With the MCU’s relentless march, it can often feel like every other movie is Marvel property, and the world of superhero movies is facing some big challenges. But what other options are there? Are there any good action movies that don’t involve Infinity Stones or Mother Boxes?
The answer is yes, and the good news is that streaming services are teeming with hidden gems and underrated blockbusters. Fans have never had more choice, which unfortunately may mean that some excellent films are not as popular. From Nazi zombies and cyberpunk mayhem to suburban dads and vampires, these action movies deserve more love.
1 “Overlord” (2018)
Lord follows a squad of American paratroopers on a secret mission. They need to cut off German communications the night before D-Day. However, when they reach the goal of their mission, it becomes clear that the stakes are higher than they could have imagined.
How can rates be higher than D-Day? Because there is a secret Nazi laboratory of immortality. The carnage begins with a hail of anti-aircraft guns and ends with a bloodbath in an underground Nazi laboratory, an exciting ride from start to finish. The fears are surprisingly shocking, and the practical effects are appallingly great. Here’s how to shoot a modern horror action movie that induces horror.
2 ‘Nobody’ (2021)
Nobody was critically and commercially successful upon release, but unfairly titled John Wick some robbery. Yes, the general plot moves are similar. Yes, they have some common writing and producing talents. But the decision to make Nobodya smaller and more intimate world eventually allows him to stand on his own.
John Wick features an acclaimed action star in a slick, fully realized international killer community. But Nobody changes it all to Bob Odenkirk in a middle class suburb, a strained marriage and a dead end job. It sounds exciting? No? You’ll change your mind once you see Odenkirk attack the bad guy with a bomb attached to a slab of bulletproof glass.
3 “Upgrade” (2018)
Update another Blumshouse diamond starring Logan Marshall-Green stars like Gray Trace. After a brutal robbery takes his wife’s life and leaves him paralyzed, Gray is given an experimental chip called STEM that may be more than it looks.
Update as self-aware as the chip in Logan Marshall-Green’s head with fierce and spectacular fights. Watching Marshall-Green interact with the chip in the middle of a fight as he relinquishes control of his body and lets STEM take over is great. Part revenge thriller, part cyberpunk horror, Update worth checking out if you somehow missed it.
4 Northerner (2022)
It might seem odd to call a movie that has a nearly 90% approval rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes “underrated”: for all its star power both in front of and behind the camera, Northerner was declared a box office failure.
Northerner stars Alexander Skarsgard as a Viking prince seeking to avenge his father. The cinematography is perfect, managing to convey the grandeur and cruelty of the story. The action is as crisp as you’d expect from a Viking revenge tale, with the final (naked) showdown taking place inside an active volcano. And director Robert Eggers somehow maintains his trademark commitment to era accuracy.
5 “Valley of the Dead” (2020)
Valley of the Dead is another well done entry in the WW2/zombie genre. Using creative choice to allow protagonists to bond over differences rather than split over them is a welcome change to the genre. He is not as terrible as his cousin from the “immortal Nazi army”. overlord, but It’s just as fun. Valley even finds room for much-needed comedic relief.
Valley of the Dead Set during the Spanish Civil War, it oscillates between a war movie and a zombie movie. There are plenty of memorable kills, a thrilling final battle against a horde of zombies, and even a post-credits scene.
6 “The Night Comes for Us” (2018)
In an excellent example of the “assassin cultivates a conscience” genre, The night is following us follows a Triad hitman after he makes a decision that will have consequences for him and everyone he loves. director Timo Tiajantoknown for one of the most action-packed episodes of violence on Netflix, continues this series with The night is following us.
Fight in a nightclub? Check. Fighting in the butcher’s butcher’s butcher’s cabinet? Check. Fighting in a rundown warehouse by the docks? Check. The night is following us offers some of the most exciting action scenes in recent years. And somehow finds time to add some quiet, humanizing moments to elevate this film above other ultra-violent gangster films.
7 “Powder Milkshake” (2021)
In the action genre, unfortunately, there are not many female roles. Enter Powder milkshake. Top notch castMichelle Yeoh, Lena Headey, Karen Gillan, Carla GuginoAnd Angela Bassett) makes a strong case for being just as hilarious (if not more so) than its male-oriented counterparts.
Karen Gillan, best known for her role as Nebula in the MCU, plays the title role, Sam, and proves she can do an action movie when given the chance. The film is a blazing powder keg of over-the-top action, making it a must-see.
8 “Day Shift” (2022)
Day shift arrived in 2022 to add a touch of originality to the vampire genre. Starring Jamie Fox, Dave FrancoAnd Snoop Dogg, Day shift asks what if killing vampires was just another day job? The answer is that you will get an entertaining action-horror-comedy.
In addition to the vampire fistfights, there’s a surprising amount of worldbuilding that adds a bit of extra depth to a light movie. Memorable moments include discovering the vampire hive, Snoop Dogg saving the day with a Gatling gun, and an opening fight scene featuring an amazingly nimble grandmother.
9 Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Terminator fans have had a hard time since 1991. Terminator 2: Judgment Day considered one of the best sequels / action movies. The following sequels are much less fondly remembered. But how can you compare to the success of the first two films? Is anyone ever going to be able to?
Terminator: Dark Fate hotly debated as a Terminator movie for various reasons, but doesn’t that mean it should automatically be considered a lousy action movie? Luckily, if the viewer is willing to give up their fierce loyalty to the franchise, there’s a spectacular, enjoyable mechanized mayhem. director Tim Miller should at least get credit for trying to introduce new characters and stakes.
10 “Cold Pursuit” (2019)
Liam Neeson resurrected his career with neo-noir detective films and action films, and even recently starred in his 100th film. Thankfully, it doesn’t look like Neeson plans to stop anytime soon.
cold pursuit incredibly sharply written action movie. After Neeson’s character, Nels Coxman, becomes suspicious of the official version of his son’s death, he decides to seek justice on his own. The bodies are piled of sawn-off shotguns and even a snowplow. All the scenery you’d expect from a Neeson film is here, but with a touch of dark humor.
Source: Collider
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