The year 2024 has been highly rewarding for action movie enthusiasts. The genre, ever-so-dynamic, has proven that it can seamlessly blend with a variety of styles to offer viewers a captivating story and viewing experience. Whether you’re a fan of jaw-dropping sci-fi spectacles, edge-of-your-seat spy thrillers, or genuinely funny comedy-action mashups, 2024’s lineup of action movies has been nothing short of incredible.
What makes the genre so versatile is its ability to adapt the conventions and tropes of other beloved genres. Imagine an adrenaline-fueled chase sequence coupled with a futuristic sci-fi setting, or a gravity-defying stunt infused within the fabric of banter and charm of a comedy. The creative possibilities are endless, and filmmakers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be put on the big screen. In this list, we count down the 10 best, most diverse, and electrifying action movies of 2024.
10 ‘The Fall Guy’
- Release Date
- May 3, 2024
- Runtime
- 126 Minutes
The Fall Guy follows Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who, after a career-ending accident, begins working as a valet at a small Mexican restaurant. Things take a wild turn for him when his ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, now a director, asks him to be a stunt double for her debut film, and he reluctantly agrees, hoping she will get back together with him. However, the film’s lead actor goes missing and Carl is hurled into a web of conspiracy and danger.
A Hollywood Stuntman’s High-Stakes Adventure
The movie, under David Leitch’s expert direction, takes viewers on a wildly entertaining ride that subverts the very genre it embraces. It delivers non-stop thrills by combining action, comedy, romance, and a modern sense of self-awareness. Ryan Gosling delivers a charismatic performance as Colt and Emily Blunt is just as strong a presence as Jody. Despite receiving mixed reviews and a box office performance that fell short of expectations, the film is an exciting addition to 2024’s action catalog.
9 ‘Twisters’
- Release Date
- July 19, 2024
- Runtime
- 117 Minutes
Getting a 2020s revival is the beloved disaster movie from 1996, which originally starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton in the lead roles. This one, starring Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, follows Kate Carter, a storm chaser who retired after an intense tornado took her boyfriend and fellow chasers’ lives, as she is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to test a new tornado scanning system. Kate teams up with a reckless social media star named Tyler Owens when the storm intensifies and threatens to cause enormous damage.
Combines Storm Spectacle and Heart-Pounding Action
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Twisters brings the excitement of storm chasing to glorious life by using a series of stunning special effects, heart-pounding action, and a lot of emotional drama. Both the leads deliver powerful performances as they navigate the treacherous conditions of the storm while also infusing humor into the storyline. Twisters was a roaring hit with critics, who praised the remake for having more substance and for expertly handling the romantic twist. It grossed $371 million at the global box office.
8 ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Release Date
- April 19, 2024
- Runtime
- 120 Minutes
Relatively underrated, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is set during World War II. It follows a covert special operations team assembled by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with the hopes of executing high-risk sabotage missions behind enemy lines. The team is led by Brigadier General Colin Gubbins, who not only directs other agents to face relentless Nazi forces but also to disrupt German U-boat operations and turn the tide of the war.
Action Spectacle That’s Heavy on History
Guy Ritchie’s movie seemed to have flown under the radar amidst a sea of box office and streaming successes, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare delivers a mix of historical action and geopolitical intrigue and the fact that it is inspired by a true story immediately makes it all the more captivating. It stars Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Henry Golding and Alex Pettyfer in the main roles and features intense action sequences and unconventional war tactics.
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7 ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’
- Release Date
- May 24, 2024
- Runtime
- 148 Minutes
Taking audiences back to the post-apocalyptic wasteland introduced by the Mad Max franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a prequel film that focuses on the origin story of the iconic and beloved character, the fearless warrior Furiosa. The movie begins with a young Furiosa being kidnapped by the forces of warlord Dementus, following which she is forced into a love of servitude. Determined to seek revenge, she embarks on a solo journey through the wasteland and forms unexpected alliances along the way.
A Powerful Continuation of the ‘Mad Max’ Legacy
Seamlessly building upon the spectacular world of the franchise and also introducing a bold new chapter filled with action and drama, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is directed with impressive command by George Miller. The visual storytelling and compelling narrative, paired with Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Furiosa and her pursuit of survival, which is both fierce and vulnerable, create some of the film’s most hard-hitting moments. Of course, the high-octane thrills and climactic fight between Furiosa and Dementus cement the movie as a must-watch.
6 ‘Gladiator II’
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Cast
- Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz
- Runtime
- 148 minutes
Gladiator II continues the epic saga of Maximus Decimus Meridius, but this time, the story focuses on his grandson, Lucius Verus. Set sixteen years after the original movie, it follows Lucius, who lives under the alias Hanno, and finds that his home is invaded by the corrupt Roman emperors Geta and Caracalla. Seeking revenge, he decides to fight as a gladiator for Macrinus, a former slave, overthrow the tyrants, and restore Rome’s glory.
Epic Revenge Unleashes in Ancient Rome
A triumphant return to the beloved world of Ridley Scott’s acclaimed 2000 film, Gladiator II managed to receive excellent reviews from fans and critics alike. An emotionally charged sequel, it starred Paul Mescal as Lucius, Pedro Pascal as General Acacius, and Denzel Washington as Macrinus. Each of the main stars and supporting cast members spun fresh arcs and added depth and gravitas to the story. The movie’s intense action, rich historical setting, and sweeping, cinematic score, led it to earn $329 million at the worldwide box office.
5 ‘Monkey Man’
Monkey Man
- Release Date
- April 5, 2024
- Cast
- Dev Patel , Sharlto Copely , Pitobash , Vipin Sharma , Sikandar Kher , Sobhita Dhulipala , Ashwini Kalsekar , Adithi Kalkunte , Makarand Deshpande
- Runtime
- 121 Minutes
Easily one of the best and most violent movies of the year (backed only by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s Kill), Monkey Man follows the story of Kid, a young man living in a forest village in India. His life takes a tragic turn when corrupt police chief Rana Singh causes the death of the villagers, including his mother. Years later, Kid works as a masked fighter in an underground club and plots revenge against the same police officer, drawing inspiration from the tales of Hanuman.
Gritty, Urban, and Unconventional Addition to the Genre
Monkey Man is a breath of fresh air in the action genre. Directed by Dev Patel in his long-awaited directorial debut, it is a gritty, powerful, character-driven thriller. Patel’s performance as Kid is both intense and heartfelt, and it complements the film’s raw energy and stylistic flair. Critics also lauded the sociopolitical commentary dispensed throughout the movie and praised Patel for “assert[ing] himself as someone who can break the boundaries Hollywood typically establishes for actors like him.”
4 ‘The Beekeeper’
- Release Date
- January 12, 2024
- Runtime
- 105 Minutes
Once again, with The Beekeeper, Jason Statham finds himself drawn into a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. The movie tells the story of an ex-operative named Adam Clay, who has retired from his old life for a quiet one in rural England tending to bees. However, his peace is disrupted when her landlady, Eloise, falls victim to an online scam and loses $2 million. Adam, who is also a part of a mysterious organization named Beekeepers, takes up his old skills and wages a war against the scammers.
Statham Returns to Form and Seeks Justice
Directed by David Ayer, The Beekeeper is basically an intense, top-tier spy thriller based upon an unsettling premise. It’s moody and atmospheric, and on several occasions, sees Statham’s character actually surrounded by bees, which is odd but interesting. The film’s action sequences are perfectly choreographed and the pacing is relentless. Its modest box office performance and positive critical reviews prove just why the film is both innovative and unforgettable.
3 ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
- Cast
- Ryan Reynolds , Hugh Jackman , Emma Corrin , Morena Baccarin , Rob Delaney , Leslie Uggams , Karan Soni , Matthew Macfadyen , Brianna Hildebrand , Shioli Kutsuna , Stefan Kapicic , Lewis Tan , Randal Reeder , Jennifer Garner , Aaron Stanford , Billy Clements , Ollie Palmer , Chris Hemsworth , Rob McElhenney
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
In a delightfully meta and action-packed twist, Deadpool & Wolverine brings together two of Marvel’s most beloved anti-heroes as they reluctantly team up to tackle a formidable new threat. The story begins with Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, discovering that his universe is on the verge of total obliteration and the only way to stop it is by enlisting the help of Logan from another universe. The two reluctantly team up and embark on a wild and irreverent adventure.
The Ultimate R-Rated Buddy Comedy for the Ages
A bona fide success that’s filled with over-the-top action, bitingly crude humor, entertaining characters, and a surprising emotional core, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the best action movies of 2024. Directed with a keen understanding of the uniqueness and idiosyncrasies that have made the two characters fan favorite by Shawn Levy, the movie sees both Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman deliver undeniably dynamic, fourth-wall-breaking performances. By grossing $1.338 billion worldwide, Deadpool & Wolverine secures its place as the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.
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2 ‘Rebel Ridge’
- Release Date
- September 6, 2024
- Cast
- Aaron Pierre , David Denman , Emory Cohen , Oscar Gale , AnnaSophia Robb , Reid Williams , Steve Zissis , Daniel H. Chung , Dana Lee , Zsane Jhe , Don Johnson , C.J. LeBlanc , Matthew Rimmer , Brannon Cross , Victor Eli Hugo , James Cromwell , Chelsea Bryan , Al Vicente , Terence Rosemore , Leslie Nipkow , Rhonda Johnson Dents , Charlie Talbert , Harlon Miller , Clayton Cooper , Caleb J. Thaggard , Jordan Thoma , Angela Griffitt
- Runtime
- 131 Minutes
Rebel Ridge follows Terry Richmond, a former Marine Corps veteran, who returns to his hometown of Shelby Springs with one agenda: to post bail for his cousin Mike. However, Terry’s attempt to help his cousin is thwarted when his money is seized under false pretenses and a corrupt police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne puts his life in danger. With the help of a courthouse clerk, Terry wages a one-man war against the police.
Sets Standards as a Contemporary Thriller
Rebel Ridge is Netflix’s biggest win of the year and a must-see action thriller. It’s directed by Jeremy Saulnier, who makes sure the tense, pulse-pounding action goes hand-in-hand with the nuanced exploration of power and identity and the complex interplay between corruption and justice. The visual dynamism and emotional resonance are elevated by Aaron Pierre’s star-making turn as Terry, who amassed a strong fan following after the movie.
1 ‘Thelma’
65 years after she made her Broadway debut, June Squibb lands a leading lady role with Thelma, an action comedy directed by Josh Margolin. Squibb plays the role of 93-year-old Thelma Post, who lives alone in Los Angeles. She falls victim to a phone scam and loses $10,000. Determined to retrieve her money, Thelma sets out on an unexpected adventure with the help of her grandson Danny and her friend Ben. As she navigates the many challenges in front of her, Thelma realizes growing old isn’t a sign of weakness.
June Squibb’s Endearing Quest
Thelma is a heartwarming, action-packed comedy that showcases Squibb’s remarkable talent and the spirit of never giving up. It explores themes of independence, resilience, family, and the inner strength we all possess. Its unique blend of humor and drama, along with the core story about getting back what’s rightfully Thelma’s, creates an interesting, lighthearted vibe. With a box office gross of $12.4 million and positive reviews from audiences and critics, Thelma is one of the best independent movies of 2024.