Top 5-10 action films of all time

[zen007]

What are the top 5-10 action films of all time (English language only; can make a separate list for foreign language ones)?


I judge action films not just based on the quality of action/stunt sequences, but also a) drama during or related to action sequences, b) setting/location, c) the background score, d) acting where applicable, and e) etc.


From the top of the mind recall, below is a tentative list in the order of release (English language only; 1 film per series):


Enter the Dragon: An ambassador of martial arts films showcasing the best of Bruce Lee. Let's not forget the mirrors and the score! Said to have been shot on a budget of $500K (1970s $), this film optimized its budget superbly.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: For the impossible situations that Indy has to come out from.

Die Hard: One of the trendsetters!

Leon: The Professional: This is an incredible action film. The score, acting, drama, etc. are brilliant.

The Matrix: Mind-bending action.

Bourne Identity: Any Bourne film would work so let's go with the first one as it is probably my favorite of the Bourne films. Raw action, fast editing, and a score that creates a tense atmosphere.

Casino Royale: For some memorable action sequences including the parkour chase, action at the Miami Airport, Bond tied to the chair, and the finale at Venice.

The Dark Knight Rises: The Dark Knight Trilogy is worth a mention. In the trilogy, the Dark Knight Rises is probably the best action film. The setting in Gotham under siege, the score during action sequences, Batman's escape from the pit, Bane-Batman fights, etc. are memorable.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Groundbreaking cinematography and an impactful score enhance the film's action choreography. The film can be viewed as a long chase sequence.

John Wick 2: Innovative hand-to-hand combat sequences involving a variety of weapons. Some throwback to Bruce Lee as well.

[Boccaccio]

A list without Predator is invalid

[jacobsever]

Point Break

[DR Herbert West]

In no order:

The Road Warrior
First Blood
Die Hard
Speed
Lethal Weapon
Predator
The Terminator
Escape From New York
Hard Boiled
RoboCop

[Gacivory]

Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Heat
Seven Samurai
Supercop
Die Hard
Escape From New York
The Running Man
The Matrix
Point Break
RoboCop

[stvn1974]

The Terminator
Predator
Total Recall
Robocop
Aliens
Escape From New York
Big Trouble In Little China
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Terminator 2
First Blood


I will post an unpopular opinion here: I have never liked Die Hard.

[ikhon]

In no particular order.

Aliens
Hard Boiled/The Killer
The Road Warrior
Kid with the golden arm
Predator
Terminator
Kill Bill
Rambo
Apolcalypto
5 deadly venoms
Dirty Mary. Crazy Larry

[AKORIS]

no order either--

Aliens
Die Hard
Die Hard 2
Cliffhanger
Robocop
True Lies
John Wick
Predator
Lethal Weapon 1 & 2
Terminator 1 & 2

[johnnyringo7]

It hurt me a lot to leave several movies out of the top 10, since action is my favorite genre, but here is my list:

1- Terminator 2: Judgment Day
2- Die Hard
3- First Blood
4- Aliens
5- The Terminator
6- RoboCop
7- Predator
8- Cliffhanger
9- Rambo: First Blood Part II
10- The Matrix

[Rzzzz]

Die Hard
The Terminator 1 & 2
First Blood
Predator
True Lies
The Matrix
Lethal Weapon
Road Warrior
Operation Condor

[Doomhunter]

Hmm:

Rumble in the Bronx
The Road Warrior
Total Recall
Conan the Barbarian
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Warriors
Captain Blood
The Black Pirate
Die Hard II
Escape from New York

Any classic Douglas Fairbanks films
Ditto Errol Flynn

The only ‘English language’ rule forced me to leave out stuff like Invincible Shaolin (and many other Venom films), Exiled, Train to Busan, Project A I & II, Operation Condor (1991) and other Chan films. Plus some great crime serials out there. Maybe I should have included Robocop II as well

[John1701D]

Pretty anticlimactic to list many of the same movies as everyone else.

Aliens
Raiders
Matrix
T2
Temple of Doom
Die Hard
Predator
Winter Soldier
Die Hard 3
RRR

[Ernest Rister]

[The Sovereign]

The Terminator
Die Hard
Aliens
Raiders of the Lost Ark
RoboCop
Mad Max Fury Road
The Matrix
John Wick
Lethal Weapon
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

[Alan T]

Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Terminator
Robocop
Predator
Die Hard
Aliens
The Road Warrior
Total Recall
First Blood
Commando

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

In no order:

The Road Warrior
First Blood
Die Hard
Speed
Lethal Weapon
Predator
The Terminator
Escape From New York
Hard Boiled
RoboCop

Another 10:

Dredd
Universal Soldier: Regeneration
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning
The Warriors
Hard Target
Total Recall (1990)
Mean Guns
Starship Troopers
Man on Fire
Face/Off

[Zivouhr]

Lots of good ones listed so far, thanks.

Jackie Chan's Drunken Master 1 and Drunken Master 2 off the top of my mind, where he performs some amazing acrobatics during his many fights in those films. The 2nd being more modern.

Blade 1 and 2 are two of my favorite action films too.

Winter Soldier Captain America, that is one of the best action movies I've seen in years.

Of course the action in The Raid 1 and 2 is incredible.

[RFK]

The Wild Bunch
Goldfinger
Dirty Harry
The Road Warrior
The Warriors

[jonali]

Mad Max 2
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Terminator
Aliens
Robocop
Predator
Die Hard
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The Matrix
Casino Royale

[Al_The_Strange]

1. Casino Royale (2006)
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. True Lies
4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
6. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. Die Hard
8. The Matrix
9. The Rock
10. Speed