The 1940s were a golden era for cinema. Though war dominated the decade, it also inspired bold storytelling and dramatic visuals. Hollywood, and even some international studios, produced powerful films during this time. Many of these movies mixed adventure, suspense, and real danger, giving birth to some of the earliest true action films.
While the action genre as we know it today—filled with explosions and stunts—was still evolving, the 1940s laid the groundwork. These films featured brave heroes, daring escapes, and fierce battles. Some were set on the front lines of World War II, while others took audiences on thrilling journeys across the globe.
This list of the 11 best action movies of the 1940s brings together war dramas, spy thrillers, and high-adventure tales that still entertain today. These films are ranked based on impact, excitement, and lasting influence. Each one played a part in shaping the action genre and deserves recognition for its craft and courage.
Let’s dive into the top action-packed classics from the 1940s.
1. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1940 Re-Release)
While originally released in 1938, The Adventures of Robin Hood remained a popular action film through the early 1940s due to frequent re-releases. Starring Errol Flynn, this film defined the swashbuckling hero.
Flynn’s Robin Hood is charming and daring. The sword fights are thrilling, and the scenes in Sherwood Forest bring adventure to life. This Technicolor masterpiece set a high bar for action films.
Even decades later, its influence is clear in modern hero movies. Flynn’s charisma, combined with sharp pacing and energetic fight scenes, keeps it high on any list of classic action films.
2. The Sea Hawk (1940)
Another Errol Flynn classic, The Sea Hawk is a pirate adventure filled with naval battles and espionage. Directed by Michael Curtiz, this film mixes political intrigue with sword-swinging action.
Flynn plays a privateer fighting for England against the Spanish Armada. The ship battles are grand and exciting, using elaborate sets and impressive special effects for the time.
The film is fast-paced and fun, with enough drama and danger to keep audiences hooked. It’s a great example of early action blended with patriotic themes during wartime.
3. Saboteur (1942)
Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur brings action and suspense together in a wartime thriller. It follows a factory worker wrongly accused of sabotage who must clear his name.
The film features tense chase scenes, fights, and narrow escapes. One of the most famous moments takes place on the Statue of Liberty, showing Hitchcock’s talent for dramatic visuals.
Though it’s more suspenseful than explosive, Saboteur is packed with movement and danger. It influenced later action-thrillers with its blend of crime, pursuit, and patriotism.
4. They Were Expendable (1945)
Directed by John Ford and starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne, They Were Expendable is a war action film based on real events in the Philippines during World War II.
The film tells the story of a U.S. Navy PT boat squadron facing overwhelming Japanese forces. The battle scenes on water are intense and well-shot, giving a gritty and realistic look at war.
While it honors sacrifice and duty, it also delivers gripping combat scenes and strong character moments. It’s one of the best military action films of the decade.
5. Gung Ho! (1943)
This World War II movie is based on the real-life Makin Island raid carried out by the U.S. Marine Raiders. Starring Randolph Scott, Gung Ho! shows the training, planning, and fighting involved in the mission.
The action is grounded in military realism. The raid scenes are well-paced and violent, reflecting the seriousness of combat. There are also strong themes of teamwork and courage.
This movie helped inspire many later war action films. Its straightforward style and honest portrayal of soldiers make it a standout among 1940s action cinema.
6. Foreign Correspondent (1940)
Another Hitchcock entry, Foreign Correspondent is part war film, part action-thriller. It follows an American reporter who uncovers a Nazi spy ring in Europe just before World War II breaks out.
The film includes assassination attempts, car chases, and a dramatic airplane crash into the sea. Hitchcock keeps the tension high throughout, making this one of his most action-driven movies.
It combines timely political messages with fast-moving scenes and clever plot twists. For fans of early spy thrillers, this film is a must-watch.
7. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
This film tells the story of the Doolittle Raid, a bold bombing attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor. Based on true events, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo stars Van Johnson and Spencer Tracy.
The build-up to the mission is full of training sequences, planning scenes, and technical challenges. The final bombing run delivers impressive action for its time, using miniatures and special effects.
It’s a patriotic film, but also a moving one. The combination of realistic action and emotional depth earned it praise then and now.
8. Objective, Burma! (1945)
Starring Errol Flynn yet again, Objective, Burma! takes place during a dangerous mission to destroy a Japanese radar station in Burma. Directed by Raoul Walsh, the film is intense and filled with jungle warfare.
The movie follows a small group of paratroopers as they fight behind enemy lines. It includes hand-to-hand combat, ambushes, and tense escapes. The cinematography captures the harsh, wet environment of Southeast Asia.
Though it stirred controversy in Britain for its portrayal of the war, it remains a strong example of how the 1940s action film could explore global conflicts with drama and grit.
9. Wake Island (1942)
Wake Island was one of the first major war films released after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It dramatizes the defense of Wake Island by a small group of U.S. Marines against overwhelming Japanese forces.
The film builds strong characters, then places them in increasingly desperate combat scenes. There’s bravery, loss, and tension throughout.
It doesn’t rely on fancy effects, but the realistic feel and dramatic action make it powerful. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and helped define the war-action genre.
10. The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)
This film is more of a mystery-thriller, but it has several action-packed sequences that earn it a spot on this list. Starring Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, The Mask of Dimitrios involves international crime, espionage, and betrayal.
The movie features chases, narrow escapes, and tense encounters in exotic European settings. The story moves through Istanbul, Athens, and Paris, keeping the action going at a steady pace.
Its moody tone and gritty action scenes helped inspire later spy-action films. Lorre’s performance adds intensity and charm to this underrated gem.
11. Northern Pursuit (1943)
In Northern Pursuit, Errol Flynn plays a Canadian Mountie who goes undercover to stop Nazi spies in North America. The film blends elements of spy drama, wilderness adventure, and patriotic action.
Flynn’s character must survive in the snowy wild while outsmarting enemy agents. The action scenes include gunfights, ski chases, and sabotage missions.
Though less well-known than some of his other roles, this film shows Flynn’s range and gives the action genre a unique setting. It’s fast-paced and exciting, with strong wartime themes.
Final Thoughts
The 1940s action film was shaped by a world at war. While modern audiences are used to high-tech effects and nonstop stunts, the movies from this era had their own power. They relied on sharp direction, strong performances, and meaningful stories. The action came from bravery, conflict, and real danger—often drawn from current events.
Errol Flynn stands out as the decade’s top action star, with several films on this list. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford brought intelligence and intensity to their stories. Together, they helped define what action could mean on screen.
These 11 films are not just old classics—they’re building blocks of action cinema. Watching them today offers not only excitement but a deeper understanding of how the genre began. If you’re a fan of action films, these movies are essential viewing.
