Willis stars as a billionaire tech CEO whose powerful AI invention is sought after by a terrorist group.
32. Legacy of Lies
Scott Adkins plays an ex-MI6 agent pulled back into the world of espionage to uncover a deadly conspiracy.
33. Sentinelle
A French action film about a soldier suffering from PTSD who seeks revenge against the man who assaulted her sister.
34. Jiu Jitsu
A sci-fi martial arts film starring Nicolas Cage, where a group of warriors must fight an alien invader in a battle that occurs every six years.
35. Welcome to Sudden Death
A reboot of the classic Sudden Death, this film follows a security guard who must stop terrorists from taking over a sports arena.
36. The 2nd
Ryan Phillippe plays a secret service agent caught in the middle of a kidnapping plot involving the daughter of a Supreme Court Justice.
37. Villain
A British crime drama about an ex-con trying to go straight but finding himself dragged back into the criminal underworld.
38. Force of Nature
A group of thieves attempts a heist during a hurricane but faces an unexpected challenge in the form of a retired cop (Mel Gibson).
39. Rev
A young car thief gets entangled in an undercover operation targeting an international car smuggling ring.
40. One Night in Bangkok
A hitman hires a taxi driver for a night of assassinations, leading to unexpected twists.
41. Breach
Bruce Willis stars in this sci-fi thriller about a spaceship crew fighting a shape-shifting alien.
42. Ava’s Possessions
A blend of supernatural and action elements, focusing on a woman dealing with the aftermath of demonic possession.
43. Redemption Day
A former Marine sets out to rescue his kidnapped wife from a terrorist group.
44. Riders of Justice
A Danish action film about a soldier investigating his wife’s mysterious death, uncovering a conspiracy in the process.
45. Survive the Night
Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray star in this home-invasion thriller where a retired doctor and his son fight off criminals.
46. The Tax Collector
A gritty crime thriller starring Shia LaBeouf as a ruthless debt collector for a crime lord.
47. SAS: Red Notice
A British action thriller following a special forces soldier caught in a high-stakes hostage situation.
48. Infinite
Mark Wahlberg stars in this sci-fi action film about a man who discovers his memories are from past lives.
49. Boss Level
Frank Grillo plays a former special forces operative stuck in a time loop, forced to relive his own murder over and over.
50. Outside the Wire
A futuristic war film where a drone pilot teams up with a secret android officer to prevent a nuclear attack.
Conclusion
2020 may have been a challenging year, but it still delivered an impressive lineup of action films that catered to all tastes—from explosive blockbusters to indie gems. Whether you enjoy military thrillers, superhero adventures, or high-stakes heists, this list has something for everyone.
Have you seen any of these action-packed films? Let us know your favorites in the comments!
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