Best Action Movies of All Time

There have been so many adrenaline pumping, jaw dropping, and blood curdling action movies that Hollywood has released over the years, that it would be impossible to not miss out on some. Fast cars, chase sequences, epic battles, gun fights, mindless killing rampages, brutal killing machines, cops and robbers, national security threats, fights for honor and glory, and fights for freedom; these are just some of the elements that make these movies so special and lend them a timeless charm that defies all reason and logic. No matter how many times you watch these movies, there is always something new to discover in them.

Top 10 Best Action Movies of All Time

These movies are listed in no particular order, and have been compiled as the personal choice of the author. If you feel that I missed out on a movie worth mentioning, feel free to let us know.

Speed - 1994
This movie starred Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock and really threw Reeves into the public spotlight. Any lover of action movies will remember this legendary movie, which is still popular after 15 years of its release. Reeves plays a LAPD cop who is on the trail of a mad bomber. The bomber places a bomb on a bus full of people, and if the bus slows down below the speed of 50 miles per hour, the bomb will go off. Sandra Bullock plays an innocent passenger who gets embroiled in the plot. Watch it simply for the thrilling nature of the movie.

The Matrix - 1999
Speaking of Keanu Reeves, 'The Matrix' really propelled him to super stardom. This was the first in a trilogy, and many believe it was the best movie of the series. The story is a complex science fiction tale where machines take over the world in a futuristic time, and harvest human beings to derive energy from them. The humans are left in an embryo of sorts where they are programmed to believe that they are living a normal life. The action sequences in this movie are simply stunning. Many believe that this is one of the best action adventure movies ever made.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 1991
This was the sequel to the original Terminator movie, and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as an android sent from the future to protect a young boy, who would grow up to lead a human revolution against anarchic machines. Sounds a little implausible, but the movie is absolutely brilliant. Watch Schwarzenegger at his very best in this movie.

Desperado - 1995
This is the 2nd movie in the 'Mexico Trilogy' and stars Antonio Banderas as a former guitar player, who is out to seek revenge on the druglord who killed his former lover. Wielding a guitar case full of guns of all types, this movie takes you to the gun infested lands of Mexico, and gives you the thrill of a true Western classic. The gun battles will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout the movie.

The Bourne Identity - 2002
This movie was adopted from the Bourne Trilogy series of books written by Robert Ludlum, and starred Matt Damon as a highly skilled and ruthless assassin who was being tracked by the Government. The plot becomes interesting because Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) has lost his memory and has no idea why he is being hunted. The search for answers leads to some startling discoveries.

Gladiator - 2000
Starring Russell Crowe as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, it narrates the tale of gladiators in the Roman empire. Crowe plays a loyal servant to a king who is brutally murdered by his son for the throne. He then orders Crowe to be killed and murders his family. Crowe escapes and becomes a gladiator who performs in the Roman Coliseum. He eventually wins his freedom and exacts his revenge.

Troy - 2004
This epic movie stars Brad Pitt as Achilles and Eric Bana as Prince Hector, and tells the story of the besiegement of Troy by the Greek army. Huge battles form a key part of the script, and there is not a single dull moment in the movie. Along with being a complete adrenaline pumper, this movie is also a great lesson in history. Watch how these hardened warriors fight for love, freedom and glory.

300 - 2007
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, this movie stars Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, ruler of Sparta. The movie is simply a retelling of the story of the Battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas and 300 of his best men try their best to fight an army of 1 million, led by none other than Xerxes, the God-King ruler of Persia. The Persians wish to invade Sparta and make Leonidas bow in service to Xerxes, but what followed was beyond their wildest dreams.

Lethal Weapon - 1987
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover play a team of mismatched LAPD cops, and this movie tells their tale in a city seething with crime. Combining comedy with a unique blend of action sequences, this movie introduced the concept of cop movies to Hollywood. Many urban action movies that followed this movie have publicly claimed to draw inspiration from it.

Die Hard - 1988
This is another movie credited with revolutionizing the concept of action movies. It is rightly believed that this is the movie that tops the list of best action movies of all time. Bruce Willis plays an NYPD cop and the movie tells the story of how he manages to deal with a bunch of extremist terrorists who have taken over a large sky scraper.

Best Action Adventure Movies

If you haven't had enough, here are some more action flicks of the 21st century that are considered nothing less than the best.

• Avatar - 2009
• Inglourious Basterds - 2009
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 2009
• District-9 - 2009
• The Dark Knight - 2008
• Batman Begins - 2005
• Shooter - 2007
• Hitman - 2007
• Mr. and Mrs. Smith - 2005

These were some of the best action flicks of all time, and apart from these there are many more action movies that have been great as well. Watching these movies will be a great blood pumping experience for you.