Top 10 Greatest American Action Movies of All Time

The Transporter, first introduced in 2002, was directed by Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen, with Jason Statham starring in the lead role. The first movie in the series follows Frank, a professional driver who becomes entangled with a group of bank robbers escaping from the police in Paris. When Frank refuses to take them further than their agreed destination, the robbers turn on him, prompting a chase that brings him to the attention of his old friend, Inspector Tarconi, who is suspicious of Frank’s involvement. Although Tarconi has no proof, Frank’s reputation is on the line.

The film’s concept was inspired by BMW’s The Hire ad series. After viewing the eight short films, renowned French director Luc Besson wrote the script for The Transporter and became its main producer. A French production starring British actor Jason Statham, the film was distributed in the U.S. by 20th Century Fox. With its fast-paced action and impressive fight sequences, The Transporter quickly gained popularity among action movie fans. The first three films grossed $238 million globally and remain one of the most beloved action franchises of the 2000s.

Over the course of 7 films, the Fast & Furious franchise, which began as a summer hit in 2001, has evolved into one of the most beloved and profitable action film series worldwide. The first movie drew inspiration from a 2000 Vibe magazine article titled Racer X about street racing culture. After its theatrical success, Universal Studios decided to continue the story with sequels. With 6 films released to date, the series has grossed a staggering $2.38 billion. The franchise captivates audiences with its thrilling action scenes, intense car chases, a charismatic cast, and the deep bond between characters, often likened to a family. Production on Fast & Furious 7 was impacted by the untimely death of lead actor Paul Walker, and the film served as a heartfelt tribute to him upon its release.

The success of Fast & Furious made it no surprise when spin-offs centered on characters Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) were created. These films maintain the franchise's high-speed action and visual excitement, offering a thrilling and immersive experience. If you thought dropping cars out of an airplane in Fast & Furious 7 was wild, this series takes it to even greater extremes. While the action is top-notch, the film’s plot is often overshadowed by its larger-than-life stunts.

The movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith tells the story of John and Jane Smith, a middle-class married couple who have been together for six years and live happily. However, things begin to unravel when they visit a marriage counselor. Unbeknownst to each other, both are highly skilled professional assassins. The plot kicks off with John and Jane answering questions during their marriage counseling session, revealing that their marriage has become so strained that they can't even remember the last time they were intimate. They share the story of their first meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, where they were both secretly evading the Colombian government. They quickly fell in love and got married. John later remarks that Jane “looked like Christmas morning” when they first met.

In reality, John and Jane are both elite assassins working for different organizations. They are the best in their respective fields, but each has a very different approach to assassination—Jane is methodical, while John takes a more impulsive route. When both are tasked with eliminating the same target, Benjamin “The Tank” Danz, they collide in their professional lives, leading to a confrontation. Believing that each has been sent to thwart the other, they attempt to outwit and eliminate one another. This action-packed, thrilling, and romantic film culminates in a scene where the Smiths meet again with their marriage counselor, revealing how their relationship has grown and evolved into something far happier than before.

Crank is a famous American action film series starring Jason Statham, which also helped establish his career. The plot follows Chev Chelios, a hitman who is injected with a lethal stimulant that forces him to keep his adrenaline levels high to survive. If he stops moving or slows down, the drug will cause his heart to stop. Chev, a professional hitman for a Los Angeles crime syndicate, decides to retire and live a quieter life with his girlfriend, Eve (Amy Smart). However, after agreeing to one final job—killing the leader of a Chinese mafia organization—things go awry, and Chev is left fighting for his life.

The movie is filled with heart-pounding action sequences, mixed with emotional moments as Chev interacts with friends, family, and loved ones. With its captivating storyline and a mix of action and romance, this series is a must-see for fans of explosive blockbusters. The films, Crank and Crank: High Voltage, are packed with outrageous and humorous situations, making them both thrilling and hilarious, ensuring that viewers will be glued to the screen.

After returning to the action movie scene as an actor, muscle-bound legend Sylvester Stallone shifted his focus towards writing and screenwriting, and from that came the creation of Homefront. In this film, we find Jason Statham playing the role of a former DEA agent leading a quiet life in a small town. He has left his past behind, holding on to the simple joy of being a single father to his daughter after his wife’s passing. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his daughter gets into a dispute with a local family. What starts as a minor conflict soon escalates, threatening to expose his past.

The plot is straightforward, allowing viewers to easily follow along, hoping for a peaceful resolution where the protagonist escapes the dangerous situation. But as always, the bad guys close in, and once again, he is forced to confront his past. Homefront plays out like a classic Western, with plenty of physical action and hand-to-hand combat, giving audiences an engaging and straightforward experience that doesn’t require deep thinking but delivers plenty of excitement.

RED, also known as 'CIA Returns,' is a 2010 action-comedy featuring an all-star cast including Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich), and Victoria (Helen Mirren), all former top agents of the Central Intelligence Agency. The movie, based on a graphic novel of the same name, follows retired spies whose past secrets make them targets. The acronym RED stands for 'Retired, Extremely Dangerous,' which perfectly describes Frank (Bruce Willis) and Marvin (John Malkovich). The film concludes with Frank finding love with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) and finally settling into a peaceful retirement.

RED was inspired by a limited comic series created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, published by DC Comics' Homage imprint. Starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, and Karl Urban, the film is directed by Robert Schwentke, with a screenplay by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber. The title 'RED' was coined by Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), a retired CIA agent, meaning 'Retired, Extremely Dangerous.' Released worldwide on October 15, 2010, and in Vietnam on October 25, 2010, RED earned $199 million globally. It was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 2011. A sequel, RED 2, was released on July 19, 2013.

This is a legendary action film series featuring veteran spy John McClane, played by Bruce Willis. Each installment follows McClane on a thrilling adventure, where he faces off against criminal organizations. Die Hard centers on a New York City police officer, John McClane, who travels to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his wife, amid their troubled relationship. Unfortunately, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber takes hostages in the Nakatomi Plaza building. How will McClane save the day? With intense shootouts and explosions, Die Hard became one of the most iconic action movies ever, and is often hailed as one of the greatest Christmas films of all time. Subsequent sequels continue to deliver thrilling action, constantly evolving while sticking to the core premise of battling the criminal underworld.

Die Hard is a 1988 American action-thriller directed by John McTiernan, with a script written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. Starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, it was produced by Gordon Company and Silver Pictures and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film is based on the 1979 novel 'Nothing Lasts Forever' by Roderick Thorp. Arnold Schwarzenegger turned down a role in the film to work on the sequel to his 1985 film 'Commando,' so the role of McClane went to Willis, a well-known TV comedian at the time. In 2017, Die Hard was ranked 20th in Empire's list of the 100 greatest films of all time.

'Commando' is a 1985 action film directed by Mark L. Lester, released in 1985. Even those who aren't particularly fond of action movies are familiar with this legendary film. The story follows John Matrix, a retired U.S. Army colonel who has served in numerous Middle Eastern and Central American conflicts. Now living in seclusion with his daughter Jenny, Matrix's peaceful life is disrupted when his former commander, General Kirby, arrives with alarming news: several of his old colleagues have been killed. To ensure their safety, Kirby arranges for a security detail, but when he leaves, a heavily armed team attacks Matrix's home, killing the guards and kidnapping his daughter. The kidnappers give Matrix an ultimatum: either work for them, or his daughter will die.

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Colonel John Matrix, a former special forces commander. Matrix uses his strength and resourcefulness to track down those responsible for kidnapping his daughter, even engaging with the enemy. Anyone who has seen this film remembers Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic physique as he single-handedly takes on the bad guys. 'Commando' features all the best elements of its genre, amplified by Schwarzenegger's intense performance, making him one of the most memorable action heroes of the era.

The character of John Rambo has become a symbol of American action films, representing the wounded warrior archetype. He is featured in the Rambo series, which consists of four films. The story follows John Rambo, a former Green Beret who served in the Vietnam War and received a medal of honor, but remains haunted by his past. His killer instincts resurface after an altercation with Sheriff Teasel, and the military is forced to intervene before things escalate. The film draws inspiration from the real-life issue of missing Vietnam War prisoners of war, making it a significant action movie in the US during its release.

Rambo began filming on January 22, 2007, and wrapped on May 4, 2007. It was shot in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as in Mexico and the United States. Initially titled 'John Rambo,' the film's title was changed because Sylvester Stallone believed audiences would assume it was the final installment in the Rambo franchise (similar to the case of 'Rocky Balboa'). In many countries, the title 'John Rambo' was retained for this movie, as the first 'Rambo' film (First Blood) was released under the title 'Rambo' in several regions.

When you think of 'The Expendables,' you might be more familiar with the team of mercenaries than the official title. The same actor who played Rambo also stars as the lead in this series. The combination of Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham on screen always guarantees an exciting watch. To date, four installments of the series have been released.

The film centers around a group of mercenaries who travel to South America on a mission to overthrow a brutal dictator, General Garza. Although Garza is a military leader, he is being manipulated by a former CIA agent to support the production of opium. When the Expendables team, led by Barney Ross, is tasked by the CIA to eliminate the rogue agent Paine, Ross soon realizes that the mission is perilous. While he could walk away, his obsession with a woman named Sandra, who holds a stunning painting, drags him and his team into a fierce battle. Using strategic brilliance, the Expendables wipe out Garza's army, defeat Paine and his ally The Brit, and ultimately kill Munroe. With Sandra saved, the mission ends, and the team returns to the U.S., where they bond over knife-throwing, and Barney forgives Jensen.