2021 was a fantastic year for action movie lovers, bringing a mix of high-octane blockbusters, adrenaline-fueled thrillers, and gripping martial arts films. With a return to theaters and streaming platforms delivering exciting new content, action cinema reached new heights. From superhero epics to fast-paced heist films, here are the 50 best action movies of 2021.
1. No Time to Die
Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond is packed with intense action, emotional stakes, and a thrilling showdown with the villainous Safin (Rami Malek). This installment offers jaw-dropping stunts, high-speed chases, and a fitting farewell to Craig’s Bond.
2. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel introduced a fresh hero in Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), who must confront his past and battle his powerful father, Wenwu. The film blends martial arts, breathtaking visuals, and a compelling family-driven narrative.
3. The Suicide Squad
James Gunn’s take on DC’s antiheroes is chaotic, hilarious, and action-packed. Featuring characters like Bloodsport (Idris Elba) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), the movie delivers explosive battles and a giant alien starfish!
4. F9: The Fast Saga
The Fast & Furious franchise returned with even crazier stunts, including a car in space. Dom (Vin Diesel) faces off against his long-lost brother (John Cena) in this high-speed, gravity-defying adventure.
5. Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff finally gets her solo film, packed with spy-thriller action, intense combat sequences, and the introduction of fan-favorite Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh).
6. Mortal Kombat
Based on the iconic video game, this reboot delivers brutal fight scenes, legendary characters like Scorpion and Sub-Zero, and a tournament-style showdown with deadly consequences.
7. Nobody
Bob Odenkirk surprises audiences as an everyday man with a dark past. When he’s pushed too far, he unleashes a John Wick-style rampage in this gritty, brutal action film.
8. Wrath of Man
Jason Statham stars in this revenge thriller directed by Guy Ritchie. The film follows a mysterious security guard with deadly skills, taking on violent criminals in a series of intense shootouts.
9. The Matrix Resurrections
Keanu Reeves returns as Neo in this long-awaited sequel, delivering reality-bending action, martial arts combat, and cyberpunk aesthetics that made the franchise iconic.
10. Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Tom Hardy’s Venom faces his deadliest foe yet—Carnage (Woody Harrelson). This fast-paced sequel is filled with monstrous fights and chaotic symbiote battles.
11. Red Notice
Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot team up for a high-stakes heist film filled with globe-trotting action, double-crosses, and thrilling chases.
12. The Tomorrow War
Chris Pratt leads a time-traveling war against deadly aliens. This sci-fi action blockbuster delivers explosive battles and high-stakes survival.
13. Gunpowder Milkshake
A neon-lit, female-led action extravaganza featuring Karen Gillan as a hitwoman caught in a deadly battle between assassins and a secret organization.
14. Kate
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays an assassin poisoned with a lethal dose of radiation, giving her only 24 hours to take revenge on her enemies in this fast-paced Tokyo-set thriller.
15. Jungle Cruise
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt embark on an Indiana Jones-style adventure filled with boat chases, ancient curses, and high-energy action.
16. Raging Fire
Hong Kong action master Donnie Yen leads this intense police thriller featuring explosive gunfights and martial arts combat.
17. The Protégé
Maggie Q stars as a deadly assassin raised by a legendary hitman (Samuel L. Jackson). When he’s killed, she sets out on a brutal mission of vengeance.
18. Escape Room: Tournament of Champions
The deadly escape room game returns with even more deadly traps and action-packed survival sequences.
19. Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
Henry Golding takes on the role of Snake Eyes in this origin story packed with sword fights, ninja action, and intense training sequences.
20. Copshop
Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo face off in a deadly cat-and-mouse game inside a police station under siege.
21. Army of the Dead
Zack Snyder delivers a unique zombie-heist movie starring Dave Bautista. A team of mercenaries breaks into Las Vegas, now overrun by intelligent zombies.
22. Infinite
Mark Wahlberg discovers his past lives and must fight to prevent a world-ending catastrophe in this sci-fi action flick.
23. Beckett
A thriller starring John David Washington as a tourist caught in a deadly conspiracy while vacationing in Greece.
24. Boss Level
Frank Grillo stars as a man trapped in a time loop, forced to fight assassins and uncover a government conspiracy.
25. Sweet Girl
Jason Momoa seeks justice after his wife’s death, taking on a corrupt pharmaceutical company in this emotional action thriller.
26. Outside the Wire
Anthony Mackie plays a high-tech android soldier in a futuristic war zone, leading a mission to stop a nuclear attack.
27. The Marksman
Liam Neeson protects a young boy from a violent cartel in this tense border-crossing thriller.
28. Reminiscence
Hugh Jackman stars in this sci-fi noir, blending action, mystery, and mind-bending technology that lets people relive their memories.
29. Zack Snyder’s Justice League
This four-hour director’s cut delivers epic superhero battles and expands the Justice League’s story with added action and emotional depth.
30. The Ice Road
Liam Neeson leads a high-stakes ice road rescue mission filled with dangerous conditions and intense survival action.
31. The King’s Man
A prequel to the Kingsman series, this stylish action-adventure explores the origins of the secret spy organization during World War I. Featuring breathtaking combat, sword fights, and espionage, the film blends history with action in a way only Kingsman can.
32. Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek return for this high-energy sequel. When bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds) is pulled into another dangerous mission, he must protect the unpredictable Sonia Kincaid (Hayek) and her hitman husband, Darius (Jackson), leading to outrageous chases, shootouts, and comedic action.
33. Space Sweepers
This South Korean sci-fi adventure follows a crew of misfit space junk collectors who stumble upon a humanoid robot that could change the fate of humanity. The film delivers impressive CGI, intense space battles, and a thrilling underdog story.
34. The Harder They Fall
A unique Western action film starring Idris Elba, Regina King, and Jonathan Majors. This reimagined, Black-led cowboy saga is full of intense gunfights, stylish cinematography, and revenge-fueled action as rival gangs battle for dominance in the Wild West.
35. Yakuza Princess
This Brazilian-Japanese action thriller follows a young woman who discovers she is the heir to a powerful Yakuza syndicate. Armed with an ancient katana, she embarks on a bloody journey of revenge, featuring high-energy sword fights and brutal hand-to-hand combat.
36. Ron’s Gone Wrong
While primarily an animated family film, Ron’s Gone Wrong features plenty of high-speed chases, daring escapes, and tech-driven action. The story follows a malfunctioning AI robot that leads to chaotic yet heartfelt moments, blending humor and adventure.
37. Paper Tigers
A martial arts comedy about three childhood kung fu prodigies who have grown into middle-aged, out-of-shape men. When their master is mysteriously killed, they reunite to seek justice, blending humor with nostalgic, well-choreographed fight scenes.
38. Night Teeth
A neon-drenched vampire action thriller in which a chauffeur unknowingly drives two dangerous women through a night filled with blood, danger, and supernatural action. This stylish film delivers a mix of horror and thrilling combat sequences.
39. Prisoners of the Ghostland
Nicolas Cage stars in one of his wildest roles yet as a bank robber forced to rescue a kidnapped girl from a supernatural wasteland. Packed with samurai duels, explosive gunfights, and Mad Max-style visuals, this bizarre yet thrilling action film is a must-watch for Cage fans.
40. The Mauritanian
While more of a legal thriller, The Mauritanian features intense interrogations, prison escape sequences, and political intrigue. Tahar Rahim stars as a man imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, facing psychological and physical battles against an oppressive system.
41. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
The latest installment in the Rurouni Kenshin series delivers beautifully choreographed samurai action. With stunning sword fights, fast-paced choreography, and emotional depth, this film is a highlight for martial arts and anime fans.
42. See for Me
A unique home-invasion thriller with an action twist. A blind former skier uses an app that connects her to a stranger, who must guide her through the house as she fights back against intruders. A suspenseful and fresh take on survival action.
43. Tribal: Get Out Alive
A British action-horror film following a team of elite fighters investigating a mysterious location, only to be hunted by supernatural forces. It’s a mix of military action and survival horror, with plenty of gunfights and close-quarters combat.
44. Trigger Point
A tense action thriller following a retired special operative forced back into the game to uncover a conspiracy. Starring Barry Pepper, this film delivers a gripping mix of espionage, tactical gunplay, and mystery.
45. Zero Contact
A tech-driven thriller starring Anthony Hopkins. Though much of the film was shot remotely, it still delivers intense hacking sequences, corporate espionage, and psychological tension in a high-stakes digital battleground.
46. Sentinelle
A French action-thriller following a highly skilled soldier suffering from PTSD who embarks on a brutal revenge mission after her sister is assaulted. Olga Kurylenko delivers a powerful performance, showcasing deadly combat skills and intense action.
47. Way Down (The Vault)
A Spanish heist action film following a team of expert thieves attempting to break into a legendary, impenetrable vault beneath the Bank of Spain. The film delivers intricate planning sequences, high-stakes action, and thrilling suspense.
48. Land of the Dead
A classic zombie action film re-released with remastered visuals in 2021. This George A. Romero cult favorite is packed with survival horror, intense shootouts, and apocalyptic battles between humans and evolving zombies.
49. Archenemy
A superhero action-drama starring Joe Manganiello as a mysterious man who claims to be from another dimension, possessing superhuman abilities. As he fights against criminals in a gritty, neon-lit city, the film blurs the lines between reality and delusion.
50. The Silencing
A dark and gripping action-thriller following a reformed hunter searching for his missing daughter. As he tracks down a brutal killer, the film delivers tense action sequences, thrilling chases, and a satisfying mystery.
Final Thoughts
2021 was a fantastic year for action movies, offering a variety of high-energy films, from superhero blockbusters to indie martial arts gems. Whether you enjoy espionage thrillers, futuristic sci-fi battles, or fast-paced heists, this list has something for everyone.
Which of these movies have you watched? What’s your favorite action film of 2021? Let us know in the comments!
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