As its title boldly proclaims, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning seems poised to bring the long-running action saga to an explosive close. Yet, despite its cinematic ambition, this potential swan song falls short of the franchise’s sky-high standards. While not a bad movie by any means, it lacks the adrenaline-charged brilliance that defined its predecessors.
There’s still plenty of visual spectacle and big-screen entertainment for fans who’ve followed Ethan Hunt’s globe-trotting adventures, but The Final Reckoning struggles to recapture the intensity and tightly wound storytelling of earlier entries. It’s a decent addition to the series, but in a genre brimming with bold innovation, the final chapter feels more like a retreat than a reckoning.
If you’re left underwhelmed by this latest Mission: Impossible outing—or yearning for the glory days of action cinema—these standout movies from the 2020s are more than worth your time. Each delivers thrills in unique ways, proving that the action movie genre is alive and kicking.
1. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
The clear high-water mark for the series’ recent output, Dead Reckoning (originally subtitled “Part One”) outshines The Final Reckoning with superior pacing, exhilarating action sequences, and a bigger cinematic scope. It shares core characters and even the same villain—an ominous rogue AI named “The Entity”—yet handles them with more finesse. Though its ending leaves questions hanging, its pulse-pounding set pieces and storytelling make it a must-watch for action aficionados.
2. Bullet Train (2022)
Directed by David Leitch
Stylish, violent, and unabashedly chaotic, Bullet Train turns a speeding locomotive into a blood-slicked battleground. With shady characters clashing over intertwining missions, the plot is secondary to the action—but that’s the point. Brad Pitt leads a charismatic cast through sleek set pieces and quirky humor. It’s not profound, but it’s fast, fun, and gleefully over-the-top.
3. Sisu (2022)
Directed by Jalmari Helander
At just 91 minutes, Sisu wastes no time on frills. This WWII-set Finnish actioner follows a stoic soldier battling Nazis to protect his stolen gold. Its simplicity is its strength: brutal, direct, and unrelenting. With minimal dialogue and maximal carnage, it’s a lean, mean film that knows exactly what it wants to be—and delivers it.
4. The Northman (2022)
Directed by Robert Eggers
Though more mythic than modern, The Northman balances Viking fury with operatic spectacle. It’s a revenge saga steeped in mysticism, telling the story of a prince seeking vengeance against his uncle. This film veers into fantasy territory, but its physicality and intense action sequences keep it grounded. It may not be for everyone, but for those who crave ambition with their bloodshed, it lands hard.
5. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Directed by George Miller
A prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa expands the wasteland world with thunderous energy. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth deliver magnetic performances in this gritty, emotionally charged tale of survival and transformation. Though not a box office titan, its ambition and scope make it one of 2024’s most compelling releases—and perhaps the final movie in its legendary franchise. The film industry may not always reward innovation, but Furiosa is a bold reminder of what’s possible.
6. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Tom Cruise doubles down on practical stunts and old-school storytelling in Top Gun: Maverick, a rare sequel that surpasses its original. With tight pacing, real aerial footage, and emotional stakes, this film isn’t just a blockbuster—it’s a benchmark. It combines action and heart in ways few modern films manage, revitalizing a classic while feeling fresh and urgent.
7. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Directed by Chad Stahelski
What began as a simple revenge tale has become an international cinematic phenomenon. Chapter 4 is the biggest and best of the series yet, with mesmerizing action choreography and globe-trotting mayhem. Keanu Reeves’ John Wick blends gunplay and martial arts with unparalleled grace, making this an essential chapter for any movie character lover.
8. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Simultaneously chaotic and profound, this genre-bending film is part martial arts movie, part multiverse epic, and part heartfelt family drama. Michelle Yeoh anchors the madness with a career-defining performance in a film that feels like a cinematic kaleidoscope. It’s weird, wild, and unexpectedly moving—a film that reinvents what an “action movie” can be.
9. RRR (2022)
Directed by S.S. Rajamouli
Few films boast the scale and passion of RRR, an Indian epic set during the British colonial era. Featuring gravity-defying stunts, heartfelt bromance, and jaw-dropping set pieces, this movie redefines the word “epic.” It’s a cultural juggernaut and a triumph of action storytelling.
10. Hundreds of Beavers (2022)
Directed by Mike Cheslik
A silent slapstick comedy disguised as an action-adventure, Hundreds of Beavers follows a fur trapper through absurd, cartoonish trials in the wilderness. Made on a shoestring budget, it still manages to outshine multimillion-dollar productions with creativity and heart. Proof that great cinema isn’t always about scale—it’s about soul.
Final Thoughts:
While Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning may signal the end of one action saga, it’s far from the end of the genre’s vitality. From blockbusters to indie surprises, the 2020s have already produced a wealth of exciting, innovative action films. Whether you’re a fan of sprawling multiverse tales or stripped-down war thrillers, there’s a movie out there to reignite your passion for pulse-pounding cinema.
