2023 was a fantastic year for action films. From high-octane blockbusters to gritty indie thrillers, the year brought a diverse range of titles that energized the film industry. Directors pushed boundaries, actors delivered powerful performances, and action choreography reached new heights.
This ranked list features the 40 best action movies of 2023. It considers critical acclaim, fan reactions, storytelling, and innovation in the movie genre. Whether you’re into adrenaline-fueled car chases or emotionally-driven battles, there’s something here for every action fan.
Below are the top selections that defined action cinema in 2023.
1. John Wick: Chapter 4
Keanu Reeves returns with even more intensity in this action-packed continuation. The film delivers masterful choreography, emotional depth, and global set pieces.
With precise combat and stylish direction, it remains a top contender in the action movie reviews circuit.
2. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Tom Cruise continues to defy gravity and expectations. This installment ups the stakes with its complex espionage plot and relentless pacing.
The movie highlights what makes Ethan Hunt one of the best movie characters in action history.
3. Extraction 2
Chris Hemsworth returns as Tyler Rake in this brutal and dynamic sequel. The film features a record-breaking 21-minute single-take action scene.
Fast, bloody, and immersive, it’s a new benchmark in Netflix’s action catalog.
4. The Equalizer 3
Denzel Washington reprises his role as Robert McCall, delivering vigilante justice with quiet intensity. Set in Italy, the film adds emotional layers to the violence.
The series closes on a strong note, blending heart and brutality.
5. The Killer
David Fincher returns with a cerebral yet intense assassin thriller starring Michael Fassbender. It’s a slow-burn action tale with psychological nuance.
The character study mixed with bursts of violence makes it stand out.
6. Fast X
Family, cars, and chaos – the Fast franchise rolls on. While not the strongest entry, it offers non-stop action and over-the-top set pieces.
Vin Diesel anchors this wild ride across continents.
7. Creed III
Michael B. Jordan steps behind the camera while continuing to shine as Adonis Creed. The boxing sequences are visceral, and the personal stakes are higher than ever.
A compelling mix of drama and action within a legacy franchise.
8. Sisu
This Finnish film mixes WWII brutality with grindhouse action. It’s a minimalist, blood-soaked survival story that became a sleeper hit.
Raw and relentless, it earned strong action movie plots praise.
9. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn closes out the Guardians trilogy with heart and heroics. The movie balances sci-fi action with deep emotional arcs.
A satisfying and stylish farewell to fan-favorite characters.
10. Plane
Gerard Butler takes the lead in this intense survival thriller. A grounded action film with real stakes and brutal fights.
Simplicity and suspense keep the tension alive from start to finish.
11. Kill Boksoon
A South Korean assassin thriller with visual flair and a strong female lead. Jeon Do-yeon delivers a layered performance as a mother and killer.
Smart, stylish, and emotionally rich.
12. The Marvels
Though divisive, this MCU entry delivers fun and fast-paced action. It showcases the unique powers of three heroines in intergalactic battles.
Bright visuals and short runtime make it a breezy watch.
13. Kandahar
Butler returns in a grounded military thriller set in Afghanistan. It features a tense extraction mission and realistic warfare.
A strong entry for fans of tactical action films.
14. Hidden Blade
This Chinese action-espionage film blends political intrigue with martial arts. It’s both elegant and brutal, a blend rarely seen in modern cinema.
A stylistic triumph for international action filmmaking.
15. Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire
Zack Snyder’s space epic introduces a new universe. The visuals are grand, though pacing falters. Action fans will still find much to enjoy.
Visually dazzling but narratively uneven.
16. Sympathy for the Devil
Nicolas Cage goes unhinged in this psychological action thriller. It’s unpredictable, intense, and keeps the audience guessing.
One of Cage’s most gripping roles in years.
17. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Fantasy meets fun in this surprisingly engaging action-comedy. Great chemistry among the cast and inventive fight sequences.
Creative and refreshingly lighthearted.
18. No Hard Feelings
While more comedy than action, it includes physical humor and chaotic encounters. Jennifer Lawrence proves her range in this offbeat movie.
Unexpectedly energetic and full of surprises.
19. The Creator
Gareth Edwards delivers a bold sci-fi vision with grounded emotion. A soldier must protect an AI child in a dystopian future.
Stunning visuals with a strong emotional core.
20. 65
Adam Driver fights dinosaurs in this time-travel thriller. A survivalist premise with strong visuals and an emotional undertone.
Short, sharp, and satisfyingly primal.
21. Blood & Gold
This German WWII action-thriller is a brutal and stylish tale of resistance. It follows a deserter fighting SS soldiers in search of hidden treasure.
It combines Tarantino-like violence with gritty storytelling and earned praise in the action movie reviews community.
22. Meg 2: The Trench
Jason Statham returns to battle prehistoric sea monsters. While the story is over-the-top, the underwater action and creature effects thrill audiences.
Campy, chaotic, and packed with massive shark carnage.
23. Luther: The Fallen Sun
Idris Elba reprises his role as the brooding detective in this high-stakes action-thriller. The film expands the world of the TV series with global scale.
Gripping from start to finish with intense chase sequences.
24. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
The third Ant-Man movie dives deep into the quantum realm. While the humor is hit or miss, the visual effects and action sequences are a spectacle.
Kang the Conqueror adds a compelling new dimension to the movie genre.
25. Boy Kills World
This violent dystopian tale follows a deaf-mute warrior seeking revenge. It’s stylized, fast-paced, and filled with graphic action.
A unique and bold entry into the revenge-action subgenre.
26. Shazam! Fury of the Gods
This superhero sequel adds mythical threats and large-scale fights. Zachary Levi returns with humor and heart, though the stakes feel more cosmic this time.
Fun for families, yet still delivers big fantasy action moments.
27. Hypnotic
Ben Affleck stars in this mind-bending action thriller from Robert Rodriguez. With plot twists and intense visuals, it blurs the line between reality and illusion.
It’s divisive but offers a uniquely stylized story.
28. The Roundup: No Way Out
This South Korean action film is a continuation of the Ma Dong-seok-led crime series. Brutal hand-to-hand combat and a gritty cop story anchor the experience.
One of Korea’s most popular modern action franchises.
29. The Wandering Earth 2
This Chinese sci-fi action epic is a prequel to the 2019 hit. It features large-scale disaster sequences, global stakes, and high-end visual effects.
Grand in scale and emotionally resonant, it’s a standout in international cinema.
30. The Covenant
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this military action-drama tells a story of brotherhood and survival. Jake Gyllenhaal leads a strong cast in a powerful performance.
The film balances emotional depth with realistic battle sequences.
31. The Old Way
Nicolas Cage stars in his first traditional Western. It’s a slow burn that erupts into violent vengeance, with Cage playing a hardened gunslinger seeking justice.
A simple but effective revenge tale with strong performances.
32. Hidden Strike
Jackie Chan and John Cena team up in this Chinese-American action comedy. Explosions, stunts, and buddy banter drive the film’s energy.
While predictable, the chemistry between the stars is entertaining.
33. Heart of Stone
Gal Gadot leads this spy-thriller in the vein of Mission: Impossible. Though derivative, the action is slick, and the international settings add intrigue.
Solid viewing for fans of fast-paced espionage.
34. AKA
This French action-thriller follows a special ops agent with a dark past. It’s gritty, grounded, and delivers impressive shootouts and martial arts.
A sleeper hit among fans of brutal, European crime dramas.
35. Renfield
Combining horror and action, this film stars Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage in a darkly comedic reimagining of Dracula. The fight scenes are bloody and inventive.
Campy but stylish, with a surprising amount of gore-driven action.
36. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Jason Statham teams up again with Guy Ritchie in this spy-comedy. It blends wit with globe-trotting action and has a strong supporting cast.
Not revolutionary but highly watchable and fast-paced.
37. Tin & Tina
This Spanish psychological thriller contains limited action but builds intense suspense. It’s a religious horror tale with sharp tension and violent outcomes.
Unsettling and atmospheric with bursts of disturbing violence.
38. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
This prequel explores the rise of Coriolanus Snow in a politically charged setting. The action is character-driven and supports the story’s darker themes.
Rich world-building and strong performances elevate the experience.
39. Ghosted
Ana de Armas and Chris Evans star in this romantic action-comedy. While lighthearted, it features sleek choreography and globe-spanning fights.
Flawed yet entertaining with solid chemistry between leads.
40. Freelance
John Cena headlines this light action film about a former special forces operative. It’s not groundbreaking, but it offers decent fights and comedic timing.
Simple and crowd-pleasing with a focus on fun over depth.
Conclusion
2023 proved to be an exceptional year for action movies, offering something for everyone — from high-budget blockbusters to international gems and indie thrillers. Filmmakers pushed creative boundaries and introduced new faces, while beloved franchises delivered explosive sequels that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
Whether you’re drawn to intense character arcs, gripping action movie plots, or visually stunning sequences, this list captures the richness and variety the genre offered in 2023. As the film industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that action cinema remains a powerful and globally beloved force. Keep an eye on these films — not only for their entertainment value but for how they shape the future of the movie genre itself.
