Breathtaking stories, combative action and engaging characters are some of the many reasons as to why action movies have been a crowd pleaser for over a century now. Be it the captivating hero or the heartless antagonist, these films make a mark, unlike any other movies. If you’re looking for your next adrenaline-pumping watch Click Here to explore these must-see action films.
Best Action Movies: Unforgettable Heroes and Villains
For many, the highlights of an action film are the characters within the movie and the storyline. Great heroes ignite determination and bravery while villains spice up the movie with suspense and conflict. Heroes and Villains in this genre are abundant and epitomized by various films but here are some of the notable films:
1. Die Hard (1988)
- Hero: John McClane (Bruce Willis)
- Villain: Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman)
Mixing smart humor, intense action, and its everyman protagonist into one “die hard” character made this action movie a classic, adding a complexity layer to the story. Placed in a duel at the top of a giant building, John McClane who takes on the role of an intelligent and self reliant hero faces off against Hans Gruber.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
- Hero: Batman (Christian Bale)
- Villain: Joker (Heath Ledger)
The ultimate confrontation between the forces of good and evil is exhibited fully in this Oscar winning film. Batman is believed to be the antagonist of the story whereas Heath Ledger is a non conformist and breaks stereotypes of a villain with his role of a joker, everything he has played romps up this role to another level.
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Hero: Furiosa (Charlize Theron)
- Villain: Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne)
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ is an interesting combination of high speed action and stunning graphics with Furiosa’s unyielding quest for liberty and Immortan Joe’s despotic regime which sets up an interesting plot.
4. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- Hero: Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton)
- Villain: T-1000 (Robert Patrick)
This movie takes the franchise a step higher in terms of jaw dropping visual experiences and interesting characters. The strong warrior that Sarah Connor has turned into is an opposite to the ever shifting T 1000.
5. Gladiator (2000)
- Hero: Maximus (Russell Crowe)
- Villain: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix)
‘Gladiator’ is a phenomenal story of vengeance and returning from ‘the dark’. The storyline contained elements of vengeance where the chief agent Maximus with the characteristics of strength and honour had to face the cruel and jealous Commodus which made a good experience watching the film.
Why Heroes and Villains Matter
For the genre of action movies the interactions between the heroes and villains is the essence. Most heroic characters are imbued with ideals of bravery or self sacrifice earning the public’s affection. While villains are in direct contrast to these ideals creating a source of conflict and drama. All these serve as the central components that allow the listeners not to enter into a tranquil lull.
More Recent Gems to Watch
Make sure to not miss films such as “John Wick” released 2014, that entirely changes the standards of action choreography and “Avengers: Endgame” released in 2019 wherein a group of heroes confronts the strongest of all villains, Thanos.
How to Find the Best Action Movies
Curation of film lists and streaming platforms are ideal tools for looking up the action film genre. Review the movie, check its reviews, watch its trailer, and see its ratings in order to match your interests. For more specific recommendations, Stake Hub provides curated content, offering other variety that may interest you.